Outdoor swimming essentials.
August 25, 2015 5:21 PM Subscribe
I love swimming outside. What should I be bringing with me?
I'm a big fan of finding rivers and ponds to jump in. What are your essential items for the outdoor swimmer? Bonus for things that are compact and easy to pack.
I'm a big fan of finding rivers and ponds to jump in. What are your essential items for the outdoor swimmer? Bonus for things that are compact and easy to pack.
Specifically, a microfiber towel.
posted by teremala at 5:52 PM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by teremala at 5:52 PM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I like lake swimming, and although I don't get to do it often, I have a few suggestions of the "lesson learned" variety.
First, two piece tank suits are awesome. I don't do bikinis and one piece suits are right out because if you are on the trail and you gotta go, it is incredibly awkward to have to strip out of a one piece suit to take care of business. I just wear the tankini as underwear on the hike in.
But NOT on the hike out. Because - and trust me on this one - a wet tankini bottom on its own or in your shorts is a recipe for killer chafing. Pack in dry underwear and change out of the tankini bottom before hiking out. Don't ask me how I know.
I like to bring my goggles. The water is so clear and it's fun to see all the way down to the bottom of the lake.
I have this REI microfiber towel. Packs in small, slurps up water like a champ, dries fast.
Something on your feet you can wear in the water. Keens or flip flops or whatever. Unlike pool swimming, there's slick rocks and muck and hurty things you have to walk on to get from the shallows to the swimming part. You can hike in and out in the water shoes or carry them in as a separate pair.
That's it, really. Everything else is just what you'd bring on a regular hike - sun block, bug protection, etc.
posted by rekrap at 5:54 PM on August 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
First, two piece tank suits are awesome. I don't do bikinis and one piece suits are right out because if you are on the trail and you gotta go, it is incredibly awkward to have to strip out of a one piece suit to take care of business. I just wear the tankini as underwear on the hike in.
But NOT on the hike out. Because - and trust me on this one - a wet tankini bottom on its own or in your shorts is a recipe for killer chafing. Pack in dry underwear and change out of the tankini bottom before hiking out. Don't ask me how I know.
I like to bring my goggles. The water is so clear and it's fun to see all the way down to the bottom of the lake.
I have this REI microfiber towel. Packs in small, slurps up water like a champ, dries fast.
Something on your feet you can wear in the water. Keens or flip flops or whatever. Unlike pool swimming, there's slick rocks and muck and hurty things you have to walk on to get from the shallows to the swimming part. You can hike in and out in the water shoes or carry them in as a separate pair.
That's it, really. Everything else is just what you'd bring on a regular hike - sun block, bug protection, etc.
posted by rekrap at 5:54 PM on August 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Always check local water reports to see if the body of water has high levels of agricultural or industrial waste, or dangerous microbes like E. coli or that brain eating amoeba. It's surprising to learn that lots of bodies of water aren't safe for swimming.
posted by littlewater at 7:36 PM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by littlewater at 7:36 PM on August 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ear plugs, some life forms wreak havoc with the nervous system.
posted by Oyéah at 9:02 PM on August 25, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 9:02 PM on August 25, 2015
A camo backpack to keep it all out of sight on the shore.
posted by Oyéah at 9:03 PM on August 25, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 9:03 PM on August 25, 2015
Put a few drops of isopropyl alcohol into your ears afterwards and then let it run out. Alcohol kills bacteria and because it's hygroscopic alcohol will help to draw out any remaining water.
posted by three blind mice at 3:25 AM on August 26, 2015
posted by three blind mice at 3:25 AM on August 26, 2015
Best answer: Ooh, us too! You can see my shirt hung up on a barbed wire fence on the shore. My hike/swim combos usually have me schlepping:
posted by workerant at 7:02 AM on August 26, 2015
- tiny bug spray & deodorant to replace what washes off
- microfiber towel
- Tevas (keeps my feet safe; mud is gross and rocks hurt)
- two-piece swimsuit; much easier to get into and out of
- waterproof camera, because I can never have too many pictures of my dogs being awesome
- the usual hiking stuff: a first aid kit, water, a couple hundred calories, map & compass (if new terrain), lip balm, etc.
posted by workerant at 7:02 AM on August 26, 2015
The Waterkeeper Swim Guide app, and thin (but very effective) peshtemal towels from this eBay shop. A ratty old swimsuit permanently lives in my trunk for emergency swim needs.
posted by kmennie at 12:12 PM on August 26, 2015
posted by kmennie at 12:12 PM on August 26, 2015
A robie! Or your own, less bulky version made by sewing up a towel or two.
posted by penguin pie at 5:11 PM on August 26, 2015
posted by penguin pie at 5:11 PM on August 26, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:45 PM on August 25, 2015