I’m not saying you need all of the following gear to look like Michael Phelps, but you WILL look more professional if you have just one or two key pieces.
With international competitions now headlining on global TV and featuring huge audiences, including in the US, you can’t go wrong on this.
I’ve done the work for you and reviewed the most important USA swimmers and swimmers from the Olympic Trials.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Team 45L Swimming Athlete Sports Backpack Training Gear Bag | Best Overall |  |
| Arena Classic Silicone Unisex Swim Cap | Budget Pick |  |
| Arena Official USA Swimming National Team Unisex Zip Warm-up Jacket | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Arena Team 45L Swimming Athlete Sports Backpack Training Gear Bag
Pros:
- Many compartments to store all your gear
- Good price
- Heavy duty material
Cons:
- It’s a pretty big backpack
- Not enough padding on the straps
It’s a pretty big backpack, but it has enough storage space for all your swimming gear.
I really like the color of this backpack and it has a nice design that looks pretty great.
This bag features several helpful compartments to keep all your swimming gear neatly organized.
2. Arena Official USA Swimming National Team Unisex Hoodie Sweatshirt
Pros:
- Highly water resistant
- Has several sizes, including an extra large size
- The design is patriotic and eye-catching
- Has great anti-slip material on the underside of the hood
- Made from a high quality material
- The Arena logo is clean and stands out
- The colors are very crisp
- USA Swimming has been an official partner of Arena since 2010
- Splits and fabric are designed not to shrink
- Has a very smooth feel
The Arena USA Swimming Team Unisex Hoodie Sweatshirt has moved my gusset seal as it’s a bit different than the other items that I’ve selected. It’s a little less sporty than some of the other items, but it definitely has a cool and sporty vibe as well and it’s very comfortable.
It’s a high-quality item and you can tell that it’s better quality than a lot of unisex hoodies. The design is eye-catching.
3. Arena Cobra Ultra Racing Swim Goggles
Pros:
- USA Swimming Approved
- Lenses block 100% of UV Rays
- Blocks out glare
- Low-profile design is great for competition
Cons:
- Small
- Head Strap Isn’t Easy to Adjust
The Arena Cobra Ultra Racing Swim Goggles for Men and Women are USA Swimming approved so you can swim with pride. These frames are low in profile with a rubber gasket that creates a watertight seal keeping your vision crystal clear. They block 100% of UV rays, allowing you to swim with confidence in the sun. The goggles have an anti-fog coating to help them to stay fog-free. The Blue Flash lens is designed for use in clear swimming conditions, letting in maximum light. The Green Flash lens is designed for use in water when the sun is lower in the sky. The lenses will help block glare, so you can swim with confidence, no matter what the conditions.
4. Arena Classic Silicone Unisex Swim Cap
The Arena Classic Silicone cap cuts the weight of most competitive caps and do it in fun colors and patterns too. These caps have proven popular for club and masters swimmers that need a little something extra for prevention against the sun.
The silicone one piece cap is soft and waterproof. Though it is lightweight and comfortable enough, I would not recommend this cap for diving or other heavy water activity. This cap is best suited for to recreational activities like laps in the pool or kicking back on a boat.
These caps have a standard cap size of 22”-24”, however, there are some caps that have a smaller size. Also, the straps tend to bust and be a little too tight, so you will need to use a safety pin or something to keep the closure secured.
5. Speedo Unisex-Adult Swim Cap Silicone
Pros:
- One-size-fits-all
- Highly engineered material used
- Durable
This style adult swim cap by Speedo is made entirely in the USA with 80% of its composition coming from the USA. It is made of silicone and is durable and reliable. It is non-porous and will not collect bacteria and will remain soft and flexible under warm water for long-wear.
This cap comes with a precise fit, can be easily adjusted to fit many heads and is highly durable. It is suitable for use by both children and adults. This is a highly recommended option which is both affordable as well as durable and comfortable for your head, making it a great choice as a gift or for yourself.
6. Arena Women's Challenge Back MaxLife One Piece Athletic Training Swimsuit
Pros:
- Reflective logos help in low light
- Provides great value
Cons:
- Can Run Small
- Quality Control Issues
This is an economical, decent quality, USA-made gladiatorial one-piece suit that wows your audience and makes you look like a professional swimmer.
The back panel and trunks of this Arena suit make you look long, lean, and muscular.
The 22-inch long legs and no leg seams on this high performance suit give you great freedom of movement.
7. Arena Mens Official USA Swimming National Team Men's Jogger Sweatpants
Pros:
- Jogger sweatpants are a comfortable way to get around the house and poolside
- Arena Jogger sweatpants are tailored to fit active swimmers
- Made of quick-drying fabric
- Feature mesh gusset inserts on the back of the calves, sides, lower back, and seat
- Wash in cold water inside out separately, gentle cycle, no softener, no bleach, line dry
- Made in China
- Machine wash cold water, tumble dry low heat
- Elastic waistband
- Machine wash cold, tumble dry low heat
- Fabric: 60% recycled polyester, 38% cotton, 2% elastane
The Arena Men’s Official USA National Team Jogger Sweatpants are made of a poly-cotton mix and quick-drying fabric so they are colorful and comfortable. The Jogger sweatpants are designed for those who love to be active with a woven tapered leg that gives that slim look.
