A cag (short for cagoule) is a simple pullover garment with no zip. Some cags have just a short zip or a velcro fastener on the front. Cags are shorter than a cagoule, usually come without a hood, and are generously sized to allow layering. Pull-it-on-and-go simplicity.

Worn over a base layer, a cag is ideal for many water sports like canoeing, windsurfing or wet fun games. It protects you from wind, rain and the cold while still allowing maximum freedom of movement.

Cags are very good for swimming training. Being quite robust, they offer a good resistance workout without the risk of injury. They also provide some buoyancy when air gets trapped inside.

Reader Comment

My canoeing cags are great for the many water sports I enjoy, not just canoeing. They fit so well that I have full freedom of movement. I have some cags with a hood, but most come with a neoprene collar which stops too much water flowing in, which is good when you wear a cag for swimming training.

A cag with a secure front pocket for keys and money is great for open water swimming where I swim a good distance from one point to another, leaving nothing behind on the beach. Combined with a thermal top, jeans, socks and light shoes I have a robust swimming outfit that keeps me warm. I prefer a brightly coloured cag so I can be seen by boats and not get run over.

For resistance swimming training I wear a cag over a heavy tee-shirt or sweatshirt which soaks up water for extra weight. About 2-3 litres of water collect in the sleeves, providing a good heavy workout. The neoprene cuffs keep the water in for a consistent training level. Sweatpants or baggy jeans make this a really tough exercise, which I enjoy a lot.

Torin from Cork, Ireland