You might have walked past a woman or man wearing one of these floating devices on their back while you’ve been in a pool, and wondered to yourself … what is that thing? If you are a swimmer, water polo player, triathlete or open water swimmer looking for the best swim buoys that money can buy, then you have come to the right place.
To remind you, a swim buoy is a small, inflatable device that looks like a doughnut with a tube connecting the two sides. It helps a swimmer maintain their floatation during a training workout, or for that matter, a competition.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| New Wave Swim Buoy | Best Overall |  |
| New Wave Swim Buoy | Budget Pick |  |
| New Wave Swim Buoy | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. New Wave Swim Buoy
Pros:
- Slip resistant TPE outer layer
- Water resistant to 100ft, floats on water surface – Won't sink if dropped into water – Safety float for confident swimming
- Side carry handle
- 25inch (64cm) suitable for children and adults
- Bright yellow and connected to an orange cord – Can be pulled like a life raft
- Surface buoyancy 140 kg – Tether and braided line to attach to boat anchors
This open water swim buoy is a great product for triathletes, kayakers, water enthusiasts, lifeguards or just about anyone interested in a fun water toy. I use mine on a daily basis for training and also as a fun toy. It is a great way to add safety to your pool swimming, camping or kayaking.
This buoy is a must have for all open water swimmers, triathletes, kayakers, snorkelers, even lifeguards. Great for water show practice, water sport training or even fun at the pool. The SwimBuoy is a must have for water lovers of all ages. I have always wanted a yellow one like these and it does not get any better than this. Please bear in mind the height of the person using it.
2. New Wave Swim Buoy
Pros:
- Relatively Lightweight Despite it Being a Float
- Easy to Deflate, Deflating Itself Fully in About 5 Minutes
- Drybag Is Also Included
- Sturdy Enough to Support Your Entire Body As You Float
- Holder on Front of Float Keeps Buoy Close to You and Out of the Way of Swimmers Around You
- Can Be Used in Lakes, Ocean, and Pools. It Also Provides a Little More Stability During a Workout
- Has a Leash to Ensure You Don’t Lose the Buoy
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Some Users Report That It Doesn’t Stay Upright in the Water As Well As They Would Like
- The Leash Doesn’t Seem So Sturdy
- The Drybag Is a Little Useless, You Can’t Even Fit a Cell Phone in It
- Not Bright Orange
The New Wave Swim Buoy is a great choice if you are training for a triathlon or other open water swimming event, or just want to spend some time in a lake during the summer months.
3. New Wave Swim Buoy
Pros:
- PVC floats are very durable and easy to find
- This set includes not only the buoy but also a bag to carry it in
- This is an excellent option for swimming for improved fitness
If you’re an avid swimmer looking for ways to improve your swimming technique, or a newbie looking to improve your safety in open water, a swim buoy can help improve your swimming technique while providing the safety of an extra floatation device in open water. While they’re primarily used for training, they can also be useful for triathletes and those who like to swim in open water but suffer from apprehension or fear of the unknown. BONUS: If used as a night light, the New Wave Open Water Swim Buoy has a handy line set for hanging solar powered LED lights to light up the open water!
In addition to the buoy and dry bag, this swim buoy set also comes with a handy bright yellow storage bag that you can tuck it away in when not in use.
4. Speed Hound Swim Buoy
Pros:
- This is a large floatation device that will keep you afloat
- The extra large size will fit a wide range of people in multiple water conditions
- The buoy has a dry bag attached to it that you can use to store your phone or other valuable items
- The dry bag is completely waterproof
Cons:
- The weight will be much more than other options
- This is expensive
- The dry bag takes away some of the buoyancy
Oceans can be very deep, unpredictable and tough to navigate, especially if you are not a strong swimmer. Having a personal floatation device will keep you out of trouble. The Speed Hound Swim Buoy is a very popular floatation device for open water swimming.
The Speed Hound is a neoprene floatation device that is designed to provide stability and support for swimmers. While this device was designed to be used by open water swimmers you can use it in other water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.
One of the most popular features of this device is the waterproof cell phone case that comes with the floatation device. This case is completely waterproof and it is large enough to keep your phone safe and secure while in the water.
