Take the plunge and reap the benefits of wild swimming with the GHI's winning wetsuits
If you’re looking to kickstart a new hobby and want to spend more time in nature in 2025, taking up wild swimming is a great way to combine the two. But, while the sun is still setting on the wrong side of 5pm, a swimming costume definitely won’t suffice.
Instead, we recommend investing in a warm, durable wetsuit that will keep you comfortable year-round as you dip your toe in the water. There are many different options available on the market, so you can take the plunge into the UK’s icy waters without risking hypothermia. Pair it with a dry robe and you’ll be virtually unstoppable. New year, new me, new wetsuit?
Unsurprisingly, many of us have a bit of an aversion to plunging into what is essentially a freezing bath with added seaweed. However, an alfresco dip can offer lots of health benefits – not only does wild swimming do wonders for your cardiovascular endurance and physical strength but evidence shows the invigorating sensation you get from plunging into bracing waters can help supercharge your immune system, boost your mood and relieve stress. It's no wonder that everyone from Prue Leith to Ed Sheeran is a fan.
So, if you want to say warm and comfy during your dips, read on for our guide to the best suits on the market.
What is the best wetsuit for wild swimming?
To help those of you looking to dive into a new hobby or replace your weathered old wetsuit, our team at the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested some of the best suits for wild swimming available right now.
Carry on scrolling for the full reviews, but these are their favourites at a glance:
How tight should a wetsuit be?
Squirming your way into a wetsuit can be an ungainly affair, but they're made to fit snugly for good reason.
When you first dive in, they allow a thin layer of water to seep in between the stretchy neoprene and your skin. This is quickly warmed by your body heat, providing a layer of insulation that protects you from the cold.
But, if there are any loose areas in your suit or the fabric bunches excessively at the joints, chilly water will rush into the free space causing an unpleasant cooling sensation known as flushing. To prevent this, make sure your suit fits like a second skin.
What do you wear under a wetsuit?
This is largely a matter of personal preference, although any excessive material could cause bunching or discomfort.
While some people choose to wear nothing, we would recommend something tight-fitting like a swimsuit that won’t add unnecessary weight while allowing you to change in and out of your wetsuit more easily at your chosen wild swimming spot. This extra layer can also help to stop chafing.
What to look for in a wetsuit
The best wetsuit for you will depend on how you plan to use it. However, there are some features you should always look out for, whether you’re an Olympic triathlete or are just getting to grips with cold water swimming.
Fit - As explained above, a snug fit is a crucial component of a successful wetsuit. Make sure there are no large gaps between your skin and the neoprene where cold water could flood in.
Thickness - Wetsuits will vary in thickness depending on what season or temperature they are designed to be used in. Their thickness is usually displayed as two figures, with 3:2 suits among the most common. The first figure is the thickness of the neoprene on the torso and the second is the material's width across the arms and legs. The latter tends to be slightly thinner to allow for greater flexibility while swimming.
Suits with a 3mm torso tend to be best for summer swims, while a 4mm thickness will keep you warm in most spring and autumn conditions and a 5mm suit can insulate you against chillier winter waters.
Design - There is no shame in wanting to look good in your wetsuit, so make sure you like the overall aesthetic before you buy. Bright colours, like those featured on the Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit, can also act as a safety feature as they are easier to spot from the shoreline.
Buoyancy - Thanks to the thick neoprene, wetsuits provide a bit of extra buoyancy to help you stay afloat in the water more easily. Some, like the two Orca suits on our list, have a neutral buoyancy that will allow your legs to sink. This is better suited to stronger swimmers. Others, like the Zone3 Azure, offer additional buoyancy in the legs and hips that can help lift beginners into an optimal position for a speedy front crawl.
How we test wetsuits
We put over 25 wetsuits through their paces, with our Good Housekeeping Institute panellists taking each suit for a series of swims in lakes, rivers and in the sea.
Testers were asked to take note of their flexibility, buoyancy, fit, design and warmth, and reported back on how easy they were to put on and any incidences of flushing — the spine-tingling sensation you get when cold water seeps into any loose-fitting areas of your suit.
The top performers fitted like a second skin with no sagging or bunching, keeping the cold water at bay, and allowed our testers to stay comfortable in the water for long periods. They also had attractive designs and could be slipped in and out of in a flash.
Kairi Women’s Back Zip Wetsuit
Score: 98/100
This relatively budget-friendly, high-performing design impressed our testing panel. According to the brand, it’s the ideal entry-level wetsuit, combining comfort and performance. Not only is it a great option for open water swimming, but additional features such as anti-slip knee pads make it a good pick for water sports such as surfing or coasteering.
And while a lower-mid price point can sometimes mean a few corners have been cut, this wasn’t the case for this wetsuit, with all testers singing its praises. It scored well for keeping people dry and warm, as it’s true to size and easy to take care of. It also has a higher neck, which helps to prevent water leaking in and isn’t too tight either.
“It’s a well-made wetsuit and feels robust and high quality,” was how one tester described it. And it’s clear the whole panel felt the same way as all agreed they would recommend it to other swimmers. It looks as good as it performs, too, thanks to colourful panelling.
