Winter swimming isn’t for everyone: you often spend more time preparing, packing and changing than you do in the water. But if you do take the plunge, the piercing cold gives way to a joy that inspires you to return to the water time and time again.
In my book, How to Wild Swim: What to Know Before Taking the Plunge, I explain that the best thing about open-water swimming is not needing much kit. But winter swimming does require a little bit more than a swimsuit and towel to make the experience more bearable. Here is my go-to winter kit list for outdoor dips, swims and adventures: I’ve either tested or already own everything here.
A note on neoprene: neoprene is a synthetic rubber used widely in watersport gear but its production is not without environmental and social impact. We have suggested kit made with other materials where possible.
***
The best kit for winter swimming
***
Swimsuit
Zoggs Brave crossback
£65 at Zoggs
£64.99 at Swim the Lakes
Winter swimming often involves short dips, so I like a standard suit that keeps my core warmer but exposes as much skin as possible to the cold zing of the water.
I tested this silver-lined swimsuit from Zoggs, and rated it my best overall: I felt warmer in the water, and my recovery was quicker too. The glorious neon animal print design is perfect for visibility in the grey, low light of winter. I also loved that you can remove the padded cups in the bust area.
Read our guide to the best tried and tested cold-water swimsuits
***
Neoprene gloves and socks
For years I endured cold fingers and toes with the common view that if I wore neoprene in any form I would be “cheating”. Our extremities have little fat and muscle to protect them from the cold, so the discomfort can be unbearable when they’re immersed in cold water. Wearing neoprene gloves and socks was the best decision I made.
Look for a snug fit – too loose and they will fill with water, which will affect your swimming and cancel any thermal benefits. And measure yourself and use the online size guides.
Fourth Element 3mm neoprene gloves
£58 at Fourth Element
£58 at the Wild Swim Store
These Fourth Element gloves are a decent thickness and the Octo-print palm means you can still grip and grab, which is sometimes essential when outdoors around rocks or slippery banks. They are also robust and haven’t snagged, but equally warm.
Two Bare Feet neoprene 5mm wetsuit socks
£15.99 at Two Bare Feet
£17.99 at Amazon
These neoprene socks have a decent grip bottom with a textured sole for hobbling over pebbles and gritty waterbeds, yet they have the flexibility for proper swimming while keeping your toes warm.
***
Swim hat
Lomo neoprene swimming cap
£18.01 at Decathlon
£19.99 at Amazon
A bright hat is best in open water as you can be seen by other water users and safety support. I like something a little warmer than a standard cap to avoid brain freeze: this pink one is ideal as it covers not only the head but also the ears, and the chin strap keeps it in place.
***
Swim mask
Aquasphere Defy Ultra swim mask
£115 at Aquasphere
£116 at Decathlon
During winter it’s common to stick to heads-up breaststroke, as the cold can be uncomfortable around the neck and skull (less fleshy parts always feel the cold more). But I do like to get my head in and do some proper swimming, so the best way I beat face freeze is to wear a swim mask instead of goggles.
Not only is visibility better with a mask than goggles, but it covers more of the face and forehead, preventing the cold ache. These are an expensive choice and I was dubious when I first tried them, especially as I looked like I should be on a ski slope. But the ultra-thin silicone is soft yet snug, and the field of vision laterally and vertically is brilliant. That also means you don’t have to lift your head as much and you can master better technique when sighting in open water.
***
Towel
Ebbflowcornwall Logan hammam towel
Any old towel will do really, but I prefer hammam towels because they dry more quickly than others. They’re often 100% cotton, which is good if you’re mindful of microfibres in wild places; they can double up as a scarf or shawl; and they come in beautiful colours. Cornish brand Ebbflowcornwall has different thickness hammam towels, which means you can get thicker for winter and thinner for warmer seasons.
Matador ultralight travel towel
An alternative is a quick-drying nanofibre towel: this is brilliantly big to wrap around your body but packs up small.
***
Changing mat
Zone3 changing mat
Winter swimming often means wet, muddy or icy conditions. A changing mat is essential for protecting not only your clothes as you change, but also your feet from the cold as you wobble about on one foot trying to pull on your socks. This mat doubles up as a drawstring bag into which you can throw all your wet gear.
***
Warm hat
Finisterre fisherman beanie
If you’re a heads-up swimmer in winter, you could wear this woolly hat both in and out of the water. While it’s been debunked that we lose most heat from our heads, they’re still more sensitive to temperature and there’s something in keeping as much of ourselves as warm as possible when cold-water swimming. Something made from natural fibres such as wool will be best, because they can still keep you warm even when wet.
