The Best Men's Swim Essentials of 2022

As a swimmer all my life, I’ve gone through my fair share of equipment, the good, and the bad. This list is meant as a guide for swimmers of any level, to get them the best, most affordable gear on the market!

The Big Brand Names:

Speedo, Tyr, Arena, Finis, we have all heard these names, these are, in my opinion, the top 4 swim brands that outfit most of the worlds swimmers with gear they trust. From gearing Olympic athletes, to a vacation swim, these 4 companies have you covered. I have used gear from all of these brands, and have found that some brands shine in some gear areas, while they lack in others, there is much overlap though

Here, I will give an easy to follow list, of the gear myself and many other swim athletes trust during our practices, and races.

The List:

Swimsuits:

Starting us off, it’s the most basic of swim essentials. A good swimsuit is essential for any swimmer, and a good swimsuit really does make the difference.

All of these brands make amazing practice suits, but personally, I will have to recommend Tyr swimsuits to pool swimmers. Their suits are extremely high quality, come in different styles and patterns, and are chlorine, UV, anti-microbial, and overall very long lasting. This isn’t to say that other brands don’t offer good suits, its just that in my personal experience, I have found myself picking TYR practice suits over others.

TYR Hexa Jammers

TYR Durafast Jammers

Cap and Goggles:

For Cap and Goggle combos, I have repeatedly found Speedo to offer consistent quality on these products. You will find Speedo caps at every swim store, and thats for a reason. The cap I have used is a generic Speedo cap, and the Speedo Vanqiusher 2.0. Personal preference of goggles will vary based on how they fit to your face, and in my experience, Speedo goggles seem to consistently give a solid seal. As far as anti fog goes, they are all pretty good, but as with any coating, it will eventually wear off, which requires replacement.

FogAWay is a good brand if you want to re-coat your goggles.

Speedo Caps are also good at not pulling hair, due to their unique inner pattern and material mix, it doesn’t pull out your hair like some other caps will.

Speedo Swim Cap

Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Goggles

Fins:

I have used many different kinds of fins, and here we don’t have a clear winner, its a tie. I currently use Arena Swim Fin Pros, and have found them to work well. The sizing seems to be true, and they have stood the test of time, though they are fairly heavy. Weight may be a factor some look for in fins, but it comes down to personal preference. I have also used DaFins, which are a great brand, but do come in on the pricier side of things.

Arena Swim Fin Pro

DAFIN

Gear Bag:

When it comes to bags to put your gear into, there isn’t a clear winner. Designs are all pretty similar among brands, and it really comes down to your individual choice. I currently am using the TYR mesh bag for all my gear that will get wet by the poolside, and a duffel bag for my towels, clothes, and dry gear. I have found the two bag system to work best, as having a fast-dry bag that will be by the gutter when you practice cuts down on hassle, and a dry bag that is easier to organize, that can keep your clothes, towels, electronics, etc.

One mistake I made was getting a bag that has a lot of fabrics and padding, and putting my wet gear inside it. This creates a really good environment for bad smells. Ask other swimmers and they will probably say the same thing, the two bag system has been adopted by a lot of swim athletes because it really does work.

TYR Mesh Bag

Duffel Bag

Flip Flops:

Flip flops are one of those quality of life items that can make your life all that much better. The single best pair of flip flops I own a pair of Reef Slides, they are super comfortable, dry fast, and have literally lasted me years, and still are in great condition!

Reef Slides

Board, Buoy, and Snorkel:

These items are all pretty simple, so I’ll spare you the reading. Here are a few links to some cost-effective and quality item’s I have used at practices.

TYR Hydrofoil Kickboard

Speedo Bouy

FINIS Snorkel

Nutrition:

Nutrition items are something that aren’t entirely necessary, but really do help. I know personally, I look forward to my protein bar at the end of practices. I have used electrolyte mixes in my waters for about a year now, and do notice a difference in how I feel, and the number of cramps I get during practice. Protein bars are also a great treat, and I prefer the Outright protein bar brand, but there are many other popular options.

Electrolyte Mix (My Recommendation)

There are of course many other swim gear items you can use, like the FINIS Tempo Trainer, but this is a short list of the gear myself and others have trusted, organized into a neat format for others to benefit from. This is by no means an expensive list, and I encourage everyone to do their own research, and find what works best for you!