Wetsuit for open water swimming

[Bythesea1982]

I’d like to give open water swimming a try this summer local to where I live and also whilst on holiday in the UK. I’m a total novice so I’m looking for advice on suggestions for a good wetsuit. What millimetre thickness should I be looking for and what are the best brands? Nothing too expensive though as I don’t know how much I’ll take to it!

@CyberStrider good point - where I’ll be going has wetsuit hire so maybe I’m better off doing that first before I commit to buying one!

@TaupeRaven Thats interesting you say that because I’m heading up to the Lochs for a holiday soon and convinced myself that even if I didn’t need a wetsuit to swim where I live in the midlands that I need one if I swam in the lochs. Can you recommend good places to swim there? I’ll be in between Loch Ard & lomond. Also do you know the water temp at the moment?

I swim without a wetsuit in Scotland in the summer, I find it less restrictive and less of a faff changing.

If you have the opportunity to hire a suit, go for that first before committing to buying one. Wetsuit shoes would definitely help.

Loch Ard is smaller and quieter than Loch Lomond, which has power boats and jet skis. Go try it out, you can just dip in for a few minutes, and never go alone.

I’ve done a lot of open water swimming and various swimming events. I’ve always wore an Orca wetsuit. I think I bought it from wiggle

@cornflourblue Are there any particular points on Loch Ard you’d recommend for swimming?

I got an animal shortie from mountain warehouse. It’s probably 2mm and super stretchy. It’s not ideal for proper swimming but is ace for playing around in open water and old lady type swimming (breaststroke where the perm stays dry).

Proper swimming needs design for good arm movement and super skin tight which is a git to get on and off. Hire and see how you go.

No wetsuits needed.

Yes, very real! I swim in a swimsuit all year round in our local lake. Bit parky in winter, wonderful in summer.
I tried swimming in all manner of wetsuits, hated every single one.

Unless you are training for a triathlon or entering events where wetsuits are mandatory, I'd hold off for now.
Go in your swimsuit and enjoy!!

As long as you have proper warm towels and clothes to change into, a wet suit is not required, even in winter

@littlemissprosseco can I ask what you mean by a proper warm towel? I was just thinking of taking a beach towel. I did say I was a novice 😆

Lots of skin converts on here. I have got two wetsuits. First one is old and doesn't fit and feels like a straitjacket but isn't tight. Second is like a second skin. Very very tight but doesn't restrict movement at all. I haven't worn either for about 9 years. Taking them to the beach or a lake is just tedious. Rinsing post swim and carting it home to hang and dry...tedious.

The reason many suggest going in just a suit or suit + gloves/bootees Is because it's so easy, and cold water becomes addictive and enjoyable

You need to be able to get dry and covered fast. Especially in the winter. I have one of those large over the head towelling onesie type things, with a hood. It’s the air/ wind once you’re out that’s hard. On my way to the lake I warm my onsie in the footwell of the car

Getting a well fitting wetsuit off, when it’s cold out, can take a while too.
I just have a warm thick cover all.
If it’s really cold and windy, a waterproof Mac to go over too!!

I have a wetsuit but really don't like swimming in it. Once the water is 18 degrees and above I wear a swimsuit with legs, then an insulated rash vest and neoprene booties. The booties are the key for me, if my feet are warm then the rest of me can cope.

Any wetsuit needs to fit
and get a stick of glide wetsuit lube and you won’t chaff with a high neck

@CyberStrider Thanks for the suggestion about the insulated rash vest - I’ll look into that.

Thanks everyone. Lots of suggestions of neoprene socks & gloves so I’ll invest in getting those and then see how I get on at this time of the year in regular swimsuit.

I swim in an ordinary swimsuit. I then add neoprene gloves and boots. Then a silver lined swimsuit. But I don’t swim as far in the winter anyway. I’d just see how you feel and buy kit as and when you need it.

I swim in west of Scotland & wear a swimsuit only but do have swimming gloves & boots for winter. Boots are good when walking in on a rocky surface & the bobble hat definitely helps in winter. An old bathmat is good to stand on when getting changed. Enjoy x

@Bythesea1982 - if you're anywhere near a Decathlon, my rash vest and boots came from there relatively cheaply.

Although this past weekend I just had a thin rash vest on for sun protection, no need for insulation. It was glorious. That was at Spring Lakes, Long Eaton so can't be too far from you if you're East Midlands based.

Definitely echo the advice to try before you buy, I’ve never used one and swim all year round in a lake, coldest it got down to was 1.4° (didn’t stay in too long then!) but it’s now around 26, still feels fresh getting in but actually feels too warm once you get up to any kind of speed (and I’m not fast by any means). A lot of people wear wetsuits all year round where I go because they do triathlons where wetsuits are presumably mandatory, so they practice as close to race conditions
as they can.
a friend I sometimes go with bought really good boot/sock things that they sell there and she said they were amazing but I just can’t stand being restricted at all so never found the idea of a wetsuit appealing.
Give it a go without, if it’s above 15 degrees in the water you’re in you might be surprised at how well you cope once you’re in and moving. My sil is really tiny with low body fat and struggles below about 20° so wears boots and gloves most of the year and a wetsuit from September until about June.

I’ve never used a wetsuit when I go! I have a few long sleeved swimming costumes as my arms get cold but my legs are fine. My sister wears gym leggings as her legs get cold!

If the water you are proposing to swim in is 24 degrees, you definitely won’t need a wetsuit.
That’s warmer than my usual indoor pool!

I am currently in north Cornwall. The sea temperature has been about 18 this week, which is warmer than usual. It has been lovely wearing just a normal costume, even in the evening.

I swim year round, and don't wear a wetsuit. In the winter months that means I stay in for less than ten minutes, but I can't be bothered with the faff of a wetsuit, especially trying to take it off afterwards. I do wear neoprene gloves and boots though.

If you want a wetsuit because you are wanting to do serious distance swimming, then you need a specific swimming wetsuit (as opposed to most of the cheap ones which are meant for water sports and don't allow your arms enough movement to swim).

I second the Two Bare Feet neoprene swimsuit to start with in the summer,or hiring a wetsuit initially. Swimming wetsuits are designed so that they don't make you too buoyant in the wrong places, and help you keep a natural swimming position (rather than tipping you forward when you swim). As such, they are quite pricey - upward of £120 or so.

Alpkit do some good wetsuits and separates that are designed for a natural swimming position at reasonable prices. They are currently having a sale. I have an Alpkit Terrapin.

Thanks everyone again. Lots of useful tips and suggestions. Seems like I’ve maybe rushed into thinking a wetsuit was essential but it’s clear that there’s lots of alternative to this. @Wolfiefan i like the sound of an insulated swim suit so I’ll be looking into that which will probably be better than a wetsuit as I definitely don’t plan on entering into triathlons!
Going to give it a go first in regular swimwear while it’s warm and then see if and when anything else might be needed.