I am regularly lap swimming in an outside pool that is too cold for me. I do have a "rash guard" but it doesn't seem to provide that much warmth. Any ideas? Can anyone recommend a shirt that will keep me warm and still be lightweight and flexible? I swim one mile in about 50 minutes. I know if I swam faster, I could stay warm. But it is the initial immersion that is so cold, and it takes me about 25 lengths to not be thinking about being cold. I am slim.
Appreciate comments on this.
Thanks.
Approach it like a cold open water swim. Add wetsuit, neoprene cap under your latex cap, aquasox, neoprene gloves, etc. until you are warm. People on this forum may make fun of you for using these things, so distract them with dancing bananas :banana::banana::banana::banana:
Hey Sylvia,
I've been surfing all over for 35 years, and have a closet full of every imaginable rash guard and wetsuit. You have lots of options! You didn't mention a water temp, that would help a lot.
Not all rash guards are created equal. You can get them much thicker than regular rash guards, almost like thin fleece, and they work really well. I like them as a base layer. Next layer on, you could get a one or two millimeter thick vest with lycra neck and sleeves to go on top; zero motion restriction but keeps the body core toasty. You can get them with or without legs, arms, and neoprene thickness from 1 to7 or 8 mils. Surfing and swimming wetsuits tend to use 1, 2, and 3 mil combos. Thicker than that you need to make sure it's not a diving or water skiing suit, they aren't good for motion. There are infinite variations with this type of stuff, try layering it until you find what you like. I'm assuming you're wearing a cap?
My personal very general rule of thumb is 70s (water temp) = skin (no insulation), 60s = spring suits (short sleeves and legs), 50s = full suits (full arms and legs).
Sylvia, I bought a Body Glove shortie that is 2:1 -the chest has the 2mm and the rest is 1mm. It restricts arm movement a little but keeps the core warm. I wanted to swim in an unheated pool all winter because the heated pools are all too warm-85 degrees. My husband couldn't stand the cool water-68 degrees so we are swimming in the hot water. I didn't need a rash guard in the pool but I do need it in the ocean. The surf here is 74 degrees now and I know it is wimpy to be wearing a wet suit but there are jelly fish and men-o-war everywhere and the wet suit covers some of the most vulnerable areas
This company makes my favorite stuff
http://www.oneill.com/
But there are other companies that other people like also. Start with the Thermo-X stuff at this website, just to get an idea of what is available. The equipment is geared to surfing, which means it is meant to be hyper mobile and flexible. That translates well to swimming for me, and I don't have to buy it twice.:)
Former Member
I need to stay warm while taking/teaching swimming classes in INDOOR pools as I will be often inactive, just standing/waiting in water. I do wear a swimming cap and tries to move as much as I can, but I get really cold.
O'Neill said that their shirts/suits will break down in Chlorine and are not to be used in indoor pools. They also said that none are commercially available.
I appreciate any advices/information! Thank you for your help.
