Wild Swimming Kit List

Whilst cold water swimming in skins (usually done in a standard swimsuit) has grown in popularity, a swimming wetsuit can be key to safe and comfortable wild swimming year-round in the UK. Swimming wetsuits provide additional warmth, buoyancy, efficiency and also offer a certain degree of protection. Whilst both wild swimming with or without a wetsuit requires some degree of acclimatisation, there are a number of additional safety precautions to take when swimming without a wetsuit. We therefore recommend a wetsuit for anyone new to the sport, wanting to swim year-round, or if you are looking for extra comfort and efficiency.

Unlike swimming in a pool, when you are outdoors you have to deal with murky waters and changing light conditions. The importance of your vision is also enhanced, as when swimming in open water, you have to orientate and navigate yourself. UV protection is an important consideration you wouldn't usually have to think about when swimming indoors. With the reflection of light off the water on sunny days, it's really important to protect your eyes. Polarised lenses help to cut out certain light, usually glare on sunny days, allowing you to see with more clarity. Photochromatic lenses adjust lens tint depending on how bright the conditions are. So when indoors the lenses will be their natural clear colour, but if you head into bright sunshine (as you may encounter with wild swimming) the lenses will tint accordingly. Due to their adaptability in changing conditions, photochromatic lenses are a great option for wild swimming in the UK.

Having a swim cap not only helps to keep your hair out of the way but is also important for making yourself visible. Choosing a brightly coloured cap is one of the best ways to make yourself stand out from the water, a crucial safety element if swimming around boats. The brighter the better! For cold weather, you can also purchase neoprene swim caps which help add warmth and avoid dreaded brain freeze. For added visibility you can layer the neoprene cap with a brightly coloured standard swim cap.

A buoy/tow float is another crucial piece of wild swimming safety equipment. They are high visibility, helping to make you stand out to other water users. Also, if you ever need to take a break then you can hold onto the inflated buoy/float to give yourself a quick rest. Some buoys also feature dry bag storage, so you can carry essentials within the float. This can be especially useful for car keys and nutrition on longer swims.

Having a changing/drying robe can help with both convenience and warmth. It makes getting in and out of your swim gear a breeze wherever you are. Importantly, as soon as you finish your swim a warm changing robe is a really good way to help bring your body temperature back up, helping to avoid the drop-off.

This Kit list covers the essentials for a successful night of wild camping.

This kit list covers the essentials required for winter hill walking.

When planning a safari trip you'll have to prepare and pack with a little more thought than a regular holiday.

This kit list covers everything you’ll need from walking in from Imlil and spending the night at the Toubkal Refuge, to summitting at 4167m.