Towel Pants & Parkas: excessive or necessary?

[Anonymous]

DS competed in summer swim for the first time this year and will be continuing on a winter team for the first time. I am trying to figure out whether a towel and change of clothes will suffice after practice or if it’s worth it to buy “towel pants” which I’d never even heard of until I saw an ad on Amazon. Basically they keep your lower body dry and are made of towel material so you can put them on and head home right after practice.

Is this a waste of money or a nice to have? Where does the swim parka fit into this discussion? I am just wanting to have something DS can wear quickly to dry off in before he gets in my car, and not be freezing while walking to the car as the temperature drops over the next few months.

Appreciate any insight and clarity. And suggestions! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

No to the towel pants. DD just wore one a huge hoodie after practice and pj pants, but lots of kids have the swim parka. Get one a few sizes larger so they can wear it for multiple years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No to the towel pants. DD just wore one a huge hoodie after practice and pj pants, but lots of kids have the swim parka. Get one a few sizes larger so they can wear it for multiple years.

+1. Parkas are very helpful because your kid's towel will be wet and you don't want them wearing it into your car during the winter.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of towel pants. I got kid a parka when they were a little and got an adult small and they still use it years later.

[Anonymous]

My kids love their parkas, and even use them in the summer. Buy large and they are totally worth.

We've never needed towel pants. I heard they were cool with the girls for awhile, not sure about now

[Anonymous]

My DD got pant towels. It’s a towel made out of denim, with a fly and pockets.

[Anonymous]

neither are necessary - I would wait until your kid asks. we use towels, sweats, and sometimes bath robes. a friend makes towel pants which are in our rotation. the kids at our practices and meets change their clothes before going home. wet bags are helpful for this.

[Anonymous]

My year round swim kid used parka a lot during Covid winter when they couldn’t change at pool, but hasn’t worn more than a handful of times since. Towel pants never got a lot of use here although they begged for them. I’d wait and see what your kid wants.

[Anonymous]

Parka plus flannel or fleece pj pants is what most kids wear as the temps dip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parka plus flannel or fleece pj pants is what most kids wear as the temps dip.

Our pool does not have a locker room swimmers can use to shower/change.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had invested in parkas earlier. They are great to throw on and go if you aren't showering and changing after practice. Long and warm. Buy them big and use for several years. The best swim purchase I've ever made.

(swim parent for 10 years).

I will add that towel pants are just for fun. But you can wear them home(parkas are long but you need pants) and we also used fake Uggs to throw on after practice in the winter to wear out to the car.

[Anonymous]

No to the towel pants. Fleece sleep pants are just fine. Crocs not flip-flops (snow/ice/rain). *Yes* to the parka. Get one from SwimOutlet, not a team one (abiut $80 vs $250 or more). +100 on buying the parka big.

Label everything. Get it embroidered or write on it or attach a tag. Don't send expensive water bottles. Use towels your family is planning to throw away. Dry out the caps and goggles at home so they don't mold. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Neither is necessary.

[Anonymous]

My kid has always refused the parka, and just wears a hoodie and sweatpants over his swimsuit. But I see a lot of teammates in the parkas and they do look warm and convenient. I'd get one of those if I thought DC would use it.

[Anonymous]

Parkas are also designed for use during meets to keep muscles warm between events. In my opinion and experience, they get enough use to warrant their cost.