There’s a new kid on the block (at least to me), in the online swim product arena. Aquagear is “a family owned and operated swim shop specializing in swim gear and training equipment for water sports enthusiasts.” The owner contacted me and asked if I’d be willing to review the website and a product of my choice.

Let’s start with the website. It is very easy to navigate. The top bar on the site lets you choose your discipline. The rest of the main page is very manageable. You can shop by activity, person or brand. There’s also a sale and “what’s new” section.

They gave me $40 to play with, so I had a look around the “swim shop.” (I had no use for “exercise” or “lifeguard,” but those options are available for those who need those products.) I wasn’t sure what to get. A swimmer could always use goggles, but goggles are such a personal choice. If I reviewed a pair of goggles, how the heck do I know if those goggles would work for someone else? I know a few swimmers like me: you find a pair that works, then buy a hundred of them to avoid the special business maneuver delens fabrica, or “item no longer produced.” (Admit it. How many times have you found the perfect product, perfect fit, size, shape, etc, only to find out later that the company no longer produces it.) So, point is, I didn’t want to review a pair of goggles.

Suits aren’t that much different. Slightly less personal. Goggles have to fit the face, with all its weird angles. Suits are also personal, but less restrictive with respect to angles of the hips or shoulders (for women) or whatever. But still, personal.

I don’t need a pull buoy. And besides, how much do you need to review a pull buoy. “It floats.” There. Review done. Same with  a swim cap. I guess if I had long hair it would matter. But I’m lacking in that department.

I settled on a swim towel. That’s kinda universal. Everyone could use a towel. Especially one that can be thrown in a swim bag and quickly dried. So that’s what I decided to order. The ordering process was very quick. The order page allows you to input your zip code so you can figure the shipping charges before committing. If your order is $75 or more, then shipping (in the U.S.) is free. I got through the ordering process in about a minute.

(By the way, a great characteristic of the website is that they tell you on each item if the product is in stock, a pre-order, or even a team order. It’ll even tell you how many of that particular item are left in stock.)

I ordered the towel (more on the specific towel later) on 19 January. Early morning for the U.S. (2145 my time, 0845 eastern time).

Well, the guys at Aquagear must have been waiting by the computer because 40 MINUTES LATER, I got the email saying the towel was shipped. Incredible. So quick.

Now, let’s be honest. Some companies out there automatically send out emails saying the order has shipped, but in actuality they are just acknowledging the order. I have no way of testing this with Aquagear. Mother Nature reared her ugly head to prevent that. Snowpocalypse started around the 21st, followed by the federal government closing offices on the 22nd. For my dear reader(s) who don’t know, since I’m stationed overseas, all my mail goes to a State Department mail forwarding location in Virginia. Those folks who work there are all government employees. So they had a bunch of days off during Snowpocalypse and when they are not at work, the mail isn’t received. Packages have to be re-delivered at a later time. Bottom line, I can’t judge them on the shipping. I’ll have to order something else in the future to track the shipping speed (if Mother Nature cooperates).

Now, as for the towel, I’ll post about that separately. I’ve been busy with travel and haven’t had much chance to swim since getting it. I want to use it a few times and, more importantly, store it in my bag and see how it reacts to changes of temperature, location, exposure. More on that later.

However, the website and the company are top-notch in my book. Prices are pretty good too. I compared some items from another online swimming outlet and the prices are about the same. Shipping is $5.99 standard up to the free shipping amount. (The shipping page says your order needs to be $75 or more. However, I threw a bunch of stuff in the cart and once I got over $50, shipping was free.)

So, bottom line, I give Aquagear two thumbs up. I will order from them again.*

*…even with my own money.