The Best Wild Swimming Kit

Adventure

Wild Swimming kit is a joy - it's worth getting involved in the sport just so you can buy the gear. Get started in the open water with these.

Open Water Core Hi-Vis by Orca

Serious suit but suitable for beginners too, as it's designed primarily with safety in mind. Maximum visibility is ensured thanks to the orange sleeve panels, and it also provides thermal insulation to avoid those first 'fuck me, I'm in shock' situations. A comfortable, well priced piece of kit with neutral buoyancy, that comes with degrees of reassurance for confident ventures into whatever the hell you're diving into. £149 at orca.com

Speedo Biofuse Aquatic Earplugs

Essential, particularly given the horror stories we’ve heard about spiders nesting in the ears of wild swimmers. Yes, really. Use these and keep every damn critter in the lake out of your brain. £7.50, speedo.com

Jammer shorts by Gymshark

Reasonably priced and comfortable Jammers which are great for most swim sessions and especially for those icy sojourns into British waters in the morning. Takes the sting out, if you know what we’re saying… £25, gymshark.com

Kayenne Aqua Sphere goggles

With a wide field of vision and a triangular shape that give added up and down vision, it’s no wonder these are popular with wild swimmers. Helps you spot the aforementioned spiders in British waters, the pikes, the ancient Roman coins, the sunken Reliant Robins... £25, sigmasports.com

Proton Thinswim Men's Triathlon Fullsuit by Speedo

Designed for buoyancy and warmth, it’s aimed at the triathlete but is great for any wild swimmer. Its Body Positioning Regulator technology basically means you’ll be able to maintain better form as you take on uncertain open waters. Looks good too. Potentially. £140, speedo.com

Ultimate Wild Swimming Bundle by Drybags

Lovely little starter’s kit this, featuring nose clips, cap, ear plugs, safety whistle, swim bag and microfibre towel. Basically all the stuff you'd probably forget to buy is in here. £67.99, drybags.co.uk