Dear fellow swimmers
Should you wear neoprene gloves and booties for cold water swimming?
Cold water hurts. Our fingers and toes are the most vulnerable. Not only do they hurt, we lose feeling and dexterity. This can
cause us to stumble when getting out of the water and take longer than optimal to change and dress.
There’s a solution. Wear neoprene gloves and socks or booties. These prevent the worst of the pain and numbness, while still allowing you to enjoy the feel of cold water on the rest of your skin. They can also help if you have Raynaud's or poor
circulation.
But not everyone agrees you should.
One reason why not, I've heard, is that pain in our hands or feet is a sure signal that you're reaching the limit of your cold water tolerance and should stop
swimming. Without that signal, you will stay in too long.
I see the logic but it's a weak argument. Thousands of people regularly swim with boots and gloves and don’t exceed their limits. And I've watched people without gloves swimming themselves into hypothermia. Pain might be an indicator but most of us have the presence of mind not to rely on
it.
Another reason is that neoprene accessories are not permitted in winter swimming competitions. If you do these events, you will benefit from practising and being prepared to swim without.
Your swim, your
choice
Other than that, be guided by your personal preferences. I find gloves and shoes cumbersome and awkward to swim in. I don't like the time needed to take them off (although some people can remove their neoprene gloves in seconds), and I'm lazy about rinsing and drying them. But, also, I don't like useless painful hands. My fingers are sometimes numb for hours after swimming. I've spoken with people who had nerve irritation for weeks after extreme cold swimming.
It's another swimming trade-off. As the temperature drops, I swim without gloves until the discomfort exceeds the hassle of swimming and dealing with them. Some people will pull them on sooner, and some will cope with much colder temperatures than me, but it's not a competition. Do what you need to do to maximise your safety and enjoyment of winter swimming and don't worry about what others do or say. We do this for fun, and
for the health and wellbeing benefits.
Neoprene accessories don't remove the benefits and can save you from discomfort and possible cold injury. Don't let anyone suggest neoprene is cheating. There are no rules except to stay safe.
Do you prefer to wear gloves in winter? Reply to this email and let us know.
See our guide to neoprene accessories.
Simon Griffiths
Founder and publisher, Outdoor Swimmer
p.s. Thanks to this week's sponsor
Climategames. If you would like to put your brand in front of 35,000 swimmers, please get in touch.
