Swimming gloves and socks

Tigerandahalf

I want something to keep the feet and hands warm when swimming in the sea. I am only learning so having these would make it a little easier. Was in the water lately and the water was freezing. I had to come out and go back in again. Would 3mm neoprene do and any brands or products to recommend. I have checked out wiggle and amazon.

Thanks

hollingr

Unless you're also wearing a tri wetsuit or something like that, just gloves and boots won't extend your swim time significantly and will be fairly expensive for what you get, and I think you'd regret it after a few weeks.

Your hands and feet go cold because your body constricts the blood vessels there on purpose to keep your blood pooled more centrally and reduce heat loss. This might feel uncomfortable or even painful at first, but it is the natural physiological reaction to maintain your core temperature. Adding gloves and booties into this equation won't do much to keep the core temp up. Not to mention that the gloves and boots are usually tucked into a wetsuit.. so unless they're very well fitted, when worn without a wetsuit they will tend to accumulate water which will render them useless.

[The only caveat to this would be if you suffer from raynauds, in which case you shouldn't really be swimming in cold water anyways!]

I guarantee you if you go everyday in a week (or failing that, as often as you possibly can) your body will adjust and what seems cold now will not in a few weeks time. Your body will adapt to the cold water very quickly and soon you will be chuckling at the people tip toeing in screaming!

Hope this helps.. if you do end up sticking to your plan make sure the gloves and boots are very tight at the wrist/ankles!

good luck

Tigerandahalf

Cheers. I have a wetsuit and it makes a huge difference. That is why I want to buy the above.
I wouldn't be going out every week. If I can get out for a few swims before the end of the summer I will be happy. The weather isn't helping.

hollingr

ah that changes everything so!

despite the weather the sea is actually still slowly warming up