9 Essential Swimrun Gear Picks for Your Training Weekend

Standing on a rocky, windswept shoreline with your running shoes on and a lake stretching out before you is the defining moment of swimrun. Transitioning seamlessly between overland trails and open water requires a highly specialized gear setup that performs under pressure without slowing you down. This guide breaks down the essential gear needed to survive and thrive during a rigorous training weekend.

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How to Prep Your Gear for Transition Speed

Swimrun is defined by its lack of transition zones; what you start with is what you carry to the finish. Every piece of equipment must be tethered, tucked, or strapped down so it does not drag in the water or bounce on the trail. Organizing your gear beforehand prevents frustration and saves minutes on the clock when moving from land to water.

The secret lies in the “cabining” process—the systematic packing away of swim gear while running and vice versa. Paddles must slide onto wrists quickly, goggles must sit securely on the neck, and the pull buoy must swing easily from the outer thigh to between the legs. Practice these transitions on dry land until the muscle memory is locked in before hitting the water.

Tethers and elastic cords are your best friends for keeping everything connected. Loop a thick shock cord through your pull buoy and tie it around your waist, ensuring it sits on your hip during runs and rotates easily between your thighs for swims. This simple setup keeps your hands free and prevents valuable gear from sinking to the bottom of the lake.

Swimrun Wetsuit – Orca RS1 Swimrun All-Out

A standard triathlon wetsuit will destroy your thighs and overheat your core within the first mile of a trail run. You need a dedicated swimrun suit built to handle the dual demands of swimming propulsion and running stride. The Orca RS1 Swimrun All-Out acts as a second skin that balances buoyancy in the water with high-flexibility panels for land movement.

This suit stands out because of its removable sleeves and dual-zipper system. The front zipper allows you to “cab down”—peeling the upper half of the suit off your torso during hot run legs—while the durable anti-abrasion panels on the seat protect against rough trail debris and rock slides. Under-arm panels utilize super-stretch Yamamoto neoprene to prevent the restrictive shoulder fatigue common with standard suits.

• Thickness: 1.5mm to 2mm in shoulders, 4mm in legs for buoyancy
• Key Features: Front and rear zippers, inner pockets for nutrition, removable sleeves
• Best Uses: Cool-water races, technical trails, multi-hour training blocks

Before buying, note that sizing a swimrun suit is different than a standard wetsuit because of the running component. If you fall between sizes, opt for the size that accommodates your chest and thighs without pinching during a deep squat. This suit is perfect for athletes prioritizing speed and mobility, but it is not ideal for those who exclusively train in warm, shallow coastal waters.

Trail Running Shoes – Salomon Speedcross 6

Your footwear in swimrun has to do the impossible: grip wet, algae-covered rocks upon exiting the water and then drain instantly to prevent blisters during a five-mile trail run. Standard road shoes will waterlog and slip, leading to injuries on the trail. The Salomon Speedcross 6 provides the aggressive traction and rapid water evacuation required for technical land-water transitions.

The defining feature of this shoe is the Mud Contagrip sole with deep, widely spaced lugs that bite into slick mud and wet granite. The tight-weave mesh upper prevents sand and small pebbles from entering the shoe during swims, while the Quicklace system ensures your laces never untie or snag on underwater branches. It sheds water remarkably fast, returning to a manageable weight within a few hundred yards of exiting the water.

• Weight: 298 grams
• Lug Depth: 5mm
• Closure: Quicklace system with lace pocket

Be aware that these shoes have a noticeable 10mm heel-to-toe drop, which may require a brief adaptation period if you are used to zero-drop footwear. It is essential to pair them with thin, synthetic socks to prevent water retention and friction hotspots. This shoe is a powerhouse for rugged, slippery off-road courses, but it is not the right choice for flat, hard-packed gravel paths or paved run sections.

Swimrun Pull Buoy – NU Swimrun Extreme

Running shoes act like anchors in the water, dragging your hips down and destroying your swim form. A high-buoyancy pull buoy is non-negotiable to lift your lower body and allow you to swim efficiently using only your upper body. The NU Swimrun Extreme is specifically engineered to offset the weight of wet trail shoes without slowing you down on land.

Constructed from high-density, non-absorbent foam, this buoy offers massive flotation while remaining incredibly lightweight. It features pre-drilled slots designed to accept elastic harness straps, allowing you to secure it to your outer thigh during run legs without it flapping around. Its hydrodynamic wedge shape fits snugly between your thighs, preventing slip-outs even during hard, choppy open-water crossings.

• Material: High-density EVA foam
• Dimensions: 32cm x 27cm x 10cm
• Rigging: Integrated strap channels for custom setups

To get the most out of this buoy, you must spend time adjusting the elastic waist cord so the buoy rests comfortably on the side of your hip while running. It takes a few sessions to get used to running with a large foam block strapped to your leg. This gear is indispensable for athletes of all levels struggling with heavy legs, but it may feel overly bulky for lightweight racers with exceptional natural buoyancy.

