Swim Bags

A swimming bag keeps all your swimming gear together and ensures that wet clothing, towels and accessories stay separated from your dry belongings. Unlike an ordinary sports bag, a good swimming bag is resistant to moisture from the inside: whether it is a wet swimming cap, a dripping swimming goggle or a soaking wet swimsuit from the changing room, the bag absorbs that without everything getting soaked. They are used by recreational lap swimmers, competitive swimmers and triathletes who want to take their complete equipment to and from the water in an organised way.

The range runs from light mesh bags for those who only want to take a wet outfit along, via backpacks of 30 to 45 litres with separate waterproof compartments, and duffle bags of 25 to 40 litres that you carry over the shoulder or by hand, to a hardcase sports case for those who travel for races or training camps. The choice depends on how much you take along, how you want to carry the bag and whether you also go travelling. For a complete overview of what you need for your swimming training, also read what you need for your swimming training.

Which swimming bags are available?

There are four clear types of swimming bags, each with a different use and a different carrying comfort.

Mesh bag

The lightest and simplest option. A mesh bag is made of open net fabric that lets moisture through directly and lets the contents dry quickly. You put your wet swimming gear in it after swimming, hang the bag on your bike or in your locker and the contents dry by themselves. Mesh bags are compact, weigh hardly anything and cost little. They are not a replacement for a full swimming bag but ideal as a light extra bag or if you only want to transport your wet clothing.

Backpack

The most versatile swimming bag for regular swimmers. Backpacks are available from 30 to 45 litres and have several compartments, at least one of which is a waterproof or water-resistant compartment for wet belongings. The back-carrying form distributes the weight evenly over both shoulders, which makes taking a full set of equipment along more comfortable than a carrying bag. There are simpler models for daily lap use and more extensive versions with extra compartments for a laptop compartment or separate shoe bag.

Duffle bag

A duffle bag is a cylindrical or rectangular sports bag that you hang over the shoulder or carry by the handles. They are available from 25 to 40 litres and often offer more accessibility than a backpack: the large main compartment can be zipped wide open, so that you can quickly grab or pack all your belongings. Duffle bags are popular among swimmers who take a lot of equipment along or for whom the backpack-carrying form is less practical for the bike or public transport.

Hardcase case

A hardcase sports case is intended for those who attend multi-day races or training camps where you want to take both swimming and travel belongings along. The hard exterior protects the contents better than fabric bags and is resistant to baggage handling at airports. This type of bag is not intended for daily lap use but for the case in which you go travelling extensively for the sport.

Which swimming bag suits you?

The choice depends on how much you take along, how intensively you swim and whether you also go travelling for the sport.

You want to go to the pool in an organised way daily and keep your belongings dry: choose a backpack of 30 or 35 litres with a separate water-resistant compartment. For most swimmers that is more than enough room for swimsuit or swimming trunks, towel, swimming cap, swimming goggle, shower gear and a set of dry clothing. A 30-litre backpack also fits well on the luggage carrier or in a bike bag if you go to the pool by bike.

You swim intensively and take training accessories along: choose a backpack of 40 or 45 litres or a duffle bag of equivalent capacity. If, in addition to clothing and towel, you also take hand paddles, swim fins or a pull buoy along, you quickly need more volume. A larger bag gives more room without having to cram everything, and a separate shoe bag or waterproof inner compartment keeps your wet equipment separated from the rest of your swimming accessories.

You only want to quickly store your wet clothing after swimming: choose a mesh bag. Throw your wet swimsuit, swimming goggle and swimming cap in it, hang it on your handlebar or in your backpack and everything dries on the way. A mesh bag is ideal as a supplement to an ordinary bag or backpack, not as a replacement. They weigh almost nothing and fit in any trouser pocket.

You do triathlon and also want to take your cycling and running equipment along: in addition to swimming bags, also look at triathlon bags. These are specially designed for the complete triathlon equipment and have targeted compartment layout for helmet, cycling shoes, running shoes and wetsuit storage. A regular swimming bag is too small for the complete equipment of a triathlon race.

You travel for races or training camps: choose a hardcase sports case. The protected outer wall keeps your equipment intact during baggage handling. For national or international races, a hardcase case offers more security than a fabric bag if you have to take your swimming equipment including wetsuit and accessories along as checked baggage.

What to look for when purchasing?

Capacity in litres

For a standard swimming training with swimsuit, towel, swimming cap, goggle and shower gear, 25 to 30 litres is sufficient. Those who also take training accessories such as hand paddles, swim fins or a pull buoy along need 35 to 45 litres. Rather choose something larger than too small: a half-empty bag is easier to use than an overfull one. Also check whether the bag has a separate outer pocket for small belongings such as keys, earplugs or your phone, that saves searching on arrival.

