Best Tow Floats & Open Water Swimming Gear for Beginners

Imagine standing on the edge of a lake, the water glassy and vast, far different from the controlled environment of a tiled swimming pool. Transitioning to open water swimming brings an unmatched sense of freedom, but it also introduces natural elements like currents, boat traffic, and changing temperatures. Having the right safety gear ensures that this exciting transition is both secure and exhilarating, allowing you to focus entirely on your stroke.

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Why Visibility and Safety Gear Matter in Open Water

Unlike the predictable lanes of a community pool, open water environments are dynamic and shared with boaters, kayakers, jet skis, and paddleboarders. From a boat helm, a swimmer’s head looks like nothing more than a tiny dark speck, making them virtually invisible amongst waves and glare. Visibility gear bridges this gap, signaling your presence to everyone else on the water from hundreds of yards away.

Beyond external visibility, safety gear provides a psychological safety net that prevents panic—the open water swimmer’s greatest enemy. Having a buoyant device within arm’s reach offers an instant rest station if cramp strikes or fatigue sets in. It turns a potential emergency into a minor, manageable pause in your workout.

Inflatable Tow Float – New Wave Swim Buoy

A basic tow float serves as your primary line of visibility and an on-water resting platform. It drags behind you at hip level, staying out of the way of your kick while providing a bright beacon for boaters. For beginners, it is non-negotiable insurance against sudden fatigue, cramps, or anxiety in deep water.

The New Wave Swim Buoy stands out because of its rugged heavy-duty PVC construction and dual-chamber design. Unlike cheap pool toys, this buoy features robust heat-press seams that handle exposure to salt water and UV rays without leaking. The bright neon colorways offer maximum contrast against blue and green water.

• Capacity options: Available in 15L and 20L sizes
• Inflation style: Simple mouth-valve inflation requiring no special pumps
• Tether length: Adjustable waist belt (fits 27″ to 52″) with a sliding tether

This buoy is perfect for recreational swimmers who prioritize lightweight drag and simple functionality without needing to transport gear. It is not suitable for point-to-point marathon swimmers who need to carry dry clothes, heavy keys, or electronics.

Dry Bag Tow Float – Zone3 Wild Swim Dry Bag

When swimming point-to-point or exploring wild locations, leaving car keys, phones, or sandals on an unattended beach is a recipe for anxiety. A dry bag tow float solves this by combining the safety of a high-visibility buoy with a waterproof storage compartment. It allows you to transport your gear along your swim route without affecting your body position.

The Zone3 Wild Swim Dry Bag features a dual-chamber design that separates the air inflation chambers from the central storage zone. Made from durable nylon-polyester fabric with a waterproof TPU coating, it utilizes a reliable roll-top closure to seal out water completely. Even when packed with gear, the bag retains excellent buoyancy and tracks straight behind the swimmer.

• Storage volume: 28-liter capacity, ideal for lightweight towels, sandals, and clothes
• Dual handles: Useful for carrying on land or grabbing onto in the water
• Roll-top rule: Always fold the top at least three to four times before clipping to guarantee a waterproof seal

This dry bag is a must-have for adventure swimmers, commuters, and those who swim alone in public areas. It is overkill for pool-adjacent open water venues or guarded swim zones where gear can be left safely on the dock.

High-Visibility Swim Cap – Blueseventy Silicone Cap

The human head is the only part of a swimmer that consistently breaks the surface during a freestyle stroke. A dark green, blue, or black cap blends perfectly into water, making a swimmer invisible to boaters and lifeguards. A high-visibility silicone cap ensures that your head stands out with every breath you take.

The Blueseventy Silicone Cap is molded from high-grade, tear-resistant silicone that retains its bright color even after heavy exposure to chlorine and salt. Unlike latex caps that pull hair and degrade quickly, this silicone cap offers a wrinkle-free fit that reduces drag and stays securely in place without sliding up. The bright orange and pink options are exceptionally vibrant against open water backdrops.

• Material: 100% hypoallergenic silicone
• Warmth: Thicker than latex, helping to retain core body heat through the head in cool water
• Sizing: One size fits most, though swimmers with very long hair may need to bundle it tightly to ensure a secure fit around the ears

This cap is an absolute essential for every open water swimmer, from casual dippers to competitive triathletes. It is not ideal for those swimming in exceptionally hot tropical waters, where a thinner latex cap might prevent overheating.

