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A tow float is a bright inflatable buoy attached to a belt round your waist by a short leash. It trails behind you as you swim, so lifeguards, kayak cover and boats can see you, and you can hold it if you need a rest. Some London open water venues require a tow float, and some, like West Reservoir, provide one.
We have not tested any tow float or goggles. This page covers what a tow float does, the venue rules we found, what to look for and the models we checked, with prices from 6 October 2026. Prices change, so check the shop before you buy.
What is a tow float?
A tow float is usually a PVC or polyester buoy with one or two air chambers. You inflate it by mouth through a valve, clip the leash to a belt and swim normally. It sits behind your legs and does not need holding. Most are orange, yellow or pink, and many add reflective strips.
A tow float is a visibility aid. It does not replace being able to swim the distance, and it does not make an unsupervised swim safe. Swim only at supervised venues, and never in the Thames, canals or docks outside organised sessions.
Why London venues require a tow float
Two East London venues we checked make tow floats part of their rules:
| Venue | Tow float | Hat |
|---|---|---|
| London Royal Docks (Love Open Water) | Required for all swimmers | Bright hat required |
| West Reservoir Centre, Hackney | Mandatory, provided by the venue | Bright red, orange or pink; red caps on sale at the centre |
At the Royal Docks you also need NOWCA membership and a wristband, and the page sets a benchmark of swimming 400 m unaided. The Royal Docks page said the venue was reopening in summer 2026 and did not give its current status, so check before you plan a visit. See West Reservoir open water swimming and our guide to open water swimming in London for booking and prices.
Dry bag tow float or plain tow float?
A dry bag tow float has a roll-top bag inside the air chambers. You can carry keys, a phone or a light layer. It is bigger and costs a little more.
A plain tow float is only a buoy. It is smaller when packed, lighter and cheaper, and it is enough if your venue has somewhere to leave your bag.
What to look for in either type:
- Two separate air chambers, so one puncture does not leave you with a flat float.
- An adjustable belt that fits over a wetsuit. The Swim Secure float states a belt of 64 to 120cm.
- A bright colour and reflective strips.
- A valve you can open and close easily with cold hands.
Tow float models we checked
| Model | Price (checked 6 Oct 2026) | What the brand or shop states |
|---|---|---|
| Zone3 Recycled Swim Safety Buoy / Tow Float | £25.00 | No dry bag stated; leash strap; reflective strips; deflated 49 x 30cm |
| Swim Secure Dry Bag Float 28L (AndArk) | £32.99, sold out on the day | 28 litres; double airbag; Boston valve; belt 64 to 120cm; deflated 66 x 34cm |
| Zone3 Recycled Safety Buoy / Dry Bag 28L | £35.00 | 28 litre dry bag inside dual air bladders; dual belt; leash; reflective; 100% recycled polyester; deflated 72 x 37cm |
If your venue provides a float, you may not need one at first. If you swim at several venues or carry valuables, the 28 litre dry bag versions fit that use. If you only want visibility, the Zone3 plain float is the lowest listed price.
Open water swimming goggles
Open water goggles are usually larger than pool racing goggles, with wider vision for sighting (lifting your eyes to spot the next buoy) and softer seals for longer swims. Lens type matters more outdoors:
- Polarised: cuts glare on bright days and on flat water.
- Photochromatic: darkens in bright light and clears in low light, useful for early starts.
- Tinted: a fixed tint for sunny conditions.
- Clear: suits grey days and in the evening.
| Goggles | Price (checked 6 Oct 2026) | What the brand or shop states |
|---|---|---|
| Zone3 Attack | £25.00 | Polarised, photochromatic or tinted lenses; soft silicone; anti-fog; UVA/UVB protection; case included |
| Zone3 Vapour | £45.00 | Polarised or photochromatic lenses; soft silicone gaskets; anti-fog; UVA/UVB protection; adjustable nose bridge |
Zone3 also lists the Venator-X at £35.00 and the Vision Max at £32.50 on its goggles page; we did not read their specifications. The Aquasphere Kayenne Pro with a clear lens is described by Simply Swim as having 180-degree peripheral vision, four interchangeable nose bridges and anti-fog. On the day we checked it was out of stock and the page showed inconsistent prices (£39.00 and £38.00), so confirm the price at checkout.
Fit beats features. Press the goggles to your eyes without the strap: if they hold by suction for a second or two, the seal suits your face.
See triathlon swim kit at Simply Swim
Bright swim caps
A bright cap is the other half of being seen. West Reservoir asks for a bright red, orange or pink hat, and the Royal Docks asks for a bright hat. Orange, pink and red show up better on dark water than black, navy or white. In cold water, a silicone cap keeps more heat in than a latex one, and some swimmers wear two caps with goggle straps between them so the goggles stay put.
For the rest of your swim kit, see our triathlon wetsuit guide and the triathlon kit checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Does a tow float slow you down?
You will feel some drag, more in wind or chop, but it sits behind your legs on a leash and most swimmers stop noticing it after a few sessions. It is there for visibility, not speed. Set the leash so the float trails behind your feet rather than hitting your legs, and keep the waist belt snug so it does not slide when you kick.
Do I need my own tow float in London?
It depends on the venue. Love Open Water's Royal Docks page says a tow float is required for all swimmers, so check whether you must bring one when you book. West Reservoir Centre in Hackney makes a tow float mandatory but provides it. Both venues also require a bright hat. Rules change, so read the venue page before your first visit.
What size dry bag tow float do I need?
A 28 litre dry bag float has room for small items such as keys, a phone and a card. Both the Zone3 Safety Buoy Dry Bag and the Swim Secure Dry Bag Float we checked are 28 litres. If you only swim at a venue with lockers or bag storage, a plain tow float without a dry bag is lighter and costs less.
Can I use a tow float in a triathlon race?
We did not find tow float rules for races in the sources we checked, so do not assume either way. Use your tow float for training at supervised venues. If you want to swim with one in a race, ask the organiser before race day and check the race information and briefing, which set the kit allowed in the water.
Sources
- Love Open Water: London Royal Docks open water swimming, checked 6 October 2026
- Better: West Reservoir Centre open water swimming, checked 6 October 2026
- Zone3: Recycled 28L Safety Buoy / Dry Bag, checked 6 October 2026
- Zone3: Recycled Swim Safety Buoy / Tow Float, checked 6 October 2026
- AndArk: Swim Secure Dry Bag Float 28L, checked 6 October 2026
- Zone3: Vapour goggles, checked 6 October 2026
- Zone3: Attack goggles, checked 6 October 2026
- Zone3: goggles collection, checked 6 October 2026
- Simply Swim: Aquasphere Kayenne Pro clear lens, checked 6 October 2026