The Minimalist’s Wild Swimming Kit List

Wild swimming is undoubtedly refreshing, both in terms of how it feels when you’re in the water and how different it is to other outdoor hobbies. Unlike many outdoor activities that require loads of specialist equipment and bags packed to the brim with gear, wild swimming requires very little to get started. You just need to find a safe place to swim, pack a few carefully chosen essentials, and you’re ready.

In fact, carrying less is often part of the appeal. It’s much easier to fit in a sunrise plunge before work or explore a quiet lake on a weekend walk when you need to pack very little to do so. 

As you head out on your next adventure, here’s what to include in your wild swimming kit list.

2-in-1 Reversible Swim Tow Float Dry Bag Backpack

If there’s one piece of kit that should come at the very top of every wild swimming kit list, it’s a dependable kit bag. Many swimmers use a standard roll-top dry bag or waterproof kit bag, but we’d encourage you to use our 2-in-1 Reversible Swim Tow Float Dry Bag Backpack to keep things as streamlined as they can be. This dry bag backpack has been developed around feedback from open-water swimmers, and functions as both a comfortable 28L waterproof backpack and a high-visibility neon yellow tow float. 

The clever 2-in-1 design means that, before you hit the water, you’ve got plenty of storage for the rest of your wild swimming kit list without needing an additional bag. Then, once you’re in the water, you can safely carry your belongings with you while remaining much easier for other water users to spot. 

It’s constructed from lightweight, soft-touch PVC-free TPU with durable welded seams for proper waterproof protection, and has plenty of room for the smaller essentials you’ll take with you on every swim. Alongside everything else on this wild swimming kit list, your phone, keys, wallet and lightweight footwear can all be packed safely inside.

Microfibre Towel

A towel can be one of the most inconvenient things to carry, often becoming the biggest item in your bag and the opposite of minimalist. That’s why we’d always recommend a compact microfibre towel as a smart alternative for your wild swimming kit list.

The Compact Quick Dry Microfibre Adventure Towel may be small, but it performs well above its weight. It is made from premium 210gsm sueded microfibre and absorbs up to four times its own weight in water, drying you quickly before drying itself rapidly.

Our microfibre towel also features an anti-bacterial treatment to keep it fresh between swims, while the lightweight design slips easily into your tow float backpack without taking up too much space. This is exactly the kind of versatile item that belongs in a minimalist setup and ensures that your wild swimming plans don’t become overcomplicated.

Quick Dry Microfibre Changing Robe

If you prefer a little more privacy when changing or want to be able to throw something on as soon as you leave the water, a quick-dry changing robe is an excellent alternative to a towel. You don’t need both on your wild swimming kit list, and you’ll probably decide to take one over the other depending on where you’re actually going swimming.

A quick-dry changing robe, like our Microfibre Poncho Changing Robe, is perfect for keeping your kit list simple as it combines the practicality of a towel with the convenience of a changing robe. Ours is made from the same 210gsm sueded microfibre as the towel, meaning it dries just as quickly between uses and takes up just as little space.

Where a changing robe particularly stands out as an essential is in those often award pre- and post-swim changing moments. The generous cut and roomy hood offer comfortable coverage for discreet changing at the water’s edge, while the lightweight construction packs down far smaller than a typical waterproof changing robe and will fit into your backpack easily. 

Swimwear 

It may sound obvious, but swimwear is an essential part of any wild swimming kit list. 

That said, if you’re aiming to travel as light as possible, it’s always a good idea to wear your swimsuit or swim shorts underneath your clothes before setting off. When you arrive at your chosen swimming spot, you’re ready to get straight into the water, and after your swim all you need to do is dry off, get changed and continue your day.

Reusable Water Bottle or Flask

However long you’re planning to swim, staying hydrated needs to be part of your routine. To decide exactly what needs to go on your kit list, you just need to think about whether you’ll want an ice-cold drink with you or a warming brew for afterwards.

For warmer days, make sure you have a durable reusable water bottle with you. Our 750ml Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is the perfect pick, keeping drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. It comes with two interchangeable leakproof lids too, making it just as practical on the move as it is when with you on the water inside your tow float backpack. 

If you’re swimming early in the morning or in particularly cold water, swapping your bottle for our 330ml Adventure Flask is a great choice. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your favourite hot drink warm for up to 8 hours, and its innovative 360-degree drinking lid lets you sip from any angle without awkward twisting. Plus, the slim, leakproof design fits easily into your backpack, ready for the walk back from the water.