Sian Lewis shares her top picks of the best women’s specific warm wetsuits for cold water swimming to keep you cosy year-roundLooking for the best cold water swimming wetsuit for women and need a little pointer in the right direction, then I\u2019m here to help you.
\nWhether you\u2019re an experienced outdoor swimmer eyeing up your next open water challenge or are just dipping your toe in the world of wild swimming this spring, a warm and comfortable wetsuit will keep you going for longer in colder temperatures, and make swimming a true year-round activity.<\/p>\n
Not all wetsuits for women are created equal \u2013 most are designed specifically with either surfers or open water swimmers in mind. If you exclusively swim, make sure you choose a suit designed just for swimmers, like the six tried-and-tested wetsuits in our round-up below.
\nWhile you can always wear a surf wetsuit for a quick dip, a swimming-specific wetsuit will really give you the edge if you\u2019re getting fit over longer distances or are entering your first swim event. Swimming wetsuits are usually made from thick materials like neoprene and yulex rubber, which trap in heat and warm water around your body, keeping you at a comfortable temperature for longer. They usually have slimmer neoprene around the arms and legs, to reduce drag in the water and keep you feeling flexible as you move. You\u2019ll also find short swimmer\u2019s wetsuits that can be armless or sleeveless, designed to give you some protection in spring and summer.<\/p>\n
At a glance
\nZone 3 Thermal Agile Wetsuit \u2013 Best for winter use \u2013 Buy Now
\nOrca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit \u2013 Best for being seen in the water \u2013 Buy now
\nNabaiji Open Water Sleeveless Wetsuit \u2013 Best for freedom of movement \u2013 Buy now<\/p>\n
My top six picks of the best swimming wetsuits for women are aimed at different seasons and will suit different budgets, but they\u2019re all reliably cosy in the cold without stopping you from swimming freely.
\nNot sure where to start shopping? You\u2019ll also find key features to look out for when choosing the best cold water swimming wetsuit in our quick buyer\u2019s guide, below.
\nSwimming wetsuits: 6 of the best cold-water wetsuits for outdoor swimmers<\/p>\n
Zone 3 Thermal Agile Wetsuit
\nBest Cold Water Swimming Wetsuit for Women for winter use
\nReasons to Buy: very warm, good freedom of movement, eco-friendly neoprene
\nReason to Avoid: too warm for summer swims, expensive
\nWant to swim confidently in the iciest of waters? Zone 3\u2019s Thermal Agile suit will be your new second skin. New for the 2022-2023 winter season, the Thermal Agile boasts a cosy thick inner lining of fleece coupled with neoprene panels of varying thicknesses, so you stay warm around your torso without compromising on freedom of movement when moving your arms and legs. Buoyancy panels on the legs help reduce drag, and Zone 3\u2019s winter wonder is made with recycled neoprene derived from scrap rubber tyres, for eco brownie points. If you want to take your swimming further into the colder months, this is the suit to get you to your goals.<\/p>\n
Material: recycled neoprene
\nSizes: XS-XXL
\nThickness: 2-4mm<\/p>\n
Buy Now from Wiggle<\/p>\n
Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit
\nBest Cold Water Swimming Wetsuit for Women for being seen in the water
\nReasons to Buy: good visibility, odour control, good price point
\nReason to Avoid: not quite warm enough for winter sessions
\nAs the name suggests, this suit is far brighter than your average all-black neoprene ensemble \u2013 bright orange arms and shoulder panels make you easy to spot in the water and in low light. Wear this suit along with an orange tow float and you\u2019ll be safer in the ocean or lake Besides its looks, the Orca Openwater Core performs well under pressure, offering a good balance of warmth and freedom of movement that will suit swimming sessions from spring through to late autumn. I also like that this suit has a lining made with bamboo, designed to fight odours and keep your suit fresh.<\/p>\n
Material: neoprene
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nThickness: 2.5<\/p>\n
Buy now from Sigma Sports<\/p>\n
Dhb Hydron 2.0 Wetsuit
\nBest Cold Water Swimming Wetsuit for Women for those on a tight budget
\nReasons to Buy: reliably warm and waterproof, soft snug inner lining, lots of colours to choose from
\nReason to Avoid: thick and heavy
\nShopping for your first open water suit? Dhb\u2019s Hydron is an excellent all-rounder \u2013 and it\u2019s currently at a very pocket-friendly price point at well under \u00a3100. This neoprene suit has a hefty 3mm thickness on the torso with 2mm on the back and arms for plenty of winter warmth and less restriction as you move. Buoyant and with limited drag, this is a suit that will give beginner swimmers confidence as they branch out further into open water.<\/p>\n
Material: neoprene
\nSizes: XS-XL
\nThickness: 3mm<\/p>\n
Buy now from Wiggle<\/p>\n
Nabaiji Open Water Sleeveless Wetsuit
\nBest Cold Water Swimming Wetsuit for Women for freedom of movement
\nReasons to Buy: great freedom of movement, lovely fit, good warmth around the torso
