10 Swim Bag Essentials For Competitive Swimmers

It’s almost an impossible feat to turn up to the pool empty-handed, especially if you’re a competitive swimmer. Some days, you can leave certain things at home, but there are essentials that you can’t ever be without. Below are the 10 things that competitive swimmers must always have in their swim bag.

Goggles

Without goggles, it’s virtually impossible to swim a lap and compete! You’ll want ones with wide lenses, which can provide you with peripheral vision. Mirrored goggles, such as these ones from Speedo, will reduce glare from the water in bright conditions and is also UV protected. During an important competition, your vision can’t be compromised and will need to be protected with the right goggles. The design also implements anti-fog coated lenses to provide you with crystal clear underwater and above water vision. The Vanquisher 2.0 has a sleek and snug fit for most eye shapes and includes four interchangeable nose pieces to suit your face.

Earplugs and Nose Clip

While ear drops help get rid of water, there are preventative methods, such as using earplugs. Take this set from Mack’s – they are made of soft silicone to provide comfort for extended wear.

It also comes with its own case, which you can use to store your earplugs after it’s washed. Nose clips, such as these ones, are also effective in keeping water outside your body. They’re useful for when you’re practicing dives, as the clips will prevent water from coming up your nose.

Towel

In between laps, you may want to stay dry and having a towel at hand is useful. Instead of lugging around a big fluffy towel, competitive swimmers would often carry a chamois on them. They’re generally smaller in size than a traditional towel, and can fit inside a small storage case that you can fit in your gym bag without taking much space. For instance, this chamois from Flow Swim Gear is super absorbent and quick-drying, which means you can reuse in between races and dives after you give it a quick wring. The storage tub will keep the swim towel damp and prevent it from drying out, too.

Swim Paddles

Open a competitive swimmer’s bag and you’ll often find a pair of hand paddles. They can come in different colors, often with holes and straps for your fingers, but they all have the same purpose: to help build upper body strength. The generally wide hand paddles create resistance in the water, which makes you push further with your strokes. This bright-colored ones from Synergy are great for visibility in the water and can add a personal touch to your gear.

Racing Swimsuit

Of course, the most important item in any competitive swimmer’s bag is a swimsuit. A racing swimsuit, to be exact, differs slightly than a normal one. To move fast in the water, the swimsuit design must be ultra-lightweight and have a second-skin fit, like this one from Arena. A combination of these two qualities will reduce water absorption and surface drag to deliver powerful hydrodynamics. Seams are also designed in a way that doesn’t interfere with movement and should allow a good stretch and complete freedom of the limbs.

Swim Ear Drops

For those that are constantly in the water, dry ears can be hard to maintain. At times, it can get frustrating and become a nuisance when all you can hear is water sloshing. To prevent this, competitive swimmers almost always have ear-drying aid in their swim bags. Many brands have their version of these drops, but as long as you find one that works to rid of your water-clogged ears, that’s all that matters.

Swim Cap

Swim caps are made for three main things: to keep your hair out of your face, to protect your hair from chlorine, and to help you streamline through the water. Having your hair in the way can slow you down immensely, and a swim cap easily solves that problem. Besides, swim caps are part of competition swimwear, which means it’s a must to wear one to comply to regulations. Since you’ll be wearing them often, it’s best to get one that suits you comfortable. Take a look at this one from TYR Sport – it comes in four different colors, and is made with silicone and latex that won’t pull or snag at your head.

Swim Bag

You can’t carry all your essentials without the biggest essential of all: a swim bag! Whether you’re a backpack or duffel bag person, it’s vital to look for one that have separate compartments to store your dry and wet items. Without the division, your valuables can potentially be ruined from your soaking wet swimming gear. Most swim bags are waterproof by design, which means you won’t get leaks and no water will come inside, either. It’s even better if the bag comes with its own removeable dirt bag, like this one.

Mesh swim bag

A swim bag is an absolute necessity, however competitive swimmers tend to have a mesh bag as well. The simple, drawstring mesh bag is to take their valuables and other swimming gear they may need to the pool, while they leave their big swim bag in the lockers. Bags that have a separate waterproof compartment or pocket for your phone and other valuables are even better for safety. When you’re dripping wet from the pool, it can get fiddly to open bags, however with drawstring openings like this one, you can easily take your gear out even while you have the bag on your shoulders.

Water bottle

It may be hard to tell, being in the water, but swimmers do sweat. Just like with any other sport, it’s important for swimmers to be hydrated at all times. In your mesh bag, consider keeping a high-quality water bottle that is easy to drink out of.

It may also be worth noting to buy one that will last long instead of cheaper plastic ones that can break easily!