Best swim training kit
Maximise your pool training sessions with our pick of the best swim training kit from kickboards and fins to hand paddles and front facing swim snorkels.
ZONE3 Front Facing Swim Drill Snorkel
£22
They say: We can all improve our swim, whether it be our technique, strength or speed, and that’s where our snorkel comes in. With an adjustable headband and flexible mouthpiece, the Swim Drill Snorkel gives excellent stability and a secure fit even at high speeds so you can glide through the water without lifting your head. It’s ideal for breaking down your stroke for improved efficiency and speed.
We say: A simple but effective piece of kit. We tested it in the pool and open water. It was best in the pool as sighting was a challenge in open water. However, we did enjoy focusing on our stroke over a long distance in our local lake. If you haven’t used a snorkel without a mask before it takes a bit of getting used to without having your nose covered, but once in our rhythm it was both comfortable and useful. Not worrying about breathing when trying to focus on other elements of your body is a definite plus. It also makes you consider your breathing more.
HUUB Stoke Float
£29.99
They say: The three different layers of buoyancy in the HUUB Stroke Float cater for all abilities and can be changed easily to perform a wide range of developmental swimming drills. The Stroke Float creates buoyancy for single arm drills and side lateral kicking drills. These exercises will help to develop a swimmer’s core strength in the water, improving their full reach and full extension (distance per stroke) and general overall technique. The Stroke Float can also be used for normal kicking by holding it with two arms outstretched and hands in the centre straps.
We say: This three-layered float has been well thought out. You start with the three layers, then as your core strengthens you can remove some of the buoyancy. It has a double hand strap, so there’s no need to grasp the float like you would with a standard kick board – a position that could make you tense up. Smaller than a standard float, it helped us feel balanced in the water – great for single arm drills and working on our reach and extension.
ZONE3 Silicone V-Flex Ergo Swim Training Fins
£35
They say: A unique one-piece fin design with ankle strap for improved comfort and fit. It features an ankle strap rather than a full fitted heel, which allows a better fit, less chafing and unrestricted movement. Using fins as part of your swim training can have a huge benefits to your overall swim efficiency and speed.
We say: Finally, a pair of fins that don’t take 10-minutes of faffing in the shallow end to get on! So flexible and simple to get on and off, we could even get them on while treading water! While swimming with them the soft material enabled a beautiful kick without restriction. Sometimes fins can cause cramp and discomfort in feet, but these were comfortable and super flexible. The shape and style enhanced the swim kick as well as enabling to swim with ease while focused on an arm set. We loved doing butterfly kick in them.
HUUB Hand Paddles
£14.99
They say: HUUB Hand Paddles will help you build upper body strength and improve your stroke technique. Available in three sizes, these paddles have been anatomically designed to mirror your hands’ contour and provide a natural swim experience during training. Strategically placed holes evenly distribute pressure whilst keeping the feel for the water. The variable silicone lacing options offer more strap configuration and greater comfort.
We say: These paddles are comfortable, rigid and easy to use. The small size we tested didn’t offer a large additional load compared to swimming without. This could make them useful to someone using paddles for the first time, returning from injury, or doing longer distance swims with paddles such as for swimrun. We tested them on the four competitive strokes and they worked well for all of them (although butterfly was a challenge). They do what they’re supposed to and would be a useful addition to your kit bag if you don’t have paddles.
KITBRIX The Sighting ToteBrix
£59.90* 15% off with code OUTDOORSWIMMER15
They say: A tote bag, a holdall – a true “bag for living”. The new ToteBrix bag, developed in partnership with Paula Radcliffe, is the ultimate accessory for an active lifestyle. ToteBrix brings the unmistakable KitBrix construction and performance to your everyday carry. Our trademark BaseBrix™ waterproof moulded base protects from the elements and allows the bag to stand freely for easy packing.
We say: This has quickly become our go-to kit bag. It has a cavernous main compartment that’s just the right size to fit pool or open water kit, and it slots in well to a gym locker. The tote style makes it much easier to find things than rummaging around in a backpack, but it’s got a good range of pockets, too: an internal water bottle pouch, a ‘laptop’ pocket and a small internal waterproof pocket. The outer fabric feels tough and and the best part is the moulded base, which keeps your kit dry wherever you put it down.
HUUB Catch Up Pole
£29.99
They say: This allows the swimmer to enter the water inline with his or her shoulders. This then stops them crossing over the centreline and stops them from ‘snaking’ through the water. It has adjustable buoyancy discs which can be aligned to suit the shoulder width of the swimmer and also help keep the swimmer on top of the water. Excellent for creating distance per stroke and stops them from ‘windmilling’ through the water. It lowers stroke count and slows stroke rate.
We say: We found the pole floated higher in the water than we wanted, both to finish the stroke and start the next one. To do a stroke, we had to let go of the bar, drop our hand a few centimetres, and then start the catch. Likewise, after finishing the stroke, we had to lift our hand to find the pole. This forces you to slow down and completely focus on each stroke. We recommend swimming with a snorkel while using the Catch Up Pole so you can fully concentrate on your catch and pull through. It could also be used for single-arm drills.
SUMARPO Flow Eco Neoprene Buoyancy Shorts
£142* Get 20% off with code OS20
They say: Step up your training with Sumarpo Neoprene Buoyancy Shorts. Crafted from 3mm/5mm Yamamoto Neoprene and enhanced with an SCS hydrodynamic coating, these shorts guarantee quick drying and superior performance. Sumarpo wetsuit shorts are the ultimate training tool for triathletes and swimmers.
We say: If you want easy speed, pull on a pair of these. Perhaps the most buoyant buoyancy shorts we’ve tried, you can literally feel them hoicking up your backside as you swim. This makes for comfortable, easy swimming allowing you to focus on technique – or keep up with those faster people in the next lane. The smooth SCS coating feels slick through the water. While of most use as a training tool, you could also use these in open water. For example, you might pull them on in temperatures when you might feel a little cold but aren’t quite ready for a full wetsuit, or for swims in warmer water where you still want the buoyancy boost of a wetsuit but don’t want to overheat.
SUMARPO Pro Swim Hand Paddles
£22* Get 20% off with code OS20
They say: SWIM HAND PADDLES are designed for a professional triathlete to achieve the best performance; They are ergonomically shaped to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. Multiple holes located on the paddle help you feel the water and the ergonomic design fits into the palm of your hand.
We say: Ignore the stuff about professional triathletes, these paddles are good for swimmers too. The domed shape fits comfortably into your palm and feels like a more natural position to hold than you get with flat paddles. Additionally, when pulling through, it feels like you are scooping the water, which helps keep your hand on the correct path. We particularly liked the soft edges to the paddles – you are less likely to injury another swimmer with these than with other hard-edged paddles on the market. The would also be a good choice for swimrun events where you’re allowed to use hand paddles.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
