Best tow floats for open-water swimming
Tow floats are vital pieces of kit for open water swimming. Want to know why and which one to go for? Here's our guide to everything you need to know...
If you enjoy a bit of open water swimming and want to feel more safe in the water, a tow float is a useful piece of kit to consider.
Tow floats are also useful for storing dry gear and valuables, as well as offering a float to rest and recover on during a swim set.
Want to learn more about tow floats? Scroll down to our guide on what a tow float is and also check out our explainer on how to use one.
Best tow floats for open-water swimming
Want to give tow floats a go? Below we pick some of the top tow floats.
Swim Secure Tow Donut
- £27.99/£31
When is a tow float not just a tow float? Answer: when it’s also a donut.
The Swim Secure Tow Donut (£27.99) is designed with a small, integrated dry bag in the middle, which is ideal for carrying valuables such as keys and a phone – perfect if you’re swimming on a beach or your local open-water venue has yet to install lockers.
Swim Secure recommends its £5 Phone Bag for added waterproofing and I’d go along with that, even if it’s just for peace of mind. The tow float pictured has accompanied me on many long swims (including the length of Lake Coniston twice, the length of Lake Bala twice and many other swims where I needed things with me) and although it doesn’t leak as such, water can splash in if you are accessing kit while in the water.
Where this float really comes into its own is on long swims where you need hydration or nutrition with you. That central bag is unbeatable for stashing all your event fuel in, while still being able to access it mid-swim. This is something you can’t do with the larger dry bag tow floats.
The Tow Donut secures around the waist via a leash and the overall lean weight ensures that it doesn’t obstruct your swim.
220 Triathlon Verdict
Neat variation on the classic tow float that combines visibility with a dry bag. The perfect partner for long swims or events when you need to carry essentials or fuel. Score: 90%
Pros
- Compact
- Accessible dry bag
- Handy for valuables
Cons
- Bag
- Single air chamber
- Smaller size float
Zoggs Hi Viz Xlite Swim Buoy
- £17
The buoy in the photos here is a slightly older version of the Xlite from Zoggs, but the fundamental design has stayed the same.
The good news? The new version is now sold in collaboration with the RNLI and £2 from every sale goes to helping save more lives at sea. This older version is still available online though.
As for the spec here, this is a smaller tow float but that means it’s portable and easy to forget about when swimming. The orange colour is easily spotted from a distance.
The strap here is nice quality. So often this is skimped on with tow floats, but here it’s wide and sturdy. It’s also easy to adjust. We would question the choice of black on a high-viz safety item, though. It’s helpful to be able to see the straps in the water from a safety point of view.
I liked the handle on top of this buoy. It makes it easy to carry and can be used to attach things to (eg flip flops!) with a carabiner. At a push, it also makes it handy for assisting another swimmer in the water too. This makes it handy if you’re swimming with others who are less confident in open water (though ideally, they would have their own floats too!).
220 Triathlon Verdict
Simple buoy which feels good quality and includes a useful handle on the top. Reasonable price, too. Score: 80%
Pros
- Simple design
- Handle on top
- Reasonable price
Cons
- No storage
- Single chamber
- Black strap
Quintana Roo Swim Buoy
- £21
Another straightforward design, the swim buoy from tri bike and wetsuit brand Quintana Roo doesn’t do anything spectacular, but it does what you need it to if you only want a tow float for short or occasional swims.
The design here is a simple buoy with strap attachment and screw-top valve to inflate it. I liked the bright yellow which made a difference from all the orange on test.
The brightly-coloured strap is easily adjustable and made from sturdy webbing.
I’d choose this float if I needed one that can be packed down small, for example if you wanted to carry it in your kit bag or in your car to inflate when needed.
220 Triathlon Verdict
Simple but functional tow float. Great bright colour and sturdy design. No-frills but easily packable. Score: 80%
Pros
- Simple design
- Easy to stash
- Bright float and strap
Cons
- No storage
- Single chamber
- No handle
Buy now from Quintana Roo, £21.
Lomo Dry Bag Swimming Float
- £22.50
Lomo are my go-to brand for good quality swimming kit at bargain prices. On that theme, the Dry Bag Swimming Float certainly ticks both boxes.
This is a large float, with a capacious 57 x 27 cm space for your essentials. I easily fitted in a towel and a pair of flip flops, as well as my phone in a second waterproof pouch (just to be ultra sure it stayed dry!).
A lot of thought has gone into the construction of this float. Lomo have used high quality materials and RF-welded seams for strength and durability. An internal plastic skirt has been added to the entrance of the dry bag which seals it further against water ingress when rolled down.
There are two inflatable chambers. One on each side of the dry bag pouch and each with its own valve, meaning if one fails the buoy will still float.
