15 best wetsuits for wild swimming, tested in freezing water

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Score: 84/100

Though warm and supportive, some people can find wetsuits a little uncomfortable and restrictive. But this swim-wetsuit hybrid is the perfect solution. “A lovely wetsuit for women who don’t like wetsuits,” was how one tester described it. The long sleeves offer extra warmth, but the swimsuit bottom means that you’re free to kick about during swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing and all sorts of water sports. It was also effective at keeping our panel members warm, even in the chilly Irish sea, according to one.

Our testers liked how easy it was to get on and off, and how comfy it was to wear. The brand does advise sizing up as the fit is relatively snug, and reassuringly, you can exchange it at no extra cost if it’s not just right.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.