Outdoor swimming kit we love this autumn
A swimsuit made with recycled coffee grounds, a Yulex vest for a touch of core warmth and a marbled power bank made with non-recyclable plastic waste and powered by repurposed e-bike batteries: read on for our round up of the best pieces of outdoor swimming kit we’ve tried, tested and loved this autumn
GOMI Power Bank
£79
Whether you’re travelling to an event or planning an adventurous A-B swim, it’s important to keep your phone topped up. We love these marbled power banks, which are designed and made in Brighton using non-recyclable plastic waste and powered by repurposed e-bike batteries. Not only are they distinctive, the 10,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge most smartphones up to three times and even charge two devices at the same time.
ZONE3 Yulex Vest
£80
This Yulex vest has a long fit, which stayed put over jammers during a 3km lake swim; there’s also a loop to secure it to your shorts. Its flexibility didn’t hinder the roll/twist of front crawl and it made a noticeable difference in terms of sustaining our core temperature so we could stay in the water longer. The ‘Smoothskin’ arm openings look a bit bulky considering the suit is 1.5mm, but we didn’t find it restrictive, although we did experience slight rubbing on the inside upper arms but only after a considerable distance.
INNOCENT OCEANS Coral Reef short sleeve swimsuit
£115
It’s hard to believe, but this swimsuit is made with recycled coffee grounds, an innovative new fabric that’s quick drying and offers UV protection. It’s soft to touch and has a good stretch. We love the design, which features a white coral reef print on blue, but there’s also a plain blue and white option. The suit is a good length for long-bodied swimmers, while the long zip makes it super easy to change out of, even with cold hands. The high neck was great for shoulder season swims. A beautiful suit for ocean lovers.
8 LANES 8-Back Swimming Costume
£40
We were very impressed by this swimsuit, with its distinctive ‘8’ shape at the back, which provides a nice balance between a classic looking swimsuit and a sporty style made for movement. It’s very lightweight, with minimal seams and a compressive fabric that moves with the body in the water. For a technical, performance swimsuit at a high street price, we can’t fault it.
YETI 6L Lunch Bag
£80
Another brilliant piece of Yeti kit that lives up to its claims to keep food fresh for hours and drinks cold in hot weather. We used this daily on a recent trip to Cornwall; it became our little beach fridge and drinks were still ice cold at the end of the day. We love the extra details like being able to hook other kit onto the bag – useful when you have multiple beach bags already!
OSPREY Tempest™ 22 Extended Fit Backpack
£125
When hiking to get to secret swim spots you need a sturdy, functional and comfortable pack like this. It’s lightweight, has a back panel and an extended fit hip belt. This simple extended fit on an already brilliant pack enables those in bigger bodies to carry gear in a more supportive way. It also means the easy-to-reach pockets on the hip belt are accessible. The extended shoulder straps make significant difference to the comfort of where the pack sits.
SOLEX Sports Applicator 30 SPF
£25
Designed specifically for active lifestyles, the Solex foam applicator allows you to apply sunscreen directly to your skin, avoiding greasy hands that might damage neoprene or smear your goggles. It even has a mirror on the lid, so you can check it’s rubbed in.
FINISTERRE Women’s Kaia 2mm Yulex® Swimsuit
£140
Made with 2mm Yulex 2.0 plant-based rubber, the Kaia swimsuit is equal parts stretchy and compressive, while the racer back allows for a full range of movement in the water. We also appreciated thoughtful design details such as a slight rise on the collar to provide a secure seal and zip guard to prevent rubbing.
PARAMO Alta III Jacket
£340
This is one of the most durable and reliable jackets we have tested. When walking in the recent heavy summer showers on a coastal path, not only were we bone dry underneath, but we were also cool despite the muggy temperature. This is great all-weather, any-season piece. It has a fully adjustable hood and practical pocket placement. The new extended size range is also well executed with a decent fit.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews.
Jo Tinsley
Jo is the Gear Editor for Outdoor Swimmer and also writes news and features for the website. A keen open water swimmer and long-distance walker, she loves seeking out lakes and lidos close to her home in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. She is the author of The Slow Traveller, editor and founder of independent magazine, Ernest, and has previously tested outdoor clothing and kit for BBC Countryfile Magazine, BBC Focus and Ernest Journal.
