I’ve never used boots or gloves (except one particularly cold/long river swim) but find the neoprene hats a real game changer at the start of the season. Gets rid of that ice cream head/panic attack feeling for the first few sessions. Hands and feet get cold but that’s not debilitating in the same way.
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The Zone3 heat tech gloves/boots were a revelation for me. I didn’t think I would like swimming in them but they’re brilliant.
I also wear neoprene hats when needed but while they stop ice cream head I can’t seem to prevent them trapping water in my ears. So annoying!
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No ear plugs? Only wear them for open water. Not only keeps the water out (obviously)…but I also found just that little bit of water going into that ear can really add to the cold.
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No, I’ve never used nose/ear plugs, apart from the neoprene hats I don’t experience issues. Any recommendations?
Think I’ve just got cheapo zoggs ones.
Remember when I first tried, there was a bit of difference in fitting (bit like earphones). But nothing like the variety of goggle fitting.
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Just bought a swim cap.
£20 from sigma
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I can’t swim without earplugs pool or OW & like these:
I trim the ‘handle’ down a bit so they don’t stick out so much.
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+1 and the Mack’s are great
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9 degrees at moment in loch blancmange…
Just looking at zone 3 gloves and boots - will that suffice with standard wetsuit - or recommend better insulated swim cap 
too
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Had my first OW dip of 2022, was too cold for me @13 degrees, couldn’t feel my fingers on the 2nd lap and doubful of any trainging benefit. Try again in a few days.
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Skins temperature that 
.
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First OW swim, 13 degrees (Garmin shows 12), hat and wetsuit, no gloves or booties. First 100m was a real shock, but after that I warmed up and didn’t notice the cold.
Pace was slow, but pulling a float is always a bit slower, and I did find it hard to get into a rhythm. Sighting was fine.
Lovely to get back into OW, will be swimming in the lake pretty regularly for the next few months
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I did the same - couple of degrees warmer and absolutely fine.
Two laps plodding around today, will up it to three next week.
Really enjoyed that!
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They have a cold water plunge pool in this hotel I’m staying in. It is without doubt considerably warmer than Loch Shieldaig in June.
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4th OW swim of the season this evening. Still shamelessly wearing my thicker wetsuit, gimp hat & gloves but have been enjoying them & progressed from 1200mtrs to 2000mtrs.
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10 degrees Loch Lomond, if that. A good few weeks yet still for me
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16 degrees in the lake today and really nice conditions
3 laps which is just over 2kms and I was feeling pretty good and nice and relaxed
Aim for 4 laps next week!
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A lot of creepy-crawlies swimming around on the surface of my regular lake this year - can’t remember quite so many in the past. Had a leech on my foot the other day. Hate to think how many I am swallowing on the way round.
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