In the market for a new safety buoy? Outdoor swimming expert, Rowan Clarke, talks us through her best buys for open water tow floats.
The best open water swimming tow floats
Love or hate them, the tow float or safety buoy is fast becoming an essential bit of open water swimming kit.
Along with swim hats, tow floats are the most important item of safety kit for outdoor swimmers. Because they’re bright and float on the water’s surface, they make you visible to other water users.
You can also get tow floats with dry bag storage. This means you can bring food, drink, a phone or more with you on your swim. And that means better safety and a whole new open water world of adventure. Scroll down to my buying guide to find out more.
A word of caution, though – tow floats are not lifesaving devices. So, be wary that they can lull you into a false sense of security and make sure you follow all your usual safety measures.
At a glance
Most durable safety buoy: Orca Safety Buoy with Pocket Swimming Accessory
Most sturdy rucksack tow float: Lomo Swim Run Rucksack Tow Float
Best large-capacity adventure tow float: The Ruckraft by Above Below
Lomo Swim Run Rucksack Tow Float
Most Sturdy Rucksack Tow Float
Reasons to buy: High quality, good visibility, easy towing
Reasons to avoid: No extra safety features like a whistle or reflective panels
Specifications
- For multiple-activity events
- Adjustable, removable webbing strap
- Removable backpack straps
- Internal dry chamber
- Dual air chambers
- Discrete side valves
- High-quality materials
- RF welded seams for strength and durability
Like all Lomo products, this rucksack tow float is of great quality. I loved how durable this Rucksack Tow Float felt. You could drag it over rugged rocks, drop it on the beach and it wouldn’t break – and that’s great if you use your kit hard.
The inflation valves take getting used to. Rather than having straw-like valves that stick out, you inflate this tow float by putting your mouth over the holes. But this does avoid rubbing and minimises the potential for damage. Equally, it’s super easy to deflate after use.
Like other tow-float rucksacks, it wasn’t as comfortable in rucksack mode as a proper hiking rucksack. But, so long as you keep your carry load light, you can’t go wrong. And it enables a whole world of combined activities and adventures.
Wild Moose Adventure Tow Float in Loud Lime
Best tow float for visibility
Reasons to buy: Highly visible, comes in three colours, inbuilt whistle, carry handles, easy access mesh pocket, small brand
Reasons to avoid: Uneven loading causes tipping
Specifications
- Double air chambers for extra safety
- Secure two-way valves – quick and easy to inflate and deflate
- Two webbing handles – easy to grab
- Adjustable waist strap
- Adjustable leash attached with stainless steel carabiner
- Easy to inflate and deflate with a wide mouthpiece
- Secure mesh pocket on the top for easy access of nutrition, drink or Gopro whilst in the water
- Inbuilt safety whistle on the buckle
- Reflective print logo
- High-quality materials and RF welded seams for strength and durability.
We had to get picky to find flaws in the excellent tow float from the independent, swimmer-owned brand, Wild Moose.
Wild Moose’s Adventure Tow Float is my favourite for a few reasons. For a start, the ‘Loud Lime’ was the most visible colour. But it’s the added extras that do it – an inbuilt whistle, adjustable strap for comfy towing and the mesh pocket that has a flap to stop the contents from falling out. I also loved the webbing handles for carrying the tow float across the beach to the water.
It felt streamlined to tow, but I did overfill it and that made it tip onto its side. But the 28-litre dry bag was great for packing a pair of flip-flops and a drinks bottle.
For excellent design features, safety and visibility, I give this versatile tow float five stars.
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Puffin Billy Eco15 Recycled Drybag Tow Float
Best eco-friendly tow float
Reasons to buy: Ultra lightweight, easy to inflate/deflate, great eco credentials, packs down small
Reasons to avoid: Too small to carry much kit
Specifications
- Eco-friendly, PVC-free material
- Made with bio-degradable TPU & recycled plastic bottles (RPET)
- Ultralight & packable
- Extremely durable and UV-resistant
- Quality design and manufacture
- Designed with Optimised Streamlining for minimal drag
- Created by swim safety experts
- 15L volume drybag for taking small items on your swim.
Puffin claims that the Billy Eco15 is the only tow float made from recycled materials – and we can’t find another.
It’s small but perfectly formed. Inflating easily, you barely notice it bobbing along behind you. What’s more, I loved how small and lightweight it is, making it my tow-float of choice to take on holiday.
The pay-off for its compact size and minimal drag is that the dry bag is small. At just 15 litres, I couldn’t pack much. But everything stayed dry. I also found the orange colour slightly less visible in fading light than neon.
With the high quality you’d expect from Puffin, the Billy Eco15 feels well made. It’s durable and eco-friendly, which is so important.
Puffin R35 Rucksack Tow Float
Best rucksack tow float for hiking or cycling
Reasons to buy: Dual use for swim-hiking/running/cycling, integrated whistle, eco-friendly, extra safety features
Reasons to avoid: Uncomfortable rucksack straps when fully loaded.
