READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?

Open-water swimming is only getting cooler. Our lab tested five of the best wetsuits, fit for any outdoor aqua adventure

Already making a splash in many fitness circles, open-water swimming swelled in popularity during the pandemic. With regular indoor fitness facilities closed intermittently, the UK’s lakes, rivers and seas offered a much-needed escape. And a healthy one, too: not only does swimming offer a low-impact, full-body workout, cold-water exposure has been linked to reductions in depression and anxiety, as well as improved immune function.

Of course, even for the boldest of backstrokers, Britain’s waters can be a little too fresh once summer is over. A good wetsuit will make that wade into the water more bearable, insulating your body so you can front crawl in comfort. A good, swim-friendly suit will be designed with plenty of stretch in the shoulders, provide a bit of extra buoyancy and protect from floating debris.

Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or are eager to dip your toe in the water for the first time, our edit of the best wetsuits – tested at the Men’s Health Lab – has you covered. Come on in, the water’s fine!

01 EYE-CATCHER 98/100 Orca Core Hi-Vis £149 orca.com

SAFE AND SOUND Hi-vis panels make this suit easy to spot in open water, helping you train safely. Orca also uses Yamamoto neoprene – a material known for being lightweight and durable – for all its suits.

EXPERT VERDICT When it came to freedom of movement, this suit blew its competitors out of the water, giving testers an unrivalled range of motion without sacrificing warmth. It was also supremely comfortable, with no bunching or chafing.

02 STRONG STARTER 85/100 DHB Hydron 2.0 £120 wiggle.co.uk

BEGINNER’S LUCK The Hydron sells itself as a suit for entry-level athletes. It’s lightweight and stretchy, offering a tight fit around the wrists and ankles to stop cold water in its tracks, while also providing plenty of flexion for a flawless front crawl.

EXPERT VERDICT New to open-water swimming or triathlon? This could be the suit for you. However, if you’re partial to a bit of bench press, bear in mind that testers found it fitted tightly around the chest.

03 WARM-UP ACT 98/100 Orca TRN £169 orca.com

DIFFERENT STROKES This suit has neutral buoyancy, meaning your legs won’t be pushed upwards in the water – ideal if breaststroke is your go-to style. It’s also half a millimetre thicker than its Orca counterpart on the left, offering a little bit more warmth.

EXPERT VERDICT The TRN is simple to slip into, stretchy enough for different swimming styles and fits like a second skin, allowing for easy movement through the water and earning it a series of ticks from testers.

04 LIGHT IDEA 86/100 Sola Smoothskin £120 apnea.co.uk

IN THE BAG We found that this suit could easily be folded up and chucked into a backpack, making it ideal for those prone to impromptu dips. The super-stretch, lightweight neoprene means it’s amply malleable, too.

EXPERT VERDICT This suit fits well with no bunching, while the thinner neoprene kept testers comfortable in summer waters. However, we wouldn’t necessarily rely on it for warmth during those bitter spring or winter sessions.

05 AT A STRETCH 97/100 Zone3 Azure £150 wiggle.co.uk

REACH FOR IT The Azure’s biggest flex? Flexibility. The stretchy suit delivers a fantastic fit, leaving no gaps for pesky cold water to seep in. Strategically placed buoyancy pads also optimise the position of your legs and hips for swimming.

EXPERT VERDICT A thicker suit for keeping the cold at bay during most months of the year. The supple shoulders give a wide range of motion for all strokes and the smoothskin exterior minimises drag.