Open Water Swimming Gear Checklist: What to Pack Before Every Swim
Gear, safety, nutrition, and post-swim recovery, everything you need before you hit the water.
Whether you are venturing back to the open water after hibernating in the pool all winter or you’re a first timer headed to an open water clinic or triathlon training, this list will help you arrive prepared.
We’ve been swimming in the San Francisco Bay for over 23 years and worked with thousands of swimmers. Preparation is key and safety in open water swimming is non-negotiable.
Open Water Swim Gear List
Swimsuit: Well-fitted and made for swimming (not sunbathing). If layering under a wetsuit make sure it’s snug to prevent bunching/chafing.
Bright Swim Cap: Neon colors make you visible. Pink or orange are best. Avoid black, navy and colors that blend into the water.
Goggles (Two Pairs): Clear and tinted. You never know when the fog or haze will clear and the sun will appear.
Swim Buoy: An important safety tool. It provides visibility of you in the water and while not intended to be a life-saving device it can be used as a flotation device for a quick rest.
Wetsuit: If wearing a wetsuit, make sure you have one that is properly fitted and made for open water swimming or triathlons and not a surf suit or dive suit. Remember thermal caps, gloves, booties too if you are choosing to wear them.
Anti-Chafe: Wetsuit swimmers - Trislide or Bodyglide works great; skin swimmers - vaseline or Aquaphor on key chafe points.
Watch: Wear a water proof watch with a timer to track how long you have been in the water. Know your limits!
Everything on this list, printable and ready for your bag.
Earplugs: Help keep you warm, avoid vertigo, and protect your hearing over time. Our pick - Mack’s Silicone Earplugs
Sunscreen: Keep your dermatologist happy. Skin swimmers on longer swims may opt for Desitin or Boudreaux’s Butt Paste (diaper rash creams) which contains zinc oxide for sun protection and ointment to avoid chafing.
Two Towels: One for drying off and one to stand on to protect your feet and keep sand from getting everywhere.
Warm Water Thermos or Jug: Fill a large thermos or laundry jug with warm (not hot) water to rinse off and start the re-warming process.
Post-Swim Layers: Bring a parka, warm hat, hoodie, sweats or easy to pull-on fleece or flannel pants (no leggings), warm socks and slip on shoes.
Your core temp will continue to drop 20 minutes after you exit the water so wet things off quickly and get the warm layers on ASAP.Post-Swim Snack: Thermos of warm tea or hot chocolate and a snack bar.
Medications: Inhaler, EpiPen, or any necessary medication
Emergency Contact Bag Tag: In the event you require medical assistance, have an emergency contact on your bag tag so others can better assist you.
Bonus items for your kit.
Cap Light: If swimming early morning, into the evening or have haze, take the extra precaution to be visible. Our pick - Guardian Expedition LED in green, blue, red, or amber.
HotSnapz: Reusable warmers for your hands, feet, and tummy - HotSnapZ Reusable Warmers (optional but a delight!)
Baby wipes: Excellent as a defogger for goggles and removing sunscreen / zinc oxide
Plastic Produce Bags: Slip over feet and hands for sliding into your wetsuit
Nitrile Gloves: For applying sunscreen and anti-chafe solutions (avoid getting on your goggles)
Travel first aid kit: Be the hero! You never know when a cut or scrape will happen and needs a quick clean and band-aid.
Forgetting your goggles is never a good idea.
Looking for more open water guidance? Check our Best Practices in Open Water Swimming Guide for more information.
Open water swimmers should pack a swimsuit, bright swim cap, clear and tinted goggles, earplugs, anti-chafe, sun protection, a swim buoy for visibility, two towels, warm post-swim layers and snack, and an emergency contact tag on their gear bag. Cold water swimmers should also consider a wetsuit and a thermos or jug of warm water for rinsing and to start re-warming.