Voited Hat in the Clouds
This has a warm fleece lining and an eco-friendly Ripstop fabric exterior that repels water.
***
Tow float
Dippy wild swim tow float
£21.99 at Dippy
£21.99 at Mountain Warehouse
Not always essential, but useful for open water that’s busy with boats or other users. Tow floats in their simplest form are bright, inflated devices tethered to you, with a strap around your waist while you swim so that they float behind you to make you visible in the water. They’re not life-saving devices, but can be used to rest on in the water and offer extra buoyancy for cleaning goggles or chatting with swim pals.
Swim Secure wild swim bag
£37.99 at Swim Secure
£29.99 at Etsy
This inflatable dry bag has shoulder, waist and chest straps. It means you can hike, cycle or run to your swim spot then remove the shoulder and chest straps to make it a dry bag or tow float.
***
Backpack
Wild Moose Caribou waterproof backpack
You need a decent, ideally waterproof backpack that holds enough kit for you to be properly equipped, but one that’s also intuitively designed, so you don’t spend time trying to find what you need while wet and cold. Look for something adjustable with different storage spaces, a wide opening, decent capacity and a compartment for wet kit. This bag was designed by a swimmer – so it is, of course, ideal.
***
Robe or coat?
Alpkit Solace parka
There are so many changing robes on the market, all offering and claiming different benefits, and I often get asked if they’re worth the money or even needed. On the one hand, robes are great at keeping the elements off while you fumble about changing under them, or good for warming up after swimming with multiple other layers. On the other, a decent waterproof coat will do just as good a job of keeping you warm and dry before and after swimming. It’s always better to remove wet gear, dry off and layer up after a cold swim than to stand about, still wet under a big change robe. So I would choose a well-insulated, waterproof coat, longer than a jacket that covers your lower back and thighs.
Voited 3-in-1 Wearever jacket
Alternatively, get a robe that works like a coat. This is ideal because you can wear it as a jacket, vest, or both for warmth. It’s also weatherproof.
***
Base layers
After cold-water swimming, it’s all about drying and dressing quickly in layers so you can warm up effectively by trapping air and retaining heat between fabric. A thermal base is a great place to start, and something merino wool-based will wick away any moisture while keeping you warm. Smartwool classic merino base layers are ideal, since both the bottom and top are effective yet sleek enough to wear under my other clothing.
Smartwool classic thermal merino base layer crew
Smartwool classic thermal merino base layer bottom
Merino women’s top and pants set
£59.99 at Mountain Warehouse
£59.99 at Amazon
***
Socks
Finisterre original wool sock
Your body will continue to cool even when out of the water, and your toes often take the longest to warm up. Wool socks are the best solution, and a sock designed for hiking will offer compression and moisture management to help warm the feet even quicker.
***
Boots
Merrell Siren 4 thermo mid zip waterproof
£180 at Merrell
£120 at Nevisport
Lowa Renegade Evo GTX
A decent pair of boots will also help warm up those feet. It’s tempting to wear a welly or something with similar waterproof qualities, but the best is a decent winter walking boot. They’re designed to not only keep the feet warm but also offer other useful features, such as grip for icy, muddy conditions, waterproof material, and support for your feet while walking to and from your swim spot.
For more footwear inspiration, read our guides to the best women’s walking boots and the best men’s walking boots
***
Flask
Warming up from the inside and rehydrating with a hot, sweet drink is essential after a swim. I take hot water in my flask to make up my drink when I’m out – but also to avoid my flask having a faint taste of whatever was in it last. I love my Stanley because it keeps my water hot for longer, even in really icy conditions.
Stanley Milestones thermal bottle
£100 at Stanley
£59.99 at Amazon
Stanley classic thermal flask
£56 at Stanley
£44.99 at Amazon
***
Ella Foote is a freelance journalist, author, editor and outdoor swimming expert. She is an intrepid swim explorer, constantly seeking out new rivers, lakes, ponds, seas and pools to plunge into. She enjoys swimming in all seasons and has completed swims such as a Channel relay crossing, a 24-hour swim challenge, the Thames Marathon 14k and the Dart10k, as well as smaller more joyful dips and dunks across the world. Ella is director of Dip Advisor, a swim guiding business helping people enjoy wild water, an open water coach and RLSS open water lifeguard. She also teaches swimming to children and adults. You can follow her and her swimming on Instagram
