Words by Lydia Paleschi

Very little equipment is required for a cold water swim. In the warmer months, just a towel and swimming costume will suffice. Alternatively, if you stumble across a spot unprepared, you can go for a skinny dip and sacrifice a piece of clothing for drying yourself with afterwards. However, there are a range of swimming accessories that can make a swimmer’s experience more safe, comfortable and enjoyable – particularly in the winter months. In this blog, we share our Christmas 2023 gift ideas with you, so that you can see which brands are our favourites for keeping us in the water all year round. Whether you’re looking for a gift for your favourite wild swimmer, or maybe something for yourself, we’ve got plenty of ideas for keeping warm(er) this winter. Some brands have also been generous enough to give us discount codes for our readership, so be sure to check out the full blog.

A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall

Of course, we have to begin with our own guidebook! The ideal resource for those seeking inspiration when deciding on a swim spot. We created A Guide to Wild Swimming in Cornwall so that we and others can enjoy the beauty of our home county whilst staying safe in the water. Inside are 54 swimming locations, a detailed safety section, insights on the ocean environment, and information on both the mental and physical benefits of cold water swimming. Readers can also expect to find suggestions on local cafés and attractions, whilst discovering more about the Cornish landscape, culture and history.

Use code WINTERSWIM for 15% off at www.wildswimmingcornwall.co.uk in November only. ⁠

WSC Unisex Long-sleeved T-shirt

In the colder months, layering pre and post-swim is essential. Trapping layers of air between our clothing helps our core temperature to warm quicker and helps to prevent us from experiencing afterdrop. With this in mind, we’ve created what we think is the perfect tee for super soft pre and post-swim warmth. Made from 100% organic cotton with an embroidered breast logo and printed back in white, they’re made in Cornwall and use planet friendly inks.

Use code WINTERSWIM for 15% off at www.wildswimmingcornwall.co.uk in November only. ⁠

XTRATUF boots

We came across XTRATUF last year and have been using their boots for exploring the Cornish coastline. They’re 100% waterproof, meaning we wear them for anything involving the beach. Their new ICE ankle boots are perfect for winter swimming as they are ice gripping slip-resistant, plus fur-lined to help us stay warm before and after our dips. They’re also really easy to slide on and off, which makes life easier when our fingers are numb and we’re wanting to warm up quickly.

Use code 23WILDSWIM25 for 25% off sitewide on www.xtratuf.co.uk until 31st December.

Fourth Element Rock Hopper Booties 

If you’re looking for something to keep toes warmer whilst in the water, we opt for Fourth Element’s Rock Hoppers. They are our favourites because they are sturdy, comfortable, have excellent sustainability credentials and even look great! They’re useful for areas where entry and exit points are slippy, or there are sharp rocks. However, the main reason we wear them in the winter is to make the post-swim walk back easier. No more strange waddling up the beach because of sensitive numb toes!

Head to www.fourthelement.com to check out the Rock Hopper Booties.

Thermocline Thermals

Part of Fourth Element’s OceanPositive range, Thermocline is a neoprene-free alternative to a traditional wetsuit, made with recycled ghost fishing nets. Neutrally buoyant, lightweight and with a fleece lining that provides the equivalent warmth of 2mm neoprene, Thermocline makes the perfect base layer. Including vests, shorts and full length pieces, we use ours under wetsuits for long open water swims in the winter, or as an option for keeping our cores warm when dipping in the depths of winter. We could rave about this range forever. They are an absolute game changer, especially for those swimming through their first winter.

Head to www.fourthelement.com to explore the Thermocline range.

Socks, Gloves and Hoods

Protecting your extremities is the best way to conserve heat when swimming in colder conditions. Opting for socks, gloves and hoods allow you to maximise your time in the water without having the restriction that comes with wearing a wetsuit. Our favourite swim accessories were created by Fourth Element, because they’re high quality and made with the planet in mind. The socks and hoods are part of the Thermocline range, made with planet-friendly neoprene alternatives.

Head to www.fourthelement.com for thermocline accessories.

Surf Ear 3.0 Ear Plugs 

For those who are swimming regularly, it’s worth considering wearing earplugs to protect your ears and reduce the risk of both swimmer’s and surfer’s ear. Repeated exposure to the cold and high winds can lead to bone growth over the ear canal, increasing risk of infection and even leading to poor hearing. We use Surf Ear 3.0 because they’re pretty comfortable and enable you to hear more than most other brands. This means you can still hear what’s going on around you and that it isn’t going to compromise on the quality of chat you have with your swimming buddies.

Head to www.surfears.com to check out their range of ear plugs.

DryRobe Advance

A fleece-lined, waterproof poncho, dryrobe® is a game-changer for those wishing to swim through winter. Wrapping up with a dryrobe® Advance change robe after a swim helps you to warm up your core quickly, especially when accompanied with a hot drink. Made with 100% recycled materials and with waterproof and windproof outer shell fabric, these are great products created by a company with great ethics. They’re also good for other activities, like dog walking or post-surf. Anything that involves you getting cold, the dryrobe® has got you covered.

Head over to www.dryrobe.com to check out the range.

Ulu Tow Floats

A brightly coloured tow float is essential for open water swimming, but they can be even more important in winter. Waves and uneven water surfaces can make it harder to spot swimmers. We use Ulu tow floats which also double up as a dry bag and are made from recycled plastic bottles. This means you can keep essential items safe and dry whilst also having minimum impact on the environment. Ulu also develop their products with guidance from the RNLI so you can be assured they are designed for ultimate safety.

Visit www.uludrybags.com to learn more.

Ruckraft

Whilst not specifically a winter item, we couldn’t resist mentioning Ruckraft. We started using them earlier this year, so that we could go on long-distance swim adventures. Comprising of an inflatable raft and a giant dry bag, Ruckrafts make it possible to take more than ever with you on an open water swim. This includes camping gear, clothes, shoes and more. It means your swimming adventure doesn’t have to be cut short because you can’t take what you need with you. Above Below also have an awesome selection of cross-country swimming routes which include sections for walking and/ or running. Give the gift of adventure this Christmas by checking out the Ruckraft!

Learn more now at shop.abovebelow.sc.

Conclusion

Overall, there’s plenty of gear which can be used to make swims more comfortable, particularly in the winter. We’ve tried and tested all of the above and can say with confidence that they are useful items to have as part of your swim kit. So, whether you’re looking to treat yourself or someone you care about, we hope you like our recommendations. If you’ve got any other items which are essential to you when winter swimming, let us know in the comments below.

*Please note, there are some affiliate links in this blog post. However, rest assured, all of these items are ones which we have used already and which we know are high quality and reliable.

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