OPEN-WATER SWIM KIT
Buyer’s guide
WETSUIT
For winter, your biggest investment (if you’re serious about outdoor swimming) should be a thermal wetsuit. There’s a good selection on the market from all the leading brands, with an extra lining often added to an existing model to add extra warmth. Our pick is the Orca Openwater RS1 Thermal (£369), which also features a unique, extra ‘batwing’ layer on the back, avoiding chilly trickles through the zip and neck.
GLOVES AND BOOTS
Keeping your hands and feet protected from cold water will make a huge difference to your experience. Our extremities are very sensitive so although covering them won’t make a difference to core temperature, it will make you feel more comfortable as you swim. Most are made from 2mm neoprene. Choose ones that are snug fitting, like Orca’s Swim Gloves (£39), otherwise they will just balloon with water as you swim!
HEADWEAR
You have many sensitive blood vessels in your head and neck, and we lose most heat through our heads, so adding a neoprene swim cap under your regular brightly-coloured cap is a wise choice. If you want more, Huub makes a Thermal Balaclava (pictured, £39) or neoprene neck snug, which will both help cover the sensitive veins and arteries in the neck when swimming in cold water.
CHANGING ROBE
Due to the after-drop (see next issue’s cold-water swim special for more) it’s crucial to get dry, warm and out of cold wind as soon as possible after your swim. With this in mind, a snuggly changing robe that you can pull on and change inside, then wear afterwards for warmth, is a must. We love the weatherproof Dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve (£160), winner of our 2021 grouptest.