If you’re keen to keep swimming through winter but haven’t done so before, there are a few things you’ll need to get. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best best cold water swimming gloves.
Once you’re sorted with some gloves, you’ll also want to invest in some cold water swim hats, cold water swimming socks and a changing robe for when you’re out of the water.
What’s the best thickness for cold water swimming gloves?
In terms of warmth, the thicker the better is generally the rule. However, this can be at the expense of mobility and fit. A general standard in gloves for cold water swimming seems to hover around the 3mm thickness of neoprene, but we’d go .5mm either side.
Much thicker than 4mm and you’ll lose dexterity in the water, which is crucial if you actually intend to swim rather than paddle in the gloves. What can help is a strap at the top of the glove to help seal the cuff and prevent too much cold water entering into them, though this feature may add a few ££s to the price.
What are the best wetsuit gloves?
HUUB Neoprene Swim Gloves
!["Credit:]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/HUUBgloves2-3a0a4e5.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"HUUBgloves\"")
- £34.99
With a keen focus on warmth, be that in the water or on the bike, these versatile HUUB neoprene gloves should keep you toasty in a range of conditions. Can’t afford both swim and bike gloves, or ever the minimalist? HUUB have got you covered with their ‘high grade’ 3mm neoprene unisex gloves.
Reflective detailing along the fingers and palms should make you more visible in the water and when speeding along on the bike, whilst the in-built wrist cuff design should provide swift removal post-session.
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Zone3 Neoprene Swimming Gloves
!["Credit:]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/Z3gloves2-632fd69.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Z3gloves\"")
- £29.00
These gloves look the business with their dual red and black colourway and score of practical cold-water swimming specific features. Made from stretchy 2mm neoprene with a composition of 90% neoprene/10% nylon, these gloves should be super snug and flexible when on, allowing ample freedom of movement.
They feature a slightly longer length than others mentioned, which aims to fit snugly over or under your wetsuit with the help of an adjustable Velcro strap, and avoid water ingress. The grippy, non-slip material on the palms should aid stability when manoeuvring into the water.
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TWF Neoprene Gloves
!["Credit:]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/TWFgloves-e6cf67c.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"TWFgloves\"")
- From £9.57
These TWF gloves can be found on Amazon and are made from 3mm neoprene, which should be fine for cold water swimming from spring to autumn-time. For added durability, TWF claim that the gloves are blindstiched and glued, which should also reduce water ingress.
The soles of the palms are designed with a textured print to aid grip and safety. You can also buy these as a bundle with matching neoprene TWF swim socks.
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Slyzone Neoprene Wetsuit Gloves
!["slyzonegloves"]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/slyzonegloves-4848d46.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"slyzonegloves\"")
- £13.77
Amazon have 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit gloves from Slyzone, priced £13.99. 220’s Kate has tested these with some wild river swimming and was suitably impressed. The 3mm thickness kept our fingers toasty and the grippy soles helped us scramble across slippy rocks getting into the water. A win in terms of price and usability, and after fove months of use they are have shown no wear or tear.
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Mares Flexa Classic Gloves
!["Credit:"]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/maresflexaclassic-5c0710f.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"maresflexaclassic\"")
- £15.00
Made from double-lined neoprene, these dive gloves claim to be ‘reliable and durable’. With a palm designed to stop any accidents when clambering out of the water thanks to the rubber print, these gloves should keep you safe and warm in all waters.
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Decathlon Olaian Neoprene Gloves
!["Credit:]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/decathlon-gloves-86a2034.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"decathlon")
- £24.99
Unlike other gloves mentioned here, these 3mm surf gloves are made from 100% neoprene from elastomer foam, which should help keep your hands remain warm in the water, ‘for sessions up to two hours’ say Decathlon. On top of this, the gloves are lined with synthetic fabric and are both blind-stitched and glued, which aims to make them more durable and prevent unwanted water ingress.
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Dhb Hydron Swim Gloves 2.0
!["dhbhydrongloves"]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/dhbhydrongloves2-0262547.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"dhbhydrongloves\"")
- £25.00
These swim gloves have 3mm neoprene thickness, which should be ample thickness for swimming throughout Britain’s harsh winters. Like the Hydron 2.0 swim socks, these gloves have handy non-slip coating along the palms to aid clambering in and out of the water.
For ease of use, the gloves feature an extended tab and cuff-like wrist design, which should make them quick to get on and off. Like many neoprene open water swim garments, these gloves are composed of 80% neoprene and 20% nylon to allow for stretch and flexibility which aims to aid comfort and fit.
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Blueseventy Thermal Swim Gloves
!["Credit:]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/01/b70gloves2-f996094.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"b70gloves\"")
- £37.50
These open-water specific gloves have a keen thermal focus thanks to a ‘metal cell liner’ which should work to reduce heat loss through the fingers and maximise warmth. Thanks to their longer sleeve length, water ingress should be minimal.
The wrist cuff design should also mean easy removal and Blueseventy claim that these gloves are also a great tool for keeping fingers ‘dry in foul bike riding weather.’
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LOMO Swimming and Triathlon Gloves
!["LomoTriXgloves"]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2021/07/LomoTriXgloves-bf4e231.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"LomoTriXgloves\"")
- £19.99
These triathlon-specific open water swimming gloves are made with glued seams and blind-stitched, along with being liquid seamed on the outside, which Lomo claims make them ‘so well fitting that hardly any water gets inside them’. This is also thanks to the wrist cuffs, which should also help make them a snug fit.
Made from 3mm neoprene, these gloves are designed to keep you warm during winter swims, just be careful when getting out of the water as, unlike other gloves mentioned here, these don’t feature a non-slip grip on the palms.