Be safe and be seen in the water with a brightly coloured swimming tow float. Our pick of the top seven tow floats on the market also double up as a handy way to carry essentials as you swim.
\nWhether you\u2019re a keen open water swimmer or are just dipping a toe in the world of wild swimming, a brightly coloured tow float is a sensible bit of equipment to add to your kit bag. Tow floats come in different shapes and sizes, but they all perform a similar function \u2013 these high-visibility inflated bags are designed to be towed along behind you as you swim, making you easier to see in open water and doubling up as a handy way to carry essentials.
\nA tow float\u2019s main function is safety. If you\u2019re swimming in open water, you might encounter rowers, sailors, ferries and other swimmers. A bright tow float will make you far more visible to anyone in the water (or to friends or a lifeguard watching from shore) than you\u2019d be without one. While swimming tow floats are not designed to be lifesaving flotation devices, if you need to take a breather or you get a case of cramp you can also hold on to them and float for a minute or two. Tow floats are also mandatory at some swim events, so if you\u2019re getting into swim races or long-distance swims you may well need to have one handy. Tow floats are sometimes used at night \u2013 pop a head torch inside them and they give off a warm glow that makes you easier to spot. It\u2019s worth noting that having a float with you isn\u2019t any substitute for first making sure that you\u2019re safe and competent in any location you decide to swim in.<\/p>\n
Tow floats are also useful for carrying essentials with you on longer swims. Even if you choose a smaller float, you should have space to bring your phone, snacks, keys, a sports drink or even a camera along for the ride. Larger tow floats can also fit your lunch, a rucksack, spare warm layers or even a small tent, so you can bring along everything you need for a proper adventure. If you are carrying technology, such as a phone or a camera, we recommend popping the item into a smaller dry bag, just in case of splashes. Some tow floats are designed with one inflatable chamber, while others are \u2018dual chamber\u2019 \u2013 one side holds air to create buoyancy, and the other side acts as a dry bag. If safety is your priority for shorter swims, a simple, small design will be fine \u2013 if you want to carry kit on longer swims, a dual chamber float might suit you best.
\nMost tow floats attach around the swimmer\u2019s waist with an adjustable strap. Some also offer shoulder straps so you can pop them on your back when you\u2019re out of the water, which is great if you\u2019re into swim-hiking or swim-running and want to move quickly from swim spot to swim spot. Floats are usually made from plastic \u2013 we recommend picking a float made using recycled or PVC-free materials if possible.
\nWe\u2019ve rounded up seven of the best tow floats of different shapes and sizes, so you\u2019re guaranteed to find one that\u2019ll suit the way you like to swim. You\u2019ll also find a quick guide to what to look for when shopping for a swimming float below.<\/p>\n
Zone 3 Swim Safety Buoy and Dry Bag
\nZone 3\u2019s Swim Safety model is always popular with open water swimmers, and for good reason \u2013 it\u2019s solid, roomy, durable, and does pretty much what it says on the tin. Inflation chambers are separated from the dry bag storage section of the bag, making this more buoyant than your average float. You have to manually close the dry bag and then inflate the second section, which is a bit more faff than a one-chamber model, but is worth it for that added buoyancy and kit space. We like the two grab handles, and 28 litres is a generous size that means there\u2019s room for spare clothing as well as your essentials inside. A great pick for longer distances.
\nMaterial: plastic
\nColours available: orange\/pink
\nRecycled: no
\nSize: 28 litres
\nPros: Plenty of room, tough, long-lasting plastic outer, two-chamber design makes the bag very buoyant
\nCons: It\u2019s a pity the plastic isn\u2019t recycled, too big for anyone who just wants to stash their keys, some drag
\nPrice \u00a324 (RRP \u00a324) $31.62
\nBuy Zone 3 Swim Safety Buoy and Dry Bag from wiggle.co.uk<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Swim Secure Tow Float
\nIf you\u2019re getting into open water swimming and tend to swim shorter distances, there\u2019s no need to cart a big or bulky tow float along with you. Swim Secure\u2019s small, bubble-shaped float is petite, lightweight and adds no noticeable drag, so it\u2019s perfect for quick swims where you need to make sure you\u2019re visible but don\u2019t want extra weight, or for anyone who doesn\u2019t like the feeling of dragging a bigger float. There\u2019s still room inside for keys and a phone or a headtorch, and two inflation chambers mean you\u2019re covered if one does fail. Both the orange and pink colourways are easy to spot even in murky waters.
