‘The best way to beat face freeze’: 15 wild swimming essentials

Dip your toe into cold-water swimming with our expert-recommended picks, from gloves and towels to tow floats. The best thermal swimsuits for wild swimming. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Winter swimming isn’t for everyone: you often spend more time preparing, packing and changing than you do in the water. But if you do take the plunge, the piercing cold gives way to a joy that inspires you to return to the water time and time again.

In my book, How to Wild Swim: What to Know Before Taking the Plunge, I explain that the best thing about open-water swimming is not needing much kit. But winter swimming does require a little bit more than a swimsuit and towel to make the experience more bearable. Here is my go-to winter kit list for outdoor dips, swims and adventures: I’ve either tested or already own everything here. A note on neoprene: neoprene is a synthetic rubber used widely in watersport gear but its production is not without environmental and social impact. We have suggested kit made with other materials where possible.

Zoggs Brave crossback. £65 at Zoggs. £64.99 at Swim the Lakes. Winter swimming often involves short dips, so I like a standard suit that keeps my core warmer but exposes as much skin as possible to the cold zing of the water. I tested this silver-lined swimsuit from Zoggs, and rated it my best overall: I felt warmer in the water, and my recovery was quicker too. The glorious neon animal print design is perfect for visibility in the grey, low light of winter. I also loved that you can remove the padded cups in the bust area.

Read our guide to the best tried and tested cold-water swimsuits. For years I endured cold fingers and toes with the common view that if I wore neoprene in any form I would be “cheating”. Our extremities have little fat and muscle to protect them from the cold, so the discomfort can be unbearable when they’re immersed in cold water. Wearing neoprene gloves and socks was the best decision I made.

Look for a snug fit – too loose and they will fill with water, which will affect your swimming and cancel any thermal benefits. And measure yourself and use the online size guides. Fourth Element 3mm neoprene gloves. £58 at Fourth Element. £58 at the Wild Swim Store. These Fourth Element gloves are a decent thickness and the Octo-print palm means you can still grip and grab, which is sometimes essential when outdoors around rocks or slippery banks. They are also robust and haven’t snagged, but equally warm.

Two Bare Feet neoprene 5mm wetsuit socks. £15.99 at Two Bare Feet. £17.99 at Amazon. These neoprene socks have a decent grip bottom with a textured sole for hobbling over pebbles and gritty waterbeds, yet they have the flexibility for proper swimming while keeping your toes warm. Lomo neoprene swimming cap. £18.01 at Decathlon. £19.99 at Amazon. A bright hat is best in open water as you can be seen by other water users and safety support. I like something a little warmer than a standard cap to avoid brain freeze: this pink one is ideal as it covers not only the head but also the ears, and the chin strap keeps it in place.

Aquasphere Defy Ultra swim mask. £115 at Aquasphere. £116 at Decathlon. During winter it’s common to stick to heads-up breaststroke, as the cold can be uncomfortable around the neck and skull (less fleshy parts always feel the cold more). But I do like to get my head in and do some proper swimming, so the best way I beat face freeze is to wear a swim mask instead of goggles. Not only is visibility better with a mask than goggles, but it covers more of the face and forehead, preventing the cold ache. These are an expensive choice and I was dubious when I first tried them, especially as I looked like I should be on a ski slope. But the ultra-thin silicone is soft yet snug, and the field of vision laterally and vertically is brilliant. That also means you don’t have to lift your head as much and you can master better technique when sighting in open water.

Ebbflowcornwall Logan hammam towel. £33 at Mountain Warehouse. Any old towel will do really, but I prefer hammam towels because they dry more quickly than others. They’re often 100% cotton, which is good if you’re mindful of microfibres in wild places; they can double up as a scarf or shawl; and they come in beautiful colours. Cornish brand Ebbflowcornwall has different thickness hammam towels, which means you can get thicker for winter and thinner for warmer seasons.

Matador ultralight travel towel. £29.95 at Wildbounds. An alternative is a quick-drying nanofibre towel: this is brilliantly big to wrap around your body but packs up small. Zone3 changing mat. £20 at Zone3. £20 at Decathlon. Winter swimming often means wet, muddy or icy conditions. A changing mat is essential for protecting not only your clothes as you change, but also your feet from the cold as you wobble about on one foot trying to pull on your socks. This mat doubles up as a drawstring bag into which you can throw all your wet gear.