Swim Paddles – Strokemakers Hand Paddles

Because your legs are resting inside a pull buoy, your arms must do all the heavy lifting during the swim legs. Hand paddles increase your surface area, giving you the necessary leverage to pull through heavy currents and choppy lake water. Strokemakers Hand Paddles are the industry standard for generating maximum propulsion while maintaining a natural feel for the water.

These paddles feature a series of flow-through holes that reduce shoulder strain by letting a small amount of water pass through, preventing the dead-weight feeling of solid plastic blades. The flexible plastic body conforms slightly to your hand shape, which improves water contact and stroke feedback. The adjustable rubber tubing straps are highly durable and can be customized to fit your fingers tightly, preventing the paddles from flying off during surf entries.

• Material: Flexible, buoyant copolymer
• Sizes: 0.5 (small) to 4 (large)
• Strap Type: Adjustable latex tubing

Do not make the mistake of buying the largest size available; oversized paddles can quickly cause rotator cuff injuries during a long training weekend. Start with a size that extends only slightly past your fingertips and gradually work your way up as your shoulder strength improves. This product is perfect for swimmers looking to boost their pace, but it is not recommended for those with pre-existing shoulder issues or unrefined swim strokes.

GPS Sports Watch – Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

Navigating remote trail networks and tracking multiple swim-to-run intervals requires more than a standard fitness tracker. You need a device that can withstand cold water immersion, map your route in real-time, and log transitions with a single button press. The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is the premier choice for wilderness navigation and multisport tracking.

This watch features a dedicated Swimrun activity profile that allows you to transition between swimming and running modes with a single click, keeping your split times clean and accurate. The rugged titanium bezel and scratch-resistant Sapphire lens easily endure scrapes against granite shores and trail debris. With its multi-band GPS and preloaded TopoActive maps, you can navigate unfamiliar trails confidently without cellular service.

• Battery Life: Up to 22 days in smartwatch mode / 73 hours in GPS mode
• Water Rating: 10 ATM (100 meters)
• Lens Material: Power Sapphire with solar charging

The primary barrier to entry with this watch is the price and the complexity of its interface, which can take several hours to customize and master. Ensure you set up your hotkeys and data screens before your training weekend so you do not have to fiddle with settings while wet. This watch is the ultimate tool for serious athletes training in remote areas, but it is overkill for those who only train on local, well-marked paths.

Inflatable Safety Buoy – Restube Active

Safety should never be compromised when training in open water, especially when fatigue sets in during late-stage swim legs. A traditional tow float is excellent for pure swimming, but it acts like a parachute on the run, snagging on branches and slowing you down. The Restube Active solves this by staying packed away in a tiny hip pouch until you actually need it.

This safety device is worn as a minimalist waist belt that remains completely out of the way during both running and swimming. In an emergency, a quick tug on the trigger deploys a buoyant yellow tube inflated by a CO2 cartridge in seconds, giving you immediate flotation to rest or signal for help. The robust nylon bladder is highly visible from shore and can easily support the weight of an exhausted adult.

• Buoyancy: 75N (7.5 kg of lift)
• Inflation Type: 16g CO2 cartridge or oral valve
• Belt Width: 2.5 cm interchangeable strap

Remember that this is a one-time deployment system per CO2 cartridge, meaning you must install a fresh cartridge after every use to keep it functional. It is not an automatic life jacket and requires the swimmer to actively pull the trigger and hold onto the buoy. This is a must-have safety companion for solo trainers and open-water adventurers, but it is not necessary for pool-based workouts or shallow, guarded swim areas.

Anti-Chafe Balm – Body Glide Original

The combination of saltwater, sand, and repetitive motion under a tight-fitting neoprene suit is a recipe for severe skin abrasion. A single raw spot on your neck or underarms can cut a training weekend short instantly. Body Glide Original creates an invisible, dry barrier that protects your skin from the constant friction of wet gear.

Unlike petroleum-based products that will degrade and ruin your expensive wetsuit neoprene, this formula is neoprene-safe and will not damage your gear. It is highly water-resistant, meaning it stays on your skin through multiple transitions rather than washing away during the first swim leg. The stick applicator makes it clean and easy to apply directly to high-risk areas like the neck, underarms, inner thighs, and heels.

• Ingredients: Plant-derived wax, allergen-free
• Formulation: Non-greasy, water-resistant, sweat-resistant
• Size Options: 0.47 oz to 2.5 oz sticks

For maximum protection, apply a thicker layer than you think you need to your neck and underarms, and allow it to dry for a few minutes before putting on your wetsuit. While it lasts for hours, you may need to reapply it during exceptionally long hot-weather training days if sweat levels are high. This is an essential item for every swimrunner on the planet, with no exceptions.