Specifications
- Functional & Comfortable Rucksack
- Low-profile inflation valves – designed to avoid friction on the body
- Made with recycled PET plastic for sustainability
- Integrated safety whistle
- Chest strap for rucksack mode
- Reflective Puffin logo on the uppermost side of tow float for added safety whilst swimming
- Reflectors on the back and front of the rucksack for added safety whilst using in rucksack mode
- Can store items whilst swimming
- Designed with Optimised Streamlining for minimal drag
- Durable, Hi-vis, and lightweight
I was excited to try the Puffin R35 Rucksack Tow Float because I love hiking to the start of a point-to-point swim. Leaving my clothes at the end of the swim, I hiked upriver with my swimwear in the rucksack and then swam back.
This tow-float rucksack was designed by swim-hikers, which shows. It has a range of clever features – reflective panels, low-profile inflation valves and an integrated whistle.
Plus, the dry bag is big – 35 litres – big enough for trainers, shorts, a t-shirt and a drinks bottle. As a rucksack, it’s strong enough to hold up to 12kg of kit. However, I wouldn’t want to carry this weight as the rucksack is much less comfortable than a hiking rucksack of an equivalent size.
Arriving at the start of our swim, I clipped off the rucksack straps and stuffed them into the bag, which was a bit fiddly. But inflating the tow float was simple. And, with two air chambers, it was super-buoyant and therefore very easy to tow – even when fully loaded.
Swim Secure Tow Donut
Best tow float donut
Reasons to buy: Good visibility, lightweight to tow, quick access to drinks and gels
Reasons to avoid: Liable for water ingress
Specifications
- Keep your belongings safe while you swim
- Small integrated dry bag ideal for valuables such as keys
- Dry bag contents accessible whilst swimming
- In Case of Emergency contact details section
- Lightweight – little to no drag
- One way valves
- Size deflated – 43cm x 35cm
- Belt Length – 58cm to 108cm / 23” to 42”
For quick access to the drybag contents, you can’t beat this compact tow float.
I love the expert swim safety brand, Swim Secure. Its products are well-made and innovative. And the Tow Donut is no different. It’s highly visible, easy to inflate using the non-returning valve and streamlined to tow.
But it’s the top-opening dry bag that sets it apart from other tow floats. This sits in the centre of the float, meaning you can open it on the water. Because of the way it opens, you have easy access throughout your swim. But be warned – it can easily take on water. I opened it to get out my GoPro, and a wave washed over it, getting inside the open aperture.
Orca Safety Buoy with Pocket Swimming Accessory
Best durable safety buoy
Reasons to buy: Easy access pocket, good capacity dry bag, streamlined towing, high quality
Reasons to avoid: Easy access pocket has no closure
Specifications
- High-visibility orange
- Watertight storage compartment
- Adjustable strap
- Streamlined
- Quick access netting pocket
Streamlined tow-ability, durability and good visibility put Orca’s tow float on my top-buys list.
As you’d expect from Orca, this safety buoy is of excellent quality. Its beauty is in its simplicity – easy to inflate, lightweight to tow and a good-sized dry bag. And, thanks to good craftsmanship, it’s made to last.
I liked the quick access pocket – great for gels, a drink or spare goggles. However, the pocket is open-ended, so I was worried items would fall out. I solved this by clipping in my bottle with a carabiner through the netting, but it would be better with a closure.
The Ruckraft by Above Below
Best large-capacity adventure tow float
Reasons to buy: Innovate design, huge capacity drybag, unique product, made in the UK by swim adventurers
Reasons to avoid: Heavier to tow so no use as an ordinary tow float
Specifications
- U-shaped rib boat design for extra stability
- Supports a 70L 15kg expedition pack
- Stable in big swells on the sea
- Tough, marine-grade, Rivertex® materials
- Made in Great Britain
- Two-way valve for easy inflation and deflation
- Great durability
- Great visibility
This is the tow float I was most excited to test. Although, is it fair to review the Ruckraft alongside other tow floats? It needs a category of its own because it redefines outdoor swimming adventures.
The Ruckraft is designed for point-to-point swimming. Pack it into a neat 1kg package and pop it into your hiking rucksack. Then, when you reach the water, unpack it, inflate it, put your kit inside the enormous dry bag and off you swim.
When I say everything, I mean it. I packed my rucksack with a change of clothes, food, size 9 hiking boots and walking poles. You can also pack your camping gear if you fancy swimming to an island and spending the night. Because the Ruckraft can take up to 15kg, you really can load it up. But it is worth remembering that the heavier the load, the more drag it will create.
My load was a cinch to tow – streamlined and surprisingly light. Plus, the U-shaped raft kept the load balanced.
I love what the Ruckraft enables. With my own comfortable hiking rucksack, I could pack all my belongings and go carefree cross-country swimming.
