The Complete Guide to Swimming Gear: Buying Advice for Goggles, Wetsuits, and Training Aids

Swimming is a sport with relatively simple equipment requirements—in theory, a swimsuit and a pair of goggles are all you need to get started. But as your training progresses, you’ll find that the right gear not only enhances comfort but can also accelerate technical improvement and protect your body’s safety.

This article provides a complete buying guide, from the most basic goggles and swim caps to training aids and open-water-specific equipment.

Goggles: The Most Important Piece of Swimming Equipment

The comfort and seal of your goggles directly affect the quality of your training. A pair that leaks or presses on your eye sockets is enough to ruin an entire training session.

Goggle Type Comparison

Type	Features	Best For	Price Range
Racing (Swedish style)	Small lens, high fit, low drag	Races, advanced swimmers	NT$300-800
Training	Medium lens, comfortable silicone gasket	Daily training	NT$400-1,200
Mask style	Large lens, wide field of vision	Recreational swimming, beginners	NT$500-1,500
Open water	Large lens, polarized or mirrored coating	OWS, triathlon	NT$800-2,500

Buying Considerations

1. Seal Test

When trying them on in the store, don’t put the strap on—simply press the goggles against your eye sockets. If they naturally hold for 2-3 seconds without falling off, the seal is adequate.

2. Lens Color Selection

Lens Color	Suitable Environment
Clear	Indoor pools, dimmer lighting
Light blue/light gray	All-purpose, indoor and outdoor
Dark/smoke	Bright outdoor conditions
Mirrored coating	Open water, intense sunlight
Yellow/amber	Overcast days, low-light conditions

3. Anti-Fog Treatment

• New goggles have an anti-fog coating on the inside—do not touch it with your fingers
• The anti-fog coating wears off with use; you can purchase anti-fog solution to extend its lifespan
• Emergency method: apply saliva to the inside of the lens before entering the water (seriously, this works well)

4. Prescription Goggles

Swimmers with a prescription of 200 degrees or more are advised to wear corrective goggles. Choose lenses 50-100 degrees lower than your actual prescription, because refraction in water makes objects appear larger and closer than they actually are.

Swim Caps: More Than Just a Rule

Swim Cap Material Comparison

Material	Advantages	Disadvantages	Best For
Silicone	Waterproof, durable, doesn’t pull hair	Tighter, can feel hot in summer	Daily training, races
Latex	Cheap, good fit	Easily pulls hair, short lifespan	Races (single use)
Fabric	Comfortable, doesn’t pull hair	Not waterproof	Recreational swimming, water aerobics
Neoprene	Excellent warmth	Heavier and bulkier	Open water, cold water swimming

Buying Recommendations

• Daily training: Silicone caps are the most practical; one cap lasts 6-12 months
• Open water races: Brightly colored silicone caps (for increased visibility)
• Cold water swimming: Neoprene caps, 3-5mm thickness

Wetsuits: Essential Gear for Open Water

Wetsuits don’t just keep you warm—they also provide additional buoyancy, keeping your body position higher and reducing water resistance. Studies show that wetsuits make swimmers an average of 3-8 seconds faster per 100 meters.

Wetsuit Types

Full Suit

• Covers the entire body, leaving only the head, hands, and feet exposed
• Best warmth and maximum buoyancy
• Suitable for water temperatures of 16-22°C

Sleeveless

• No coverage on the shoulders and arms
• Freer arm stroke, but less warmth
• Suitable for water temperatures of 20-26°C or swimmers with limited shoulder mobility

Buying Considerations

1. Fit Is Critical

A wetsuit must fit very snugly against the body, but it cannot restrict breathing or stroke movement. Key points to check when trying one on:

• Neck: Shouldn’t choke you, but also shouldn’t have gaps that let water in
• Armpits: No excessive fabric bunching when raising your arms
• Lower back: No large air pockets when bending over
• Ankle cuffs/wrist cuffs: Snug but not too tight

