Best Claw Clips for Swimming and Beach Days: Waterproof Picks That Survive Salt and Chlorine

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Your everyday claw clip wasn't built for chlorine, salt water, or sand.

Chlorine corrodes metal springs. Salt water leaves residue that kills grip. Sand gets into every crevice. And sun exposure can make plastic brittle and prone to snapping.

The result? Your nice clips degrade fast, or worse, fail mid-swim.

But clips designed for water activities handle these conditions. The right materials, construction, and care routine mean clips that survive entire beach vacations and pool seasons.

We've tested these clips through pool laps, ocean swims, and beach days. Here's what works.

For complete workout hair solutions, see our ultimate guide to claw clips for working out. For sweat-resistant options, check out sweat-proof claw clips.

Why Water Destroys Regular Clips

Different water types create different problems:

Your everyday clip isn't made to handle repeated exposure to these conditions.

What Water-Resistant Clips Need

Rust-Resistant Springs

Metal springs grip stronger but can rust. For water clips, you need either:

• Coated metal springs protected from water
• High-quality plastic springs (less grip but zero rust risk)
• Clips you can dry completely between uses

If you swim daily, consider plastic-spring clips for pool use specifically.

Non-Porous Surfaces

Porous materials trap salt, chlorine, and bacteria. Look for:

• Smooth matte plastic that rinses clean
• Acetate or resin that doesn't absorb water
• Sealed construction without exposed metal parts

Avoid clips with fabric, rope, or decorative elements that hold moisture.

Quick-Dry Design

Clips stored damp develop mold and lose grip. Water clips should:

• Dry completely within hours
• Have no trapped moisture pockets
• Be easy to shake out after swimming

UV Resistance

Sun exposure makes plastic brittle. For beach use:

• Choose clips in solid colors (less fading)
• Store in shade when possible
• Accept that beach clips have shorter lifespans

Our Top 5 Swimming and Beach Clips

1. TOCESS 8 Pack Big Hair Claw Clips — Our Pick

Why it works for water: The matte plastic construction handles chlorine and salt without degrading. Metal springs maintain grip on wet hair, and the 8-pack lets you designate specific clips for water use.

Best for: Beach vacations, pool days, all-around water activities

Key features:

• Matte non-slip surface
• Durable plastic construction
• Metal spring for strong grip
• 8-pack for multiple water clips

Price: ~$14 for 8 clips

Our top pick because it balances grip strength (metal spring) with water durability (matte plastic body). Rinse after each use and these last through entire vacation seasons.

2. TOCESS Hawaiian Flower Hair Clips — Best for Style

Why it works for water: These vacation-themed clips look amazing in beach photos while actually holding hair securely. The 3.94-inch size with extended claws grips all hair types.

Best for: Beach vacations, pool parties, resort styling, Instagram photos

Key features:

• Tropical flower design
• Large size (3.94 inches)
• Extended claws for thick hair
• Vibrant vacation colors

Price: ~$13

Perfect for when you want your beach clip to be part of the look, not just functional. Holds hair reliably through swimming and styling.

3. All-Plastic Matte Beach Clips — Best for Pools

Why it works for water: Zero metal means zero rust risk—ideal for daily pool swimmers. The all-plastic construction dries quickly and handles repeated chlorine exposure.

Best for: Daily lap swimming, pool maintenance, frequent chlorine exposure

Key features:

• No metal components
• Ultra-quick drying
• Chlorine-resistant plastic
• Zero maintenance required

Price: ~$10

If you swim laps regularly, these no-metal clips eliminate rust worry entirely. Slightly less grip than metal-spring options, but ideal for high-frequency pool use.

4. Revlon Strong Hold Hair Claw Clips — Budget Pick

Why it works for water: At under $7, these are cheap enough to sacrifice to beach/pool conditions. If salt or chlorine damages them over time, replacement is painless.

Best for: Budget beach trips, backup clips, testing water clip use

Key features:

• Double-teeth gripping
• Budget-friendly pricing
• Easy to replace
• Adequate water performance

Price: ~$6-7

Keep a few of these in your beach bag as designated "water clips." No stress about damage when the price is this low.

5. TELETIES Classic Large Claw Clip — Also Good

Why it works for water: The bendable material dries quickly, doesn't rust, and survives sandy bags. Nearly unbreakable construction handles beach-trip abuse.

