GEAR
Outdoor swimming gear reviews and gear advice articles.
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Mako trunks
These Toucan trunks from Mako didn’t arrive at the H2Open office in time to be tested and reviewed in last…
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Zone 3 Advance wetsuit
It has been a while since we tested a Zone3 wetsuit, so we were interested to get our hands on…
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Vantage Point, by Patricia Filteau
Set in the near future, this is a mystery thriller novel dealing with advanced technology and intellectual property rights, so…
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The Bering Papers: An extreme winter swimmer’s story
Jack Bright is perennially drawn to extreme adventures in nature. As a winter swimmer and explorer the lure of swimming…
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Michael Phelps Race Kit, from Aqua Sphere
We finally got our hands on a pair of men’s XPRESSO jammers and the matching X-O Race Cap, the final…
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Wild Swimming in Ireland, by Maureen McCoy and Paul McCambridge
Fifty swims in Ireland chosen by open water swimmer McCoy, this book looks like an essential companion to any trip…
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Sport & Meditation, by Sri Chinmoy
A fascinating look at the power of meditation in sport and the untapped spiritual aspect of training and racing. £16.99…
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Are you tough enough? By Helen Summer
Well, this book is pretty much about what it says on the cover. We picked it up because it has…
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Finis Posture Trainer
Although it looks like a mediaeval torture device, the Finis Posture Trainer is designed to promote correct head and spine…
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Max’s Protein Bar
My usual experience with protein products is the taste ranges from chemically enhanced to just about palatable. It was therefore…
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Aqua Sphere XCEED goggles
Developed in conjunction with Michael Phelps and US Olympic coach Bob Bowman, these racing goggles are not designed for open…
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Zone3 Bouyancy Shorts
We love these premium neoprene shorts from Zone3. Designed to improve your body position in the water by getting swimmers…
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Swimzi XK jacket
The Swimzi XK jacket was designed in collaboration with a team of swimmers who attempted a relay crossing from the Farallon…
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BlueSeventy Thermal Helix wetsuit
On first appearance the Blueseventy Thermal Helix looks like any other wetsuit. However inside it has the added feature of…
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See Swim inflatable dry bag
The latest tow float to enter the market is an inflatable dry bag from See Swim, designed for carrying your…
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Yonda Ghost wetsuit
From their base in Yorkshire, new British brand Yonda have developed a really flexible wetsuit that will appeal to swimmers…
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Dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve
In the past few years Dryrobes have become ubiquitous on the open water swimming scene. Warm, waterproof and big enough…
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Aropec Flying Fish
The Flying Fish is Aropec Sports’s top of the range wetsuit. Competitively priced, this newcomer to the wetsuit market is…
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FINIS Edge Training Fins
Our first reaction to FINIS Edge Training Fins was: “these look different!” This, in fact, is often our response to…
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FUEL10k Protibrick and Protiflakes
Breakfast company FUEL10k has based its marketing strategy around the premise that to excel at anything – whether it’s swimming,…
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FINIS Fuse Jammer
FINIS pitches its Fuse Jammer (and the women’s equivalent, the Fuse Knee Suit) as an entry level racing suit with…
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Liquid Fire Pro Knee Suit (open back) – women’s racing costume
I’ve been encouraged by my team mates for some time to embrace a racing suit (everyone seems to have one…
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Liquid Fire Pro Jammers – men’s racing costume
The men’s equivalent is a little cheaper, sounds like it’s a little easier to get into (but still takes patience)…
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Back on Track, by Fiona Ford
In June 2012, while Fiona Ford was out in the Surrey Hills on a regular training ride, a car pulled…
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Arena Swim Keel
It took a bit of time to figure out how to use the new Arena “Swim Keel”. It looks like…
