Best Open Water Swim Buoy

The joys of open water swimming are unrivaled… expanses of beautiful blue water, crisp fresh air, endless horizons, and no crowds (unless you are doing a triathlon!) But as with any activity in the water, whether a dam, lake, or the ocean, safety comes first, and this is where the open water buoy comes in.   

Brightly colored, inflatable, and light, open water swim buoys are a great device for staying safe in the water as they provide visibility to other swimmers, boats, and spectators, as well as give swimmers something to hang onto when they need a rest. Some models also provide watertight storage spaces for keeping keys, phones, snacks, and water bottles.

Brightly colored, inflatable, and light, open water swim buoys are a great device for staying safe in the water. 

What is An Open Water Swim Buoy and What Do They Do?

A swim buoy is a floatation device that open water swimmers use to increase their visibility in the water. Also known as a tow float, these devices are brightly colored in fluorescent orange, pink or yellow hues to stand out in the water and be visible to boat traffic, other swimmers, and people who may be watching.

They are lightweight to keep drag to a minimum and can be used to hang on to when a rest is needed. They can also be used to attract attention in emergencies by waving them in the air. Many swim buoys these days have two chambers – one of which holds air to create buoyancy and the other of which can be used as a watertight space for storing valuables such as keys, phones, and food.

A swim buoy is a floatation device that open water swimmers use to increase their visibility in the water. swimrun2G-2 by akunamatata / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

How Do You Use an Open Water Swim Buoy?

A swim buoy is easy to use – it simply fits around your waist like a belt. If your swim buoy has a dry bag feature, pop your valuables and whatever else you may need on your swim like snacks, a water bottle, a spare cap, and roll up the top to seal.

The float can then be attached around your waist like a belt with an adjustable strap, allowing the adjustable leash to trail behind you when swimming. The leash length can be adjusted to suit the conditions you are swimming in to avoid the buoy bumping against your feet or legs.

The swim buoy can also be used as a float or a kickboard if you need a rest or want to kick with your head out of the water for a change of scenery. It’s also a great tool to have in the water if you are prone to getting cramps as it allows you to rest and stretch your cramp out while floating.

Best Open Water Swim Buoys

I jumped in the sea and tried and tested a range of open water swim buoys and here is a list of some of the best open water swim buoys out there.

BEST OVERALL: WildPaces Swim Buoy Tow Float Backpack

The WildPaces Swim Buoy is a fantastic product with all the bells and whistles needed for a safe swim in the open water. The highly visible tow float is bright orange so you can’t be missed and made from durable technical fabric so it’s tough, waterproof, and long-lasting.

This swim buoy has double air-inflatable chambers with a roll-top fastener so it acts as both a swim buoy and a dry bag so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim. The float has a 28-liter capacity and two handles that can be used for different floating positions. It has an adjustable waistband to fit all waist sizes.

The WildPaces Swim Buoy is a must for water-lovers and can be used for a wide range of activities from open water swimming, canoeing, and kayaking to paddle-boarding, fishing, swim-run events, and sailing.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 28L

Material: Durable technical fabric

Straps/Handles:  Two handles, adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two air inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

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BEST OVERALL: Zone3 Swim Safety Buoy/Dry Bag 28L

This brightly colored pink swim buoy is also one of my favorite two floats as it’s spacious, easy to swim with, and has high-quality features. Boasting a 28-liter capacity, the bag is made from thick, waterproof fabric that will withstand rough and tough weather, and once inflated it can comfortably support the weight of an adult.

It has dual inflatable chambers and a large drybag section so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim. The float has a 28-liter capacity and two handles that can be used for different floating positions and an adjustable waistband to fit all waist sizes.

It has two one-way valves on either side of the float for inflating and deflating and a roll-top fastener keeps the dry bag section watertight. Zone Products have a 100% money-back guarantee which is a bonus!

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 28L

Material: Durable high-quality fabric

Straps/Handles:  Two handles, adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two air inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

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HUT Swim Buoy Dry Bag

The HUT Swim Buoy Dry Bag is a high-quality, lightweight, and super durable swim buoy with some great features for all water-based activities. Made from extra-strong nylon and coated with PVC, the tow float is highly visible in bright neon pink or yellow and comes in 20-liter and 28-liter capacities which can hold the weight of an adult.

It has dual inflatable chambers and a large drybag section so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim. The float has two side handles that are handy for use when you need a rest, and it has an adjustable waistband to fit waists up to 48 inches.

