I use this bag for cycling events, not swimming. I don't like this bag as much as the previous version, the TYR Alliance Team Backpack 2. The old version had two large side pockets that each could hold two large water bottles. The side pockets on the new version are differently sized. The larger of the two side pockets can barely hold two small water bottles and the other pocket isn't large enough to even hold one small bottle. The zipper on the top opens to the back (towards the shoulder straps) which if find to be counter intuitive.
Rating: [3 of 5 Stars!]