The Complete Guide to Open Water Swimming Gear — Everything You Need

Open water swimming is booming in the UK — but getting your gear right is essential for safety and enjoyment. This guide covers everything you need, from tow floats and dry bags to changing robes and waterproof phone cases.

Whether you’re dipping your toes into wild swimming for the first time or looking for the right open water swimming equipment or you’re a seasoned open water swimmer looking to upgrade your kit, having the right gear makes all the difference. Cold water, unpredictable weather, and nowhere to leave your belongings safely — these are the realities of swimming outdoors in the UK. The good news? The right equipment solves all of them.

The Essential Open Water Swimming Kit List

1. Tow Float / Swim Buoy — Your Safety Lifeline

A tow float is arguably the single most important piece of open water swimming gear you can own. It serves three critical purposes:

• Visibility — The bright colour makes you visible to boats, jet skis, and other water users. This is a genuine safety issue, especially in shared waterways.
• Buoyancy — If you get tired, cramped, or into difficulty, you can rest on your tow float. It’s not a life-saving device, but it gives you something to hold onto.
• Dry storage — Our 28L tow float doubles as a waterproof dry bag, so you can keep your car keys, phone, and valuables with you in the water rather than leaving them on the bank.

Many open water swimming venues and events now require a tow float. Even where they don’t, it’s irresponsible to swim without one.

Shop the Ultra Dry Tow Float — £25.99

2. Waterproof Dry Bag — Protect Your Kit on the Bank

You’ve just had a brilliant swim. You walk back to your stuff and find it soaked from an unexpected downpour. Your towel is wet. Your clothes are wet. Your car seat is about to get very wet. Sound familiar?

A waterproof dry bag keeps your clothes, towel, and belongings completely dry while you swim — whether it rains, the tide comes in closer than expected, or another swimmer accidentally splashes your pile of stuff.

Which size for swimming?

• 5L — Keys, phone, wallet only
• 10L — Towel and a change of clothes (our most popular for swimmers)
• 20L — Everything above plus shoes, warm layers, and a flask of tea for afterwards

Not sure which size? Read our full dry bag size guide.

3. Waterproof Changing Robe — Warmth When You Need It Most

Cold water swimming is exhilarating, but getting out is only half the battle. The real challenge is warming up again — especially when you’re standing in a car park in January trying to change behind a tiny towel while the wind howls.

A waterproof changing robe solves everything. The Ultra Dry Changing Robe has:

• Waterproof & windproof outer shell — Protection from the elements the moment you get out
• Soft Sherpa fleece lining — Instant warmth against cold, wet skin
• Oversized fit — Room to change comfortably underneath without any awkward public gymnastics
• Internal phone pocket — Keep your phone safe with an earphone opening so you can listen to music while you warm up

Available in adult (£99.99) and kids (£75.99) sizes.

4. Waterproof Phone Case — Stay Connected Safely

Your phone is your camera, your emergency contact, your GPS, and your way of telling everyone on Instagram that you just swam in 8-degree water. A waterproof phone case lets you take it in the water (or at least to the water’s edge) without risking a very expensive accident.

Our IPX8-rated phone cases protect your device in up to 10 feet of water and fit all modern smartphones. The touchscreen works through the case, so you can take photos and videos without removing it.

Shop the Waterproof Phone Case — £10.99

5. Wetsuit or Swimming Skins

We don’t sell wetsuits, but we’d be doing you a disservice not to mention them. For UK waters below 15°C (which is most of the year), a wetsuit dramatically extends your time in the water and reduces the risk of cold water shock. Many organised swims require one.

For warmer months or acclimatised swimmers, a pair of swimming skins (tight-fitting shorts or a swimsuit designed for open water) is lighter and less restrictive. Either way, store it in a 20L dry bag to keep the rest of your kit dry on the way home.

6. Swim Cap (Bright Colour)

A bright silicone swim cap serves double duty: it keeps your head slightly warmer and makes you more visible in the water. Choose orange, yellow, or pink — anything that stands out against the water. Many swimmers pair this with their tow float for maximum visibility.

7. Swimming Goggles

Open water goggles are slightly different from pool goggles — they tend to have a wider field of vision and better anti-fog coatings. Look for polarised lenses if you swim in bright conditions. Carry a spare pair in your 5L dry bag because losing a pair mid-swim is more common than you’d think.

The Complete Open Water Swimming Gear Checklist

Here’s your complete open water swimming essentials checklist — everything you need for wild swimming gear sorted:

• ☑ Tow float / swim buoy
• ☑ Waterproof dry bag (10L or 20L)
• ☑ Waterproof changing robe
• ☑ Waterproof phone case
• ☑ Wetsuit or swimming skins
• ☑ Bright swim cap
• ☑ Open water goggles (plus spares)
• ☑ Towel (microfibre dries fast and packs small)
• ☑ Warm clothes for afterwards (hat, gloves, thick socks)
• ☑ Hot drink in a flask (trust us on this one)
• ☑ Ear plugs (to prevent surfer’s ear)
• ☑ Vaseline or anti-chafe cream

Why Waterproof Gear Matters for Open Water Swimmers

Open water swimming isn’t like a pool session. There are no lockers, no changing rooms, and no guarantee that the weather will cooperate. Your gear sits on a riverbank, a beach, or a lakeside path — exposed to rain, splashes, and the occasional curious dog.

That’s why every piece of Ultra Dry gear is 100% waterproof — not water-resistant, not shower-proof, genuinely waterproof. Our bags are trusted by International Search and Rescue (ISAR) teams, so they can certainly handle a rainy morning at your local lido.

Every Ultra Dry bag comes with a 5-Year Guarantee. If it fails, we replace it.

Swimming with a Group or Club?

We offer B2B pricing with up to 30% discount on bulk orders of six cartons or more — ideal for swimming clubs, triathlon groups, and open water swimming communities. Contact mark@ultradrybags.co.uk for pricing.