This is also the equipment I always recommend to most swimmers and interested parents when I'm out with our swim booth at various swimming competitions around the country. So if you want my direct recommendations for the best in different categories, follow this post - and otherwise, you're always more than welcome to ask further questions in the comments below or write me an email at support@watery.ie.
Below, I've also listed my favorite programs and websites that I've used a lot as a swimmer - and that are almost a must-know!
And then it's just a matter of getting the best swimming equipment.
Swim Goggles
Competition swim goggles: Speedo FS3 Elite Mirror - Black.
These have accompanied me to swimming competitions all over the world for over four years - and they still look almost new except for some scratches. You won't find swim goggles that hold up better than these FS3 Elite mirrors - so there has never really been a need to replace them.
They also have a streamlined design, making them ideal for swimming in competitions where every fraction of a second counts. But they can just as easily be used for daily swim training because they sit so comfortably and naturally around the eyes.
What I love most about them is the comfort of wearing them. The goggles have a silicone edge on the inside, which is very comfortable against the skin, making you almost forget you're wearing swim goggles while swimming.
So you've found the perfect pair of swim goggles when it feels like that.
Training swim goggles: Arena Cobra Ultra Mirror - White.
I swim with these Arena Cobra Ultra Mirror goggles for my daily swim training - mainly because they are both super comfortable and have a fantastic design. I've fallen in love with them.
Like the Speedo goggles mentioned above, these can also be used for competitions, but I like to have some variation between competitions and training, which is why I use these Arena goggles for training.
Moreover, Arena Cobra Ultra Mirror goggles are incredibly durable - the straps, nose bridges, and materials, in general, are of such high quality that you won't need to replace them unless you want to try one of the many other colours.
Swimwear
Competition swim trunks: Arena Carbon Core.
After swimming with and trying both Speedo's LZR and TYR's Avictor, I fell in love with the Arena Carbon Ultra model when I first tried them. Not only are international studies showing that these Arena trunks are more water-repellent, but I also find them the most comfortable and offering the highest level of comfort and mobility, which is important for optimal performance.
However, personal preference plays a significant role here, and Speedo's or TYR's models may suit somebody types better. But personally, I prefer Arena Carbon Ultra.
Training swim trunks: Square Funky Trunks.
Three times a year, new designs of Funky Trunks are released, and each time, I get a pair of new training swim trunks from Funky Trunks.
Honestly, I just think Funky Trunks (and Funkita) make the coolest, most fun, and smartest designs on their swim trunks. I really like bright and colourful swim trunks, and Funky Trunks are the best at creating them.
Additionally, they are made of high-quality 95% cotton, so even with constant training, they hold up well and don't lose colour. That's a big plus.
Swimming Equipment
Swim bag: TYR Alliance Team 45L - Dark Blue.
Yes, this swim bag has been with me everywhere for the past three years, whether it's for competitions, training camps, or training sessions in Ireland and abroad.
It has really held up for three years, even though I've used it almost every day. That's pretty impressive, but it's quite normal for these TYR bags, which just keep going and going. Both the zippers and materials have been significantly improved, and the bag has become waterproof.
Moreover, it's nice to have so many compartments of different sizes, so your mobile, towel, water bottle, and wallet can be placed in specific locations, keeping the bag organized. My mom really appreciates that.
Furthermore, you can't really say anything about the design - the simpler, the better.
Plus, this TYR bag has excellent back support, making it comfortable to wear even when it's fully loaded and weighs half a ton.
Swim net: Speedo swim net - Black.
You can't get a simpler, more durable, and cheaper swim net. I got this net for my swim equipment six years ago, and it's still almost as good as new.
There are no holes or signs of wear, which is quite incredible considering how much it's been used.
This all-black swim net with a white Speedo logo on the front can be worn on your back or easily held in one hand.
Moreover, it's quite spacious, so you have no trouble fitting everything inside.
Swim fins: DMC Elite fins - Gray.
A few years ago, I swam with fins that had a heel strap, but then I was introduced to these DMC Elite fins, which are without a heel strap, and I was sold.
Not only are they much more comfortable and natural to swim with, but studies have also shown that they reduce the risk of cramps during use and subsequent overloading. This is because these DMC fins are made of 100% silicone, making them very soft, whereas many other fins are much harder.
These are CLEARLY the best swim fins for all competitive swimmers, regardless of their level, as well as for recreational swimmers.
Pull buoy: Speedo Elite Pull buoy.
If you can fall in love with your training equipment, then I have with this Speedo Elite pull buoy.
With previous pull buoys, I would always get abrasions and sores when swimming with other pull buoys, but that stopped immediately when I started using this Speedo pull buoy. This is because this pull buoy is made in one piece and not in several pieces with holes in between. I've been sold ever since.
Moreover, it's designed in such a way that it stays in place between your legs. Previously, during an arm series, I would suddenly have to stop to adjust the pull buoy properly - that has never been necessary with this one, which ultimately allows me to get more out of my training.
Snorkel: MP Focus Snorkel.
This MP Focus snorkel simply holds up. That's really all there is to it.