The stylish design has a narrow waist that cinches in a flat and well-defined midsection, allowing the Jogger sweatpants to fit many body types.
8. Arena Women's Official USA Swimming National Team Jogger Sweatpants
The Arena jogger pants are perfect for swimmers of any level that love to look good and stay comfortable. Your average jogging pants are often made from a heavier material to help soak up the sweat, but as they are thicker, they don’t provide the best performance during a swim.
These team joggers are made from performance fabric that wicks away moisture, so you will stay cool while your body warms up during a workout. The elastic waist and cuffed ankles allow for a customized fit for you. Its wide range of sizes make the Arena joggers comfortable for many shapes and sizes.
9. Arena Official USA Swimming National Team Unisex Zip Warm-up Jacket
Pros:
- It is lightweight and breathable
- It has ample room in the arms and shoulders
- It is warm
- It has high-quality stitching
- It has a full zip for easy on and off
- It has some cool stitching details that add a sense of style and panache
Cons:
- Sweat does not drain very fast so you will have to air it out or line dry it
- Its collar can feel tight on your neck
- It has no sipper so in case of emergency you will have to turn it inside out
If you are looking for a warmup jacket for your swimming sessions, check out this product from Arena. It is designed to keep you warm when you get out of the pool. It has a full zipper that makes it easy to get on and off without sacrificing comfort.
It also has very few frills, which is a plus in my book. Most of the time, I forego the frill on my garments because they can cause daily stress. Now, I can just lay this jacket and say that I am good to go.
The jacket is lightweight, which is nice because most warmup jackets weigh a ton.
10. Arena Official USA Swimming National Team Men's Relax IV Full Zip Jacket
Pros:
- The fabric is silky smooth on the skin
- The jacket has a smart and casual look
- The jacket is designed in such a way that it adheres to the body
- There are reflective elements on the jacket's sleeves
- The sleeves have thumbholes to give an added warmth to the hands
- After pullovers, the zipper is absolutely great
- This item is perfect for the price and the quality of life
Cons:
- Aren't zipper functional
- Open at the top
This Arena Men's Relax IV Full Zip Jacket is available in the colors that are Aqua, Black, and Crosshatch. It will look outstanding on the pool deck or in the stands.
This product is the perfect alternative to a pullover. The zipper provides great mobility. You will appreciate the cozy collar and the smooth, comfortable feel of the fabric. Use of the thumbholes will make sure that your hands are warm even when it is chilly outside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should I wear to swim laps?
When you go for a swim, wear only minimal attire. Swimsuits are made from a tight-woven fabric of nylon or Lycra, which dries quickly and offers full range of motion in the water.
For the upper half of your body, you want to avoid wearing cotton items that take a long time to dry, as these are more likely to cause you to catch a cold.
There are also specially designed swim shirts available. These shirts allow you to wear clothing with pockets without having to worry too much about them filling up with water and slowing you down, but they also lay flat against the body to improve your performance in the water.
If you wear glasses when you swim, make sure to strap them down to prevent water from entering your ears.
What equipment do you need to swim?
Yes, you need goggles, but that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to swimming equipment. Other important pieces of swim gear can make a world of a difference in terms of comfort and safety without breaking the bank.
In terms of swimsuits, you will need to find one that is comfortable and not too constrictive. In terms of footwear, swim shoes are generally preferable to open-toed footwear, but both have advantages and disadvantages. Open-toed footwear, for example, lets you feel the water better and may have comfort advantages if you have thick or stickier feet. Swim shoes, however, can give you better grip on the pool deck and may have a more secure fit as well.
What goggles do professional swimmers wear?
It really comes down to your individual swimmer and what he or she is most comfortable using. There are pros and cons to every type and model of goggles. The key is figuring out which will work best for your swimmer and his or her eyes.
So, what goggles do professional swimmers wear?
They wear goggles that work best for them. Your swimmer may wear a different brand or style than the next swimmer.
How much do you have to swim to get in shape?
It is easy to understand the benefits of exercise and how little time you need to work out to see results. If you only have time to workout for 25 minutes a day, are you better off doing a 20-minute run or a 25-minute bicycle ride?
The same concept applies to swimming. You don’t need to spend countless hours in the pool each week to improve your fitness.
Many swimmers will jump into the pool for 15-20 minutes, five days a week. Rather than doing each stroke for a set period of time, focus on doing as many lengths in that time frame as possible.
You can also do longer sets of a style that you prefer, again, being sure to do as many lengths as time will allow.
Conclusion
With so many options to choose from, you might ask yourself—how can I get the maximum value for the money that I invest in swim gear? The answer to this question is simple. You want to be safe… and this is important in all road stretches, but you also want to look good while swimming. This article will help you do both.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Team 45L Swimming Athlete Sports Backpack Training Gear Bag | Best Overall | |
| Arena Classic Silicone Unisex Swim Cap | Budget Pick | |
| Arena Official USA Swimming National Team Unisex Zip Warm-up Jacket | Upgrade Pick | |