I tested the best thermal swimsuits for wild swimming. Here are my favourites for beating the cold

Cold-water swimming presents a challenge, with traditional options being ordinary swimsuits or wetsuits. A third option has emerged: cold-water swimsuits made with thermal fabric for warmth. These suits extend swimming time in cold water compared to standard swimsuits. Wetsuits may seem like a suitable choice, but they often lack warmth in water below 10C and can be cumbersome to put on for short swims. Cold-water swimsuits offer an alternative to wetsuits. Seven top cold-water swimsuits were tested to determine their effectiveness. The Zoggs Brave crossback swimsuit emerged as the best overall, while the Finisterre Nieuwland 2mm Yulex long-sleeve swimsuit was recognized for its sustainability. The Zone3 OWS Ti+ thermal high neck costume was considered the best for simplicity.