Outdoor swimming kit we love this summer
A plant-based protein shake formulated specifically for women, a backpack that doubles as a tow float and a fully immersible sling bag: read on for our round up of the best pieces of outdoor swimming kit we’ve tried, tested and loved this summer
XTRATUF Aqua Apres Fish Sliders
£45
These are super simple, super comfortable and super useful. The high performance EVA foam footbed makes it feel like you are walking on air and they weigh virtually nothing, which means they are great for throwing into kit bags or wearing to and from the water. Even cooler, for every pair sold XTRATUF will donate £1 to the RNLI.
ATTIS Kit Bags, from £17.75
£17.75
Sustainable camping brand Attis make two- and three-berth tents using organic cotton and recycled ocean plastic. Their Kit Bags are produced from the same high tensile organic cotton as their ridge tents, with zips and labels made from recycled ocean plastic. Perfect for keeping your bits organised and easy to find even with cold hands.
BUDDYSWIM Buoy Drybag BuddySwim Backpack
£42
As fans of summer swim-hiking, we love any kit that enables adventure. This clever backpack doubles as a tow float. Super comfortable to carry and sizeable enough for your swim kit, it has fully adjustable straps and a breathable pad that sits against your back. The backpack trellis is easy to clip off so you can inflate it and keep your essentials with you while you swim.
HARBOUR & TIDE Buoys Buoys Buoys T-Shirt
£30
We love these cheeky slogan t-shirts by from Harbour & Tide, a vibrant beach store in sunny Margate. Made with 100% organic cotton and hand-printed in Hastings, these limited edition designs (which also include ‘Resting Beach Face’), won’t be around for long!
PRECISION FUEL & HYDRATION PF60 Chew Bar, £9.99 (three bars)
£9.99
Sick of gels but need some quick carbs? These Chew Bars from Precision Fuel & Hydration could be the solution. The Chew Bar has a consistency not dissimilar to Turkish Delight and packs 60g of carbs into a bar weighing 68g. They’re intended to fuel strenuous endurance efforts, such as long bike rides or swims. However, chewing while swimming is challenging. We use them instead as a pre-swim energy boost, washed down with coffee. They also work well for an energy recharge between swims if you’re doing multiple sessions in a day, such as at a training camp. They’re not as quick to get down as a gels, but more satisfying.
TRIHARD After-Swim Body Wash
£14.27
We regularly use TriHard’s Hair Comb-O to remove chlorine and saltwater and relieve irritation caused by pool chemicals, but this summer we’ve also been hooked on their After-Swim Body Wash, which has gentle exfoliating kernels to softly relieve skin discomfort while neutralising chlorine and hydrating the skin. It leaves our skin feeling so refreshed and clean!
COLUMBIA KONOS™ TRS Outdry
£110
The design of this lightweight waterproof hiking shoe is inspired by the shape of a pinecone, the midsole cradling the heel for comfortable stability, the heel and forefoot cushioning impact while the outsole provides exceptional traction in wet and dry conditions. They’re ideal for travelling and swim hikes!
CRAZY CREEK Hex 2.0 LongBack Chair
£79.95
This is such a clever idea and our non-swimmer pal appreciated it the most! While we were in the water, they happily sat riverside, comfortable and supported. It is so light and easy to carry clipped onto a backpack, perfect for picnics, camping and enjoying a moment with a hot drink after a cool swim.
DECATHLON Swimsuits
£17.99-£24.99
The new summer range of versatile suits from Decathlon are affordable, comfortable and will work in the pool or open water. The simplicity of these suits is what makes them brilliant. They could be worn under a wetsuit, while sunbathing or on a longer swim. They might not be ideal for longer bodies, but the colours, fabric and styles are ideal for most swimmers. The Lio one-piece is perfect in open water.
FINISTERRE Kaia 2mm Yulex® Swimsuit
£140
We love Finisterre’s new Kaia thermal swimsuit. Made with Yulex® 2.0 – the new, stretchier iteration of the plant-based alternative to neoprene – with flatlocked and zigzag stitched seams prevent it from slipping, it will keep you supported and toasty year-round. Plus, that print is everything!