Open Water Swim Goggles – Aqua Sphere Kayenne

Open water navigation, or sighting, requires looking up at landmarks or buoys while moving through choppy water. Standard pool goggles have narrow lenses that limit peripheral vision and lack the lens tinting needed to combat blinding sun glare. Open water goggles provide a wider field of view and specialized lenses to keep you on course.

The Aqua Sphere Kayenne goggles feature oversized, curved Plexisol lenses that offer 180-degree visibility without distortion. The low-profile frame sits close to the face to reduce drag, while the quick-fit buckle system allows for instantaneous strap adjustments even while wearing gloves. The polarized or mirrored lens options excel at cutting through surface glare on bright mornings.

• Lens options: Smoke or polarized for bright sun; clear or blue for overcast mornings
• Seal design: Soft Softeril skirt provides a leak-free, comfortable seal that resists aging
• Anti-fog treatment: Standard coating is highly effective, but requires gentle rinsing and no touching of the inner lens to preserve it

These goggles are perfect for swimmers who struggle with claustrophobia or need a wide field of view to sight effectively. Swimmers with very narrow faces or those who prefer classic, tiny socket-style Swedish goggles may find the frame too large.

Open Water Wetsuit – Orca Athlex Float Wetsuit

Cold water drains energy quickly, leading to fatigue and cold-water shock. A dedicated open water wetsuit provides thermal protection to keep you comfortable during long swims and adds significant buoyancy. This extra lift corrects your body position, raising your hips and legs to make swimming more efficient and less tiring.

The Orca Athlex Float Wetsuit is specifically engineered for beginners who need high buoyancy in the lower body. It utilizes Yamamoto neoprene with varying thicknesses—including 4.5mm panels on the legs to lift your lower half and thinner 2mm neoprene on the shoulders for unrestricted shoulder rotation. This design balance prevents the stiff, exhausting shoulder fatigue common in entry-level suits.

• Neoprene distribution: 4.5mm in the legs/hips, 2mm in the shoulders and arms
• Coating: SCS (Super Composite Skin) coating to reduce friction and glide through the water
• Sizing accuracy: Wetsuits must fit like a second skin; check the manufacturer sizing chart carefully, as a loose suit will flood with cold water and drag

This suit is ideal for beginners, breaststroke swimmers, or triathletes who struggle with sinking legs. It is not the right choice for advanced swimmers who already maintain a high body position and prefer a neutral-buoyancy suit.

Marine Safety Whistle – Storm Safety Whistle

Sound travels incredibly well across flat water, but a human voice screaming for help quickly loses power against wind and waves. A marine safety whistle provides a high-pitched, penetrating sound that alerts boaters, kayakers, and shore staff during an emergency. It is a compact, low-cost safety tool that clips directly to your tow float or wetsuit zipper.

The Storm Safety Whistle is widely recognized as one of the loudest whistles in the world, capable of being heard over a mile away on land and through wind at sea. Its unique patented harmonic chamber allows it to perform perfectly even when completely submerged in water—simply blow, and the water is instantly purged from the chamber. Constructed from high-impact thermoplastic, it resists salt, UV rays, and impacts.

• Decibel rating: Sounds up to 120 decibels, which can cause ear discomfort if blown in confined spaces
• Attachment: Features a built-in split ring for easy lanyarding to a tow float zipper or waist belt
• Size: Slightly larger than standard pea whistles, so it requires a secure pocket or attachment point to prevent it from flapping during your stroke

This is essential gear for solo open water swimmers, wild swimmers, and those training in areas with motorized boat traffic. It is unnecessary for indoor pool training or highly structured, closely monitored swim events where lifeguards are within arm’s reach.

Neoprene Swim Socks – XTERRA Neoprene Booties

Entry points for open water swims are rarely manicured sand; they often involve sharp gravel, slimy boat ramps, or cold mud. Once in the water, cold extremities can lead to cramping and numbness, which degrades your kicking technique. Neoprene swim socks protect your feet during entry and exit while providing crucial insulation in cold water.

XTERRA Neoprene Booties feature a high-quality 2mm neoprene construction that balances warmth with flexibility. They are designed with an ergonomic ankle strap that tightens to prevent water from scooping in during your kick, a common issue with cheaper booties. The textured sole provides traction on slippery rocks without adding unnecessary bulk or drag in the water.

• Material: 2mm neoprene with glued and blind-stitched seams to minimize water entry
• Traction: Textured non-slip sole for secure footing during rocky entries
• Sizing tip: Buy them snug; loose booties will fill with water, ballooning around your feet and acting like heavy anchors

These booties are excellent for shoulder-season swimmers, wild swimmers navigating rocky riverbeds, and anyone prone to cold feet. They are not recommended for warm-water swimmers or competitive races where quick transitions make booties impractical.

