Regular swimmers will be aware of the amount of kit you end up carrying around. For starters you have your swimsuit or jammers, swimming cap and googles. But that's not all...
Typically, you'll also have a towel, your dry/work clothes to put on afterwards, nutrition and any swim tools you're using in that session, such as your pull buoy, swim fins and kickboard. So how do you lug it around hassle-free?
That's when swimming bags come in. A good one should be capacious enough to carry all your kit, as well as comfortable enough to carry on your back if you're commuting.
Although a triathlon transition bag can work well for this (if you have one) you may find many of them a little large for swimming – not only are they massive to carry about, but they may not fit in the pool lockers.
So a good option is to look for a specific swim bag, which will likely be less expensive and more practical for day-to-day use.
Below are our pick of the bags we have either used ourselves and rate highly, or which have received good reviews online.
Best swimming bags to buy now
Tyr Alliance 45 litre backpack
Go to any pool early in the morning and you'll see all the swim squads training – and most of them will have a classic TYR swim bag with them. For good reason too, these bags are superbly thought-out for swimmers.
Water resistant and with a huge 45-litre capacity, there are separate areas for wet and dry kit (the waterproof pocket is at the bottom, accessed via a zippy pocket on the front).
There's also extra pockets for small items and/or nutrition, shower products and a water bottle on the side and two carabiner clips for attaching things to on the front. The straps are padded and comfortable, with two cross straps to help balance the load.
The Alliance also comes in a range of colours, if matching your swim club colours (or being able to spot it quickly in a big pile of bags!) is important to you.
TYR Unisex's Big Mesh Mummy Backpack Bag
Also from TYR, a slightly different option is the 'Mummy' bag. This one is designed more for your swim kit and not your clothes etc for afterwards, but if you're the kind of swimmer who needs every kind of pool tool for their session, then you will find it perfect for your uses!
The bag has a huge capacity for all your swim tools, including kick board and fins at the back, then a zippy pocket at the front for your swim kit and a special water bottle pocket. Handy for making sure you haven't forgotten anything, too.
Being mesh, it's lightweight and this also help keep the costs of this bargain bag down. Various colours are available.
Aquasphere Pool Backback
This might be a slightly more expensive option, but the new Pool Backpack from Aquasphere is a classy and well considered option if you're looking for a swimming bag that will combine swim kit with everything you need for a day at work.
The understated looks hide a wide range of features, including a compact 30-litre size that stands up on its own to make packing easier.
You'll also find two side pockets for drinks/shower gel, a large zipped pocket for valuables and smaller items, and a clever elasticated strap with hook attachment to secure items to the outside of the bag.
Wet kit storage is via a separate dry bag, which is easily removed for washing. This bag even has a zipped pocket hidden away on the back and lined with soft fleece for your laptop.
Speedo Teamster 35-litre Backpack
The Teamster from swim brand Speedo is another solidly-designed swimming backpack. Here you get a generous 35-litre capacity, including large zipped pockets on the top and sides, plus a pocket to slip a water bottle into.
Wet kit slots into the front and there is a sleeve pocket for your laptop. Again, a range of colourways are available!
Arena Swim Backpack
Shown here in understated 'team black', the Arena Swim Backpack is a similar size to the TYR with a huge 45-litre capacity, so there's plenty of space for all your essentials.
Inside, there's a dual pocket to separate clean and dirty kit, as well as a front-accessed zipped pocket for wet gear. You also get a multitude of other zippy pockets and a mesh side pocket to house a drinks bottle.
What to look for in the best swimming bags
When choosing a swimming bag, you should look for practical storage that makes things easy to find, but which also helps you to house things separately.
We’d look for different compartments for wet and dry kit, a waterproof compartment (so things don’t drip everywhere) and some different pockets to make your kit easy to find.
It's always good to have a dedicated water bottle pocket and a zipped pocket for valuables.
Other things that make a difference are padded straps for comfort (especially if your bag will be on the heavy side), a bright colour so it’s easy to find poolside amongst other people’s bags and a bright (not black) lining, so if you do need to rummage around for something you can easily see inside.
How big does a swimming bag need to be
Your swimming bag should be big enough to stash all your kit, but not so big that it’s a pain to carry around – especially if you need to transport it any distance (for example commuting after swimming, or if you're buying it for a child). Around 40-45 litres in volume is about normal.
Think about what you typically use when training in the pool. You’ll need to fit in your towel, swimsuit, hat and goggles, plus flip-flops for poolside and anything you need for showering afterwards.
The type of training you do will make a difference, too. Do you use pool tools such as fins, hand paddles, a kickboard and a pull buoy?
These are all bulky, so you may want to fit them into your swimming bag for ease, or you may want to carry them in a separate mesh bag.
What is the best material for swimming bags?
Most swimming mags will be made from lightweight, breathable and/or waterproof materials, so typically will be made from polyester with elements of mesh in the construction.
If you're concerned about the environmental impact, look for a bag made from recycled materials.
Top image credit: Getty Images