Uniquely, this float also has a mesh pocket on the outside. While not waterproof, this is perfect for housing items you need to access mid-swim and don’t mind getting wet. I used it in testing for carrying my nutrition on longer swims.
The webbing strap is sturdy and attached with a carabiner. All in all, this is a quality tow float with many features at a great price.
220 Triathlon Verdict
Superb for longer swims and for multi-swim adventures where you may need a few essentials. Twin chambers add reliability to an already sturdy package. Score: 90%
Pros
- Large storage capacity
- Twin chambers
- Outer mesh pocket
Cons
- Large size not for everyone
- Heavier/bulkier to carry
Swim Secure Hydration Float
- £25.99
The only float in this test to allow easy access to a drinks bottle, I was curious to see how I’d get on with it. Would it stay flat in the water, or flip over?
Well, thanks to a clever design, it did a great job of staying the correct way up.
The float is inflated via a valve as usual, but then there is an angled gap in the top where a bottle can be slid into place. I used normal-sized bike bottles, which fit perfectly. Swim Secure recommend a 750ml bottle.
There is a drain hole in the float too, so even if water does splash into the bottle holder, it quickly drains out again.
The float is 43 x 35 cm and comes in high viz orange.
You may not need this for shorter swims (or just use it without a bottle in), but for long swims where hydration and energy are needed, it’s just superb.
220 Triathlon Verdict
Handy if you need hydration or liquid fuel on a longer or very hot swim, with good features as you’d expect from Swim Secure. Score: 85%
Pros
- Able to carry hydration
- Sturdy, well made
- Great visibility
Cons
- Not everyone will need this feature
- Limited to carrying bottle
Sumarpo Swim Safety Buoy
- £43
With a huge 28-litre dry bag capacity, this safety buoy is perfect for stashing all your kit if you’re on a longer swim/hike or swim/run adventure.
In testing I managed to stash a towel, a pair of flipflops, a light change of clothes and some lunch inside with no problems. In fact, I could have got more kit in if I’d wanted which is ideal if you want to head out for a day and do swims that are more point-to-point than circular.
Plus, it comes with nifty straps that turn it into a rucksack for easy portability which makes it even more ideal for day adventures.
The price point feels a little high though, I found similar in the market on sale for just £28. It does the job well though!
220 Triathlon Verdict
Great buoy for big adventures, but a little overpriced in a competitive market. Score: 80%
Pros
- Large capacity
- Comfy straps
Cons
- Feels expensive
TekraSport Tekra Pod
Developed in Ireland by a keen Ironman athlete, Tekra Pod aims to move the swim buoy concept to a higher level by offering more versatility and features.
One key point is that you wear this like a harness with the ‘inflatable’ on your back, out of the way. It’s then operated by a CO2 canister should you need it.
Not only does this take away the ‘embarrassment factor’ (which some feel) of using a tow float, but it also means you don’t notice it when swimming, even in choppy water where a tow float would often be irritating or impede your stroke.
Once inflated, the pod releases a three-foot-long yellow float that you can hold onto, pass to someone in trouble, or wave in the air to attract attention.
There’s also a whistle, which will undoubtedly help with that last point.
We initially wondered if the lack of every-swim visibility was a pitfall, but TekraSport points out that the benefit of a float only inflated in an emergency is that it’s immediately apparent you need support.
Also, if you’re using a tow float for visibility in an area populated by watercraft, you should probably consider looking for a safer spot to swim! The other key benefit is that the Tekra Pod is race legal.
Verdict: Innovative swim safety device; benefits make the investment worth it.
Score: 85%
WildPaces Tow Float
This tow float from WildPaces is made for sea, lake and river swimming. The bright orange colour aims to help visibility and the grab handles on each side should make holding on to the float more easy.
Inflate the float through the mouthpiece and a double inner chamber aims to both retain the air and offer waterproof storage for valuables in the 28L capacity, the bag’s closed via a roll-top with buckle that’s designed to be secure and waterproof.
The fabric aims to be waterproof and durable, the adjustible waist strap can also be detached for the bag to be used during other activities as a dry bag.
Lomo Swim Run Rucksack Tow Float
This Lomo tow float doubles up as both a rucksack and a tow float, which is ideal for swim run adventures. Detachable rucksack straps come with the bag, as well as a waist strap for puling the float behind you as you swim.
This set-up should prove ideal for carrying the float with you as you run, as well as transitioning into pulling the float behind you as you swim, with a inner dry-bag chamber for keeping valuables dry.
The rucksack straps are designed with in-built padding for comfort, as well as a chest strap connecting the two across the front.
Dimensions of this Lomo float when inflated are 54cm by 31cm, whcih means it should be plenty big enough to grab hold of for rests when swimming.
