What to Wear for Open Water Swimming in the UK

Open water swimming continues to grow in popularity across the UK, with more people enjoying lakes, rivers and coastal swims throughout the year. Whether you’re completely new to the sport or looking to upgrade your kit, wearing the right gear can make a huge difference to your comfort and enjoyment.

For warmer summer swims, most open water swimmers choose a swimsuit, swim shorts or wetsuit depending on the water temperature. A towel, dry clothes and a warm layer are also essential for after your swim.

One of the most useful pieces of kit is a waterproof changing robe. Designed to keep you warm, dry and protected from the elements, a changing robe makes it easy to get changed outdoors while providing insulation after leaving the water. They’re particularly popular for wild swimming, sea swimming and year-round open water swimming in the UK.

During warmer months, a towel changing robe is a lightweight alternative. Towel robes help you dry off quickly, provide privacy when changing and are easy to pack for beach trips, holidays and swimming sessions.

A waterproof dry bag is another essential item. A dry bag helps keep spare clothes, towels and valuables protected from water and is ideal for transporting swimming gear to and from the water.

For many swimmers, the ideal setup includes a waterproof changing robe for colder conditions, a towel robe for summer use and a waterproof dry bag to keep everything organised.

With the right equipment, open water swimming can be comfortable, enjoyable and accessible throughout the year, whatever the British weather decides to do.