Top 10 Last-Minute Holiday Gifts For Swimmers You Can Buy From The Couch
Top 10 Last-Minute Holiday Gifts For Swimmers You Can Buy From The Couch
The top 10 last-minute holiday and Christmas gifts for swimmers you can purchase without leaving your home.
Let's be honest. If you are anything like us, you do all of your holiday shopping at the very last minute.
Also, like us, you have absolutely no desire to get off the couch, put real clothes on, drive in traffic, and — worst of all — wander aimlessly in an overcrowded mall that reeks of a lethal dose of cheap perfume. Nothing sounds more miserable.
Let us help you.
So, without further ado, we present our top 10 list of last-minute holiday gifts for swimmers that you can purchase from your couch.
*Note: we were not paid or contacted by any of these companies to promote their brands and products. This is an entirely subjective list.*
1.) Mizuno Men's GX Sonic III MR
While not primarily known for its swimming gear, Mizuno has surged in popularity in recent years with its racing suit. Historically worn by Japanese swimmers, the Mizuno racing suit has picked up steam in the United States as well. Most notably, many current and former University of Texas swimmers — including Joseph Schooling — wear them. Caeleb Dressel, who won seven gold medals at the 2017 FINA World Championships in this suit, is clearly a fan as well.
Interested? Check it out here.
2.) SKINS Compression Gear
Recovery is vital. Whether it is for a long day of travel, sleep, or just everyday wear in between training sessions, compression gear is a great tool to keep your body feeling fresh and ready to go.
SKINS (seen below) is a reputable brand worn by many swimmers on the U.S. national team, but there are also products by 2XU, Zoot, and even the powerhouse apparel companies Under Armour, Nike, etc.
Many of these companies make a variety of products including long tights (seen below), half tights, long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, sleeves only, and even calf compression.
Interested? Check it out here.
3.) Trigger Point GRID Foam Roller
Again, recovery is vital. Massages can be expensive, so give the gift of self-massage instead. Foam rolling can be great to add into your routine for light rolling of stiff muscles prior to practice or a meet or more deep-tissue rolling after a hard workout or weight-room session.
In particular, we are highlighting the Trigger Point GRID foam rollers because they are travel friendly. They fit inside just about any swim bag and are hollow so you can stuff towel, suits, caps, and goggles inside as well.
Interested? Check it out here.
4.) GoPro Camera
We live in a world of instantaneous video consumed on social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. So, why not step your video-making game up?
GoPro cameras are valuable tools for any swimmer because they are waterproof and shoot high-quality underwater footage. Whether you are looking to improve your technique by filming underwater or mess around with your friends in the warm down pool, a GoPro is worth the investment.
Interested? Check it out here.
5.) Arena Women's Powerskin Carbon-Flex VX
Arena, one of the most prominent swimwear companies, has recently made a big push to market its sponsored athletes — including world-record holders and Olympic champions Sarah Sjöström and Katinka Hosszu.
Hosszu, nicknamed the "Iron Lady," has an entire Iron Lady line dedicated to her including the Powerskin Carbon-Flex VX technical racing suit (seen below), caps, training suits, bags, and various apparel.
Aside from Hosszu and Sjöström, many of the best swimmers in the world race in this style of suit.
Interested? Check it out here.
6.) TYR Alliance 45L Backpack
When it comes to swim bags, two things reign supreme: size and number of pockets. The TYR Alliance 45L Backpack has both.
We like this bag because it is one of the biggest on the market. When you're heading to a meet and need to pack two towels, a racing suit, a backup racing suit, practice suit, goggles, backup goggles, caps, equipment, and food — you need a bag that can fit it all. Afterward, you need a bag that can separate your dry and wet items. This one can do both. It has your back. Literally (pun intended).
Interested? Check it out here.
7.) FINIS Swimsense Live
Finally, a piece of wearable technology solely for swimmers made by an actual company dedicated to swimming.
The technology is designed to record stroke count, total distance, time/pace, and more. With the accompanied app (FINIS Live) users are able to view and share workout data across multiple devices.
The best part? At it's current price of $50 on the FINIS website, it is one of the least expensive smartwatches on the market.
Interested? Check it out here.
8.) Speedo Aqua V Silicone Cap
Simple, yet always effective. The Speedo Aqua V is one of the most popular racing caps on the market. These bad boys are extremely durable and will not rip like a standard latex or silicone practice cap. So if you pick one of these up for your next meet, you won't have to worry about your cap splitting behind the block.
Coming in a couple of different colors, these make for great stocking stuffers.
Interested? Check it out here.
9.) Speedo Speed Socket Goggles
To go along with your racing cap, the Speedo Speed Socket goggles have been around for years and proven themselves to be one of the most reliable pair of goggles in a time when new technology is constantly coming out.
With replacement nose pieces included in each set, these goggles are customizable to fit your face.
Interested? Check it out here.
10.) Taper, food, & a nap
At the end of the day, swimmers are pretty easy to please — so get them the gift they really want this holiday season.