\nReason to Avoid: only suitable for warm weather
\nDecathlon is a great port of call if you need a decent wetsuit for any season but don\u2019t want to spend much more than \u00a3150. This sleeveless wonder of a wetsuit is a nice choice for anyone who swims in the summer months, offering welcome warmth from spring to autumn with unimpeded freedom of movement for your swimming strokes. This was one of the top-performing wetsuits I tested for fit, hugging the body nicely without being restrictive and offering good flexibility. This suit is also easy to pull on and off, great for triathletes.<\/p>\n
Material: neoprene
\nSizes: UK 6-16
\nThickness: 2.5<\/p>\n
Buy it now from Decathlon<\/p>\n
Finisterre Nieuwland Yulex wetsuit
\nReasons to Buy:\u00a0flattering and flexible design, handy front zip, made from sustainable yulex
\nReason to Avoid: no leg coverage in colder weather
\nSwimsuit meets wetsuit in Finisterre\u2019s flattering shortie suit, which has long sleeves for warmth but leaves your legs free to kick away as you explore open water. Finisterre\u2019s swim and surf suits are all made with yulex, an eco-friendly new alternative to neoprene derived from natural rubber. I like the easy-access front zip, comfortable collar and good coverage of the shorts, and five colourways are available, to make a change from all-black suits. Ideal for summer wild swims.<\/p>\n
Material: yulex rubber
\nSizes: 6-18
\nThickness: 2mm<\/p>\n
Buy it now from Finisterre<\/p>\n
Roxy Long Jane Springsuit
\nReasons to Buy: light and freeing armless cut, fun bright print, recycled materials
\nReason to Avoid: thin neoprene and limited warmth
\nStand out from the boring black neoprene crowd in Roxy\u2019s fun and eye-catching sleeveless springsuit. The daisy-print Long Jane is ideal if you want extra coverage for spring and summer swims or snorkelling sessions and fancy something a little different. This suit is so flexible thanks to its sleeveless design that you\u2019ll barely notice you have it on as you move through the water \u2013 great if you don\u2019t like feeling weighed down as you paddle \u2013 and padded knees are ideal for water sports when you aren\u2019t swimming.<\/p>\n
Material: neoprene
\nSizes: S-XL
\nThickness: 1.5<\/p>\n
Buy it now from Roxy
\nWhat we look for in the best women\u2019s wetsuits<\/p>\n
Thickness: Besides having long or short arms and legs for more or less coverage to suit different seasons, wetsuits are also designed using different thicknesses of neoprene, which you\u2019ll see rated in millimetres. Swimming wetsuits have thinner neoprene around the arms and armpits than surf suits for ease of movement, and are cut in order to reduce drag in the water. If you\u2019re only buying one suit for casual swimming a 2mm is probably your most versatile pick. If you swim year-round, owning a full-length thermal winter wetsuit with 3 or 4mm of neoprene on the torso and a short-sleeved \u2018shortie\u2019 wetsuit of 1.5 or 2mm thickness will keep you comfortable in every season.
\nMaterial: Traditionally, wetsuits have always been made of neoprene. Neoprene is great as a warm wetsuit material for swimmers heading out in cold conditions, so it\u2019s still a sensible choice, but this petroleum-based fabric is not kind on the planet. Now there\u2019s a new material on the block that wetsuit makers are now using to create wetsuits \u2013 yulex rubber. This renewable, plant-based rubber is more sustainable than neoprene, but it\u2019s still flexible, durable and has heat-holding properties, so it\u2019s ideal for winter waters. Yulex suits are often more expensive than neoprene, but are worth the extra spend if you\u2019d like to make an eco-friendly purchase. Look after your new wetsuit by rinsing in fresh water after wearing, especially if you\u2019ve been swimming in salt water, and dry in a shady place.
\nFit & Design: Swimming wetsuits are designed to be quick and easy to pull on and off, to suit the needs of triathletes, who need to change on the fly. Try your suit on in person if you can \u2013 sizes can vary greatly between brands. Some suits allow you to trim the legs and arms to fit, which is a good choice if you\u2019re petite. We recommend a suit with long arms and legs for winter swim sessions \u2013 if you like some protection in warmer months, pick a sleeveless, full-leg suit for swimming, which allows the arms free movement but keeps your legs and torso cosy. Winter wetsuits are sometimes also lined with thermal fleece, which adds welcome extra warmth. While most wetsuits are black (neoprene\u2019s base colour, which offers good UV resistance), some women\u2019s wetsuits also feature bright pops of colour which have the added benefit of making you easier to spot in the water.
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\nThe post The Best Cold Water Swimming Wetsuit For Women appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sian Lewis shares her top picks of the best women’s specific warm wetsuits for cold water swimming to keep you cosy year-roundLooking for the best cold water swimming wetsuit for women and need a little pointer in the right direction, … <\/p>\n