Even though I've tried several other snorkels before, this one is exceptionally rigid and durable, which is only a positive thing and means it lasts much longer.
Moreover, this snorkel has the latest inhalation technology, so the air you exhale doesn't need to go up through the snorkel again but goes out through the valve at the bottom of the snorkel. This allows me to take in oxygen more efficiently, which is always an advantage.
The black/yellow colour combination is also super cool, so even though it's a bit more expensive than other snorkels, it's definitely worth it if you're even remotely serious about your training.
Swim paddle: TYR Hydrofoil swim paddle.
Yes, I've been swimming with this TYR Hydrofoil swim paddle for about 5-6 years now, and it just works.
I like that it's very lightweight, making it possible to push it slightly underwater when I'm swimming with my legs, as I find it most comfortable that way.
Moreover, it has a unique shape that reduces water resistance, which is always good when you want to beat the swimmer next to you.
The shape also allows you to streamline underwater when using it, which is a significant advantage.
There are even “handles” on the paddle, so your arms and hands can be placed naturally on the paddle.
Foam roller: Triggerpoint Grid Foam Roller - Black.
I find this Triggerpoint foam roller to be a bit of a torture device (to put it mildly), but it's incredibly effective for recovery - and you can't do without it.
This Triggerpoint foam roller is the original one, which is important to mention because there have been many copies since. Still, none of them match its hardness and effectiveness. That's the only reason I use one of these a couple of times a week for half an hour to “roll out” my muscles after intense training.
Finger paddles: Speedo Biofuse Finger Paddles.
Honestly, even though I've tried almost every type of finger paddle, there's just no competition for these Speedo Biofuse finger paddles.
These are not only very easy to use - just put two fingers through one strap - but they are also the perfect size, not too big and cumbersome, yet big enough to provide significant resistance.
I don't even want to think about how many kilometers of swimming I've done with these.
Earplugs: TYR Silicone Earplugs.
These TYR earplugs stay in your ears. Like many others, I've tried all sorts of earplugs to find some that fit properly, and I find these to do the job. They stay in your ears throughout the entire training session, which isn't always the case with many other earplugs.
AND, perhaps the best part, these earplugs allow you to hear both my coach and my teammates while wearing them. That's awesome.
Nose clip: TYR Nose Clip.
There's not much to say about this TYR nose clip, except that they work as they should, stay on your nose during training, and keeps water out effectively.
Plus, they come in many attractive colours, so there's almost one colour for every day of the week. That's pretty cool.
Swim Caps
Competition swim cap: Watery Racecap
.
Yes, I swim with my own custom-made competition swim cap with Watery's logo on both sides (just like +150 other swimmers around the country).
What I like about this swim cap is that it comes in a perfect size so that both boys with short hair and girls with not-so-long hair can wear it comfortably. It fits perfectly.
The cap is made in the same place and with the same quality as Arena, TYR, and Speedo get their caps made, but it costs only a fraction of the price of their competition swim caps, and I like to save money.
Training swim cap: Watery Swim Caps - White.
Yes, another one of Watery's own swim caps, but I really love wearing this one for my daily swim training.
The swim cap is neither too big nor too small, making it very comfortable to swim with without bothering and needing adjustments during swim training.
Plus, I designed them myself (one logo on each side), so that's pretty cool. And again, this one costs only a fraction of the price of other similar swim caps, so that's another big reason.
Tools for Swimmers
Check competition times: Livetiming.dk.
This tool for checking times during the competition, viewing program lists, and result lists is simply brilliant and a must-use for any swimmer - AND parents of swimmers.
Here, you can live track times from all Danish swim meets that use timing.
So if you haven't downloaded the app to your phone yet, do it right away. It will make your life as a swimmer much more comfortable. At least, it's helped me many times to avoid being late for my races.
Check time improvements: Octoopen.dk.
Since we spend so many hours every day, all year round, trying to improve by a few tenths of a second, it's really motivating to visualize this progress.
And you can do that with Octoopen. It's an app where you can see all your best times in all races - and, most importantly, track your development in each race. That's incredibly smart.
Moreover, it allows you to compare your times with the rest of Ireland on rankings.
So check it out right away!
Bonus for All Swimmers
Bedding for swimmers: Snurk Pool Bedding Set.
So we've finally come to my favorite equipment, but it's still what you think: a bedding set designed as the bottom of a swimming pool lane. Yes, it's true.
As if you didn't get enough chlorine in your blood, now you can also bring the swimming pool home - it's just too cool for me not to have. Moreover, the bedding set is super soft, making it comfortable to sleep with, which is probably the most important thing in the end.
I love my Pool bedding set from Snurk!
And you can find and buy yours here.
Swim poster: "Let The Trainings Count".
Well, a bit like the other bonus, you can now wake up every morning to a real motivation boost so you can give it your all during your training sessions throughout the day.
When I wake up every morning to the quote “Don't count the trainings - Let the trainings count,” I really want to push myself to the max during training. It's just the best motivation.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that the posters' designs are super cool, so they can go up in your room as well. Super cool!
Find and buy your swim poster here.