\nMaterial: plastic
\nColours available: orange\/pink
\nRecycled: no
\nSize: N\/A
\nPros: petite size, good visibility, no drag
\nCons: made with PVC plastic, too small for clothing and bulky kit
\nPrice \u00a322 (RRP \u00a322) $28.99
\nBuy Swim Secure Tow Float from Amazon.co.uk<\/p>\n
Ruckraft
\nThe clue\u2019s in the name \u2013the innovative Ruckraft is a floating dry bag that works as an inflatable, waterproof raft, allowing swimmers to carry up to 15kg of belongings with them on long cross-country swims.\u00a0This is a big and bulky bag, and it\u2019s overkill if you don\u2019t ever need to carry much kit, but if you\u2019re into longer distance swimming or fancy planning a swim-hike adventure or even a multi-day swim safari, this is the perfect companion. Fill the dry bag with kit (clothing, food and even a tent will happily fit inside), then secure it to the inflatable horseshoe-shaped float. Once in the water, the Ruckraft feels surprisingly light to tow behind you, but does add more drag than a tinier tow float would do. The dry bag is bright orange, so it adds visibility, too.
\nMaterial: Rivertex
\nColours available: orange\/yellow\/blue\/black
\nRecycled: no
\nSize: 120 litres
\nPros: Innovative design lets you tow 120 litres of kit, great quality, also works as a safety buoy
\nCons: Expensive, some drag, casual swimmers who only want to carry the minimum can pick something smaller
\nPrice \u00a3164 (RRP \u00a3164) $216.07
\nBuy the Ruckraft from abovebelow.sc<\/p>\n
Ulu AquaTrek
\nNewcomer to the swim market Ulu have hit the nail on the head with the Aquatrek, a great hybrid of a backpack and a drybag ideal for anyone who likes to adventure both on and off land. The 36L\u00a0buoyant\u00a0AquaTrek has comfortable removable straps and works well as a rucksack for walking, and once you hit the water, air-tight zippers keep the contents fully dry. This versatility makes the bag ideal if you\u2019re an open water swimmer but want to invest in kit that will also work well for other aquatic pursuits such as stand-up paddleboarding and sailing. At 1.4kg this design is much heavier than a simple tow float, but once in the water it\u2019s buoyant enough that you can still swim comfortably while dragging it behind you. The AquaTrek is a more planet-friendly choice than some, as it\u2019s made from recycled plastic bottles.
\nMaterial: Recycled plastic
\nColours available: orange
\nRecycled: yes
\nSize: 36 litres
\nPros: Eco-friendly fabric, removable back pad and harness, reflective detailing
\nCons: Pricy, heavier than standard tow floats
\nPrice \u00a3159.99 (RRP \u00a3159.99) $210.79
\nBuy Ulu AquaTrek from uludrybags.com<\/p>\n
Lomo Eco Dry Bag Swimming Tow Float
\nLomo have gone back to the drawing board and designed a more eco-friendly version of their classic Dry Bag Tow Float \u2013 this Eco model is made with biodegradable TPU, which is much more environmentally friendly to manufacture than PVC plastic but just as durable. Dual chambers make this bag very buoyant, and the dry bag section is roomy enough to carry bulkier kit such as spare layers or your flipflops. This is a larger bag than some tow floats, so there is a bit of drag in the water, but if you like to carry kit on longer swims it\u2019s a solid choice.
