Best wet-suit for breaststroke swimming

[Haberdash]

There is a lake nearby that I love to swim in. However, it is already down to 15C which is cold to swim in without a wetsuit. I have a 2-3mm wetsuit but want to buy some gloves and boots to I can swim for a bit longer towards Winter. I am confused what sort of boots to get though that are good for swimming. I only swim breaststroke.

What are good wet-suit boots for swimming breaststroke? Any glove recommendations would be great too of course.

[sleepismysuperpower1]

boots: huubdesign.com/products/huub-neoprene-socks?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=377544367&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1PeYuJXK3QIVxA8YCh3gVwjcEAkYASABEgJZ3PD_BwE

huubdesign.com/products/neoprene-gloves - gloves

[Haberdash]

Thank you!

[witchmountain]

I’ve got the Zone 3 ones - the warmer kind - gloves and boots: zone3.com/product-category/neoprene/

Seen me through as far as swimming with ice in the water!

[Haberdash]

witchmountain They look great! Thank you.

[witchmountain]

I meant to ask before, are you swimming breaststroke or are you pootling around with your head out of the water?

I do the latter when I’m swimming outside of a pool because I like to relax and take in the views or chat to a friend. I found wearing a full wetsuit really uncomfortable because even a swimming one (rather than surf) makes your legs really bouyant which means your body ends up at a really uncomfortable angle if you also have your head out. I’ve found the solution is a shorty wetsuit that only covers the thighs (with long or short arms).

Also, keeping your core warm makes a huge difference so a neoprene swimsuit or short arm and short leg wetsuit can carry you into colder water than you might expect, especially with socks and gloves (and they are easier to get in and out of). It depends how long to want to stay in but at 15 degrees I find a swim suit with a rash vest over it quite comfortable once I’ve adjusted to the initial shock of the water.

Where I swim it’s not unusual to see a bobble hat too!

[Haberdash]

witchmountain Maybe something in between. I try to do 2k a day if I can but my head is rarely in the water. It is hard to find wetsuits which are suitable for breaststroke swimmers. I just bought a new one and will try it out soon. I think I will wait until October to try out the gloves and/or socks. I didn't think about a hat at all!

[witchmountain]

You’re in there for a reasonable amount of time then - I don’t stay in for long enough to cover 2K, which makes a difference.

Its trial and error, isn’t it. I think my approach this year is to use a rash vest and swimming leggings before I get on to the wetsuit and maybe wear less but stay in for less time, because that way you still get the amazing glow from cold water without freezing!

Zone 3 (and others) do a neoprene hat. There are also hoods too that you tuck into your wesuit!

[Haberdash]

Thanks so much again.