Best for: Beach vacations, travel, anyone hard on their clips

Key features:

• Bendable, nearly unbreakable
• Quick-dry material
• Survives sandy conditions
• Multiple colors available

Price: ~$15

Premium durability for beach conditions. The flexibility means it won't crack even with sand in the hinges.

Pool vs. Beach: Different Approaches

Pool Clips

Primary threats: Chlorine, repeated wet/dry cycles, humidity

Best clip features:

• All-plastic construction (no rust risk)
• Quick-dry design
• Chlorine-resistant materials
• Low cost for frequent replacement

Care routine:

• Rinse with fresh water after each swim
• Shake out excess water
• Let dry completely before storing
• Replace when grip weakens

Beach Clips

Primary threats: Salt, sand, sun, occasional submersion

Best clip features:

• UV-resistant materials
• Smooth surfaces that rinse clean
• Durable construction (sand is abrasive)
• Secure grip for active beach activities

Care routine:

• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water
• Remove sand from hinges
• Dry in shade (not direct sun)
• Store in breathable bag

Beach Day Styling

Keep hair healthy and styled through a full beach day.

The Protective Beach Bun

Keep hair up and out of salt water:

1. Section if long: Very long hair benefits from two loose braids before bunning
2. Twist loosely: Too tight + salt = breakage
3. Position high: Keeps bun out of water during wading
4. Secure with water-resistant clip: One of our picks above

The In-and-Out Style

For swimming and beach lounging:

1. Before swimming: Low bun near nape, quick to remove
2. During swimming: Remove clip, swim with hair loose or braided
3. After swimming: Rinse hair with fresh water, re-clip high for drying

This minimizes clip exposure to salt while keeping hair managed.

Protecting Hair From Damage

The clip is just part of it:

• Pre-wet with fresh water before ocean swimming (hair absorbs less salt)
• Use leave-in conditioner for added protection
• Rinse promptly after salt or chlorine
• Don't sleep with salt/chlorine in hair

Water Clip Care and Maintenance

After Every Water Session

Pool:

1. Remove clip
2. Rinse under tap for 10 seconds
3. Shake out water from hinges
4. Let dry completely

Beach:

1. Remove clip
2. Rinse thoroughly, checking for sand in teeth/hinges
3. Open and close clip to flush sand
4. Dry in shade

Weekly Deep Clean (Frequent Swimmers)

1. Soak clip in warm, slightly soapy water for 5 minutes
2. Use old toothbrush to scrub teeth and hinges
3. Rinse completely
4. Air dry fully before storing

When to Replace Water Clips

Replace your pool/beach clips when:

• Springs feel weaker than new
• Grip surfaces become slick
• Plastic becomes cloudy or brittle
• Hinges feel stiff or gritty
• Visible corrosion on any metal parts

For daily pool swimmers, expect to replace clips every 2-3 months. For occasional beach use, clips can last entire seasons with proper care.

FAQs

Can I swim with my claw clip in?

Yes, but it will experience more wear. For brief dips, clips handle submersion fine. For lap swimming, consider removing the clip or using designated pool clips you don't mind replacing.

Will salt water ruin my clip?

Not immediately, but repeated exposure without rinsing will. Salt crystals reduce grip and can stiffen hinges. Rinse with fresh water after every ocean exposure.

Should I use all-plastic clips or metal-spring clips for water?

For daily pool use, all-plastic avoids rust risk. For occasional beach/pool use, metal-spring clips provide stronger grip and survive water fine with proper care.

Can I use my nice acetate clip at the beach?

You can, but salt, sand, and sun will shorten its lifespan. Consider designating specific clips for water activities and keeping nice clips for non-water use.

My clip has sand stuck in it—how do I clean it?

Open and close the clip repeatedly under running water. Use a toothbrush to scrub teeth and hinges. The key is flushing sand out before it scratches surfaces.

What about lake swimming?

Fresh water is easiest on clips—no salt, minimal chlorine. Still rinse and dry after extended exposure to prevent moisture damage.

The Bottom Line

Beach and pool clips need water-resistant construction and a care routine that prevents damage accumulation. The right clip survives entire vacation seasons; the wrong one degrades after a few uses.

Our top pick, the TOCESS 8 Pack, delivers strong grip with water-durable construction at a price that lets you designate clips specifically for water use. For style, add the Hawaiian Flower clips. For daily pool swimming, go with all-plastic construction.

Rinse after every use. Dry completely. Replace when grip weakens. Your water clips will last seasons instead of single trips.

For more workout hair solutions, see our best claw clips for the gym and our ultimate guide to claw clips for working out.