Wetsuits, goggles and tow floats: choose for the environment
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Start with the function
Pool and open-water equipment address different needs. Goggles need to support vision; a wetsuit should fit without restricting the stroke; a visible cap and tow float help make a swimmer noticeable. None of these objects makes a location or condition safe on its own. Swim England’s guides are practical advice, not comparative product tests. [1][2]
Wetsuit: check shoulders, neck, wrists and ankles
Swim England recommends trying before buying where possible. Moving the arms in the suit should not put strong pressure on the shoulders. Wrists, neck and ankles are key fit and water-entry points. The right size cannot be established from height alone. [1]
A higher price does not establish better personal fit. Comfort, freedom and fit come before a generic speed promise. Permitted thickness and mandatory or prohibited use depend on the event’s current rules: old temperature thresholds are not repeated here as current rules.
Goggles: see the water you are swimming in
Swim England distinguishes clear lenses for lower light from darker or mirrored options for bright conditions, asking swimmers to consider the environment. Fit and seal remain individual. A dark lens does not improve visibility when light is lacking; a pool choice is not automatically suitable for a crossing. This guide assigns no performance advantage to a brand. [2]
Tow float and cap: visibility is not rescue
A tow float is a visibility aid, not a lifesaving device. It does not replace support, a supervised location or assessing conditions. RNLI advises suitable locations, checking weather, tides and currents, and not swimming alone. A float is not permission to exceed your abilities offshore. [2][3]
Cold water and sudden entry can compromise breathing and swimming ability. A wetsuit does not remove those risks. Safety decisions belong before entry, not in extra accessories during a problem. [3]
A checklist, not a ranking
- Pool: check goggle seal and the centre’s rules.
- Open water: choose the location, support and conditions before the equipment.
- Wetsuit: test movement and contact points, then check event rules.
- Tow float: distinguish visibility claims from buoyancy or lifesaving certification.
For context see sighting and open-water safety. This is not a shopping list and does not verify stock or prices.
Sources and limits
- Swim England, How to choose a wetsuit. 2018 fit advice, not an independent comparison.
- Swim England, Open water swimming kit. 2018 guide used for equipment functions, not current event rules.
- RNLI, Open-water swimming. Safety guidance, not product certification.
Sources checked on 29 October 2026.