As the temperature drops, many swimmers instinctively head back to the pool. But for those who thrive outdoors or want to sharpen their open-water skills, cooler weather doesn’t have to mean stopping.
With the right kit, mindset and structure, you can swim stronger and longer - even as the seasons shift.
Here’s how to stay warm, stay motivated, and get more from your time in the water - through autumn, winter and beyond.
How to Layer for Open Water in Cold and Changeable Weather
Layering your swim kit is the easiest way to stay ahead of cold snaps and acclimatise your body to stay in the water for longer.
Smart swimmers know that layering doesn’t just belong to running or cycling - adapting your swimwear the same way helps regulate your core temperature and makes your sessions more efficient.
Start with a base: Consider adding a thermal base layer worn over the top of yoru standard swimwear, which can also fit nicely under your wetsuit.
Layers such as a neoprene vest, Yulex swimwear or Ti+ swimwear adds a crucial barrier against wind and water chill.
Add warmth where you lose it fastest: Neoprene gloves, socks and caps and hoods are your go-to accessories in colder months. Our accessories are designed to keep your extremities protected without compromising stroke technique or comfort.
Add insulation that moves with you: Whilst all swim wetsuits will keep you warmer than swimming in skins, thermal wetsuits feature thicker inner linings designed to retain heat while remaining flexible and buoyant. Wearinng a thermal wetsuit will keep your core and body warmer than a standard wetsuit, so you'll be able to withstand the cold water for longer.
Start and finish your session warm and dry off easily: If your session includes beach prep or long transitions, add a robe as your outer later. Not only can they be used as a warm coat, they are big enough to get changed underneath to take off wet layers after your swim and the lining wicks away moisture so you dry off quickly too.
TI+ and Yulex Are Changing Cold Water Swimming
Open water swimming in the cooler months doesn’t have to be a shock to the system. That’s why we've introduced TI+ thermal swimwear and Yulex natural plant based rubber swimwear into our range, each engineered for swimmers who want to swim through all the seasons.
TI+ Thermal Swimwear uses a titanium lining that reflects body heat inward without bulking up the suit. It’s perfect to use on it's own or as a baselayer for those crisp dips where you want warmth and freedom of movement.
Yulex Swimwear offers an earth concious chocie without quality compromise. Natural rubber, enhanced with thermal linings, makes this a more earth conscious way to keep swimming outdoors when the water cools.
These innovations are already helping swimmers stay in longer, stay safe, and build consistency throughout the colder months.
Benefits of Cold Season Open Water
Swimming outdoors through the colder months isn’t just about grit or endurance, it offers unique physical and mental benefits that structured indoor training alone can’t replicate.
Extending your open water season can elevate not only your fitness but your mindset, race readiness and recovery.
Adaptation to Race-Day Conditions
Training in unpredictable environments leads to better race-day performance. When water conditions vary - cold temperatures, light chop, low visibility - your body and mind learn to adapt. This means you’re less likely to panic in the pack, more confident in your breathing, and better at pacing under pressure.
Mental Toughness & Resilience
Cold-water swimming increases tolerance to discomfort and trains emotional regulation. Regular winter swimmers score higher in mood and energy - even when other endurance athletes are in downtime.
In survey by Outdoor Swimmer, 87% of regular cold-water swimmers said they felt more confident, calm and focused throughout the day after a winter dip. These benefits aren’t just nice to have, they translate directly into better performance under stress.
Improved Recovery and Circulation
Cold exposure has long been used for recovery. Outdoor swims of 5–15 minutes in 12–15°C water have been shown to stimulate circulation and support muscular recovery, without the inflammation risks of long sessions.
Athletes using cold water for recovery report fewer DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and improved sleep, both super important in high-volume training periods. Combine this with the low-impact nature of swimming, and you get an ideal method for active recovery while still logging meaningful training.
Thermal and Cold Weather Swim Kit
Do I need a different wetsuit for winter?
Not always, a standard wetsuit when paired with neoprene gloves, socks, thicker swim cap and base layers can make a big difference.
If you are planning to swim outdoors throughout the cold winter months, have not acclimatised and want to stay in the water for a longer swim, rather than a short dip just to get good endorphins (aka cold water high), a thermal wetsuit may suit you your needs better.
How To Stay Safe When Swimming below 10°C
Safety becomes paramount when water temperatures drop below 10°C. This temperature is considered cold water swimming, and it requires thoughtful preparation, appropriate kit, and a clear understanding of your limits.
Understand the Risks of Cold Water
Below 10°C, the risk of cold water shock, hypothermia, and afterdrop increases significantly. Here’s what your body goes through:
Cold Water Shock (0–3 minutes): Involuntary gasp reflex, rapid breathing, and elevated heart rate. This can cause panic or hyperventilation, especially in unacclimatised swimmers.
Muscle Cooling (3–15 minutes): Your limbs begin to cool and coordination declines, which can affect your ability to swim effectively.
Afterdrop (Post-Swim): Core temperature can continue to drop after exiting the water as cold blood from your limbs returns to your core. This is why warm-up routines and post-swim care are just as critical as what happens in the water.
The swim itself is only part of the cold water equation. How you get warm again is just as important.
Time Limits: Keep It Short
At these temperatures, less is more. It's recommended to start with short swims and dips and gradually increase the duration over time, as you become more acclimatised to the cold water.
Use a watch or have a shore buddy time your session. If you experience numbness, difficulty speaking, or disorientation, exit the water immediately.
Post-Swim Protocol: Get Warm, Safely
Exiting the water triggers afterdrop, so your body can actually feel colder 10–15 minutes after the swim. Get dressed immediately into dry, thermal layers, use change robes and changing mats, drink something warm (not boiling) to warm up from the inside out, and stay moving.
Avoid hot showers for 10–15 mins as they can cause sudden blood pressure drops.
Never Swim Alone
At any time of year, we always recommend buddying up but especially when swimming in cooler condition. This can be a club, a friend or someone watching from shore. If you do get cold and lose coordination a friend can help you out of the water safely.
