Water sports and swimming accessories
A pair of goggles that won’t get waterlogged, a hat that stays in place, a towel that dries quickly at the pool: these water accessories make the difference between a pleasant session and a shortened swim. Choose here by category, from swim goggles to pull buoys, for both the pool and open water.
What accessories to take for a stress-free swim?
Goggles and a swim cap are essential as soon as you swim with your head in the water. Fins and a pull buoy are useful for technical training. Flip-flops, a towel, and earplugs make the before and after more comfortable, whether at the pool or by a lake.
Accessories sorted by usage
- Swimming goggles: clear lenses for indoor use, tinted for the outdoors.
- Swim caps: silicone, fabric or latex depending on the comfort desired.
- Flip-flops: for beaches, changing rooms and poolside.
- Towels and bathrobes: to dry off and cover up after getting out of the water.
- Fins: to work on your kick and improve propulsion.
- Earplugs: to limit water in your ears.
- Pull buoy: to isolate arm work.
Pool or open water: what's different
In a pool, the lighting is stable: clear or slightly tinted lenses are sufficient. Outside, the sun’s reflection on a lake often requires tinted or mirrored lenses. A brightly coloured cap makes you more visible in open water, and a compact towel easily fits into a hiking bag.
Swim accessory brands
Arena offers goggles, caps, and training equipment. BECO, adidas, and Speedo expand the choice of goggles and caps for the pool. Softee and Z3R0D provide additional accessories for training and open water.
Budget-friendly accessories
Swim accessories often go on sale during the swimming sales. The clearance activities page also gathers useful clearance items to complete a pool bag.
For the rest of your outfit, check out the women's clothing or men's clothing.
Building a complete swimming bag
For a session in the pool, pack goggles, a cap, flip-flops, and a towel, along with a small pouch for earplugs. If you're following a training plan, add fins and a pull buoy: they allow you to vary your exercises and work on a specific point without tiring yourself out. For open water, keep a second pair of goggles in your bag, in case the strap comes loose at the wrong moment. Rinse all your gear with fresh water after each session and let it dry outside your closed bag.
Frequently asked questions
How to prevent fogging in swimming goggles?
Avoid touching the inside of the lenses, rinse them with fresh water after each session, and allow them to air dry, away from direct sunlight.
Silicone or fabric swim cap?
Silicone protects your hair from water better and slides on more easily. Fabric is softer and more breathable, but it lets water through.
What is the purpose of a pull buoy?
Placed between the thighs, it helps keep the legs afloat: you focus effort on the arms and breathing during part of the session.
Are fins necessary to improve in freestyle?
They aren’t essential, but they help to work on the kick and body position. Short fins are good for training.
What towel for swimming in the mountains?
A microfiber towel takes up little space, weighs less in the bag, and dries quicker than a cotton terry model.
