Kit review: Zone3 OWS TI+ Swimwear

We tested Zone3’s thermal swimwear in cold water – does it work?

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We all know that neoprene keeps us warmer in cold water, but what about thermal swimwear? If you swim outdoors in winter – or even in spring or autumn, you might be tempted by the extra warmth that thermal swimwear claims to offer.

Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene, which warms up to your skin temperature. But not everyone feels comfortable swimming in a wetsuit because they find the neoprene restrictive.

Normal swimsuits are made of thin, non-insulating fabric, so while they give you maximum freedom, they don’t protect you from the cold. That’s where thermal swimwear comes in.

Future fabric

In its two thermal OWS Ti+ swimsuits, one with sleeves and one without, Zone3 has taken advantage of new fabrics that use nanotechnology to enhance their performance. It sounds a bit space age, but titanium-infused fabrics have a whole load of brilliant properties – they’re self-cleaning, UV protective and insulating.

So, how do titanium-infused fabrics keep you warmer? In short, the titanium nanoparticles make the fabric better at reflecting and holding onto body heat, reducing heat loss. It also adds a protective layer between your body and the cold water.

With a titanium-infused lining on the internal front and back, you get thermal efficiency. The shiny outer material offers UPF50+ protection, and it’s super durable too, retaining its shape and washing well.

For cold water swims

That extra protection from heat loss on the front and back makes a difference in cold water. It’s not so much about that first immersion, but we really noticed that we stayed warmer for longer and recovered better after our swim.

We love the high neck because it protects that sweet spot at the top of the spine and keeps out a chilly wind. The long sleeved version is also great for protection against wind chill and sunburn.

With smooth, flat seams and a snug fit, we found the swimsuits super comfortable when swimming both breaststroke and front crawl. They’re certainly smooth enough to wear under a wetsuit, although you’d get very warm!

Fit, feel and function

The OWS Ti+ swimsuits are available in sizes 8 to 20. We found the fit true-to-size for both Ella and Rowan. Ella found the body length spot-on, and Rowan sized up to fit her long torso, which worked a treat. Bust support is a bit lacking, although the snug fit does give a moderate amount of support.

Both testers like the glossy, sleek black fabric, which has a bit of a superhero vibe. We felt super confident wearing the swimsuits, too – they’re comfortable and flattering with a nice leg height. We only wish they came in other colours.

It’s easy to put on and take off, dries pretty quickly and seems to repel sand. But if you do need to wash it, you can bung it in the machine.

Overall, we think that the OWS Ti+ swimsuits are a great choice for extra protection from the elements and keeping you warmer for longer in cold water.