Best Swim Buoy
What is a swim buoy? Do you need to swim with one? What is the best swim buoy? We have outlined the top swim buoys on the market in our buyer’s guide.
What is a swim buoy?
A swim buoy is a swimming accessory that makes open water swimming safer. Also known as a tow float, it is an inflatable buoy that you pull along behind you while you swim. The buoy is attached to a strap that you wrap around your waist. It is designed to have minimal negative impact on your swimming technique.
Benefits of a swim buoy
Visibility
The primary benefit of a swim buoy is that it makes you more visible to others. A single swimmer in a wetsuit is often difficult for others to see, especially if they are in a boat. Swim buoys are brightly colored to make them easy for people to spot. You are less likely to be hit by a boat or jet skier if they can see you from a distance.
Safety
Most swim buoys are not designed as personal floatation devices, so should not be relied on to keep you afloat. However, it does provide some buoyancy, which allows you to take a rest whilst swimming. This can be useful if you experience cramps or need to adjust your goggles. A larger buoy will provide more buoyancy than a smaller one, so go for a large buoy if this is important to you.
Carrying valuables
Lastly, a swim buoy can double as a dry bag to allow you to bring your valuables with you. You can use them to store your wallet, keys, towel, food, shoes, and dry clothes. Some swim buoys have a larger capacity to allow you to store more of your kit. Whilst they will keep your things dry, they are not 100% waterproof, so be careful with electronics. Use an extra waterproof bag to keep your phone or other electronics.
Who needs a swim buoy?
Anyone who swims in open water could benefit from using a swim buoy. This includes lakes, rivers, or the ocean. As a triathlete, you will most likely enter a race that includes an open water swim. For this reason, you should try and practice swimming in similar conditions before race day. The best swim buoy will give you confidence and make your swim safer.
No matter your swimming ability, a swim buoy will make you more visible to others. Boats will find it easier to avoid you and people on the shore will also be able to keep track of where you are. Furthermore, the ability to carry your valuables with you means you won’t have to worry about leaving anything unattended. No more having to hide your car keys while you swim.
A swim buoy is especially important if you swim on your own. A group of swimmers is easier to spot, so a swim buoy can make a single swimmer more visible. Additionally, they can also provide some buoyancy if you need to take a rest. This can give you the confidence you need to swim on your own in open water.
Best Swim Buoys
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Best Large Swim buoy
This is a popular swim buoy with triathletes, as Zone3 are one of top triathlon brands. It is a much higher quality than many of the cheaper swim buoys you will find on Amazon. It is made from heavy-duty PVC coated nylon, which makes it durable and waterproof.
The swim buoy has a large 28-liter capacity to keep your things dry. There is plenty of room for your dry clothes, towel, and keys. You can use it for electronic devices, but you may want to double bag them to be on the safe side.
The strap is long enough that the buoy doesn’t impact your stroke as it is dragged behind you. It can be easily adjusted to your waist to make sure it stays secure. The high-vis orange or pink color options make sure you will be easily seen while swimming.
It is not designed to be a personal floatation device, but it can give you some extra buoyancy if you need to take a break. There are two inflation chambers that are separate from the storage area, which makes it more buoyant than a normal dry bag.
Best small swim buoy
The Xterra swim buoy was the first buoy to come in dual colors. The top half is orange and the bottom is yellow to provide more contrast. This improves the visibility of the buoy, making it easier for others to spot you in the water.
The capacity of the buoy is 15 liters, so you should be able to fit all your gear inside. There is a dry pocket but you should avoid carrying electronic devices unless they are double bagged.
The durable waist strap can be adjusted to fit waists ranging from 21 to 37 inches. It is quick and simple to inflate, and easy to pack away when you’ve finished swimming.
It is small and lightweight when not inflated, so should fit nicely in your kit bag. You can easily bring it with you when going on holiday or travelling to a training venue.
Best swim buoy for storage
Orca are another quality triathlon brand and they have made a high-quality nylon swim buoy to help you stay safe while swimming. You can tell it is sturdier than many cheaper swim buoys.