Zone3 Tow Float
This 28L tow float is designed with beginners in mind. It has no internal storage, with Zone3 instead focusing on creating a lightweight product that doesn’t get in your way while swimming.
HUUB Tow Float
This 16l tow float is designed to increase your visibility and act as a buoyancy aid in case you get into trouble. It’s made from PVC, has an adjustable leash and also has space inside for valuables.
What is a tow float and what do they do?
A tow float in its most basic form is an inflatable plastic ‘balloon’ used in open water swimming, which you attach to your waist via a strap.
Light in weight to reduce drag, it then floats on the surface of the water behind you. The main benefit of this is you instantly become much more visible in the water (though there are other benefits, which we will come on to).
They’re lightweight to keep drag to a minimum and are brightly coloured, normally florescent orange, pink or yellow, to stand out from the water.
This should alert your presence to other water users, including boats, and help you attract attention in case of emergency.
Is a tow float the same as a swim buoy?
Tow floats are known as swim buoys and can also be called inflatable dry bags or tow buoys. Wording differs because not all tow floats include the same components.
Some will be your bog-standard floats with a waist rope to attach to the swimmer, and others will include more components like extra dry-bag compartments for stashing valuables as you swim, attachments to hook on straps and use as a backpack on dry land, and an attached safety whistle to attract the attention of those around you in an emergency.
Do I need to get a tow float?
I would recommend anyone training in open water think about using a tow float. The extra visibility they give you is invaluable in training swims where you may not have water safety staff to hand.
A bright tow float (most are fluro orange or yellow) will warn other water users that you are there. It will help you be seen by other swimmers, boats, SUPs and water craft so there is less likely of someone accidentally knocking into you.
If swimming with someone else it will help them stay with you, or if relying on a spotter on the shore it will help them keep you in sight.
Should the worst happen and you need assistance in the water, then a tow float will help rescue teams get to you much more easily. Another good tip is to write your ICE (in case of emergency) details on your tow float with permanent marker.
The other use for a tow float is flotation, though they are not sold as a life-saving device so never rely on a tow float to ‘save’ you, or push a swim further than you are capable of.
If you just need a breather though, or in case of a niggle like cramp, they can be handy. Pull the float around to the front, kick your legs back behind you and you can ‘bob’ on the float until you feel ready to continue.
As for racing, you usually wouldn’t use one in a triathlon swim. With so many swimmers in the same area of water there would be a risk of you becoming entangled. Many open water events will ask you to use one though, especially if it is very long or you are swimming ‘skins’ (without a wetsuit).
Types of tow float
A wide range of tow float designs are available. First up I recommend buying a decent brand. I’ve had swimmers show up with cheap non-branded tow floats that have either failed (not stayed inflated) or have come with straps that are far too short.
The bigger your tow float the more visible you will be in the water, plus a dual-chamber float offers additional reassurance as if one chamber punctures, the other will still keep it afloat.
You can also buy tow floats with handles and/or ropes attached on them which create useful handles for other swimmers to grab on to. I often use one of these myself when coaching nervous swimmers, as it gives them something to grab on to if needed!
Your tow float can be useful in other ways, too. My favourite tow float is my trusty Swim Secure Tow Donut, which includes a central dry bag which rolls and clips shut. Inside you can stash your phone and keys if you don’t have a safe space to leave them as you swim. I’ve also used it to house my nutrition on long swims.
If you just need liquid fuel/hydration with you, then there’s a tow float with a central space for a bottle to be stashed inside, too.
Tow floats with storage
Go beyond the smaller floats and you find the potential for adventure. Larger floats can be bought with a dry bag function, meaning you can carry flip-flops and other essentials such as a change of clothes or a towel with you.
These usually have an inflatable tow float chamber on one side and the dry bag on the other.
You’re unlikely to need a large one just for training. Go to the extremes of adventure though and the Ruckraft is a floating ‘raft’ which can carry a large drybag for you. Perfect if you want to spend a day swimming and exploring!
How do you use a tow float?
If using a basic tow float, simply inflate it by blowing in the valve. Next adjust the waist strap so it is secure enough not to slip over your hips, but so that it still has enough movement that you can pull the float around in front of you if needed.
Dry bag versions are a little different. With these, you need to stash your kit inside the dry bag, roll up the top and then inflate the air chamber.
Using a tow float in wind and waves
Tow floats can be tricky in rough weather or water, as they can move around and you might find they bump into you. A couple of things you can try are:
- Make the strap shorter, so the tow float sits more on your back than far away. This should keep it a bit more in check.
- Move the float around the front, then feed it back between your legs so it sits on the water above your thighs but is kept in place by hold legs clasping the strap. This seems to work provided you are doing front crawl and not a heavy kicker!
Check out our essential cold water swimming kit guide for more advice.
Helen Webster
Editor, 220 Triathlon With contributions from
