Swimrun Gear

~ You may cut at the knee, elbow or higher! ~

~ inov-8 X-Talon 200 ~

WETSUIT
Wetsuits - most swimruns require you to wear a wetsuit but there are a few in warmer climes where it is optional. You don't need to shell out on a swimrun specific wetsuit for your first race. Many just take an old triathlon wetsuit and cut at the knees and elbows (depending). 

The advantage of swimrun specific suits include more flexibility in the legs, and a front-zip. Up until 2014 there were no such wetsuits on the market, that's almost 10 years after the first OtillO Race.

HEAD Swimming were the pioneers of swimrun wetsuit design, and I can recommend the HEAD Aero. The man behind HEAD's swimrun wetsuit design (Daniel Sand) has since co-founded ARK Sports. 

SHOES
Key considerations are weight, grip and drainage. For the more mountainous races you may want to consider more support and cushioning. We can recommend Inov-8. If in doubt just use what you normally use on a trail run.

There are few rules about what extra gear you can race with. For your first swimrun it's a very good idea to keep it simple. The more kit you have the more you have to manage. In training allow yourself time to experiment with different gear, make mistakes, learn and evolve.

RACE SPECIFIC
Remember each swimrun is a different, key differences which may influence your kit decisions are:

• total distance
• swim:run ratio
• water & air temperature
• longest swim & longest run
• terrain
• swim entry & exit points
• ​wind strength

Kit management can add stress to your race if you are not used to it. For your first swimrun it's not a bad idea to strip back to minimal kit, especially if you haven't trained with your extra kit. 

~ pull buoy ~

​Increase the bouyancy of your lower half by using a pull bouy. You can also play around with ideas to increase bouyancy of lower legs, neoprene calve guards are used by some.

~ tow system ~

This is effective in the swim for keeping together and speeding up a slower swimmer. It can help on the runs too. A simple 3m length of bungee with 2 clips attached to both partners works. Practice with your partner! 

~ hand paddles ~

Lots on the market, different sizes, shapes, attachments - try some. Consider the length of the longest swim, transition management, and how you will store them during the runs. If you are going to use them, train with them first! Some paddle advice here.

~ teamwork makes the dream work ~

Remember every swimrun is different just like every human is different. Part of the fun is deciding what's right for you (and your partner) for a given race, on a given day.

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Related Articles:

+ Swimming with Hand Paddles
+ Head Aero Wetsuit
+ Head 2-Piece Wetsuit
+ Swimrun Vs Triathlon