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Glossary
Swimming Gear terms, explained
Short, plain definitions of the words you'll see on product pages and spec sheets. Each one links to a guide when there's more to know.
F
- Fin socks
- Thin neoprene socks that prevent fins rubbing. Read the guide →
G
- Gasket
- The soft seal around a goggle lens that sits against the face. Read the guide →
J
- Jammer
- A men's suit from the waist to just above the knee, used for training and racing. Read the guide →
K
- Kneeskin
- A women's tech suit from the shoulders to the knee. Read the guide →
P
- PBT polyester
- A polyester fiber with some stretch that resists chlorine, used in training suits. Read the guide →
- Pull buoy
- A float held between the legs to isolate the upper body. Read the guide →
S
- Spandex
- A stretch fiber (also sold as Lycra or elastane) that chlorine breaks down. Read the guide →
- Swedish goggles
- Gasketless racing goggles assembled by the swimmer, with a hard plastic eyecup. Read the guide →
- Swim aid
- A float that helps practice swimming but is not a lifesaving device. Read the guide →
T
- Tech suit
- A compressive, water-repellent race suit approved for competition. Read the guide →
- Tow float
- A bright inflatable float tied to an open-water swimmer for visibility. Read the guide →
W
- Wetsuit-legal
- Water cool enough that race rules allow wetsuits. Read the guide →
- World Aquatics
- The international swimming federation, formerly FINA, which approves competition swimwear. Read the guide →