5. Speed Hound Swim Buoy
Pros:
- This is a large floatation device that will keep you afloat
- The extra large size will fit a wide range of people in multiple water conditions
- The buoy has a dry bag attached to it that you can use to store your phone or other valuable items
- The dry bag is completely waterproof
Cons:
- The weight will be much more than other options
- This is expensive
- The dry bag takes away some of the buoyancy
Oceans can be very deep, unpredictable and tough to navigate, especially if you are not a strong swimmer. Having a personal floatation device will keep you out of trouble. The Speed Hound Swim Buoy is a very popular floatation device for open water swimming.
The Speed Hound is a neoprene floatation device that is designed to provide stability and support for swimmers. While this device was designed to be used by open water swimmers you can use it in other water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.
One of the most popular features of this device is the waterproof cell phone case that comes with the floatation device. This case is completely waterproof and it is large enough to keep your phone safe and secure while in the water.
6. Speed Hound Swim Buoy
Pros:
- This is a large floatation device that will keep you afloat
- The extra large size will fit a wide range of people in multiple water conditions
- The buoy has a dry bag attached to it that you can use to store your phone or other valuable items
- The dry bag is completely waterproof
Cons:
- The weight will be much more than other options
- This is expensive
- The dry bag takes away some of the buoyancy
Oceans can be very deep, unpredictable and tough to navigate, especially if you are not a strong swimmer. Having a personal floatation device will keep you out of trouble. The Speed Hound Swim Buoy is a very popular floatation device for open water swimming.
The Speed Hound is a neoprene floatation device that is designed to provide stability and support for swimmers. While this device was designed to be used by open water swimmers you can use it in other water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.
One of the most popular features of this device is the waterproof cell phone case that comes with the floatation device. This case is completely waterproof and it is large enough to keep your phone safe and secure while in the water.
7. Kiefer SaferSwimmer Large Buoy
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Available in different sizes
- Lightweight
Swimming in the open water can be fun and very therapeutic. However, open water swimming can be pretty scary, especially if you are swimming alone.
Buoys found in this section are designed to keep you on course and safe while you train and enjoy yourself in the open water. They include GPS tracking devices that will help you locate your items should you lose them.
Discover the 7 best open water swim buoys.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to swim in open water?
Open water swimming is quite safe. As long as you are vigilant in checking your surroundings for potential threats, you should be fine to swim in open water.
There are dangerous ocean currents to be aware of. In fact, most of the drownings in ocean water occur during deep-water channels thanks to the strong current that flows in this type of ocean area. It can be hard to tell if the current is pulling you under or pulling you away from land. Thankfully, this is manageable with experience and situational awareness. Simply be aware of the coastline, water conditions, weather, and available land options.
A slightly less dangerous but still common occurrence is large waves. Even if you are a strong swimmer, you can be knocked over by an unexpected large wave. Most of these are not too dangerous, aside from getting a good soaking, but you should be aware of how waves may disrupt your path, your direction, or your breath.
What do you wear for open water swimming?
When you go to swim in open water, you could wear goggles or not. It's your choice.
If you wear goggles, you'd be better off with something that won't leave significant marks on your face if it were to scrape against rocks or other debris in the water.
If you don't wear goggles, you should use a nose plug to keep water out of your nose.
A cap is also a good idea for keeping sun out of your eyes, though not a necessity.
If you wear a cap when you swim in open water, be sure to tuck your hair in under it.
What is the only swimming race that begins with contestants in the water?
If you’re a runner, you know the pain of entering a road race on a hot day, only to hit a brick wall just as you think you’ve gotten into a good rhythm. Whether in a pool, lake or open waters, the temperature of the water is just as important for swimmers as it is for runners.
As is the case with most running races, a good support team is essential for open water swimmers. A support team helps ensure that the swimmer stays within a safe racing distance. To maintain contact with the support team, each swimmer carries a person with him as he swimming. This person is called a “support swimmer,” and is usually a teammate or someone the coach has recommended.
What is a good time for a 1 mile open water swim?
While setting goals for what you want to accomplish is an important part of succeeding, it’s also a good idea to set some goals for how slow you want to go.
The more time you take, one mile swimmers consistently tell us, depends on having a good evening of sleep and a good morning of breakfast. But as a general guideline, most swimmers who are comfortable with the distance would recommend a goal of attempting to finish in about 35 minutes.
Conclusion
Open water swim buoy is m