What gear do I need for a swimrun event?

POST UPDATED: 4 December 2024

Introduction

Swimrun, the dynamic and challenging sport that seamlessly blends swimming and running, can often be seen as a sport requiring a unique set of specialist kit and equipment. Some kit is mandatory, some optional; but what is all the kit really for and do I really need it?

Swimrun equipment: Knowing what is mandatory, essential, and useful for your seamless swimrun race.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the different types of mandatory and optional items of gear that swimrunners might use on events; some for safety, and others with the aim of enhancing performance and endurance.

Do you need kit beyond the basics?

The majority of swimrun events require all participants to have mandatory kit, and the exact items are set up in the entry requirements for your race. From a purist stance, all you really need is a swim cap, swim googles, wetsuit, suitable footwear, a whistle, and quite often, a reusable cup. That’s it! Beyond this, well, it’s down to preferences and choice.

If you choose to take part as a solo, then many events require you to have a tow float for safety (visibility in the water). And then you can decide whether you would like to use items to aid your performance; pull buoys, hand paddles, and tow lines.

With every extra item you carry, essentially an aid for one particular discipline (usually the swim), you need to think about the effect this item might have on your performance on the other discipline (usually the run). Then ask whether the sums really do add up. And this is where it becomes personal.

You can see the difference between these two teams in the amount of gear they decided to use.

Wetsuits

The cornerstone of swimrun gear is the wetsuit. Unlike traditional wetsuits designed solely for swimming, swimrun wetsuits strike a balance between buoyancy in water and flexibility on land.

Check the event-specific details as to the mandatory wetsuit requirements for your race.

Typically sleeveless for optimal arm movement during runs, these wetsuits also feature built-in pockets for essentials like energy gels, GPS devices, or a whistle, essential for safety during races. With a sleeveless wetsuit, you always have the option or arm guards to wear on the colder events.

The biggest difference to triathlon and open water wetsuits is that swimrun wetsuits have been designed with the zip at the front making it easier to undo the top half when transitioning to the run section, and then back into the water.

Wetsuits are mandatory for most swimrun races you will enter; the necessity governed by water temperature, ambient temperatures, distances of swims and runs, and the varying bodies of water you might encounter on a race. So, usually mandatory in the UK.

Swim caps

Brightly coloured swim caps, generally provided by your race organiser due to the mandatory nature of this item, are more than just a style statement in swimrun; they serve a crucial safety purpose. 

Designed for high visibility in the water, swim caps make it easier for race organisers and teammates to spot each other during swims. Often colour coded to distinguish between solos / teams and perhaps race distances, they also help retain heat, especially in colder water temperatures.

Always ask yourself if you really need the gear. Try it out first. What might make you faster in the swim sections might slow you down too much on the runs. It’s a balance.

Goggles

Clear vision is paramount during open water swims and these are another piece of mandatory equipment. Swimrun-specific goggles are designed for quick transitions, often allowing athletes to wear them comfortably both in the water and while running.

Look for goggles with a secure fit and good visibility, and consider models that offer UV protection and anti-fog features. And practice, practice, practice with your goggles of choice.

Running shoes

The terrain in swimrun races can vary from rocky shores to forest trails, demanding versatile footwear, and appropriate footwear is mandatory; often checked at race registration.

Specialist trail running shoes are designed to provide excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces, with drainage features to prevent water retention. The odd swimrun specialist models, like Vivobarefoot’s Hydra ESC, are on the market that allow athletes to run comfortably while wearing them in water.

You don’t need specialist swimrun shoes – a pair of comfortable running shoes, or trail-specific running shoes, that have good grip and allow water to drain reasonably well are your main considerations, alongside fit and comfort. And perhaps look out for specialist fell running shoes, like Inov-8 range, as these have been designed to drain in wet, slippery conditions.

Swimrun socks

Whether you wear socks or not (many people do wear socks to avoid blisters) is personal preference, and the type of socks you wear, again is personal choice. They are optional but they do provide protection, and some also provide visibility.

Light cotton can suffice, but there are specialist socks out there if you wish to try them. You need to practice, train and make a decision as to the best solution for you. They are optional, and the decision as to what you wear is one that ignites interesting discussions.

Hand paddles

Paddles are optional but quite an addition to your swimrun armoury for swim propulsion, providing extra power and speed in the water. Swimrun paddles are typically worn on the hands and come in various shapes and sizes.

Hand paddles are not mandatory and as many people use them as not. You must be careful not to use them if you have not trained with them as they can cause serious shoulder injuries.