2. Thickness Distribution

Good triathlon wetsuits have different thicknesses in different areas:

Area	Recommended Thickness	Reason
Chest/core	4-5mm	Maximum buoyancy, lifts the body
Legs	3-5mm	Improves leg buoyancy
Shoulders/arms	1.5-3mm	Maintains stroke flexibility

3. Price and Quality

Tier	Price Range	Features
Entry-level	NT$5,000-12,000	Basic warmth and buoyancy, stiffer material
Mid-range	NT$12,000-25,000	Better flexibility and fit
Premium	NT$25,000-50,000	Best range of motion, lightest weight

Advice for beginners: If you only participate in 1-2 open water races per year, consider renting a wetsuit first to confirm your needs and preferred style before purchasing.

Wetsuit Care

• Rinse with fresh water after every use
• Do not use hot water, a washing machine, or a dryer
• Hang to dry in the shade on a hanger, avoiding direct sunlight
• Do not fold for storage; hang whenever possible
• Use a dedicated lubricant (Body Glide) on the neck and armpits to prevent chafing

Training Aids

Kickboard

• Purpose: Isolates kicking practice to strengthen leg power
• Buying guide: Choose a model with moderate firmness and a size that fits comfortably in your hands
• Usage tip: Don’t over-rely on the kickboard—it alters your body position

Pull Buoy

• Purpose: Placed between the legs to isolate pull practice and provide leg buoyancy
• Benefits: Focuses on upper-body technique and simulates the buoyancy of wearing a wetsuit
• Caution: Long-term use can mask kicking and balance issues

Paddles

• Purpose: Increases the surface area of the pull to strengthen upper-body power
• Size selection: Beginners should choose paddles slightly larger than their palm; oversized paddles can cause shoulder injuries
• When to use: Only after your technique is stable; use for no more than 20-25% of total distance per session

Snorkel

• Purpose: Eliminates breathing interference with the stroke so you can focus on technique
• Buying guide: Use a swimming-specific snorkel (mounted at the front of the forehead, not the side)
• Benefits: One of the best tools for freestyle technique practice

Fins

Type	Blade Length	Purpose
Short fins	5-10cm extension beyond the foot	Technique practice, kick strengthening
Long fins	15-25cm extension beyond the foot	Speed sensation, kick practice

Recommendation: Choose short fins. Short fins more closely mimic the natural leg movement of swimming and won’t create a bad habit of relying on fins.

Basic Training Equipment Recommendations

Training Level	Recommended Gear
Beginner	Goggles + swim cap + kickboard
Intermediate	Above + pull buoy + short fins
Advanced	Above + paddles + snorkel
Open water	Above + wetsuit + safety buoy

Equipment Maintenance Guidelines

1. Rinse with clean water after every use: to remove chlorine or seawater
2. Dry in the shade: do not expose directly to sunlight
3. Replace regularly: goggle seals every 6-12 months, swim caps every 6-12 months
4. Store properly: avoid heavy pressure, high temperatures, and humid environments

Summary

Good equipment won’t turn you into an Olympic athlete, but poor equipment will definitely hold back your training. Start with a pair of well-fitting goggles and gradually add gear based on your training needs. Remember: the best equipment is the gear you actually use—buying a top-of-the-line wetsuit and leaving it in the closet is worth less than a well-fitting entry-level model.

Related Reading

• Daily Maintenance of Swimming Gear: Cleaning and Extending the Life of Swimsuits, Goggles, and Swim Caps
• The Complete Guide to Buying Swim Goggles: Frame Shapes, Anti-Fog Coatings, and Prescription Options Explained
• The Ultimate Swim Goggle Buying Guide: Full Testing of Anti-Fog, UV Protection, and Frame Seal
• The Aesthetics of Swimming Gear: Fashion Choices in Swimsuits, Goggles, and Swim Caps