Dear fellow swimmers

A wetsuit is a real investment, probably the most expensive piece of swimming kit you will buy, which is why we've dedicated this month's GEAR SPECIAL newsletter to helping you choose the right one and ways you can take care of it so it lasts for years to come. 

Read on for expert reviews of the best open water wetsuits for 2025 – including a super flexible suit for breaststroke swimmers, a thermal suit for the coldest of temperatures and the first colourful open water swimming wetsuit. 

Plus, we have a guide to taking care of your wetsuit, a round-up of our favourite spring suits, and an interview with the CEO of Yulex about the new iteration of the natural rubber alternative to neoprene, Yulex 2.0.

Jo Tinsley

Gear Editor

Image: Orca

REVIEWS

Best open water wetsuits

A super flexible suit for breaststroke swimmers, a thermal suit for the coldest of temperatures and the first colourful open water swimming wetsuit: read on for our guide to the latest wetsuits.

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GUIDE

How to care for your wetsuit

How to rinse, wash, repair and store your wetsuit so that it lasts for many seasons to come.

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(Sponsored content)

Alpkit's New Straven and Tarka shorty wetsuits

Open up longer swims and cool water dips all year round.

Sun’s warm, but the lakes are still freezing. Swimsuit’s not quite enough. Full length wetsuit feels like overkill. Wild swimming warmth and unrestricted movement in and out of the water. Wetsuits made from Yulex natural rubber for swimmers who refuse to compromise between comfort, performance and the planet.

Q&A

On the Wilda side: a Q&A with founder Caitlin Paton

Wilda has created a suit that embraces the joy, vibrancy and individuality of open water swimming. In the run up to the launch of The Dart, we spoke to founder Caitlin Paton

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GUIDE

Yulex 2.0

A new iteration of the natural rubber alternative to neoprene, Yulex 2.0 has a superior degree of stretch and elasticity. We spoke to Yulex CEO Liz Bui about this new innovation.

Read more... 

(Contains affiliate content)

TRIED & TESTED 

SPRING SUITS 

Shorties, long Janes, neoprene swimsuits: spring suits are a great option for when you don’t need a full suit, ideal for warmer waters or taking part in a swim run event. Read our expert reviews.

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