Outdoor swimming kit we love this winter
A Yulex jacket that fits like a second skin, a performance swimsuit with exceptional support and a lightweight robe that’s ideal for travelling: read on for our round up of the best pieces of outdoor swimming kit we’ve tried, tested, and loved in the run up to winter.
WALLIEN Horizonia Yulex Jacket
£169
They say: Our new 1.5mm Yulex Wetsuit Jacket. Crafted to the female form with neoprene-free Yulex natural rubber, this jacket delivers second-skin comfort while reducing carbon emissions by 80%. Layer it over your swimwear for additional warmth during summer and autumn surfs and year-round ocean swims or snorkel adventures.
Why we love it: We love the versatility of this Yulex jacket, which we wore layered over a swimsuit for extra core warmth, and another time over a Long Jane spring suit as the water temperatures dropped. It’s cut beautifully, sitting just below the waist, the super soft and stretchy Yulex moulding to the body almost like a second skin. Feeling so much warmer than the 1.5mm thickness would suggest, it’s a perfect layer for spring and autumn.
MERMAID’S PURSE
£39.99
They say: The unique Mermaid’s Purse is a comfortable adjustable rucksack designed to hold a hot water bottle. A hot water bottle is placed into the purse which is made from a soft jersey and cosy fleece. These materials, as well as being comfortable to wear, help to insulate the heat. If you wear your purse over a base layer and a jumper over the top your purse can keep you warm for hours.
Why we love it: Although it’s not a new product, it’s the time of year when we reach for it so we thought the Mermaid’s Purse was worth revisiting. It’s like a little rucksack made of sweatsuit material into which you place your own hot water bottle, then wear it either on your front or back. It’s got a thick, fleece-lined pocket for your hands, which feels so welcome after a cold dip. You can also pre-warm your towel or socks while you swim by wrapping them around or tucking them inside, which feels like the ultimate win after coming out of the water.
THE OOTSIDER ‘The Selkie’ Changing Robe
£149
They say: Established in 2022, The Ootsider is a Community Interest Company that reinvests all net profits from the sale of its high quality outdoor robes to fund the manufacture and distribution of its Sleeping Coat to individuals sleeping rough – free of charge. Their ‘Selkie’ robe is a top seller and a necessity for keeping warm and dry outdoors in all weathers. Whether you’ve just come out of the freezing water after an invigorating swim, want to stay warm after a long hike or cycle, sit round the campfire with friends, warm up after your paddle boarding, or simply just wear it on a cold wet day, this garment will not disappoint. Its generous sizes allow you to pull your arms inside and get changed confidently whilst maintaining your dignity even on a busy beach.
Why we love them: We loved the Ootsider Changing Robe. It feels luxurious and well made. The fleece lining is soft and snug. But more than the robe itself, we liked the story behind it. Set up as a community interest company, the Ootsider invests its net income into making sleeping coats, which they donate to homeless people in Scotland. The Ootsider sleeping coats are just like the changing robes but convert to sleeping bags, and help rough sleepers stay warm at night. Oh, and all their products are handmade in Scotland.
SPEEDO Flex Band Swimsuit with Swim Bra
£51
They say: Speed towards your fitness goals wearing this stylish teal Flex Band Swimsuit with Integrated Swim Bra. Pairing a flattering square neckline with a new evolution of the classic Racerback style, it allows a full range of upper body movement and delivers our most comprehensive bust support yet. Together with internal and external seamlines, an inner bust cradle provides 360° support. Meanwhile, the wide, J-Fit elastic underband stretches to fit your bust and the compressive fabric helps keep it in place. Designed to be durable, the suit features our new Endurance+ MAX fabric, which is quick-drying and 100% chlorine resistant.
Why we love it: Speedo’s designers have taken a thoughtful and combined approach to bust support with the Flex Band Swimsuit. It has an integrated swim bra and seamlines that allows space for larger busts, with a compressive fabric to keep everything where it should be. We tested the swimsuit at a SwimFit class – with drills, sprints and a range of strokes – and it provided exceptional support paired with the flexibility we needed. The racerback style allowed for unhindered arm movement while a wide extra underband across the mid-back provided extra structure for bust support. If you’re after a supportive swimsuit for pool training, this is one to consider.
VOITED Outdoor Changing Robe & Drycoat
£135
They say: Your personal shelter, providing extra insulation and water repellency for ultimate protection. Lightweight, ultra-absorbent and quick-drying for your convenience. Insulated and waterproof changing robe for outdoor adventures, ensuring warmth and dryness in any weather.
Long-sleeved and oversized design allows for easy changing, crafted with recycled 50D Ripstop fabric and Bionic Finish®Eco water-repellent coating. Features include micro-fleece body, CloudTouch® insulation panel, adjustable hood, YKK zipper, and ample storage pockets for convenience.
Why we love it: Our favourite thing about this robe is how functional it is while still being light enough for us to roll-up and fit into luggage. It is a go-to when swim-travelling. The overall lining is warm, but it also has a fleece panel of insulation exactly where you need it around the middle and back. This means it isn’t bulky, but still really warm. It is easy to change in, not as roomy as other robes though. It is wind and shower-proof and the lovely colours and design means it can be used everywhere not just waterside. It is washable and the sustainable credentials are significant.
ZONE 3 Venator-X Goggles
£35
They say: Venator-X is the goggle you can rely on regardless of weather or water conditions. Train and race in the open water or the pool, the Venator-X goggles excels equally in both. A flexible build optimises their fit for a variety of face shapes and sizes, ensuring comfort and distraction-free performance. Available with a variety of lens options so you can select the right goggles for you. With polarised mirror, photochromatic or tinted lenses, the Venator-X is the goggle you can rely on regardless of weather or water conditions.
Why we love them: It is rare to find a pair of goggles you can slap on your face and get swimming without faffing about for a while to get them fitted properly. We took these to both the pool and open water and loved them. Soft around the eyes without leaving harsh marks even on longer swims, they provided great vision for open water navigation. We tried the polarized lens; they were ideal in both bright sunshine and darker days. They are simple, come in a range of cool colours and make a great swim-kit staple.
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.