GROUNDTRUTH Cross Body Dry Sling
£73
Super simple and fully immersible, this waterproof sling bag is ideal for small items like a car key, mobile phone or medication while out on the water. We tested it wearing while swimming, as well as fully submerging and it was perfect. We wore it like a bum bag while swimming and it didn’t hinder our stroke, so when a tow float isn’t needed, this will be a go-to piece of kit. Also great for water paddle sports, worn as a sling bag.
JARVI the Sauna Bottle
£24.95
Not just for sauna lovers! The natural cork and neoprene sleeve on this stylish Sauna Bottle (550ml or 1lt) keeps the double-walled insulated stainless steel bottle cool to touch and the water chilled even in a 90ºC sauna. It’s also great for keeping your water refreshingly cool during a training session in a too-warm pool.
LAND&WATER Face Moisturiser, Hydrate & Restore
£32
This rich moisturiser is made with samphire, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, all of which can benefit dry, post-swim skin by deeply hydrating and replenishing moisture, which is often lost due to the effects of swimming in chlorinated or salt water. It smells lovely, too!
LOVE LISSIE Leopard Print Leggings
£32.99
These super soft, high waisted leggings are supportive, durable and brilliantly comfortable. They are great for both running and yoga sessions, as well as being easy enough to slip on after a swim. Unlike any other leggings I have tried, these don’t slip down as you move or dig in at the waist. The reinforced seams give you the confidence to squat, stretch and move.
OWN THE ADVENTURE Eco-Friendly Swim Trunks
£39.99
Ideal for fun open water swims and low-key training sessions. The bright colours attracted a lot of comments, in a good way. They feel well-made and the material is soft and light. Having metal eyelets for the drawstring is a nice touch as we’ve ripped the fabric on many a costume that don’t have these. The style sits in a sort of no-man’s land between jammers or briefs, but we know some people wear them for exactly this reason. We’ve heard a jammers edition is on the way so we’re looking forward to seeing that.
RED Quilted Lightweight Water-Resistant Adventure Blanket
£78.95
This is great as a blanket to sit on, sunbathe on or wrap around you. On the beach, sand slipped off it and on a damp day by the river the waterproof groundsheet kept our bums and kit dry! We loved the loops for pegging out on a windy day and the zipped secret pocket to hide keys away. It also packs up super small and is lightweight to carry.
STREAM2SEA Reef Friendly Mask Defog
£12.95
We’re thrilled that Stream2Sea products are now available in the UK. This mask/goggle defog gel is the best we’ve tried and is also made from safe ingredients that won’t impact outdoor water environments or irritate your eyes. It works, as simple as that. We use it every time we go on a long swim and never need to worry about fog!
OWN THE ADVENTURE Tie-Dye Swimsuit
£54.99
Made from 100% recycled polyester, OTA swimsuits come in a choice of three eye-popping prints – we loved the tie-dye. The suits also have a clever breast check reminder on the inside lining, so not only will you be reminded to check your boobs each time you swim, you’ll also be happy in the knowledge that a portion of your pennies will have gone to a good cause – Breast Cancer UK.
PROTEIN WORKS, Sune
£29.99 (600g)
This plant-based protein shake is formulated specifically for women, with added probiotics, vitamins and minerals specifically designed to support women’s health to maintain hormone balance, cognitive function, energy levels and gut health. Each portion contains 20g of protein and it blends to a lovely thick texture.
TAPPERMADE Seaweed Face Oil
From £11
Having recently switched from body lotion to an oil, we wanted similar for the face. Many lotions and creams contain additional chemicals, which are not water safe or environmentally friendly. This seaweed infused oil was moisturising, but not greasy. It smells fresh and aromatic, glides onto skin well and has become part of our daily skincare routine.
TICKET TO THE MOON Upcycled Mini Backpack
£24.95
We threw this into the suitcase on a recent swim holiday as a ‘just in case’ bag and ended up using it daily. It’s such a great idea, light, small and simple design. It unfolds and was large enough to fit all our swim-kit. Despite its simplicity, it still has a little back pocket for valuables, and adjustable straps. Also great as an extra bag when doing grocery shopping!
VOITED Outdoor Poncho 3.0
£95
We loved this super stylish, yet simple and practical poncho. This is lighter than big, cumbersome changing robes but still offers warmth and protection from the elements. The new waffle lining was perfect for absorbing water without feeling damp and cold underneath. It is lightweight enough to fold into itself, which is ideal for travel and big bonus, it is machine washable!
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.