The one-way valve makes the swim buoy very easy to inflate and deflate and a roll-top fastener keeps the dry bag section watertight.  It has a long tether line so the buoy doesn’t bump your feet or get tangled in your legs while swimming and it’s fantastic value for money at a good price.  

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 20L / 28L

Material: High-quality PVC

Straps/Handles:  Two side handles, adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two air inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

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Kiefer SaferSwimmer Large Buoy

Made by one of the leading manufacturers of swim gear and pool equipment, the Kiefer SaferSwimmer Large Buoy is a simply designed swim buoy and tow float that is ideal for open water swimmers, triathletes, and other water-lovers who spend time in and on open water.

This brightly colored, lightweight, inflatable device comes in two sizes – in the medium-size float, a dry pouch on one side holds smaller items such as a wallet and keys, and in the larger size, it can hold bigger items, such as clothing and shoes. The large swim buoy measures 25”x 12” so it’s probably a good option for swimmers over 190 pounds, or for those who want to carry a lot of gear.

It has a roll-top fastener that keeps the dry bag section watertight and an adjustable waist belt with a sturdy plastic clip that makes it easy to clip on and off.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 20L / 28L

Material: High-quality PVC

Straps/Handles:  Adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two air inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

No products found.

Speed Hound Open Water Buoy

Developed by an Ironman triathlete, the Speed Hound Open Water Buoy is super light, super bright, and comes in two sizes – 16 and 28-liter capacities. Available in three bright neon colors that offer high visibility in the water, the swim buoy is made from high-quality, durable 190T nylon that makes it durable and tough in rough weather.

It has dual inflatable chambers and a large drybag section so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim. An added extra with this swim buoy is that it comes with a watertight cell phone case to keep your phone super safe while you are swimming.

It has a roll-top fastener that keeps the dry bag section watertight and an adjustable waist belt with a sturdy plastic clip that makes it easy to clip on and off.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 16L / 28L

Material: High-quality, durable 190T nylon

Straps/Handles:  Adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

Extras: Waterproof cellphone case

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IDRYBAG Safety Swim Buoy Adult Tow Float

The IDRYBAG Safety Swim Buoy is a small, lightweight swim buoy with a 15-liter capacity and available in bright pink, orange, and yellow. Made from eco-friendly PVC fabric, the IDRYBAG is ideal for open water swimming, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, boating, and fishing.

The waist belt of the swim buoy is adjustable and removable, and the tether has a freely rotatable hook, making it easy to move and adjust in the water. All buckles and hooks are upgraded with POM material and are long-lasting and sturdy.

The valve and valve cap make it easy to inflate and deflate and the bag can be folded up and stored after use without taking up too much space. It has dual inflatable chambers and a large drybag section so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim and a roll-top fastener to make it watertight.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 15L

Material: Eco-friendly PVC fabric

Straps/Handles:  Adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

No products found.

Naturehike 28L High Visible Safety Swim Buoy

This brightly colored Naturehike 28L High Visible Safety Swim Buoy is spacious, easy to swim with, and has high-quality features. Boasting a 28-liter capacity, the bag is made from thick, waterproof fabric that will withstand rough and tough weather, and once inflated it can comfortably support the weight of an adult.

It has dual inflatable chambers and a large drybag section so you can keep personal items and valuables safe and dry during your swim. The float has a 28-liter capacity and two handles that can be used for different floating positions and an adjustable waistband to fit all waist sizes.

It has two one-way valves on either side of the float for inflating and deflating and a roll-top fastener keeps the dry bag section watertight.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 28L

Material: Durable high-quality fabric

Straps/Handles:  Two handles, adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: Two air inflatable chambers

Dry Bag Option: Yes

No products found.

New Wave Swim Buoy

The New Wave Swim Buoy is extremely light so you can hardly feel it while you are swimming. It comes in neon green, yellow, pink, orange options, as well as 15-liter and 20-liter capacities. This tow float has a dry bag section where you can store items while you swim, however, it’s best to put your smartphone, electronic keys, and other valuables in a Ziploc waterproof bag as the dry compartment of the swim buoy isn’t 100% waterproof. The New Wave Swim Buoy has a roll-top fastener and an adjustable waist belt for all shapes and sizes.

Swim Bag Specifications:

Size: 15L / 20L

Material: PVC

Straps/Handles:  Adjustable waistband strap

Pockets: One inflatable chamber

Dry Bag Option: Yes

No products found.