Wet/dry separation

The most practical backpacks and duffle bags have a separate water-resistant or waterproof inner compartment for wet clothing and towels. This way the rest of the contents stays dry, even if you put your wet swimming gear in it directly after leaving the pool. Mesh bags do not have this separation, but are themselves made of open fabric so that they dry quickly. Before purchasing, check how the wet compartment works: sometimes it is a separate compartment with a zip, sometimes a standalone inner bag that you can take out of the backpack.

Carrying form and comfort

A backpack distributes the weight evenly over both shoulders and is the most comfortable if you also take the bike or walk longer distances. A duffle bag is more practical if you want to have the bag open quickly or prefer to use a different carrying style. Most duffle bags have, in addition to handles, a shoulder strap, so that you have a choice. For backpacks, check whether the shoulder straps are sufficiently adjustable and whether there is a chest strap for extra stability with a full bag.

Material and ventilation

Swimming bags are made of polyester or nylon with waterproof coatings or PVC-laminated panels for the wet compartment. The exterior of the bag does not necessarily have to be waterproof: water-resistant is sufficient for daily use. Mesh bags are made of open net fabric that lets liquid through and dries quickly. For backpacks with a back support or foam back panel: check whether the back panel is provided with air channels so that the bag does not create heat build-up on warm days.

Our advice: for daily lap use, choose a backpack of 30 to 35 litres with a separate wet compartment. This size suits most swimmers and is comfortable to carry on the bike. Add a cheap mesh bag if you want to quickly separate wet belongings after swimming, so that the inside of your backpack stays dry. Switch to a larger model only if you systematically have too little room, not as a precaution.

Who are swimming bags suitable for?

• Recreational lap swimmers who go to the swimming pool weekly and want to take their clothing, towel and shower gear along in an organised and dry way.
• Competitive swimmers and triathletes who, in addition to clothing, also take training accessories such as hand paddles, swim fins and pull buoys along and need a larger, well-laid-out bag for this.
• Swimmers who go to the pool by bike and benefit from a backpack that sits stably on the back and keeps wet belongings separated from dry clothing.
• Race-travelling swimmers and triathletes who travel for multi-day events and want to transport their complete equipment in a protected way.
• Children and young swimmers for whom a light mesh bag or smaller backpack with simple layout is more practical than a large model for adults.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a swimming bag but are you not quite sure which type and size best suits your use? Then we are happy to help you further. You can reach our triathlon specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon shop in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about swimming bags

How many litres does a good swimming bag need?

For a standard swimming training with swimsuit or swimming trunks, towel, swimming cap, swimming goggle and shower gear, 25 to 30 litres is sufficient. If you also take training accessories along such as hand paddles or swim fins, then 35 to 45 litres is more comfortable. Rather choose a size larger than too small: a bag that is too full is impractical and puts unnecessary strain on seams and closures.

What is the difference between a backpack and a duffle bag for swimming?

A backpack you carry on the back and it distributes the weight evenly over both shoulders, which is more comfortable on the bike or with longer walking distances. A duffle bag you carry over the shoulder or by handles and is easier to open quickly. Both types are available with separate wet/dry compartments. The choice is largely a matter of carrying preference and how you go to the pool.

What is a mesh swimming bag and when do I use it?

A mesh bag is made of open net fabric that lets moisture through and dries quickly. You use it to throw wet swimming clothing in directly after swimming, so that everything can dry on the way. A mesh bag is not a full swimming bag because it has no separation between wet and dry and offers no protection to your belongings. It is ideal as a light supplement to a backpack or duffle bag.

Is a waterproof swimming bag the same as a water-resistant swimming bag?

No. A waterproof bag lets no moisture through, not even when submerged. A water-resistant bag is treated with a coating that repels light rain and splash water but is not fully waterproof. For swimming bags, water resistance on the exterior is sufficient for daily use. The internal wet compartment is, with most models, fully waterproof on the inside, so that wet clothing does not soak the rest of the contents.

Can I also use a swimming bag as a triathlon bag?

For only the swimming component or for lap training, yes. A standard swimming bag, however, offers insufficient room for the complete triathlon equipment including wetsuit, cycling helmet, cycling shoes, running shoes and clothing for all three disciplines. Triathlon bags are specially designed with targeted compartment layout for all parts of the equipment and are generally larger. Use a swimming bag for swimming training and a triathlon bag for race days.