TRIED &TRIED TESTED & TESTEDGEAR GEAR TRIED & TESTED ALL THE LATEST GEAR, KIT, NUTRITION PRODUCTS AND BOOKS Cold water kit Thickness, Flexibility Socks and Fit. A good neoprene sock will In general the thickness of allow you to swim normally neoprene accessories can and not feel like you’re vary between 1mm and 4mm wearing slippers. A snug fit – the thicker the neoprene, ensures they work properly the warmer your hands as wet socks, allowing a and feet will be, but at the film of water in and keeping expense of flexibility. it there to warm up rather than flushing through all the time. Most have reinforced Image credit: Simon Wills Image credit: Simon Gloves soles to provide some If you want to swim longer protection to the soles of old water swimming – it’s all distances in your gloves, the feet. flexibility is key. Thick about the accessories. This neoprene can affect your month we give you a snap stroke by removing any feel Hats C of the water, so choose one Your body loses a lot of its shot of neoprene boots, gloves, of the sleeker-styled gloves. heat out through the head, vests and hats that can make all The different movement of so in colder water a the difference to extending your front crawl or breaststroke neoprene hat can make a may also influence your huge difference. Again, a swimming season and levels of choice as the movement snug but comfortable fit is enjoyment. And for those of you may impact on water key. intake – gloves with wrist Alice Gartland brave enough to venture to an fasteners or ‘grippier’ edges indoor pool, we’ve got the latest are particularly good for training toys for your kit bag. front crawl. ➜ outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer | NOVEMBER 2018 81 GEARGEAR TRIED & TESTEDTRIED & TESTED TRIED TRIED& TESTED & TESTEDGEAR GEAR BASE LAYERS GLOVES Wear with or without Keep warm in the a wetsuit Editor’s water choice! Top choice! Eskeez Women’s Super Thermal Leggings £49.99 (S-XL) ORCA (Black) Wetsuit Base Layer Unisex £49 Lightweight and breathable leggings 0.5mm neoprene with jersey lining makes this base that offer super insulation from the layer easy to get on and off and comfortable against coldest conditions. Easy to wear and the skin. A long body length with a special gripper hem comfortable beneath sports shorts, Gloves ORCA C-Skins LOMO panel helps to keep water out and so increase warmth. tracksuit bottoms or trousers. Draw LOMO Neoprene Gloves 5mm swimming gloves Zone 3 Wired 3mm Neoprene Gloves Swimming and triathlon gloves Good freedom of movement.orca.com cord waistband. eskeez.co.uk £11.50 £35 Neoprene Heat-Tech Glove £34 £36.99 £19 Sizes S - XXL 3mm glove, with extra- long sleeve for 3.5mm gloves, with titanium lining to 3mm C-Flex Ultra Stretch Neoprene; 3mm neoprene. Loved by swimmers, A thicker glove, with patterned grip additional protection from the cold. reflect the body’s heat. Velcro fastener Resin Palm Print for grip. Easy to put on; our tester could double their time in and secure velcro wrap around closure Excellent cold water protection and smoothskin closure. Printed palm a good longer length cut. Fabric feels the water. The ‘L’ came up smaller than – versatile glove for a variety of water especially with the increased cuff design helps with grip. Great feel for the very robust. the other brands. An excellent value for activities. lomo.co.uk length. orca.com water, and warmth. zone3.com c-skins.com money choice. lomo.co.uk BOOTS Eskeez C-Skins Keep your toes Top Women’s Super Thermal Base Layer (Black/ Men’s Short Sleeve HDi Thermal Skin £35 choice! White) £54.99 (S-XL) (black and white) (XS – 2XL) toasty Smooth surface and cosy brush fleece on the inside. Excellent insulation with quick-dry properties. 12oz The long body design to cover below the waistline PolyPro provides insulation while the strategically also helps prevent ‘riding up’. Machine washable. 93% positioned seams give you unrestricted movement polyester and 7% Elastane. eskeez.co.uk and great comfort, with rash protection. c-skins.com ORCA LOMO Zone 3 C-Skins Eskeez Zone 3 Swim Socks £25 Aqua Boots £29.99 Zone 3 Neoprene Swim Socks Polypro GBS Body Board Sox Men’s Super Thermal Base Layer Men’s Neoprene Warmth Vest 90% neoprene and 10% nylon fabric UK 6-12 Neoprene Heat-Tech Bootie £35 £25 £20.99 £54.99 (S-XL) (Black) £42.50 (XS – L) with 3mm thickness. Longer ankles with 5mm neoprene boot with robust sole – 3.5mm neoprene. Increased length with 2mm neoprene, gripped sole and velcro 4mm neoprene, a recore poly pro lining Soft double thickness turtleneck for added thermal Snug fit for extra warmth