Top Tips for Open Water Swimming

Sighting

Sighting is an important skill in open water swimming. Once outdoors you can no longer rely on a lane rope or line at the bottom of the pool to ensure you are swimming in a straight line.

Instead, pick an object or distinctive landmark in front of you and aim to swim directly for it. Varying conditions like waves, currents, and an uneven stroke may sometimes push you off course, so it is important to regularly check your marker to ensure that you are constantly heading in the right direction.

Depending on the conditions and the degree to which you can keep to a straight course, will affect how often you need to look up. Obviously the less you look up the more efficient you will become, but there’s no point in being efficient but swimming in the wrong direction! 

(FC) For freestyle swimmers, it will take a slight adaptation of your stroke to lift your head clear of the water. Lifting your head too much will cause problems for your body position, so you need to be able to do it as effectively as possible. The key is to fit each lift of the head into the natural rhythm of your stroke and only lift as necessary.

Drill: Select a marker at the end of the pool like the clock or timer as your target. The higher it is on the wall, the less you have to lift your head so the less you will slow down or lose your rhythm.

1. As one arm extends and enters the water at the front of the stroke, begin to lift your head.
2. Press down with the leading hand to bring your face clear of the water.
3. You can take a breath at this point and orientate yourself at the same time.
4. Drop the head back into the water as the other arm recovers over the water.

(BS) Obviously, for breaststroke swimmers, this is not much of a problem, as you will be looking forward every time you lift your head to breathe.

Sighting is an important skill in open water swimming. 

Stabilizing Your Stroke in Rough Conditions

Open water swimming is a lot about the unpredictability of the conditions which you wouldn’t experience in the pool. In choppy conditions, a lot of swimmers can lose their confidence as well as their rhythm.

In rough conditions, you will need to balance yourself better so you can attack the waves instead of being attacked by them. Getting through the waves to the calmer water behind the backline is a skill in itself, but once you are out there, swimming with a balanced stroke is vital to maintain your strength and speed in the swim.

Reaching, rolling, and streamlining are important parts of the stroke and if these are unbalanced, it can lead to instability in rough conditions.

There are two simple things that you can do to stabilize your stroke in rough conditions.  You can shorten and widen your stroke, which will flatten out your body and provide better balance. Widening your stroke is done by widening your hand entry into the water. Your hands should enter the water in line with your shoulders, but if you enter them slightly wider than the shoulders, it creates better balance.

A shorter stroke is achieved by making your hands enter the water closer to your body. In choppy and rough conditions, a shorter and wider stroke will maintain your rhythm and make sure you surge forward rather than get jostled around in the water.

Drill: Swim with freestyle arms and a butterfly leg kick. This will instinctively make you try and time your arm stroke with your leg kick, otherwise, your rhythm will be out. This is good practice for when you are in the waves, and you need to slightly change the timing/ rhythm of your stroke to be in time with the waves.

Stabilizing Your Stroke in Rough Conditions.

Changing Pace

Conditioning your body to be able to sprint in certain parts of a race while then recovering and assuming your regular speed and rhythm can benefit you greatly in a race scenario as there will be times (race start, turning buoy, finish, etc) where a faster pace will possibly be required.

Drill: Fartlek training is a great drill to imitate a race environment where you set out at a constant pace but say every five lengths you sprint a length. The following 4 lengths are resumed at the initial pace before the 10th length is again sprinted.

This is carried on until the session is completed. Your sprinting ability can be improved in further sessions by increasing the number of lengths that you sprint (say two lengths out of every five etc..).

Fartlek training is a great drill to imitate a race environment.

Swimming in a Pack

Lane swimming in a pool is great for training but it doesn’t help when coming to race day. In the open water when in a race or swimming in a pack you need to be aware of the changing environments such as the start and turning buoys. 

Many swimmers new to open water panic when faced with legs, elbows, and the hustle and bustle that can sometimes occur during stages of a race. You can get over some of these potential problems by practicing swimming in confined environments, so you can ensure that when you face these conditions you know a little of what to expect.

Drill:   Try one session of swimming at your pool during especially busy times or and more realistic, gather a small group of say between 3-5 swimmers, practicing swimming together closely bunched and trying to overtake each other.

This is a great way to gain experience in congested water. This is good practice for when you are in the waves and you need to slightly change the timing/ rhythm of your stroke to be in time with the waves.

Now hit that open water and have a great swim!