Why We Strongly Recommend a Wetsuit for Wild Swimming Holidays
This Blog Relates to the following trips from Large Outdoors:
Wild Swimming Adventures
Wild swimming without a wetsuit can feel freeing – and many of our participants enjoy skin dipping at home. But the reality of joining a multi-day wild swimming trip is very different. Our advice? Bring a wetsuit. You’ll thank us later.
A group of swimmers from Large Outdoors about to dip in the Scottish Highlands.
The Main Reason: Body Temperature
On a typical trip, we aim to include multiple swims or dips a day – sometimes up to five, varying in length from 20 minutes in a waterfall to an hour in the sea or a loch. While this is a big part of the fun, it also comes with a clear challenge: your body won’t get time to fully warm up between swims.
Most of us swim at home and then warm up in dry clothes, with a hot drink and a shower. On our trips, you'll be back in the van between swims, often still in damp swimwear, and getting steadily colder. Without a wetsuit, your core temperature will likely drop to the point where it simply isn’t safe or comfortable to continue swimming.
Even with a wetsuit, we plan our days so that the longer swims take place earlier on, with shorter dips later in the day. This is because of the natural cooling effect that builds up. A wetsuit helps you manage that drop, stay safe, and make the most of the whole day.
In some more remote locations – such as parts of Scotland – staying warm becomes a safety priority due to the distance from services or shelter. If our guides feel you’re too cold to continue, they may have to ask you to sit a swim out. That’s something no one wants, especially when we’ve travelled far to reach these wild spots.
Wetsuits offer protection against jellyfish stings such as from this Lion’s Mane Jellyfish off the coast of Scotland
Secondary Benefits: Protection and Comfort
Alongside keeping you warm, wetsuits provide a layer of protection that’s genuinely useful in the wild:
Jellyfish stings – Common in parts of the UK, especially around Scotland and Northumberland in summer.
Scrapes and cuts – From barnacles, rocks, and rough terrain getting in and out of water.
Buoyancy – Wetsuits add natural flotation, which helps conserve energy and adds peace of mind.
Comfort – On windy or overcast days, even standing around post-swim feels easier in neoprene.
Can I Still Skin Dip?
Yes, absolutely – and many people do for at least one of the swims each day. Our afternoon dips, especially in rivers or waterfalls, are often shorter and ideal for going without a wetsuit. You're also welcome to take your wetsuit off at the end of a swim or mix and match your approach depending on the day.
What Kind of Wetsuit Should I Bring?
If you want to stay in the water longer and join more swims, a full-length wetsuit is the best option. Even a shortie, though, will help keep your core warm and make a big difference.
We recommend bringing:
Wetsuit – Full or shortie (well-fitted)
Neoprene gloves and boots – Especially useful in early or late season
Swim hat or hood – Helps conserve heat in colder swims
More guidance on choosing the right wetsuit here:
👉 https://www.largeoutdoors.com/walking-news-blogs-galleries/what-wetsuit-should-i-use-wild-swimming
Final Thoughts
We won’t force anyone to wear a wetsuit. But please understand that if you don’t have one, there’s a very real chance you’ll get too cold to swim safely or enjoyably as the day progresses.
It’s not about style or toughness – it’s about warmth, safety, and making sure you can get the most from your time in the water.