Athletes who do use hand paddles often choose paddles based on their swimming strength and preferences, with larger paddles offering more power but requiring increased effort (and well trained shoulders).

Be careful – hand paddles can seriously damage your shoulders if you do not use them with appropriate advice and training. You need to build shoulder strength in training and choose your paddles wisely – if you decide to use them for events.

Some kit is mandatory whilst some is optional. Know the difference for your event.

Pull buoys

To aid buoyancy during swims, many swimrun athletes use pull buoys. These floating devices are strategically placed between the thighs to lift the legs and reduce drag (effectively countering the weight of your trainers / swimrun shoes), allowing for a more streamlined swim.

Compact and lightweight, pull buoys are optional pieces of kit and are easy to carry during the running segments if you choose the correct size and type.

Some swimrunners might use calf guards (see below) rather than pull buoys, but this is personal preference. Calf guards do provide added buoyancy but also can be very difficult to get on and off between swims and can be discomforting on runs on warmer days. But it’s all about personal preference, comfort, performance, and necessity.

Whistle

Safety is a top priority in swimrun, and a whistle is a mandatory piece of equipment. Athletes carry whistles to signal in case of an emergency, ensuring quick communication and assistance from race organisers or teammates. The compact size and ease of attachment make whistles a practical and essential accessory.

Reusable Cup

A mandatory piece of equipment for many swimrun events now, so do check. Feed stations / checkpoints will have water and electrolyte fluids for you but you need to have your own cup. The trail running foldable cups are ideal, usually 200ml capacity, and with a hook so you can clip it in when running. The Inov8 Speedcup 0.2 is a typical design. Prices vary so shop around.

Tow Floats

Tow floats in swimrun events are required as mandatory pieces of equipment for solo participants by some race organisers. You must check the mandatory equipment list for your event. These devices are primarily for safety and visibility in the water as solo athletes might find themselves in open water by themselves (albeit with a water safety team in place).

Water safety teams might be instructed to look out for ‘pairs of colours’. For example, at Gritty Rascals swimrun events, teams wear red swim hats and solos wear orange swim hats. With an orange tow float always visible, water safety teams will be ensuring they can see two orange colours together as they would be seeing two red colours together (hence the 10m rule for teams).

The advantage of entering a swimrun event as a team is that most often these devices are not mandatory for teams. Not to be confused with pull buoys (see above), tow floats are a good investment for anyone swimming in open water.

Solo entrants will need mandatory two floats – priority is visibility and safety in the water when going solo.

Race bib and timing chip

As in any race, participants wear a mandatory race bib displaying their assigned number. Additionally, a timing chip is sometimes worn, or dedicated course marshals are strategically positioned, to track individual and team race times accurately. The bib and chip must be securely attached and easily visible during both the swimming and running segments.

Swimrun Tow Lines

These items are for teams only, and are an optional piece of equipment some teams might use to aid each other on swims and run sections, and provide some safety. Tow lines connect team members together but should be easily detachable in case of difficulties in the water.

Tow lines, sometimes referred to as tethers, can be between 2m and 10m in length, ideal to help ensure you don’t lose each other in the water when swimming. Some swimrun events have rules stating team members must always be within 10 metres of each other, and tow lines will help keep your partner close.

Some teams have found the tow lines useful for trails that involve hills, as one partner can give a little helping hand, and other teams have found them an unnecessary item to bring round with them on a course. Again, personal choice, but if you don’t use them, make sure you don’t swim away from your partner on a long swim and get penalised.

Swimrun Calf Guards

A piece of equipment that has its pros and its cons – they are optional and another piece of kit that is worth investigate to see if they are for you or not. They do give additional buoyancy and they will give your additional warmth. They can replace the pull buoy altogether and therefore mean you have less kit to ‘carry’. Often difficult to get on and off quickly, they divide opinion, but isn’t that what kit is for!

In conclusion

Swimrun’s unique combination of aquatic and terrestrial challenges require specialised equipment that seamlessly transitions between different environments. As the sport continues to grow, so does the innovation in gear, providing athletes with tools that enhance performance and make the swimrun experience both challenging and enjoyable.

Whether you’re a seasoned swimrunner or considering your first race, having the gear and equipment that is right for you is the key to unlocking the enjoyment of the experience. You don’t need to go spending lots of money – just make sure you have the mandatory equipment and you have tried it out before you event so as to avoid discomfort and possible injury.

All that is left is to book your next event, gear up, dive in, and enjoy the exciting world of swimrun!