Vision Wetsuit
Score: 97/100
The latest wetsuit from Zone 3 went down well with our panel. It’s made with biodegradable and ultra-stretchy terraprene material, which makes it easy to put on and take off and enables restriction-free movement.
One of our testers said it didn’t drag as much as other wetsuits, and they were able to glide through water with considerable speed. If you think you’ve made it past the beginner stage and onto competing in triathlons, this would be a great option.
Panellists also said it looked flattering without being uncomfortable, thanks to the level of compression.
Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit
Score: 97/100
This wetsuit walked the tightrope between being easy to put on and fitting like a glove, impressing our testers in both departments. The lightweight, stretchy Yamamoto neoprene gave us plenty of flex in our arms and legs (crucial for swimming) and left no gaps between skin and suit for cold water to seep into.
The signature bright orange panels on the limbs made our team feel safer as they were easier to spot in the water, and they also liked the fact the suit came with gloves to help you put it on without snagging your nails on the neoprene. A few testers found it came up a little big, so if in doubt, we’d recommend ordering a size down.
Openwater Core TRN
Score: 95/100
If you can’t feel your fingers after a few minutes in the sea, give this Orca suit a go. It’s slightly thicker than its hi-vis counterpart, offering a bit more insulation and allowing our testers to stay in the water for longer. The two Orca suits are similar in the fact that they both have a neutral buoyancy, which means your legs won’t be pushed upwards in the water. This is ideal for strong swimmers who don’t need any help getting into an optimal swimming position.
The Openwater Core TRN was also brilliantly comfortable, lightweight and offered a good range of motion. A few testers found it a bit difficult to take off, and said there was a small amount of bunching around the knees, but this didn’t stop it from receiving a top overall score.
Zeal Perform Women Openwater Wetsuit
Score: 94/100
You’ve gone from a swimming costume to a beginner wetsuit, but now you’re looking to invest in something longer lasting and built for high performance (including keeping you cosy in winter). If that sounds like you, this neoprene suit from Orca could be the one.
It got rave reviews from our testing panel, with one claiming that it was the “best wetsuit” they’d ever tried. Others praised the excellent quality and liked the fact it comes with gloves to help you put the suit on without snagging the material.
Though it’s quite an investment initially, expect to be warm, free and flexible in the water for years to come – which makes it good value in the long-term.
Women's Azure wetsuit
Score: 90/100
Unlike the neutral Orca wetsuits, this Zone3 offering has specially designed buoyancy panels in the hips and legs. These will help your legs and hips rise in the water, pushing beginner swimmers into a great position for a powerful front crawl.
The Extreme Flex neoprene lived up to its name, offering a great fit without feeling suffocating, allowing us to move our arms with ease and providing plenty of insulation. Cuffs around the wrists and ankles, and a Velcro fastener around the neck, also added an extra layer of protection against chilly water.
Athlex Float
Score: 89/100
For those going beyond a casual outdoor swim and anyone braving a triathlon, this extra lightweight wetsuit from Orca won’t hold you back. It combines high buoyancy with good elasticity, which is the perfect combination for swimmers who need a little help perfecting their position in the water to reach full potential.
The lightweight fabric was described as “game-changing” by our testers and came in especially handy for anyone who had to transport their wetsuit. It was also easy to take off without any assistance – great for those moving straight into a sprint. And although the material was thin, it still managed to keep testers warm. Their only worry was the potential for tearing over time due to the thin fabric, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you look after it well.
Womens Vitalis Openwater Shorty Wetsuit
Score: 88/100
This is a good option for milder weather and in-between days. It features a patented “V-fit technology”, which ensures a snug fit to help retain heat, while offering greater flexibility – and our testers said this was what helped the Vitalis suit stand out from the crowd.
As it is a short wetsuit, some testers did find it a little bit chilly, so it’s best for warmer months when you still want some protection.
Nieuwland 2e Yulex Swimsuit
Score: 86/100
Now, this isn’t a wetsuit per se, but it isn’t your standard swimsuit either. It has all the benefits of a one-piece – easy to slip in and out of and not restrictive at all, as there are no arms or legs. However, it differs in that it’s made from 2mm-thick Yulex natural rubber. This offers added protection from the cold and, according to Finisterre, making suits with this material produces up to 80% less CO2 than if neoprene was used.
Our testers found it a doddle to put on, thanks to the front zip, and said the suit was snug, fitting true-to-size. It also kept their torsos warm, though a couple of our panel found cold water was able to flow between their shoulder blades while swimming.
Hydron Women's Wetsuit 2.0
Score: 83/100
It can cost an arm and a leg to keep your limbs warm in the water, but this wetsuit won’t break the bank. It’s sold as an ideal starter suit for entry level athletes, making it a great fit for those looking to enter their first race or triathlon, though it’s just as adept at keeping the cold at bay for casual swimmers.
The neoprene offered almost unhindered movement around the shoulders, hips and knees, and once the suit was on it fitted without any gaps or weak spots for freezing cold water to flood into. The back zip felt a bit clunky and cheap, and some testers found the chest was a bit too tight, but those were their only complaints.
