Swimming seems like the most low-maintenance sport in the world. Just you, a swimsuit, and the water, right? WRONG! (Well, mostly right, but there is definitely more to it than that.)

Whether you are a parent packing a bag for your child’s very first swim lesson or an adult hitting the lap lanes to start a new fitness routine, staring down the swim gear aisle can be incredibly intimidating. You see people strapped into vertical snorkels and weird hand plates, and it’s easy to think, Wait, do I need to buy all of this? While we can’t physically carry your swim bag for you, we can absolutely help you unpack it! Today, we are breaking down what all this stuff is, who actually needs it, and who can safely skip it. We are not here to up-sell you on things you don’t need, we just want you and your family comfortable in the water.

The Absolute Essentials (The “Every-Swimmer” Gear)

Goggles

• What they are: Essential eye protection for underwater clarity.
• Who needs them: Pretty much everyone!
• The Teaser: Finding the right pair is an absolute art form. In fact, there is so much to say about them that we are writing an entire “Ultimate Guide to Goggles” next. Stay tuned!

Swim Caps

• What they are: Silicone or latex caps used to keep hair out of the face and protect it from harsh pool chemicals.
• Who needs them: Anyone with hair long enough to get in their eyes or mouth while turning their head to breathe.
• Who doesn’t: Swimmers with very short hair, or kids in beginner water-bonding classes who hate the sensory feeling of wearing them.

The Swim Bag

• What it is: A breathable mesh or water-resistant bag.
• Why you need it: Because putting a soaking wet swimsuit into a leather purse or a standard backpack is a mistake you only make once.

The Training Tools (The “Pool Toys” That Aren’t Toys)

Kickboards

• What they are: Foam boards used to keep the upper body afloat.
• Who needs them: Kids learning to isolate their leg kicks, and adult lap swimmers doing dedicated “leg-day” sets.
• Who doesn’t: Swimmers who are working on full-body stroke timing or practicing deep-water survival skills.

Swim Fins (Flippers)

• What they are: Wearable silicone or rubber fins for your feet.
• Who needs them: Swimmers needing to build ankle flexibility, or those working on specific stroke drills who need a little extra propulsion to stay afloat while they learn.
• Who doesn’t: Swimmers who use them as a crutch just because they don’t want to actually kick!

Pull Buoys

• What they are: Figure-eight foam blocks that you place between your thighs.
• Who needs them: Adult lap swimmers and advanced older kids focusing entirely on arm strength and upper-body rotation. (The buoy keeps your hips afloat so you don’t have to kick at all).
• Who doesn’t: Beginners or young children. Relying on a pull buoy completely throws off a new swimmer’s natural sense of balance in the water.

The Advanced Gear (For the Serious Lap Swimmer)

Center Snorkels (Vertical Snorkels)

• What they are: Snorkels that go straight up over the center of the forehead, rather than off to the side like recreational scuba gear.
• Who needs them: Advanced lap swimmers focusing hyper-specifically on their stroke technique and body roll without the interruption of turning their head to breathe.
• Who doesn’t: Anyone in a standard “Learn to Swim” class.

Hand Paddles (Those Weird Flat Things)

• What they are: Plastic plates that strap directly onto the palms of the hands.
• Who needs them: Competitive swimmers looking to add major resistance to their pull to build shoulder and back strength.
• Who doesn’t: Beginners! Using hand paddles with improper form is a one-way ticket to a shoulder injury.

Keep It Simple

At the end of the day, gear is just a tool to help you or your child reach the next level of swimming. It is absolutely not a requirement to simply enjoy the water! Start small, master the basics, and add new tools to your bag only as your skills grow.

Missing an essential? Don’t stress! We carry the basics (like top-quality caps and goggles) at both our Orland Park and Joliet locations. Next time you are in, ask your instructor what gear might help you or your swimmer progress safely and confidently!