OTION Swim Paddles Review: A Game-Changer for Triathletes?
Karen Parnell
January 29, 2025
OTION Swim Paddles Review: A Game-Changer for Triathletes?
As a triathlon coach, I’m always looking for the best tools to help swimmers refine their technique and build strength efficiently. When I got my hands on the new Otion swim paddles, I was eager to see if they could make a real impact. Having tested them extensively and compared them to some of the best-known paddles on the market—Finis Freestyler, Finis Agility, and ZONE3 Ergo Hand Paddles—here’s what I found.
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OTION Paddles: First Impressions & Design
Price: £48
At first glance, Otion paddles look distinct from traditional flat hand paddles. They are designed to encourage a natural hand position, with a curvature that promotes a relaxed yet effective grip on the water. They were larger than I had imagined so was keen to see how they would “swim”.
One unique feature is the finger fin system, which encourages you to keep your fingers slightly spread and maintain optimal alignment throughout the stroke. Unlike many traditional paddles that strap onto your hands, these require you to engage the right muscles to keep them in place—giving you immediate feedback if something is off in your technique.
The paddles felt unusual at first, especially since they demand a certain level of muscle activation to maintain control. You need to slide your fingers between the finger fins and put your thumb alongside the thumb hook which felt bit strange so maybe my natural hand position was with fingers closed? I found I had to hold my hands relaxed rather than grip the finger fins. This built-in feedback loop is great for developing a relaxed but effective hand position, reducing drag and improving overall efficiency.
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OTION Performance in the Water
From the first few strokes, the Otion paddles forced me to focus on my catch and pull phase. If my hand was misaligned or if I wasn’t applying pressure evenly, the paddle would shift or even slip, making it immediately obvious that my technique needed correcting. This makes them particularly useful for triathletes who struggle with inconsistencies in their stroke.
A key benefit is their ability to encourage forearm engagement. Unlike flat paddles that allow you to ‘cheat’ by muscling through the water with your hands, Otion paddles make you press the water effectively with your entire arm, reinforcing a better stroke pattern.
Additionally, I noticed improvements in my grip on the water—rather than just pulling back, the paddles encouraged a high-elbow catch and a more powerful stroke, making them an excellent choice for swimmers aiming to develop a more efficient and propulsive pull.
When I got to the end of the paddle set, I could quickly remove them onto pool side and take my new hand position straight into my natural stroke to embed it and build muscle memory. This was a big benefit when compared to paddles with straps.
The Otion also has an arc shape at your wrist end which mean if you bend you hand at the wrist it does not interfere with the movement.
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Comparison of OTION with Other Popular Swim Paddles
I compared the Otion paddles to three other well-known options: Finis Freestyler, Finis Agility, and ZONE3 Ergo Hand Paddles. Here’s how they stack up:
OTION vs. Finis Freestyler
Price: £22
- The Finis Freestyler paddles are long and narrow, designed specifically for freestyle stroke refinement. They help reinforce a straight-arm extension and proper hand entry, reducing crossover.
- Otion paddles, on the other hand, are more versatile and focus on the catch and pull rather than just the entry.
- Freestyler paddles can be great for correcting hand entry mistakes, but they don’t provide as much feedback on pull strength and water grip as the Otion paddles do.
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OTION vs. Finis Agility
Price: £22
- The Finis Agility paddles are strapless and stay on through correct technique, just like Otion paddles. They are a fantastic tool for teaching high-elbow catch and proper hand positioning.
- However, the Agility paddles are flatter, which means they don't reinforce finger and hand positioning in the same way Otion paddles do.
- If you tend to drop your elbow, the Agility paddles will help, but Otion paddles go a step further by refining overall hand tension and grip on the water.
OTION vs. ZONE3 Ergo Hand Paddles
Price: £17
- The ZONE3 Ergo Hand Paddles are ergonomically designed and provide a good balance of power and technique.
- They have multiple strap options, which can be an advantage for those who prefer a more customizable fit, but they lack the natural feedback that Otion paddles provide.
- While the ZONE3 paddles help build strength, they don’t necessarily force you to engage the right muscles in the same way Otion paddles do.
- The Otion are strapless so quicker to put on and take off which aids with building muscle memory whereas the ZONE3 straps take longer to disengage.
- The Otion are designed not to put too much strain on your shoulder whereas paddles with straps can sometimes cause shoulder pain.
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Who Should Use OTION Paddles?
If you’re a triathlete or swimmer looking to refine your technique while also building functional strength, Otion paddles are a solid choice. They’re particularly useful for:
✅Swimmers who struggle with hand tension – Helps promote a relaxed yet controlled grip on the water.
✅Triathletes working on their catch and pull – Immediate feedback ensures you’re engaging the right muscles.
