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Glossary
Swimming Gear terms, explained
Short, plain definitions of the words you'll see on product pages and spec sheets. Each one links to a guide when there's more to know.
B
- Body loop
- A Fastskin-specific size measurement from one shoulder down the front, through the crotch and up the back to that shoulder. Read the guide →
C
- Crossback
- A swimsuit back style with straps that cross behind the shoulders; brand labels and layouts vary. Read the guide →
D
- Diopter
- A unit used to describe the optical power of a prescription swim-goggle lens. Read the guide →
- Dry-bag tow float
- A tow float with an integrated gear compartment; capacity, dimensions and closure instructions vary by model. Read the guide →
F
- Fin socks
- Thin neoprene socks that prevent fins rubbing. Read the guide →
- Flanged earplug
- A pre-shaped earplug with one or more flexible flanges at the tip. Read the guide →
- Full-face snorkel mask
- A snorkeling mask design that joins the face covering and snorkel assembly; fit and use depend on its model instructions. Read the guide →
G
- Gasket
- The soft seal around a goggle lens that sits against the face. Read the guide →
H
- Hand paddle
- A swim-training tool worn on the hand to increase its surface area against the water and provide resistance and movement feedback. Read the guide →
J
- Jammer
- A men's swimwear cut with longer legs than briefs and square-leg suits; coverage varies by model. Read the guide →
K
- Kneeskin
- A women's tech suit from the shoulders to the knee. Read the guide →
M
- Mesh swim bag
- A swim-gear bag with mesh panels that let water drain and air circulate. Read the guide →
- Moldable silicone earplug
- A soft swim earplug that the wearer shapes to fit, following the product instructions. Read the guide →
- Muscleback
- A training swimsuit back style; exact strap layout and coverage depend on the brand and model. Read the guide →
O
- Open-water swim profile
- A watch activity mode intended to record open-water swims; available features and GPS behavior vary by model. Read the guide →
- Optical swim goggle
- A swim goggle fitted with lenses in listed prescription powers. Read the guide →
P
- PBT polyester
- A polyester fiber with some stretch that resists chlorine, used in training suits. Read the guide →
- Personal flotation device (PFD)
- A wearable flotation device whose approval and intended use should be checked on its label and against applicable rules. Read the guide →
- Pool size
- The length entered in a compatible swim watch so its pool-swim mode can convert counted lengths into distance. Read the guide →
- Pull buoy
- A float held between the thighs to support the legs while a swimmer focuses on the arm stroke. Read the guide →
R
- Racerback
- A swimsuit back style with straps that meet toward the center of the back; construction varies by model. Read the guide →
S
- Spandex
- A stretch fiber (also sold as Lycra or elastane) that chlorine breaks down. Read the guide →
- Square-leg suit
- A men's swimsuit cut with short legs, offering more thigh coverage than a brief. Read the guide →
- Swedish goggles
- Gasketless racing goggles assembled by the swimmer, with a hard plastic eyecup. Read the guide →
- Swim aid
- A float that helps practice swimming but is not a lifesaving device. Read the guide →
- Swim brief
- A close-fitting men's swimsuit cut with minimal fabric over the thighs; coverage varies by model. Read the guide →
- Swim cap
- A fitted cap worn to contain hair and suit the swimmer’s training or racing routine; material changes fit and feel. Read the guide →
- Swim nose clip
- A bridge-shaped accessory worn across the nostrils during surface swimming. Read the guide →
- Swimskin
- A textile triathlon race layer worn over a trisuit for a swim where event rules permit it. Read the guide →
T
- Tech suit
- A compressive, water-repellent race suit approved for competition. Read the guide →
- Tow float
- An inflatable float towed behind an open-water swimmer by a leash; visibility features do not make it a wearable PFD. Read the guide →
W
- Wetsuit-legal
- Water cool enough that race rules allow wetsuits. Read the guide →
- World Aquatics
- The international swimming federation, formerly FINA, which approves competition swimwear. Read the guide →