The compartment is watertight for storing your valuables, and is big enough to store all of your spare kit. As with all swim buoys, you will want to double bag electronics. The buoy also has an outside pocket for storing food or a spare pair of goggles. This is ideal for longer swims where you will want to refuel during your swim.
The adjustable waist strap is long enough to keep the buoy clear of your arms whilst not affecting your kick. It only comes in one color but this is a high-visibility orange that will make you easy to spot.
Best Value swim buoy
Synergy have produced two fantastic swim buoys to help improve your open water swimming training. They come in two different sizes with yellow and orange color options. Both colors will stand out in the water, and there are also reflective logos to improve the visibility of the swim buoy.
The smaller buoy is 15-liters and the larger is 28-liters, so you can choose depending on how much storage you need. If you want to bring your towel and clothes with you, the larger buoy is a better choice. You will be able to go for a swim without worrying about anything you left on the shore.
It also has a viewing pocket in the compartment so you can look at your phone during the swim. Using an additional waterproof bag, you can use it to track your workout more easily.
It is made from tear-resistant PVC material that makes it more durable. At a lower price than other competitors, this swim buoy represents great value.
widest variety of swim buoys
New Wave offer a wide range of swim buoys at reasonable prices. You can choose from 15-liter or 20-liter buoys, in fluorescent pink, orange, green or yellow. All of these colors will make you more visible to others in the water.
The buoys are not as big as some of the others on this list, but should be large enough to store most of your kit. Whilst it will keep most of your kit dry, you should use an extra bag for any electronics. New Wave also sell waterproof phone cases, which are discounted if you purchase the swim buoy.
The storage compartment is separate from the air compartment so you can access your kit without deflating the buoy. You can hold on to it during your swim if you need a rest, although it should not replace a personal floatation device.
Most of the swim buoys they offer are made of PVC fabric, although they do also sell a higher-quality TPU-coated nylon swim buoy. This makes it more durable and so will last much longer.
Recommendations
The best swim buoy for you depends on the qualities you are looking for. The bigger triathlon brands produce higher-quality swim buoys, but these come at a price. If you want a large, quality swim buoy, the Orca or Zone3 make great choices.
If you don’t plan on bringing much kit with you, a smaller buoy will save you money. Synergy and Xterra offer great swim buoys for those who prefer a smaller size. The larger buoy from Synergy is actually the best value, as it is cheaper than all other 28-liter buoys.
Most of the recommended brands offer just one style of swim buoy. If you want a wider choice of sizes and colors, New Wave will have a swim buoy that will be perfect for you.
Open Water Swimming Advice
Keep it short
If you are not used to swimming in open water, it’s best to keep your swim short. It can take some getting used to if you usually swim in a pool, as the water can be murky or choppy. Make it easier for yourself by taking regular breaks on the shore.
Stay shallow
Swimming out of your depth can be disconcerting, as it is difficult to rest if you need a break. Staying in the shallows will give you time to become more confident in the water before doing longer swims. An ideal location is a long beach with small waves so you can swim back and forth along the shoreline.
Use a swim buoy
As we already stated, a swim buoy offers numerous benefits for you during an open water swim. You will be more visible to others, you can carry important kit with you, and you can use its buoyancy to have a quick rest.
Wear a wetsuit
A wetsuit provides many benefits that make open water swimming easier. Firstly, they will keep you warm so you can swim safely for longer. They also help you swim faster, as the buoyancy from the wetsuit keeps you higher in the water. This makes it easier to maintain the correct technique, as your legs won’t drag in the water.
Practice in the pool
It can be difficult to swim in open water if your technique is poor. It is easier to improve your form in a pool, so focus on that before heading to open water. Similarly, it can be hard to see where you are going in open water. Sighting, which involves lifting your head slightly mid-stroke, is an essential skill to practice in the pool. This will allow you to swim straight and avoid hazards outside of a pool.
Swim with friends
Swimming with other people will give you much more confidence in the water. It is reassuring to know that your friends are nearby and can lend a hand if you get into trouble. Moreover, it is easier to follow another swimmer as you can draft behind them.
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