\nMaterial: Biodegradable TPU
\nColours available: orange
\nRecycled: no
\nSize: N\/A
\nPros: more sustainable than other plastic tow floats, plenty of room, good buoyancy
\nCons: may degrade in bright sunshine faster than other models, some drag
\nPrice \u00a322.99 (RRP \u00a322.99) $30.29
\nBuy Lomo Dry Bag Swimming Tow Float from Lomo.co.uk
\nRead our Lomo tow float tested review at sister site Practical Boat Owner, tested by Editor, Ali in January 2022<\/p>\n
Orca Safety Buoy
\nKeep it simple with Orca\u2019s streamlined new Safety Buoy, which is blindingly bright in the water and easy and intuitive to use on land. Nine litres of capacity is ideal for carrying smaller items but is still compact enough that you won\u2019t notice you\u2019re tugging this design behind you on longer swims. Orca\u2019s safety buoy doubles up well as a night lantern too, thanks to slightly translucent outer walls, so it\u2019s ideal for swimmers who like to head out for nocturnal dips. A version with an integrated hydration bladder is also available for \u00a345 for anyone who wants to carry a water supply with them. If you\u2019re shopping for a fuss-free all-rounder of a float, this is a good choice.
\nMaterial: plastic
\nColours available: orange
\nRecycled: no
\nSize: 9 litre
\nPros: Streamlined slim design, great for carrying just the essentials, good for night swims
\nCons: no added features, plastic is not recycled
\nPrice \u00a335 (RRP \u00a335) $46.11
\nBuy Orca Safety Buoy from orca.com<\/p>\n
Puffin Bubble Eco Recycled Tow Float
\nIf you\u2019re shopping for a small, simple tow float and want a design with good eco credentials, we rate Puffin\u2019s dinky Bubble. This tow float is still big enough to fit your keys and your phone in easily, and bright and visible enough to signal your presence to others, but is designed to have minimal drag in the water, so you won\u2019t feel encumbered as you swim. We like the well-placed grab handle, and the comfortable waist strap. The Bubble also stands out for its eco credentials \u2013 it\u2019s made with recycled plastic bottles.
\nMaterial: recycled plastic
\nColours available: orange\/yellow
\nRecycled: yes
\nSize: N\/A
\nPros: made with recycled plastic, useful handle, designed to have minimal drag
\nCons: on the small side so can only take a few items, large logo
\nPrice \u00a320.99 (RRP \u00a320.99) $27.65
\nBuy Puffin Bubble Eco Recycled Tow Float from puffinswim.co.uk<\/p>\n
What we look for in the best swimming tow floats<\/p>\n
Material: Most tow floats are made from plastic. If you buy new, we recommend picking a model that doesn\u2019t use PVC, a type of plastic that is harmful to the environment. Or even better, choose a bag made with recycled materials. Planning to swim at night? It\u2019s worth picking a float made with a slightly translucent material, so that you can pop a headtorch inside to make your float more visible in low light.
\nCapacity: Horses for courses \u2013 floats come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from dinky ones that\u2019ll only hold your phone, keys and a few other essentials to big beasts like the Ruckraft, designed to carry a backpack or even a tent along with you as you swim. Figure out what you want to tow (most swimmers will want to consider bringing a phone, snacks, spare warm layers, a camera etc), and then shop accordingly.
\nAccessories: Some tow floats are just a simple inflatable bag with a waist strap attached. Others have more bells and whistles (literally \u2013 some floats feature a built-in safety whistle) such as rucksack straps, extra handles, interior pockets and even a hydration bladder.
\nColour: Safety first \u2013 swimming tow floats are designed to keep you safer in the water by making sure you\u2019re more visible to boats, other swimmers and anyone else on or near the water. They almost universally come in bright, almost fluorescent oranges, pinks and yellows for this reason.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nIf you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading our other articles on open water swimming gear.
\nBest open water swimming gloves
\nBest open water swimming caps
\nBest open water swimming shoes and booties
\nEverything you need to take the plunge \u2013 cold water swimming<\/p>\n
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The post 7 of the best swim floats for open water appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Be safe and be seen in the water with a brightly coloured swimming tow float. Our pick of the top seven tow floats on the market also double up as a handy way to carry essentials as you swim. Whether … <\/p>\n