Gear that keepsyou in the waterlonger.
Buying guides for goggles, swimwear, caps, training tools, open-water kit and swim tech, for lap swimmers, competitive swimmers, triathletes and families learning to swim.
Find gear by how you swim
Lap lanes, race day, open water or first lessons. Each section starts with the swimmer, then the gear.
Goggles & caps
Training, racing, prescription and caps
Swimwear
Training suits, jammers and tech suits
Training gear
Fins, paddles, kickboards and snorkels
Open water & triathlon
Wetsuits, tow floats and swimskins
Swim tech
Watches, headphones and pool clocks
Learn to swim & family
Kids, beginners and water safety
Deck & care
Bags, parkas, towels and chlorine care
Snorkel, polo & more
Snorkeling, freediving, water polo and aqua fitness
Know your kit
Why polyester training suits outlast nylon-spandex in chlorinated pools, how to read fabric labels, and how to care for a swimsuit so it lasts longer.
- 02
Full-Face vs Traditional Snorkel Masks: Fit and Use
Snorkeling masks
- 03
How to Choose Swim Goggles: Fit, Gaskets and Lens Tints
Goggles
- 04
Jammers vs Briefs vs Square-Leg Swimsuits
Training suit cuts
- 05
Life Jackets vs Swim Aids for Kids: What Keeps Them Safe
Water safety
- 06
Pool vs Open-Water Swim Watches: What Tracking Changes
Swim tracking
Swimming Gear questions, answered
What is the most chlorine-resistant swimsuit fabric?
100 percent polyester, including PBT polyester. It has little or no spandex for chlorine to break down.
Read: Chlorine-Resistant Swimsuits →What is the difference between a full-face and traditional snorkel mask?
A traditional setup separates the face mask and the mouthpiece snorkel. A full-face design combines the mask with an attached snorkel system; details such as airflow and valves vary by model.
Read: Full-Face vs Traditional Snorkel Masks →How do I know if swim goggles fit?
Press them gently into your eye sockets without the strap. If they stay on by suction for a second or two, the seal fits your face.
Read: How to Choose Swim Goggles →Are jammers better than briefs for lap swimming?
Neither cut is best for every swimmer. Compare leg coverage, waist fit and the activity listed for the exact suit, then choose the style you find comfortable through a full session.
Read: Jammers vs Briefs vs Square-Leg Swimsuits →Are arm floaties safe?
They are swim aids, not lifesaving devices. They can slip off and do not keep a child's face out of the water, so they never replace supervision or a life jacket.
Read: Life Jackets vs Swim Aids for Kids →Do swim watches use GPS in a pool?
Garmin's Pool Swim profile counts lengths from movement and uses a manually selected pool size. Other makers may handle indoor swim tracking differently, so check the watch's support page.
Read: Pool vs Open-Water Swim Watches →Fit first, then features
Every guide explains how the gear should fit and how to tell before the return window closes.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The swimming gear index
- 01Goggles & capsTraining and racing goggles, mirrored and tinted lenses, prescription goggles, masks, silicone and latex caps.4 pages
- 02SwimwearTraining suits and jammers, chlorine-resistant fabrics, competition tech suits, and modest and plus-size options.5 pages
- 03Training gearSwim fins, hand paddles, kickboards, pull buoys, center-mount snorkels, parachutes and resistance tools.2 pages
- 04Open water & triathlonSwim wetsuits, swimskins, tow floats, open-water goggles, neoprene caps and cold-water gear.3 pages
- 05Swim techSwim-tracking watches, bone-conduction and waterproof headphones, lap counters and pace clocks.1 page
- 06Learn to swim & familyLearn-to-swim aids, kids' goggles and suits, life jackets, swim diapers and adult beginner guides.1 page
- 07Deck & careMesh and backpack bags, deck parkas, microfiber towels, slides, anti-fog, ear care and chlorine-removal products.1 page
- 08Snorkel, polo & moreSnorkel masks and fins, freediving basics, water polo caps and balls, aqua fitness and synchronized swimming gear.1 page