Rapanui
The perfect gift for a wild swimmer, this Women's Organic Cotton Surf Towel from Rapanui is just the layer you’ll need before and after your dip. It works as a towelling robe to dry yourself off modestly, as well as a cosy hoodie. £50. Buy it here.
Rains
We love this stylish nylon backpack, which is ideal for carrying all your wild swimming accessories – including hats, goggles and the ever-important Thermos. The roll-top, wide opening is easy to navigate with numb fingers. Plus, its neat, secure clip-fastening means that you won’t lose anything in the depths. £95. Buy it here.
Dryrobe
Hands-down, the one bit of kit every wild swimming evangelist rates is a Dryrobe. It is, in essence, an oversized zip-up robe that’s lined with snuggly towelling and roomy enough to change underneath – toastily and in private. The outside is wind and waterproof to protect you from the elements all year round, with plenty of pockets to keep your valuables safe. £160. Buy it here.
Swim Secure
If you are swimming from A to B and need to take your belongings with you, the Swim Secure inflatable dry bag will keep your clothes dry, as well as acting as a safety device to increase your visibility while in the water. Genius, no? NOW £28.05. Buy it here.
Sea and Stream
Neoprene isn’t just for wetsuits (although you’ll probably be needing one of those too). Sea and Stream has a range of important neoprene swim caps, gloves and booties to keep your extremities warm and help you retain body heat to make entering and exiting the water easier and safer. They’re pretty smart too, as demonstrated by this swim cap (NOW £14). Buy it here and explore the rest of the range, too.
Alpkit
The Outdoor Swimming Society rated this long-sleeve swimsuit for its insulated front panel and affordable price tag. We love that it’s made of ocean plastics and offers UPF of 50+, which makes it a great all-year-round buy. NOW £31.99. Buy it here.
Wiggle
One of those bits of kit you don’t know you need till you’ve got it, this clever drawstring changing mat allows you to stand on a clean dry surface, get changed and simply close up the mat to hold all your wet kit in one waterproof bag, ready to transport home. Smart. NOW £14.40. Buy it here.
Sigma Sports
These Aqua Sphere goggles are great for open-water swimming. They offer great underwater visibility and polarized lenses with 180-degree vision to keep you aware of your surroundings. There’s a clever system to tighten straps for gloved hands, too. NOW £21. Buy them here.
Red
Paddleboard company Red is passionate about reducing ocean plastics. In the pursuit of the same, it has created a fully stainless-steel alternative to the Thermos to allow you to take a nice warm brew to the beach and avoid purchasing a disposable takeaway cup. A versatile design, it comes with two lids: one for pouring hot drinks (it holds three cups of coffee) and a sports bottle spout for cold drinks. Durable, stylish and well designed by people in the know. £26.95. Buy it here.
Rip Curl
Salt water will quickly degrade your wetsuit. This specially formulated shampoo from Ripcurl is, then, essential. It will clean away any residue post-swim and disinfect it too, ready for your next dip. £9.99. Buy it here.
Birkenstock
These Birkenstocks are a brilliant, waterproof, lightweight sandal to slip on and off at the beach or on the river bank. Available in a range of colours, you can simply wash off sand, salt or mud with ease. We love them in white. £45. Buy a pair here.
Black & Blum
A reward nestled in your bag to devour post swim is all part of the pleasure of wild swimming. This robust stainless-steel tiffin tin from Black & Blum is a great size to slip into your backpack and keep your sweet treat safe. £29.95. Buy it here.
Updated August 2023
