If your summer involves more trips to beaches in the UK than abroad, you're not the only one. While I love a dip in the Mediterranean, this year I'm spending more time in the Cornish surf and lakes close to home.
I need a swimming costume that treads the line of keeping me warm during my swimming workouts and not boiling me alive on the shore. So, wetsuits and regular costumes from many of the best swimsuit brands are out of the running.
Luckily, there is no shortage of alternatives, including thermal swimming costumes, sleeveless one-pieces, rash vests, and swim shorts. The list goes on. It is just finding the right one.
Although I live in the northwest these days and enjoy hiking adventures in the Pennines and Peak District, I regularly return to the motherland to see family and friends. An imminent visit to Cornwall was on the cards recently when I spotted a wetsuit-swimsuit hybrid from Zone3, a British sportswear brand specialising in clothing for swimmers and triathletes of all levels.
I have to admit, the tagline brought me in. "The only swimsuit in the world to feature titanium thread (for added warmth, as the northern hemisphere water can never be described as warm)". You can say that again, I thought. Sign me up.
British waters have never felt truly warm to me - even in the height of summer. Having the sleeves helped me get into the water and feel comfortable, without restricting my movements or making me look like I was about to do a triathlon. It's also one of the best swimsuits on Amazon.
This is exactly the same Women’s OWS Ti+ Thermal High Neck Swim Costume - just without sleeves. This is a great alternative if you're looking for a lower-profile option, with all the same warmth and style of the original. It's also £20 cheaper.
Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume review
Design of the Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume
Lifting the black wetsuit swimming costume out of the box for the first time, I admit I laughed. I mean, there is no doubt it looks the business with the high neck, long sleeves, and silver logo on the front, but it was also shinier than I was expecting. I believe I might have said to my partner, ‘I am going to look like a mature gymnast about to take to the floor.’
But the glistening look isn’t about aesthetics, I learned - at least not entirely. This outer layer offers the wearer UPF50+ protection (ultraviolet protection factor). I also found it looks more matte once it is wet as well.
There is a rear zip that runs from the neck to the middle of the back and a long tie so you can fasten yourself into it, similar to a wetsuit. Unzip this, and inside, on both the front and back of the swimming costume, you find a pinstripe pattern, which feels more matte than the outside of the swimming costume. This is the titanium-infused lining, which promises "improved thermal efficiency".
The seams are concealed to make it comfortable for longer periods. It's also incredibly soft - even the high neckline, which lies flat, doesn’t rub, and keeps you feeling snug, as the whole costume does. I feel cinched in, but I can still breathe and move comfortably.
If I had any niggles, it would be that the Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume sits slightly lower on the leg than I would like, but that is a purely personal preference.
As for sizing, there is an inclusive range of options from size eight to size 20. I opted for a 14, which proved to be true to size, once I was in it. The first time I tried it on, there was a moment of trepidation as to whether it would go over my backside, but I persevered, and I didn’t have the same problem the next time I wore it. In fact, I reckon it took all of a minute to get into it and I found it moulded beautifully to my body, in and out of the water.
What is the Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume like to wear?
Despite my initial reservations, I can say, hand on heart, I enjoyed wearing this swimming costume. Not that it's all about aesthetics, but sea swimming invariably involves stripping off and parading on the beach (or along the bank or poolside if you are thinking river swim or lido). This can make anyone feel vulnerable, and it's why I am usually scuttling by a pool with a towel wrapped beneath my armpits.
The flattering design of this swimming costume, with its high neck and long sleeves, gave me the confidence to sit about and walk around without a care. In fact, I only put my dry robe on to head back to the car, as walking with nothing but a swimming costume on the pavement seemed a little excessive.
The material is soft and light, unlike that tough rubbery wetsuit material, but still provides plenty of support around the stomach, arms and chest, which is a bonus when you can’t wear a bra. I also found it doesn't restrict any movement. There was no sagging post-dip, as you often get with a wetsuit, or yanking the cossie back into place. The sensation is very much like a second skin - no surprise given that Zone3 specialise in performance wear, where any hint of bagginess is a no-go.
As for how it felt in the sea, it was a curious sensation to be able to walk into the sea, which was flat and calm as I tried it out on the south coast of Cornwall, and not gasp with the cold when it reached stomach and chest level.
This time, I could just keep wading. I could move my arms about freely without a sense of constriction when doing breaststroke or front crawl. It also kept me warm once I’d emerged, so no hint of shivering. From an aesthetic and practical standpoint, this wetsuit swimming costume is a winner.
What seasons and water is this wetsuit swimming costume good for?
The Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume is a multi-tasking swimming costume. The design and titanium-infused lining provide warmth against the cold and wind during the cooler months. The depths of winter would probably require a wetsuit, especially if you are going to be cold water swimming.
If you're swimming towards summer's end as the weather is turning, when a wetsuit isn't necessary but your limbs need a little more protection, it's worth also considering some neoprene socks and gloves.
Other than that, this wetsuit swimming costume can comfortably be worn during most months of the year. The material is light enough for the warmer months and provides UPF50+ protection. It is also sunscreen resistant.
But the costume isn't just for the sea, lakes, and rivers. It's 100% chlorine proof, so you can wear it with confidence if you prefer reaping the benefits of swimming at your local lido.
Is this wetsuit swimming costume worth buying?
Absolutely. I'd describe myself as an outdoor enthusiast, and I've tested fitness kit from the best walking shoes and hiking trousers to walking pads and swim accessories. I always say, if you're serious about an activity, it's worth investing in good kit, and this is some of the best.
At £80 (depending on where you buy), the Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume is more expensive than many swimsuit brands, but it also has quite a different purpose to seaside loungewear. I look forward to my seaside dips in the UK now, instead of begrudgingly feeling like I 'have' to go, safe in the knowledge that I'll be warm and supported.
Alternatives to the Zone3 OWS Ti+ Long Sleeve Thermal High Neck Costume
If the Zone3 swimming costume is too shiny for your liking, or you are looking for a high-neck and long-sleeve swimming costume that is lower in price, check out the black Hydralock Swimming Costume from Nike.
The polyester and spandex mix makes it easy to get on, and there is plenty of stretch for easy movement in and out of the water. The zip fastening that runs the length of the back with a tie means you can do it up yourself.
The internal bra cups are removable, it dries quickly, and provides more coverage than your typical swimming costume, from my experience. It also has thumbholes to stop the sleeves from riding up and to help protect your hands.
A rash vest works over the top of a regular swimming costume to provide extra coverage and warmth during the cooler seasons. While it's pricier than other options, the ethos of sustainability and durability is spot on.
Sporty but stylish, the vest (there are also matching shorts) are made from ECONYL Polyamide, meaning they have minimal environmental impact. They provide UV protection, so you will be safe from the sun’s rays this summer, and they both feel super lightweight and extremely soft to wear, with no hard seams to irritate you when you are sandy and salty.
I found this rash vest fitted well, felt great in the water, and didn’t budge. It's a timeless item you can mix and match that will last for years to come.
Part of Speedo’s Wild Swim Collection, it is available in black and bright yellow or a more mellow black and green, and available in sizes 4 to 20. This wetsuit swimming costume incorporates a lightweight petroleum-free rubber, which provides the same warmth as neoprene.
Although it feels like a regular wetsuit, it is a lot easier to get in and out of, especially with the front zip fastening. This is suitable to wear in the summer and into the autumn, if worn with swim gloves and socks.
The racerback design means you can move your arms and shoulders with ease, so it's perfect for paddleboarding and outdoor swimming. Pricey, but the design and features make it worth it, and you can wear it time and time again.
