Clothes for a trip to the swimming pool

Short answer: At a swimming pool the air is warm and humid, and everything you bring in turns clammy. Clothes that dry quickly make the trip home much better, and a dry set in your bag solves most of it.

Moisture gets into everything

The air in a swimming pool is close to saturated, and a thick cotton layer in your bag soaks up moisture without drying again. You notice it when you put it on afterwards and it feels cold and heavy. A thin layer copes better. The same goes for bamboo socks for afterwards, which are best kept in a closed bag.

The changing room is warm

The changing room is often twenty degrees and humid, and you sweat while you change. Even after a cold shower the skin quickly turns damp again. A layer that moves moisture helps straight away. Bring clean bamboo boxers for afterwards, so you have something soft and dry as your base.

The way home is cold

Wet hair and damp skin meet the outside air, and without a dry layer you feel it all the way home. In winter the difference from changing room to cycle path can be more than twenty degrees. A dry set in your bag solves it. See men's most popular pieces that are easy to pack.

Pack in a closed bag

A plastic bag or a waterproof holdall keeps dry clothes apart from the towel and wet trunks. Put the dry set on top so you do not have to dig for it with wet hands. Bring a spare bag for the wet things so they do not dampen the rest. It is a small habit that makes a big difference.

Dry yourself properly

It is tempting to rush, but damp skin makes clothes hard to pull on, and they feel clammy the whole way home. Spend a couple of extra minutes with the towel, especially on your back and feet. Clothes then slide on more easily and you stay warmer. A thin towel also dries faster in the bag.

Your hair matters most

Wet hair draws a lot of heat from the head, and that is where most people feel the cold first. Dry it properly with a towel or a hairdryer if there is one. If you are in a hurry, a hat on the way home helps. This matters most in winter, when damp hair can feel cold long after you leave.

Choose simple pieces

In a cramped changing room with wet floors, clothes that are easy to put on are welcome. Avoid lots of buttons, tight edges and pieces that need to sit just right. Soft pieces with elastic and room to move are quick to pull on. Then you are not wrestling with clothes while others wait for the space next to you.

After the swim

Take the wet things out of the bag as soon as you get home and hang them to dry. Trunks and a towel left together in a closed bag soon start to smell. Wash the used underwear and socks according to the care label. Then the bag is ready for your next trip to the pool.

Frequently asked questions

What should go in the bag

A completely dry set for afterwards, socks included. Pack it in a closed bag so the damp from the changing room and the wet towel cannot get in.

Why does everything turn clammy

The air is saturated with moisture and does not dry the fabric. Thick materials soak up the most, so thin layers cope better at the pool.

What about my hair

Dry it properly. That is where most heat escapes, and a hat on the way home helps if you do not have time to dry it fully.