- Home
- Buying guides
Choose with confidence
Goggle fit, chlorine-resistant fabrics, FINA-approved suits, fin lengths and wetsuit sizing explained.
Goggles & caps
Training and racing goggles, mirrored and tinted lenses, prescription goggles, masks, silicone and latex caps.
Compare silicone, latex and Lycra swim caps by comfort, stretch, hair fit and session type, then choose a cap that works with your goggles.
Pick swim goggles that seal and stay clear: the suction fit test, silicone, foam and gasketless designs, lens tints for indoor and outdoor, and anti-fog care.
Understand swim-goggle diopters, single-power lenses and mix-and-match options, then match the lens range and frame to your prescription and fit.
Compare moldable and pre-shaped swim earplugs with nose clips by fit, retention and session type, with clear limits for diving.
Swimwear
Training suits and jammers, chlorine-resistant fabrics, competition tech suits, and modest and plus-size options.
Why polyester training suits outlast nylon-spandex in chlorinated pools, how to read fabric labels, and how to care for a swimsuit so it lasts longer.
Compare three men's swimwear cuts by leg coverage, fit and use, then check the size chart and construction for the exact suit.
Compare swimsuit charts by measurements, cut and use instead of translating a size label from another brand or model.
What a swimming tech suit is, World Aquatics approval and coverage rules, USA Swimming's 12 and under rule, how tight it should fit and how long it lasts.
Compare common training swimsuit back and strap styles by coverage, support and shoulder movement, then check the fit of the exact model.
Training gear
Swim fins, hand paddles, kickboards, pull buoys, center-mount snorkels, parachutes and resistance tools.
Choose a center-mount swim snorkel by head-bracket fit, mouthpiece comfort, tube profile and clearing design for lap and technique work.
Compare pull buoys and hand paddles by the part of your stroke they change, how to choose a size, and what to check before using them.
How short-blade and long-blade swim fins differ, which suits beginners, technique work and speed training, and how swim fins should fit.
Compare swim parachutes and tether trainers by lane access, resistance, anchor needs and belt fit before adding drag work to a pool session.
Open water & triathlon
Swim wetsuits, swimskins, tow floats, open-water goggles, neoprene caps and cold-water gear.
Choose cold-water swim layers and accessories by fit, warmth and conditions, then plan for a gradual entry and warm recovery.
Compare triathlon wetsuit sleeve cuts by warmth, shoulder coverage, fit and the current USA Triathlon thickness and temperature rules.
How a swim wetsuit should fit, how to use a size chart, why swim wetsuits differ from surf suits, and USA Triathlon's water temperature rules for wetsuits.
Compare textile swimskins and wetsuits, including World Triathlon age-group temperature rules and the race-day details to check.
Compare a simple swim tow float with a dry-bag buoy by deflated size, storage, leash and reflective details, plus the safety limits to keep in mind.
Swim tech
Swim-tracking watches, bone-conduction and waterproof headphones, lap counters and pace clocks.
Compare pool-length tracking with open-water GPS, learn what swim watch metrics depend on, and check which activity profiles your model supports.
Compare Bluetooth and onboard MP3 swim headphones, including underwater limits, storage, fit and model-specific waterproof details.
Learn to swim & family
Learn-to-swim aids, kids' goggles and suits, life jackets, swim diapers and adult beginner guides.
Choose a first swim kit for adult lessons or lap practice: a comfortable suit, goggles, cap, towel and water bottle, with training extras added later.
Pack a comfortable suit, goggles, towel and wet bag for swim lessons, then check the provider's rules for caps, swim diapers and required equipment.
The difference between Coast Guard-approved life jackets and swim aids like arm floats, when children need each, and water safety guidance for families.
Deck & care
Mesh and backpack bags, deck parkas, microfiber towels, slides, anti-fog, ear care and chlorine-removal products.
Build a practical pool-care routine with a swim cap, prompt rinsing, swimmer's shampoo, conditioner and a mild body cleanser.
Compare swim plugs, custom molds and caps for limiting water in the ears, then follow CDC guidance for drying and ear-drop precautions.
Choose a draining mesh bag, an organized swim backpack or a deck parka by what you carry, where you go and when you need an outer layer.
Snorkel, polo & more
Snorkel masks and fins, freediving basics, water polo caps and balls, aqua fitness and synchronized swimming gear.
Choose a buoyancy belt or water weights by pool depth, movement and workout goal, with manufacturer guidance on fit and resistance.
Compare separate masks and mouthpiece snorkels with full-face masks, then check fit, model instructions and the limits of published safety evidence.
Compare open-heel and full-foot snorkeling fins by foot-pocket fit, straps and model-specific size charts before choosing a pair.
Compare men's and women's water polo ball dimensions, pressure, cap colors, numbers and ear protectors under current World Aquatics rules.
