What is the best type of swim bag?

It depends on how you swim. A simple mesh bag is great for pool sessions where you want gear to drain and dry. A backpack with a separate waterproof or wet compartment is ideal if you commute to the pool or carry work and swim kit together. Many swimmers own both and grab whichever suits the day.

Why do swim bags have mesh or drainage?

Wet swim gear needs airflow to dry and drain, otherwise it stays damp, smells musty, and wears out faster. Mesh panels and drainage holes let water escape and air circulate, which keeps your suit, towel, and goggles fresher between swims.

How big should a swim bag be?

Big enough for your kit and no bigger. For a basic pool session you need room for a suit, towel, goggles, and cap. If you add fins, a kickboard, toiletries, or work clothes, size up. An oversized bag just gets heavy and half-empty, so match the size to what you actually carry.

Best Swim Bag: How to Choose the Right One

By The Editorial Team · July 6, 2026 · 5 min read

The best swim bag is simply one that lets your wet gear drain, keeps the wet stuff away from the dry stuff, and holds up to chlorine and daily use — not the trendiest bag or the one with the most pockets. A swim bag is any bag designed to carry pool kit and cope with everything coming home damp. This guide covers the main types, what to look for, and a simple list of what to pack.

The short answer

The best swim bag matches how you swim, drains or separates wet gear, and is built from tough, water-friendly materials. For quick pool sessions, a mesh bag that drains and breathes is hard to beat. For commuters and multi-taskers, a backpack with a wet/dry compartment keeps damp kit away from your phone and clothes. Look for drainage, wet-dry separation, durable fabric, and the right size — then pack it well. You do not need to overspend; a well-chosen simple bag beats an expensive one that traps water.

The main types of swim bag

Different bags solve different problems:

Mesh bags and net sacks. Lightweight, cheap, and endlessly draining. Everything airs out and water runs straight through — perfect for carrying a suit, towel, fins, and a board from the car to the pool. The trade-off: nothing is protected or hidden.
Wet/dry bags. These have a sealed or lined pocket for soaking-wet items, keeping the rest of the bag dry. Great when you have one wet suit and towel but also dry essentials to protect.
Swim backpacks. Two-strap comfort with structured compartments, often including a waterproof or ventilated section for wet kit. Ideal if you walk, cycle, or commute to the pool, or carry work clothes alongside your swim gear.
Tote and duffel styles. Roomy and easy to load, sometimes with a mesh or vented base. Handy for family trips or when you carry a lot, though they can get heavy and unstructured.

Most regular swimmers end up owning two: a cheap mesh bag for quick sessions and a backpack for everything else.

What to look for

A few features separate a bag you will use for years from one that turns musty in a month:

Drainage and ventilation. Mesh panels, drainage grommets, or a vented pocket let water escape and air circulate. This is the single most important feature for keeping gear fresh.
Wet/dry separation. A dedicated waterproof or lined compartment keeps a dripping suit and towel away from your phone, keys, and clothes.
Durable, water-friendly materials. Chlorine and constant damp are hard on fabric and zippers. Look for tough, quick-drying materials and corrosion-resistant zippers or drawcords.
The right size. Enough room for your actual kit without being cavernous. An oversized bag just sags and gets heavy.
Comfortable to carry. Padded straps and a shape that sits well on your back or shoulder matter a lot if you carry it often.

You genuinely do not need to overspend here. A modestly priced bag with good drainage and honest materials outperforms a pricey one that seals water inside. If you are still assembling your gear, see what you need to start swimming first.

How to choose the right one for you

Match the bag to your routine, not to a review:

Pool-only, car-parked-outside swimmer? A simple mesh bag is likely all you need. Cheap, drains fully, and dries in minutes.
Commuter or lunch-break lap swimmer? A backpack with a wet/dry compartment protects work clothes and electronics while you carry a wet suit home.
Carrying lots of training gear — fins, a kickboard, paddles, a snorkel? Size up to a larger backpack or vented duffel so nothing gets crammed.
Family or holiday swimmer? A roomy tote or duffel with a vented base handles multiple suits and towels at once.

If you are just building a lap habit, our guide to how to swim laps for fitness as a beginner pairs well with a bag you will actually reach for.

What to pack

A reliable swim bag holds the essentials without becoming a black hole:

Swimsuit, towel, goggles, and a cap — the core four.
A separate bag or pocket for the wet suit on the way home, so nothing else gets soaked.
Flip-flops for the changing room, plus any toiletries you use after a swim.
A water bottle and a light snack if you swim long sessions.
Any training gear you use, kept in a mesh section so it drains.

The habit that saves your kit is simple: empty and air the bag out after every swim. Leaving damp gear zipped inside is what breeds smells and shortens the life of your suit — the same reason it pays to learn how to take care of your swimsuit.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving wet gear sealed inside. This is how bags and suits go musty. Unpack and dry everything as soon as you get home.
Buying far too big. A giant bag full of air is heavy and awkward. Match the size to what you truly carry.
Ignoring drainage. A fully sealed bag with no ventilation traps water and smells fast. Some airflow is non-negotiable.
Overpaying for pockets you will never use. Focus on drainage, separation, and durability — not a dozen gimmicky compartments.

The next small step

Before your next swim, look at what you actually carry and pick the simplest bag that drains, separates wet from dry, and fits your kit. For most people that is a cheap mesh bag, a wet/dry backpack, or one of each. Whatever you choose, build the small habit of airing it out afterward — that single step keeps your bag, your suit, and the rest of your gear fresh far longer than any premium price tag ever will.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best type of swim bag?: It depends on how you swim. A simple mesh bag is great for pool sessions where you want gear to drain and dry. A backpack with a separate waterproof or wet compartment is ideal if you commute to the pool or carry work and swim kit together. Many swimmers own both and grab whichever suits the day.
Why do swim bags have mesh or drainage?: Wet swim gear needs airflow to dry and drain, otherwise it stays damp, smells musty, and wears out faster. Mesh panels and drainage holes let water escape and air circulate, which keeps your suit, towel, and goggles fresher between swims.
How big should a swim bag be?: Big enough for your kit and no bigger. For a basic pool session you need room for a suit, towel, goggles, and cap. If you add fins, a kickboard, toiletries, or work clothes, size up. An oversized bag just gets heavy and half-empty, so match the size to what you actually carry.

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APA

The Editorial Team. (2026). Best Swim Bag: How to Choose the Right One. My Swimming Guide. https://myswimmingguide.com/best-swim-bag-for-swimmers/

MLA

"Best Swim Bag: How to Choose the Right One." My Swimming Guide, July 6, 2026, https://myswimmingguide.com/best-swim-bag-for-swimmers/.

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