Open Water Goggles – Aqua Sphere Kayenne

Sighting a distant landmark while bobbing in choppy open water is incredibly difficult with low-profile pool goggles. You need a pair that offers an expanded field of view, excellent UV protection, and a seal that won’t break when you dive off a ledge. The Aqua Sphere Kayenne goggles are highly favored by swimrunners for their reliable seal and panoramic visibility.

These goggles feature oversized curved lenses that provide a 180-degree field of vision, allowing you to sight buoys and shoreline markers without drastically lifting your head. The hypoallergenic Softeril skirt molds to your face, creating a leak-free seal that distributes pressure evenly to prevent “goggle eyes” after hours of wear. The one-touch Quick-Fit Buckle makes micro-adjustments easy, even when your hands are wet and cold.

• Lens Material: Scratch-resistant Plexisol with anti-fog coating
• Field of Vision: 180 degrees
• UV Protection: 100% UVA/UVB

It is critical to choose the correct lens tint for your training environment; polarized or mirrored lenses are best for bright, reflective lakes, while clear or amber lenses are better for overcast mornings. Keep in mind that the larger profile of these goggles can feel bulky if you are transitioning from sleek, Swedish-style pool goggles. They are perfect for open-water sight navigation, but they are not the best choice for indoor pool lap training.

Calf Sleeves – CEP Compression Calf Sleeves

Your lower legs take a beating in swimrun, facing cold water temperatures, trail brush, and the constant threat of calf cramps. Calf sleeves serve a dual purpose: they protect your shins from sharp thorns and rock scrapes, and they compress muscles to delay fatigue. The CEP Compression Calf Sleeves offer the perfect blend of muscle stabilization and rugged trail protection.

Constructed with medical-grade graduated compression, these sleeves improve venous return, keeping your calf muscles warm and preventing cramps during cold swims. The heavy-duty synthetic knit does not sag or stretch out when wet, and it dries quickly once you transition back to the trail. Many swimrunners use these sleeves to tuck extra foam pads underneath, providing DIY lower-leg buoyancy without buying expensive specialized gear.

• Material: 80% Polyamide, 20% Spandex
• Compression Profile: 20-30 mmHg graduated compression
• Sizing: Based strictly on calf circumference at the widest point

To ensure the compression works as intended, you must measure your calf accurately before purchasing; buying based on height or shoe size will result in a poor fit. They can be difficult to pull on when wet, so always put them on before you start your warm-up. These sleeves are highly beneficial for trail runners who need calf support and shin protection, but they may feel constricting for athletes who dislike tight garments.

Safety Rules for Open Water Training Sessions

Training for a swimrun in open water requires a heightened level of respect for the elements compared to pool swimming. Never swim alone; always train with a partner or have a spotter on shore tracking your progress. If you must go solo, ensure someone on land knows your exact route, entry and exit points, and expected return time.

Visibility is your primary defense against motorized watercraft, jet skis, and other vessels. Always wear a brightly colored swim cap—neon green, orange, or pink—and utilize an inflatable safety buoy to make your profile on the water as large as possible. Before entering the water, survey the shoreline for exit points, keeping in mind that high wind or changing tides can make returning to your entry spot difficult or dangerous.

Monitor water temperatures closely to avoid hypothermia, as swimrun training involves constant temperature fluctuations between running and swimming. If you begin shivering uncontrollably or lose coordination in your fingers, exit the water immediately and find warmth. Always prioritize safety over finishing your planned mileage.

How to Clean and Dry Your Swimrun Gear Safely

The combination of sweat, lake silt, and salt water can rapidly degrade high-end swimrun gear if left untreated. After every training session, thoroughly rinse all of your gear—especially your wetsuit, shoes, and goggles—in clean, fresh water. Silt and salt crystals can act like sandpaper on neoprene and fabric fibers, causing premature wear and tears.

Dry your gear away from direct sunlight, as UV rays break down neoprene, plastics, and rubber components. Hang your wetsuit inside out over a thick, padded hanger or folded at the waist; hanging it by the shoulders can stretch and ruin the material over time. Remove the insoles from your trail running shoes and stuff them with newspaper to help them dry quickly without warping their shape.

Store your dry gear in a cool, well-ventilated space away from direct heat sources. Never store a damp wetsuit or damp running shoes in a plastic bag or trunk, as this creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Proper maintenance ensures your investment lasts for seasons to come.

Mastering the transitions and demands of swimrun requires gear that is as tough and versatile as you are. By investing in the right equipment and maintaining it properly, you set yourself up for a successful and safe training weekend. Pack your gear, map your route, and embrace the adventure of land and water.