Outdoor swimming kit we love this autumn
All-weather hiking shoes, a smart coat for the post-swim pub trip and a portable shower: read on for our round up of the best pieces of outdoor swimming kit we’ve tried, tested and loved this autumn
COLUMBIA Women’s Peakfreak Hera™ II Mid OutDry™ Hiking Shoes
£125
These hiking shoes are made for women and designed to keep your feet dry in all weathers, which is great when walking near water. The women’s specific fit ensures the midfoot is secure while still offering flexibility across a varied terrain. They were super comfortable within minutes of putting them on and there was minimal foot sliding even when moving over slippery, muddy tracks and roots. The grip was strong and the support around my weak ankles gave me confidence despite the wet conditions. The lightweight design means you can walk long and fast, without leg fatigue. Great hiking shoes!
DARN TOUGH Vanna Grizzle Boot Midweight Hiking Socks
£32
Made with 60% merino wool to trap body heat naturally, these tough hiking socks warm you up quickly after a cold swim. The thick, cushioned underfoot feels like a cosy slipper. Good length for wearing with wellies, too, and they stay put and don’t bunch up inside your boots!
DELTA ROAM Cirrus Jacket
£135
A shorter jacket version of the Delta Roam Changing Robe, The Cirrus combines rugged weather protection – waterproof up to 10,000mm with taped seams – with smart pub-ready style. Like the robe, it has carefully considered design elements like its seven strategically placed pockets, including a detachable, washable pocket; a ventilation zip to open between the layers; and moisture-wicking fleece for pulling on over damp skin.
VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi Boot II
£160
Brilliant barefoot feeling with style. These wonderfully soft premium Wild Hide leather boots are durable and yet mould to your feet with connection to where you walk. Super comfortable from the moment you put them on, they are great in both urban and wild environments. As with other Vivobarefoot products, the foot-shape fit enables space to splay your toes giving great balance and support. The quality leather ensures your feet breathe and also provides weather protection.
SEASHELL Towelling robe
£60
Towelling robes; I’ve had a few. My mother made my first when I was six years old, and it did the job. They’re fairly simple, so they can be much of a muchness. But when you find one with superior design and quality, you realise the difference in both feel and function. Seashell have perfected their design. With unbeatable softness, generous sizing and decent sleeves, it gets the balance between being lightweight and absorbent just right. It’s incredibly cosy, and feels lovely to wear, especially when you’re a bit chilly. Add a sizable hood, kangaroo pocket and beautiful seashell detail on the back, and it’s by far the best towelling robe I’ve ever had. Sorry, Mum.
LABO MONO Packing Cube Pro Set
£49
These packing cubes are just brilliant when it comes to smart travel. Designed to expand or compress clothes, it enables you to pack a little more in your backpack or suitcase when heading out on swim adventures. The dirty clothes section is ideal for swimsuits that need a wash and the smell-proof umbrella fabric keeps the rest of your kit fresh. You can buy small or medium cubes or a set of two. Great for longer swim-walk adventures when you might need multiple suits or towels.
NEWFLOW 8-Litre Portable Shower
£69.99
A compact, pressurised shower system designed for those who love the outdoors. This is a brilliant idea, great design and simple to use. You fill, you pump and then shower. Essential as we head into winter months of mud and dirt waterside, but great year-round, especially for sea water swimmers. Holds warm water up to 50ºC, which then stays warm for hours thanks to a neoprene sleeve. The pressure lasts long enough for a 3-6 minute shower and the adjustable spray head offers different use options, whether washing off kit, feet or your body.
WARRIOR Soft Core Protein Bar
£18.25 per box
Swimmers need 20–25g of high-quality protein right after training to rebuild muscles in the shoulders, lats and core. Warrior Crunch Soft Core bars hits this mark with 20g of protein in a convenient bar. They are soft and gooey, and they come in six sweet pudding flavours. Banoffee Pie was a huge favourite in my gym! With just 2.3g of impact carbs, they won’t give you explosive energy for hard laps, however, so keep these as a post-swim sweet treat instead.
BLACK STUFF SOAP Swimmers Bundle
£45
This brand of Irish-made soap – designed for men by a man in his kitchen – popped up on my social media with a Swimmers’ Bundle that promised to get rid of the scent of chlorine. Intrigued, I put it to the test. The bars are huge, so I cut them down for my kit bag, but the travel box is also well designed for longer travel. Each soap smells amazing, lathers well and does indeed tackles chlorine smell. Even better – the soap isn’t drying. It left my skin feeling soft and smooth.
RITE IN THE RAIN All-Weather Notepad
£8 and Mini Bolt Pen £21.99
I get a lot of ideas in the water or when I’m out in the wild, and then inevitably forget them by the time I’m home! I’ve always wanted a way to make notes with wet hands or in wild weather and so I was thrilled to discover Rite in the Rain. There is a whole range of notepads, pens and pencils to explore, but I loved this simple spiral notepad. It tucks into a pocket on my tow float and I don’t have to worry about it getting soggy. The pen also works despite the damp. A brilliant writing set that makes me happy!
All products are reviewed independently by our editorial team. If you buy a product through a link on this page we may receive a commission.
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.