✅Athletes who want technique-focused training – Unlike strength-building paddles, these force you to swim correctly rather than just power through your sets.
✅Those prone to shoulder issues – Since they discourage over-muscling the stroke, they help reduce strain on the shoulders when used correctly.
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OTION Paddles: Conclusion and Final Verdict
The Otion swim paddles are an excellent tool for triathletes and swimmers who want a paddle that does more than just increase resistance. They reinforce proper hand positioning, provide instant technique feedback, and help you develop a more efficient and powerful stroke.
While they might take a little time to get used to—especially if you’re accustomed to more traditional paddles—the long-term benefits for your technique and endurance make them a worthwhile investment.
They are a bit pricier than other paddles but they do work on both your technique and your strength so you only need one paddle instead of many.
They were on the big side so maybe the designers could consider a smaller version for smaller hands.
If you’re looking to take your swim training to the next level, these paddles deserve a spot in your gear bag!
Karen Parnell is a Level 3 British Triathlon and IRONMAN Certified Coach, 8020 Endurance Certified Coach, WOWSA Level 3 open water swimming coach and NASM Personal Trainer and Sports Technology Writer.
Karen is currently studying for an MSc in Sports Performance Coaching at the University of Stirling.
Need a training plan? I have plans on TrainingPeaks and FinalSurge:
I also coach a very small number of athletes one to one for all triathlon and multi-sport distances, open water swimming events and running races, email me for details and availability. Karen.parnell@chilitri.com
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FAQ for OTION Swim Paddles
Q: How do I put the Otion paddles on?
Take your finding your preferred way to pick them up and putting them on. Slide in or place your hand down on them slowly and wiggle the fingers comfortably between the blades.
Q: How do I use the Otion paddles?
When swimming Relax your hands as you pull your body past them (try to pull with your forearm as well) As you recover the hand, initially the grip will feel quite strong, but this will ease as the body works out the least required effort to hold them in place.
Q: What areas of my swimming with Otion paddles help with?
The paddles are designed to help with all these areas:
1. Slow swimming to create fast swimming.
2. Sculling to help the water feel more solid.
3. The catch. Pulling with the fingertips to elbow, driving the water backwards.
4. Early Exit, don’t shorten your stroke
5. Precision entry. Pulling air doesn’t help
6. Adapt your hand shape, make it as big and usable as possible.
Q: What is slow paddle swimming and how does it help?
Slow paddle swimming with fins is a great combination to assist body position. You will also experience the sensation of really travelling through the water past the ‘anchored’ paddle hand.
Q: Can I use the Otion paddles with a pull buoy?
The technical paddle will work with a pull buoy, but the design won’t overload your shoulders if looking for big strength gains.
Q: Can I use the Otion paddles on their own?
Paddle only work, often overlooked for fear of shoulder overload for fear of shoulder overload but effective here due to the paddle perimeter ring which gives big paddle feel but small paddle shoulder resistance. For the first few sessions the grip on the paddles will feel excessively strong. As you swim more and become familiar with them you will relax the hand ‘grip’ and you might even forget they are on.
Q: Are Otion paddles suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, but they require some initial adaptation. Beginners may find them helpful for reinforcing correct technique, though they should be used progressively to avoid overloading the muscles.
Q: How do Otion paddles help with technique?
A: They provide instant feedback on hand positioning, catch, and pull. If your stroke is inefficient, the paddles will shift or slip, encouraging you to adjust and refine your movements.
Q: How often should I use Otion paddles in training?
A: Start with short sets (e.g., 10-15 minutes per session) and gradually increase as you get comfortable. They work best when incorporated into drills and technique-focused training sessions.
Q: Are these paddles only for freestyle swimming?
A: While they are particularly effective for freestyle, they can also be used for other strokes, especially for refining hand placement and pull mechanics.
Q: What do the dimples on the Otion paddles do?
Without the reassurance of straps to help hold the paddle to the hand the designers wanted the paddle to feel as tactile as possible. The materials and depth have also been carefully thought through. They wanted a paddle so comfortable that one day swimmers might forget they were wearing it.
Q: Is the width of the Otion paddle finger spacers important?
If you watch enough elite swimmers, you will notice the way many of them swim with a slight gap between their fingers. There is an optimum gap to ensure the most water is ‘caught’ within the hand. Altering the spacing between your fingers as you hold your hand out of a car window will give some insight that slightly wide is better than fully wide or clenched. Sports scientists have tested and put a value to this and they have modelled the fingers spacers on these results.
Q: What does the perimeter band on the Otion paddles do?
A large feel paddle but without the large feel stress was what they hoped for. Ideally to help people anchor the water, hold it, and feel their bodies travel past the anchored hand when the hand and forearm created a good catch position. The perimeter band helps this aspect of the paddle creating surface area but not so much tension.
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