GPS Swimming Watch – Garmin Swim 2 GPS Watch

Tracking distance in open water is notoriously difficult due to wind, currents, and lack of visual markers. A dedicated GPS swimming watch tracks your route, stroke rate, pace, and distance, giving you accurate data to evaluate your progress. It also acts as a safety tool by allowing you to monitor your time in cold water to prevent hypothermia.

The Garmin Swim 2 is engineered specifically for swimmers, featuring a dedicated open-water swim mode that uses GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites to track swims in open lakes, rivers, or oceans. Unlike general fitness smartwatches, it uses a specialized algorithm that calculates distance accurately even when the watch is submerged during your recovery stroke. The high-contrast display is easy to read through fogged goggles.

• Water rating: 5 ATM (withstands pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters)
• Battery life: Up to 13 hours in GPS mode, which easily covers marathon swim training
• Sighting dependency: GPS signals do not travel through water, so the watch requires a clean recovery stroke phase to acquire satellite data; keeping your wrist underwater for long periods will cause gaps in tracking

This watch is highly recommended for target-oriented swimmers and triathletes tracking performance metrics. It is not necessary for casual dippers who simply want to enjoy the water without data tracking.

How to Secure and Adjust Your Tow Float Properly

A tow float only works well if it is adjusted to ride in the correct draft zone behind your body. The waist strap should sit comfortably on your natural waistline, just above your hips, rather than low on your hips where it can slide down during your kick. Ensure the belt is snug but not constricting, allowing you to breathe deeply and rotate your torso without restriction.

The tether length is the most critical adjustment for avoiding kick interference. Adjust the leash so that the float sits directly over your thighs or just past your feet when you are in a horizontal swimming position. If the tether is too short, your heels will repeatedly strike the buoy; if it is too long, the buoy can drift sideways in crosswinds and tangle with your legs.

When using a dry bag tow float packed with gear, place heavier items like keys or water flasks at the bottom of the bag, closest to the tether attachment point. This keeps the center of gravity low and prevents the bag from flipping over in choppy water. Double-check that the roll-top is tightly folded at least three times before securing the buckle to ensure a completely airtight, waterproof seal.

Essential Pre-Swim Safety Checks for Open Water

Before setting foot in the water, conduct a thorough gear assessment to prevent mid-swim equipment failures. Inflate your tow float completely and apply light pressure to check for slow leaks or faulty valves. Inspect your wetsuit zipper, goggle straps, and whistle attachment to ensure everything is functional and secure.

Never skip a local environment assessment before diving in. Observe the water surface for signs of strong currents, rip tides, or underwater hazards like submerged branches and shallow rocks. Check local weather forecasts for sudden wind shifts or lightning storms, and always verify water quality advisories to avoid harmful bacterial blooms.

Establish a clear swim plan and share it with someone on land before you start. Detail your entry and exit points, your intended route, and your estimated return time. If swimming alone, choose a well-traveled route and wear high-visibility gear so shore-based observers can easily monitor your progress.

Cleaning and Storing Your Swim Gear for Longevity

Salt water, chlorine, and organic lake matter will slowly degrade neoprene, silicone, and waterproof coatings if left unchecked. After every swim, thoroughly rinse all of your gear in clean, fresh water to remove salt crystals, sand, and algae. Avoid using harsh chemical detergents, which can strip away protective coatings and break down glue seams.

Dry your gear completely in a well-ventilated, shaded area out of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays are highly destructive to wetsuits, silicone goggle seals, and tow float fabrics, causing them to crack, fade, and lose elasticity. Hang your wetsuit using a wide, padded hanger to prevent shoulder creasing, and store tow floats slightly deflated to prevent seam stress from temperature changes.

Before packing your gear away for the winter, make sure it is 100% dry to prevent mold and mildew growth. Store your goggles in a protective hard case to avoid scratches on the delicate anti-fog lenses. Keep neoprene items flat or hung loosely in a cool, dry closet rather than folded tightly in a hot attic or damp garage.

Equipping yourself with high-quality open water safety gear transforms a potentially daunting environment into a safe, controlled, and deeply rewarding playground. By selecting the right visibility tools, thermal protection, and tracking devices, you build the confidence needed to push your boundaries safely. Focus on consistent maintenance, plan every swim carefully, and enjoy the unparalleled freedom of open water swimming.