Buying guide: Which tow float for open water swimming?
When shopping for a tow float, ask yourself these three questions:
- How visible do I need to be?
- How much stuff do I want with me on my swim?
- Will I combine my swim with another activity?
Safety buoy visibility
The main safety reason to get a tow float is visibility. Because neon yellow, orange and pink are the most visible colours in the water, most tow floats come in these colours. And it’s amazing how much more visible you are with a tow float.
Pick a brightly coloured tow float and other water users, spotters and safety crew will be able to spot you from a distance – and tell what direction you’re swimming in. It’s also worth looking for features that improve your visibility such as lights and reflective strips.
Dry bag capacity
Swim events and venues often ask that you wear a tow float. This is purely for visibility and you can safety buoys or ‘bubbles’ that don’t have a dry bag section. But what’s the point? The dry bag doesn’t detract from the tow float’s function, so you may as well get one with a storage option.
Dry bag tow floats range in capacity from 12-15 litres up to 120 litres. A 12-litre dry bag will fit your phone, keys, water bottle and a snack. Around 28-30 litres will fit minimal shoes and clothes as well, while the 120-litre Ruckraft will fit a small tent, hiking rucksack, shoes and your JetBoil.
It’s worth thinking about what you’ll need to carry. At the very least, you can use your tow float to keep your valuables safe. And, at the most, you can go on a proper adventure.
Combo sports
With this in mind, think about what you like to do alongside swimming. I love swim hiking, for example. Leaving most of my kit in the car at the end of my swim, I walk to the start point, pack my shoes and clothes into my tow float and swim ‘home’. Or, I walk to a bay, swim across it with all my stuff and continue my walk.
The adventures you plan on having will dictate which tow float you choose.
Here’s a few more swimming tow floats you might consider…
Zone 3 Swim Safety Buoy and Dry Bag
Zone 3’s Swim Safety model is always popular with open water swimmers, and for good reason – it’s solid, roomy, durable, and does pretty much what it says on the tin. Inflation chambers are separated from the dry bag storage section of the bag, making this more buoyant than your average float. You have to manually close the dry bag and then inflate the second section, which is a bit more faff than a one-chamber model, but is worth it for that added buoyancy and kit space. We like the two grab handles, and 28 litres is a generous size that means there’s room for spare clothing as well as your essentials inside. A great pick for longer distances.
Material: plastic
Colours available: orange/pink
Recycled: no
Size: 28 litres
Pros: Plenty of room, tough, long-lasting plastic outer, two-chamber design makes the bag very buoyant
Cons: It’s a pity the plastic isn’t recycled, too big for anyone who just wants to stash their keys, some drag
Price £24 (RRP £24) $31.62
Buy Zone 3 Swim Safety Buoy and Dry Bag from wiggle.co.uk
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Swim Secure Tow Float
If you’re getting into open water swimming and tend to swim shorter distances, there’s no need to cart a big or bulky tow float along with you. Swim Secure’s small, bubble-shaped float is petite, lightweight and adds no noticeable drag, so it’s perfect for quick swims where you need to make sure you’re visible but don’t want extra weight, or for anyone who doesn’t like the feeling of dragging a bigger float. There’s still room inside for keys and a phone or a headtorch, and two inflation chambers mean you’re covered if one does fail. Both the orange and pink colourways are easy to spot even in murky waters.
Material: plastic
Colours available: orange/pink
Recycled: no
Size: N/A
Pros: Petite size, good visibility, no drag
Cons: Made with PVC plastic, too small for clothing and bulky kit
Price £22 (RRP £22) $28.99
Buy Swim Secure Tow Float from Amazon.co.uk
Ulu AquaTrek
Newcomer to the swim market Ulu have hit the nail on the head with the Aquatrek, a great hybrid of a backpack and a drybag ideal for anyone who likes to adventure both on and off land. The 36L buoyant AquaTrek has comfortable removable straps and works well as a rucksack for walking. Once in the water, air-tight zippers keep the contents fully dry. This versatility makes the bag ideal if you’re an open water swimmer but want to invest in kit that will also work well for other aquatic pursuits such as stand-up paddleboarding and sailing. At 1.4kg this design is much heavier than a simple tow float, but once in the water it’s buoyant enough that you can still swim comfortably while dragging it behind you. The AquaTrek is a more planet-friendly choice than some, as it’s made from recycled plastic bottles.
Material: Recycled plastic
Colours available: orange
Recycled: yes
Size: 36 litres
Pros: Eco-friendly fabric, removable back pad and harness, reflective detailing
Cons: Pricy, heavier than standard tow floats
Price £159.99 (RRP £159.99) $210.79
Buy Ulu AquaTrek from uludrybags.com
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading our other articles on open water swimming gear.
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Best open water swimming shoes and booties
Everything you need to take the plunge – cold water swimming
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