Open Water Smoothskin Swimming Suit
Score: 83/100
This summer suit is a good option for adventurous swimmers, with our testers finding it could be folded into their rucksacks more easily than many of its counterparts — ideal for impromptu dips. The neoprene fitted well with no bunching or digging in and the smoothskin outer layer made them feel fast and streamlined in the water.
This material did make the wetsuit a bit trickier to put on and take off, however, as testers found it hard to grasp. Our panel also said their range of motion around the shoulders was limited slightly when wearing it, and the arms and legs were slightly too long for shorter swimmers.
Women’s Aspect Breaststroke Wetsuit
Score: 82/100
If you’re planning on swimming laps rather than a quick splash around, this wetsuit is specifically designed with breaststroke in mind. The extra flexibility in the groin and leg area allows for an extended range of movement, minus any discomfort or chafing. It also features a combination of 1.5, 2 and 3mm thicknesses to ensure your legs stay submerged in the water, allowing you to maintain a natural breaststroke position.
Testers agreed it was a comfortable option, with no gaping or sagging, though some did need assistance putting it on, which may not be great for solo swimmers.
£126.75 at cotswoldoutdoor.com
Nabaiji Women’s Neoprene Open-Water Swimming Wetsuit (4/2mm)
Score: 80/100
If Britain’s unwelcoming water temperatures are the one thing stopping you from giving wild swimming a go, this could be a good solution. With its slightly thicker 4mm neoprene torso, it was able to keep us toasty in nippy spring conditions, providing a dependable barrier against the cold.
Some testers found there was a bit of gaping around the groin and neck, and said the suit was heavier than others they had tried. But the thicker material makes it a good option for colder waters.
Naibaji Women’s Neoprene Wetsuit (2.5/2mm)
Score: 80/100
If you like the sound of the Naibaji wetsuit about but don't need something quite as thick, choose this design, which has a 2.5mm thick neoprene torso and legs.
Though comfort and warmth are probably the two most important features of a good wetsuit, we can’t help but be impressed by this suit’s design. The bold pop of colour was a hit with our testers as was its ability to keep them warm, especially in changeable spring weather. Not only do the colourful arms look good, but they could also provide an element of safety due to the increased visibility.
Some did note that there was slight gaping around the groin and torso area, so consider this when selecting a size.
Atlantis Wetsuit
Score: 77/100
Both the (reduced) price and performance of this long-sleeved suit from Mountain Warehouse lend themselves to those who are just dipping their toe into cold water swimming. It kept our testers warm, with one noting that they felt “very buoyant” while swimming. Another thought it was “reasonable quality, but nothing more”, which we think makes it a decent starter suit.
It has a handy key pocket too, which is great for the days that you just want to get up and go straight into the sea without having to worry about your valuables on the shore.
£39.99 at mountainwarehouse.com
Women’s Full Wetsuit
Score: 77/100
Most wetsuits on this list are designed principally for swimming, but this one from Mountain Warehouse is ideal for a range of recreational activities, including surfing and body boarding. Made with stretchy neoprene foam, it won’t restrict your movement, so you can clamber onto your board more easily.
One tester said it was a good option for those planning on staying stomach-to-board, too. If all the flailing around doesn’t heat you up, thanks to the thickness of this wetsuit, you’ll stay warm even in the coldest waters.
£59.99 at mountainwarehouse.com
Full 2mm Wetsuit
Score: 73/100
This lightweight suit from Regatta is a good option if you’re planning to cart your gear to and from the beach. The 2mm of thickness is ideal for summer swimming, as it’s thinner than many other wetsuits. It also dries quickly, so you won’t get too chilly when you’re out of the water.
Some found that the sizing was slightly inaccurate – it was on the tight side in places – so you may want to size up to avoid any discomfort. However, overall testers, were pleased with this fair weather suit.
The verdict on the best wetsuits
With a score of 98/100, our winning wetsuit, Animal's Kairi design is a triple threat, offering affordability, versatility (it can be used for a range of water sports) and comfort.
If visibility is a key concern, look to our joint runner-up, the Orca Openwater Hi-Vis Wetsuit, which stood out (quite literally) with our panel members for its bright orange panels that help ensure a safe swim.
If you’re just starting out in the outdoor swimming game, then this budget-friendly option from Mountain Warehouse should keep you warm and cosy.
But the wetsuit that scored highest for warmth is Decathlon’s Nabaiji open-water wetsuit, made with a thick 4mm of insulating neoprene. As we’re heading into winter, now is a better time than ever to invest.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
At the GHI, our experts test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market, from air fryers and mattresses to hair dryers and running jackets. We put every product through rigorous testing, both in lab conditions under strict protocols, and in the real world with our panel of testers, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
Kim Hawley, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s wellness tester led our review of wetsuits. She’s reviewed a vast range of wellness products, from treadmills to massage guns during her time in the lab. She’s also worked in the health and fitness industry for over 30 years, with qualifications in personal training and nutrition.
Lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans works closely with the testing team and uses the panel feedback to write the most accurate and helpful reviews. As someone who grew up on the coast of Pembrokeshire, she’s done her fair share of wetsuit trialling, so knows a thing or two about what features to look out for.
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