FIT KIT HERO
Zip yourself up in this Roxy wetsuit before taking a dip
Cold water swimming is making a splash and, as someone who files ‘surfing in the North Sea’ under the column marked ‘fun’, I know the value of a good wetsuit. The number one thing you should be looking for is a good fit. An ill-fitting suit will restrict your movement and let cold water flush through. A good one, on the other hand, will seal in a small amount of liquid, allowing it to heat up between your body and the fabric, keeping you warm. This Roxy wetsuit is a winner for various reasons. The Stretchflight x2 neoprene is snug, light and flexible, and will keep you insulated. It’s also a 5/4/3mm design, which means the fabric’s thickness is tailored to different parts of the body. Your torso, which doesn’t move much while you swim, enjoys a cosy 5mm of neoprene, your legs 4mm and your arms a lighter 3mm, optimising the warmth to range-of-motion ratio. And while the front zip means it’s a slight schlep to get into, it does make for a more natural swim than a back zip cord wetsuit. My favourite feature is the special back panel, which is made from a material that absorbs and retains heat from the sun. Granted, we live on an island of limited sunshine, but when it does come out, this is a real treat for swimmers. Team with waterproof booties for the top-to-toe toasty effect.
Roxy 5/4/3mm Syncro, £195