Swim bags are an essential tool for swimmers. Not only do they provide a place for swimsuits and goggles, but they also make it easy to transport lots of swimming equipment from the home to the pool. A well-organised swimmer is a happy swimmer.
With swimming bags coming in many styles, sizes, colours and materials, it’s hard to pick the best one for your swimming needs.
A good swim bag will be large enough so you can transport everything you need to the pool. For recreational swimmers, this may be a few items such as a swimsuit and goggles. However, for fitness and competitive swimmers, you often need a much bigger bag.
Those who compete or swim for fitness will need to transport a lot more gear to the pool, including training aids, extra gear, water bottles and even food if you are planning a long day at a swim meet.
This article features swim bags designed by the leading brands in the swimming sector. My two top favourites are:
I love the Speedo Duffel Bag for its compact size and the Speedo Teamster 2.0 Rucksack is a very large swim bag, with lots of pockets so I can carry all my swim gear to the pool, including a kickboard and fins.
Here is a list of the best swim bags for swimmers.
1. Speedo Unisex Teamster 2.0 Rucksack
The Speedo Teamster 2.0 Rucksack is an excellent choice for anyone who loves swimming and needs a reliable, water-resistant backpack to take their gear with them to the pool or beach.
This swimming bag is a favourite amongst fitness and competitive swimmers in particular due to its large size and multiple pockets. This swim bag can fit everything you need for a busy day at the pool, including training aids such as kickboards and training fins.
This stylish rucksack is made with durable polyester fabric and has unique mesh back and side panels that provide breathability and comfort while carrying your load.
It also features multiple external zippered compartments and two internal pockets that can fit everything from swim goggles and fins to water bottles and snacks.
To learn more about this swim bag, I have reviewed it in detail in this article, Speedo Teamster 2.0 Backpack Review (Is it any good?)
2. Speedo Unisex Adult Duffel Bag
The Speedo Unisex Adult Duffel Bag is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a compact and durable swim bag.
The bag is designed with a spacious main compartment and two side pockets, which make it easy to store your essentials. One side pocket has a zip, while the other pocket is open.
The shoulder strap is adjustable with two shorter handles for carrying the bag by your side.
The best feature of this bag is the internal waterproof pocket, which is ideal for storing a wet swimsuit.
This is my favourite swimming bag due to its compact size and functionality, but it is just big enough to carry the essentials to the pool, i.e. towels, swimsuits, goggles, a hat, shower products and some small training aids such as hand paddles.
I have reviewed this swimming bag in much greater detail, including images of the internal waterproof pocket in this article, Speedo Duffel Swim Bag Review (Is it any good?)
3. Arena Fastpack 3.0 Backpack Swim Bag
The Arena Fastpack 3.0 Backpack Swim Bag is an incredibly practical and convenient swimming bag perfect for those who need a lot of space to carry swimming gear. This swim bag has a 40-litre capacity, making it perfect for a day trip to the beach or pool.
The big selling point for this swim bag is the bottom separate compartment, which is good for storing wet swim gear or dirty sports gear such as shoes.
This would make a great bag for triathletes also who have a lot of gear to manage,
The water-resistant fabric ensures that all of your items stay safe and dry during any activity, while the multiple compartments make it easy to keep your items organised and accessible.
4. Arena Team Swim Bag
The Arena Team Swim Bag is a great choice for swimmers looking for a reliable and spacious bag to carry their gear. This is a great option for competitive swimmers who need lots of room. With a capacity of 45L, this is a large and spacious swim bag.
Made from durable polyester, the bag is designed to stand up to wear and tear in even the most demanding swimming environments.
The top zip compartment provides ample room for all your swim essentials, including goggles, swim caps, fins, and other equipment. The two side pockets provide additional space for smaller items, such as keys and wallets.
The adjustable shoulder straps make carrying the bag comfortable, while the mesh ventilated side pockets are great for drying wet items such as goggles.
5. TYR Alliance Backpack
The TYR Alliance Swim Backpack is a great option for swimmers who need a lot of space for training aids. With its spacious design, the backpack offers plenty of room for all of your essentials, including training fins and kickboards.
The bag features two large compartments, as well as an external mesh pocket.
Easy to fit water bottles and all the important swimming gear, with a capacity of 45L, this is a large and well-designed swimming bag.
6. Arena Spiky 2 Swimming Bag
The Arena Spiky 2 Backpack is a great choice for anyone looking for a durable and comfortable swim bag.
With a capacity of 30L, the main compartment is spacious enough to accommodate most swim gear. However, larger swim training aids such as fins or kickboards do not easily fit (of course, this depends on the size of your gear, but if you want a bag to fit everything easily, then consider a larger capacity such as the Speedo Unisex Teamster 2.0).
Again, this swim bag has lots of external pockets for storage. This is a compact backpack compared to other swim bags on the market.
7. TYR Big Mesh Mummy Swim Backpack
The TYR Big Mesh Mummy Swim Backpack is a large swimming bag. Unlike the other bags mentioned on this list, the material is primarily a mesh material and it has a drawstring closure.
The downside of this unique design is that it is not very secure, so don’t keep your valuables in it.
