Fitting guide: Best cold water swimming swimwear

Hands up if you’re planning your winter swimming wardrobe. If you’re getting ready for colder temperatures, choosing what to wear before, during and after your dip will make a huge difference to your confidence, comfort and recovery. We're talking warmer fabrics, snug layers and thicker material.

That’s where we can help. We asked our resident ice swimming expert who has coached people through winter for the past five years about what she recommends for your winter swimming kit bag.

Cold water kit

Your starting point for winter swimming is deciding whether or not you’re going to wear a wetsuit. “Wetsuits provide a layer of protection from the cold – for some people, this is the difference between getting in the icy water or not,” says coach and ice swimmer, Rowan. “You don’t need a wetsuit – lots of people find them a faff to get on and off in winter – but you still get all the mental and physical health benefits if you wear one. It really comes down to faff versus comfort.”

If you are going to wear a wetsuit, it’s really important that you choose a swimsuit that’s smooth, seamless and comfortable underneath to avoid chafing. And if you go without a wetsuit, it’s not cheating if you go for something made from warmer fabric than the average swimsuit.

“I really recommend a swimsuit made of more durable, thicker fabric,” says Rowan. “You want something comfortable and supportive – and a bit of extra warmth, especially around your torso, can only be a good thing. As well as your swimsuit, make sure you wear a hat. And neoprene gloves and booties can be a game-changer in cold water too." 

Winter swimming clothes

What you wear after your swim is almost more important for a good recovery. “I cannot stress enough how seriously you should take warming up after a winter swim,” says Rowan. “Your core body temperature carries on dropping once you get out of the water, so those first few minutes where you strip off your wet stuff and layer up with warm, weather-protective layers will stop you from getting too cold.”

This is when you put on your bobble hat, gloves, thermal layers and windproof, waterproof outer layer such as a coat or changing robe to protect you from the elements. “You should also pack yourself a warm drink – tea, coffee, herbal tea, hot chocolate – anything that warms you from the inside. Lots of swimmers also have a hot water bottle and hand warmers, plus something to eat – usually cake – to get your digestive system going.”

Cold water swimwear for winter swimming

Whether you're looking for a smooth swimsuit to wear under your wetsuit, or a dependable swimsuit for colder water, we can help. Our cold water swimwear is made from thicker, bonded fabric or double-layered sustainable fabric to give you the support, durability and comfort you need for chilly dips.

The Cold Water Swimsuit

Made from super warm bonded fabric, our brand new Cold Water Swimsuit is twice the thickness of standard Lycra - so it's twice as warm. Hugging your body with a sculping, feel-good fit, it also has a high neck to protect that sweet spot on the back of your neck. And the front comes all the way down to your belly button to make it easy to get changed when you're cold.

Best for: Extra protection from the cold water.

Top tip: Pair with neoprene gloves and booties and a Deakin & Blue beanie for the perfect winter swimming get up.

The Signature Swimsuit

The thick, bonded fabric is extra warm and incredibly supportive. Our customers love the way The Signature Swimsuit’s clever tailoring offers non-wired bust support and the mesh panels not only add a bit of glamour, but they also make the swimsuit easier to pull off with cold hands.

Best for:Great bust support and extra confidence.

Top tip:Try The Signature Swimsuit on at home before its first outing – it gives a bit after the first try so it’ll be easier to get on and off at the water’s edge.

The X-Back Swimsuit

For a soft, versatile swimsuit for any winter swimming adventure, you can't beat the X-Back Swimsuit. It’s made from two layers of four-way stretch fabric, so it's super-smooth and soft on its own or underneath neoprene. And if you switch between pool and open water swimming or sauna and plunge pool, the X-Back Swimsuit will work with you.

Best for:When you want one swimsuit that does it all.

Top tip: Rinse after every swim or plunge in chlorinated water.