when outdoors. Wear under small pull loop on the back and a silicon ideal for a variety of water adventures, velcro closure to ensure the socks stay strap – it was a popular choice for the that wicks water away from your feet, protection. Smooth knit surface and brush fleece on the wetsuit or without a wetsuit when warm enough. grip on the soles. If you get cold feet we where you are moving between land in place. Snug, secure but not squashed Hurly Burly. A lighter choice than the Duro x Sole for durability. A bit of a the inside. Tapered sleeves. Long body design. Perfect The 2mm thick layer is tight fitting and has a high neck would recommend these – including for and water regularly. Very generous fit. Combines flexibility of a sock with Zone3 bootie. battle to get on but were great in the in cold water conditions. eskeez.co.uk with just a single seam for extra comfort. zone3.com swimrun races. orca.com sizing. lomo.co.uk robustness of a boot. zone3.com zone3.com water. c-skins.com 82 NOVEMBER 2018 | Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer | NOVEMBER 2018 83 GEARGEAR TRIED & TRIEDTESTED & TESTED TRIED TRIED& TESTED & TESTEDGEAR GEAR THERMAL HATS TOWEL ROBES AND ONESIES Editor’s Neoprene balaclavas choice! Get warm, dry and dressed ORCA Thermal Swim Hat £29.00 Booicore 3mm 100% neoprene cap with Outdoor Changing adjustable strap and bright Towel Robe £30.99 design. Really kept my head One size warm and gives more face 100% cotton, 400gsm protection from the cold than an robe with a big ordinary hat. Comfortable chin roomy hood, and big strap. orca.com kangaroo pouch on the front. Available Zone 3 in seven colours. UnisexNeoprene Swim Cap thebooicorestore.com £25 3mm Neoprene Skull Cap with Charlie McLeod a velcro strap which joins under Driathlon £34.95 the chin. Excellent for extending Size S-XL time in the water – warm and Made from highly very comfortable. zone3.com absorbent micro Stylish fibre this unisex robe is excellent - quick design! drying as well as roomy for changing under. Rolls up neatly to fit easily in your kit bag. charliemcleod.co.uk MERINO BASE LAYERS VERSATILE BAGS Rolls up neatly! Dryrobe Post-swim warmers Outdoor kit bag Advance £109.99 Size S-L and changing mat Excellent. Waterproof Alpkit and windproof outer Kepler Long Sleeve shell; synthetic (men’s) pure merino base lambswool lining. Deep layer £49 fleece lined pockets Ideal (Size S-XXL) with zip loops for ease after Premium New Zealand 160gsm of access and velcro a cold merino for on the hill and fastenings to lock in Winter’s warming up post swim adventure. heat. Roomy, with chin swim! Breathable, wicking, fast drying and guard to hide behind. odour resistant. This is an excellent Like having the shelter foundation to any layering system. of a tent for hiding alpkit.com Selkie against the elements. Swim Changing Bag £20 Large internal pocket Alpkit Stand on it to get changed, protect and zipped pocket Kepler Short Sleeve your feet and kit from muddy for valuables. Love it. (Women’s) pure merino base ground. Can roll wet kit up into it dryrobe.com Swimzi layer £37 once changed. swimselkie.com Born 02 Swim £69 Great fit, breathable, wicking, Charlie McLeod Toasty and cosy post or pre-swim Charlie McLeod fast drying and odour resistant. I Long Sleeve Sports or for just sitting on the sofa C-Skins Onesie £49.95 actually used this to dry off when I Cloak £84.95 eating pizza. Zip goes all the way Dry Bag £55 60L Big hood and roomy front pouch – forgot my towel! An excellent base Thick Sherpa fleece up to the top of the hood. Waterproof, super tough PVC comes with its own bag – great value. layer for warming up post swim or lining, extra-long zip swimzi.com tarpaulin material; removable charliemcleod.co.uk on a wild swim bivvy adventure. back pack straps; heavy duty carry pulls for cold fingers, Looks great as a T-shirt too. handles; welded seams; front vented side panels for alpkit.com pocket; great for keeping kit dry on ease of movement. swim adventures. c-skins.com charliemcleod.co.uk 84 NOVEMBER 2018 | Outdoor Swimmer outdoorswimmer.com outdoorswimmer.com Outdoor Swimmer | NOVEMBER 2018 85 GEARGEAR TRIED & TRIEDTESTED & TESTED TRIED & TESTED GEAR 10% off POOL KIT BAG Goggles! We have Code:online osxmas18 orders Arena Paddles! The One Goggle £16 Christmas What’s inside our kit bag this month? Super comfy fit with wide vision. A Nabaiji versatile high quality goggle at an Paddles S/M Covered.... Aqua Sphere excellent price. Love it. £6.99 XL £9.99 Back Pack £49.99 solosports.co.uk Good all-round The main compartment features a mesh paddle in two sizes.