Swimrun Advice:
Swimrun gear shouldn’t
take 30 tabs
and a spreadsheet

Updated March 2026

If you’re a recent arrival to swimrun (or have a few events under your belt), you don’t need the “best” kit; you need dependable choices that won’t let you down during your race, in cold water, or in transitions.
Start with the essentials: what to buy, what to skip, and the one variable that decides. Swimrun = running in your wetsuit and swimming in your shoes. We’ll keep it simple and failure-mode-first (no hype).

Go to our swimrun equipment page first!

Get our Race-Ready Gear & Setup Checklist ($11.90)

About the authors:

Hi! We’re Richard Mitchell and Mogsy Ford. We built Swimrun Advice to make the confusing parts of swimrun simple, based on what we’ve learned from our own experiences, training, and races. Read our full story.

(We were listed in an article in the British newspaper The Guardian in 2024.)

Race without gear stress:
Our Race-Ready Gear Checklist

You don’t need perfect gear to feel confident in swimrun; you need a setup you’ve tested, that stays put, and keeps you predictable for your partner.
This checklist walks you through what to bring, how to attach it (so nothing flaps around or rubs), and what to test before race week.

What’s inside:
- Packing list + “did we forget anything?” sanity check
- How to attach and carry your kit for wet-to-run transitions (no drama, no flapping)
- Course-condition triggers (cold water, rocky exits, technical trails) so you can adjust fast
- Team-of-two setup: tether decisions, pacing expectations, and transition roles
- Race-week test plan (what to test, when, and what usually goes wrong)
- Bonus: plan your whole race weekend so race morning feels boring (in a good way)

$11.90 — Get the checklist

Prefer to DIY first? Start with our Swimrun equipment guide.

Start here:

1) What Is Swimrun?
Recently arrived in the swimrun world? This page explains what it is, how it works (no changing gear at transitions!), and why it’s so addictive.

2) Find a Race (2026 Calendars)
Browse our up-to-date swimrun race calendars and find an event that fits your location, distance, and ambition.

3) Search For Races by Country
Want something closer to home? Use our country-by-country list to find races fast.

4) Your First Event (Beginner Cheat Sheet)
Everything we wish we’d known before our first swimrun; what to expect, what to bring, and how to enjoy it.

5) Race Day Advice (Most Important!)
Practical tips for the day itself - prep, pacing, transitions (or lack of them), and the little things that make a big difference.

6) Swimrun Equipment (What You Actually Need)
A straightforward guide to the essential kit (and what you can skip), plus honest gear recommendations.

7) Wetsuits & Wetsuit Reviews
Choosing a suit is one of the biggest hurdles; here’s what to look for and which swimrun wetsuits are worth your time.

8) Training (Swim + Run Improvements)
Build endurance, improve your swimming, and train smarter with our plans, tips, and what’s worked for us.

Underwater view of a swimrun competitor swimming over a shallow sand back, in light green water.

Approaching the end of a swim section!

Swimrun Advice
- Other Equipment

SECTION 1:

Custom-fit goggles

Some people struggle with goggles that leak, pinch, or leave them with a headache, especially when you’re switching between run effort and cold water.
If that’s you, custom-fit goggles (like those made by Danish company THEMAGIC 5) can be worth a look.

Who they’re for: swimmers who can’t get a reliable seal from off-the-shelf goggles, or who want less pressure around the eyes.
Who they’re not for: anyone already happy with a standard pair, or anyone looking for the cheapest option.

Read the full guide (including downsides and alternatives).

SECTION 2:
One of Mogsy’s go-to swimrun wetsuits is the Colting Women’s suit (pictured below). It’s a solid option if you want a swimrun-specific suit that stays comfortable over long race days.

A picture of a black Colting swimrun wetsuit.

Colting Womens Wetsuit

Who it’s for: athletes who want a purpose-built swimrun suit for mixed swim/run efforts and longer events.
Watch-outs (so you don’t get surprised): fit is everything, if it’s even slightly off, you’ll feel it on the run (neck/shoulders/rub points) long before the swim feels ‘worth it.’

If you’re between sizes or sensitive to chafing: prioritize fit and comfort over brand, and consider alternatives we list in our wetsuit guide. Read the full breakdown (including who it’s NOT for + alternatives):
If you want to check current pricing/availability at Amazon:

[Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If I wouldn’t race it, it doesn’t make the list.]

Interesting swimrun facts

Injuries

We have found that there is a small but significant risk of picking up a trauma during training and racing, especially in salt water events. Discover what might go wrong at our page on Swimrun Injuries. And be sure to read all the way to the bottom to find out about the most dangerous risk - a potental killer - HYPOTHERMIA.

Swimrun events were originally for teams of 2 persons, but in recent years it has been possible to compete as a solo racer. In September 2020, Michal Jablonski completed a sprint distance event of 12km as a solo racer, but he took his dog Venus with him! Read more about this story at our page here!

A man in a red triathlon suit and sunglasses, standing at the side of a road, rubbing sunscreen into his right arm, with blue sky in the background.

Richard before a 5 hour training stint in Spain

Series Organisers

This new sport is growing in popularity around the world, and we have pages with details of organisers who hold a series of races. For example;

USA: Ötillö swimrun USA

Canada: Mudskipper Challenge

UK: Keen as Mustard Events

and Gritty Rascals Events

Europe/USA: Otillo World Series

Canary Islands, Spain: Canary Islands

Portugal, including Madeira; Portugal Series

Australia: Swimrun Australia

Italy: The Swimrun Italy series

Are you an organiser who holds one or more events? Contact us and we can add you to our list of organisers, and feature your races in a dedicated web page for your organisation.

A man and woman cross the finish line at the Honolulu Marathon, holding their hands up.

Richard and Mogsy cross the finish line at the Honolulu marathon

Of course, don't forget to read 'About Us' to find out who's writing this site - anyone can put up a website, but it's good to know that the authors of this site are genuine Swimrunners!

This website is very active, and we are updating it continuously, especially the race calendars for Europe and USA/Canada/Rest Of the World.

So do bookmark this page or add it to your RSS feed, and come back soon!