5 Gift Ideas for wild swimmers

For the face-in front crawlers. For the head-up-granny-stroke-aficionados. For the “eek!” submerge-and-shriekers. Delightful dip-worthy gifts, as recommended by Alpkiteer Colin Hill, Alpkit staff and customers, start here.

On Our Letter to Santa:

1. Shuga Gauntlet
2. Kepler Merino
3. Flask 800
4. Nori Tow Float
5. Jura

Ice swimmer and Alpkiteer Colin Hill's favourite swimming gifts:

Shuga Gauntlet

“Gloves. You want them big and chunky to get on easily after a swim. No messing around - it’s big and warm mountaineering gloves you need to slip on after your winter swim.”

Kepler Merino

“Feeling invigorated after your winter dip in some lake district tarn? Well, your core temperature is continuing to drop, so you need to get dry and start to layer up before you start with the cake. The best thing, in my opinion, is Merino wool next to the core.”

Flask 800

“After you have your warm layers on, you can then it’s time to warm up your insides. You need a tough, no-nonsense flask for that hot chocolate as you bask in the warm glow of an awesome swim. Or stand there trying not to spill drink all over yourself as you shiver.”

We've also been asking Alpkit staff for their swimming suggestions:

Neoprene Swimming Cap

A neoprene swimming cap is a winter must-have for the army of open water swimmers. A wetsuit only goes so far. A neoprene swimming cap stops your head from becoming an ice block. And it's rather stylish.

Jura

A controversial one. Maybe. The Jura may not have exactly been designed with cold water swimming in mind. But it’s a one-layer-wonder. Perfect for shivery shore-side changing. It’s windproof. Bombproof. A softie on the inside. And it has a kangaroo pocket to stash your snacks (or maybe just your pants)!