On a positive note, it is very large and excellent for carrying training aids. In addition, the mesh material allows your training aids to dry off quickly and naturally.
I would say that this bag is perfect for large families or recreational swimmers who just need a large and affordable swim bag for taking lots of gear to the pool.
I would not recommend this bag for competitive or regular fitness swimmers who need it for daily use, to pack and unpack gear, as the material is very lightweight. Instead, I recommend a simple mesh bag.
That said, this is a great bag and is much cheaper than other swimming bags on the market.
8. WANDF Swim Bag Mesh Drawstring Backpack
The WANDF Swim Bag Mesh Drawstring Backpack is a great accessory for any water-based activity. It’s made from lightweight, breathable mesh material allowing air to flow freely.
This backpack has a large capacity and can hold all of your beach or pool essentials such as towels, sunscreen and swimsuits.
The drawstring design makes it easy to close and open the bag, while the adjustable straps make it comfortable to wear on your back.
With lots of independent mesh compartments, it is similar in design and shape to the TYP Big Mummy Swim Backpack. However, it is a little cheaper and excellent value for money.
9. Arena Unisex Spiky Iii 25 Dufflel Bag
The Arena Unisex Spiky III 25 Duffle Bag is a functional bag designed to make carrying your gear easier. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to take on the go, while its large main compartment has plenty of room for all your essentials.
I am a fan of the duffel bag design, as it is easy to see all your gear laid out inside the bag.
This swim bag has a capacity of 25L and has a compact design.
10. Zone 3 Award-Winning Transition Backpack
The Zone 3 Award-Winning Transition Backpack is the perfect companion for athletes looking to stay organized during training and competition. With a capacity of 40L, this spacious bag is large enough to fit all your essential gear.
This is a great bag for triathletes as there is plenty of storage space with a waterproof lined wetsuit compartment and separate compartments for your kit.
It is an expensive bag, but it has everything needed by the serious athlete.
11. Finis Team Swimming Backpack
The Finis Team Swimming Backpack is a good option for any swimmer who needs a reliable and convenient way to store their swimming gear. Finis is a well-recognised and respected brand within the swimming world, and this swim bag meets their excellent standards.
The bag is made from durable materials with a waterproof base, ensuring that it will last a long time even when exposed to chlorine and other pool chemicals.
The main compartment can fit all of your swim gear, while the side pockets are perfect for carrying smaller items such as goggles. The mesh side pocket is a nice place to put wet swim goggles so they can dry naturally.
This swim bag has lots of zipper pockets which are great for secure storage.
Swim Bags – Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding purchasing and using a swim bag.
How Do I Choose A Swim Bag?
When choosing a swim bag, there are several factors to consider. First, you need to decide on the bag size that best suits your needs. Do you need a large bag for carrying more items or a smaller one for just your basic needs?
If you plan to take a lot of training aids to the swimming pool, then having a large bag is important.
Second, consider the material of the bag. You need something that is water-resistant and durable enough to withstand chlorine, saltwater, and frequent use. Additionally, look for a sturdy handle or strap so you can easily carry it around with you from place to place.
Third, think about extra features that you may want, such as zippered pockets, to keep your items secure and easy to grab. Padding in the bag can also be helpful if you are carrying heavier items and need more protection for them.
What Kind Of Bag Do Swimmers Use?
Swimmers typically use dedicated swim bags which are lightweight and water-resistant, so they can easily transport wet gear from the pool or beach.
Swim bags are generally made from durable materials such as nylon and polyester, which can withstand the damage that wet gear can do to material over time.
In addition, some swim bags will have an internal wetproof compartment for storing wet swim gear. Not all swim bags have this option however, therefore if you want an expensive way to store wet swimwear, I recommend purchasing a separate wet bag.
What Do Swimmers Carry In Their Bags?
Swimmers commonly carry items such as swimsuits, towels, goggles, swimming caps, fins and paddles for training, and even waterproof watches and heart rate monitors to measure their progress.
Depending on the type of swimmer and the environment in which they are swimming, some swimmers may also bring items such as flip-flops or sandals.
To learn what Olympians carry in their swim bag, I have covered this in greater detail in my article, What Do Olympic Swimmers Carry In Their Swim Bag?
What Is A Swimming Mesh Bag?
A swimming mesh bag is a lightweight and durable carryall bag that is usually made from breathable mesh material, which allows wet items to dry quickly and prevents the build-up of mould and bad smells.
Mesh bags are also great for carrying swim gear as they allow the items to air out and dry, which helps prevent bacteria growth.
Mesh bags also come in different sizes, making it easy to find a size that fits your needs and holds all of your swimming essential items.
Check out this article for a deep dive into mesh bags, Swimming Mesh Bag: What Is It and How Does It Work?
How Do I Store A Wet Swimsuit In My Swim Bag?
Some swimming bags have dedicated internal waterproof compartments for storing wet swimwear, however, this is not always the case.
If you do not have a swim bag with a dedicated waterproof pouch, then I recommend using a wet bag. You can easily throw a wet bag, which is a waterproof bag designed to hold wet items like swimsuits, into other bags or purses.
Wet bags also come in different sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs.