Buying presents for swimmers can be tricky, especially at Christmas. They already own a swimsuit, they've probably got a towel they swear by, and they'd much rather have something that makes the next cold dip a bit more bearable than another candle.
The good news is that the best swimming gifts aren't the fancy ones. They're the bits of kit that get pulled out of the bag every single swim: something to warm their hands, something to keep their feet off the mud, something hot to drink afterwards.
We've been swimming outdoors through plenty of British winters, so here's what we'd actually be pleased to unwrap, sorted by budget.
Wild swimming gift ideas: our quick picks
If you only read one bit, make it this.
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Best overall: a changing robe. Waterproof, windproof and fleece-lined. It's the one present most swimmers secretly want.
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Best under £20: the Changing Mitt. Fingers free for zips and laces, mitten back on afterwards.
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Best stocking filler: the Hottie Bottie. Mini hot water bottles that warm their boots and gloves while they swim.
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Best for beginners: the Adventure Tow Float. It keeps them visible in the water and gives them something to hold.
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Best for sauna lovers: the Sauna Bundle. A felted wool sauna hat and mat together.
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Can't decide: a gift voucher. From £10 to £100, so they can choose for themselves.
Stocking fillers under £15
Small, cheap and genuinely useful. These are the ones that end up living in the swim bag.
Hottie Bottie Mini hot water bottles in knitted covers. Fill them before a swim, drop them into your boots or gloves, and come back to something warm instead of something damp and freezing. Small joy, big difference.
Sauna Hat If they've caught the sauna bug (and a lot of swimmers have), a felted wool sauna hat keeps their head from overheating so they can stay in longer. Yes, the cone shape is a look. They'll get used to it.
Sauna Mat Something to sit on in a shared sauna. More hygienic than a bare bench, and it pairs nicely with the hat.
Gifts under £30
This is the sweet spot for most swimmers. Nothing flashy, just the kit that makes getting warm again quicker and less of a faff.
Changing Mitt Knitted gloves in warm wool with a fold-over mitten cover. Anyone who's tried to do up a zip with numb fingers after a winter dip will understand why this exists. Fingers out when you need them, mitten back on when you don't. There's also a Changing Mitt Luxe with the same fingerless design and fold over mitten cover but this one has an additional fleece lining for extra warmth.
Hottum A belt that holds a hot water bottle against your middle while you get changed (the bottle's included). Warming your core first is one of the quickest ways to stop the shivers, and our customers rate it highly for how easy it is to put on and take off.
Koji Luxe core warmer Another way to look after the middle. A good shout for anyone who feels the cold in their back and tummy long after they've got dressed.
Moose Mat A changing mat with a 2mm neoprene back, so their feet aren't on cold ground, wet grass or a gravelly car park while they get dressed. It sounds like a small thing until you've had one.
Moose Flask A 350ml flask with a screw lid. Hot tea or hot chocolate straight after a swim is half the fun, and a flask that doesn't leak into the bag is the whole point.
Bobble hats and beanies The classic swimmer's hat. Even swimmers who never take a hat out on the water put one on the minute they're out.
Gifts for sauna lovers
Swimming and sauna go together very well, and plenty of swimmers now book a sauna session straight after a dip. If that sounds like the person you're buying for, the Sauna Bundle puts the felted wool hat and mat together for less than buying them separately. It's an easy, nicely wrapped present for anyone who's just discovered the hot-cold combo.
For more on why a sauna hat is worth having, have a read of our guide: What is a sauna hat and do you actually need one?
For someone new to wild swimming
If the person you're buying for has just started, a few practical bits will help them feel more confident in the water.
Adventure Tow Float A bright float that trails behind them as they swim, so they're easy to spot from the bank or a boat, and they've got something to hold onto if they need a breather. It's one of the first bits of kit we'd suggest for anyone starting out.
Outdoor Swimming Thermometer Let’s face it, we all want to know just how cold that water is that we dipped in!
3mm Neoprene Swim Gloves For swimmers who want to keep going through the colder months. These come in sizes XS to XL, so it's worth checking their hand size first.
Bigger gifts worth splashing out on
If you want to get them something they'll use for years, these are the ones.
A changing robe The big one. Our changing robes are fully waterproof, windproof and fleece-lined, and they're made with recycled fabrics. They make getting changed by a lake in January bearable, and they double as the warmest coat they own. They come in plenty of bold colour combinations, so you can pick one that suits them. Check our size guide first, or have a look at our guide on how to choose the right changing robe.
Caribou waterproof backpack A 45L fully waterproof backpack with room for a robe, towel, flask and everything else, and space to keep the wet kit away from the dry. It works just as well for hiking, camping or the commute.
Moose Joggers Thick 300gsm fleece joggers to pull on after a swim. Warm, comfy and the kind of thing that gets worn far more than anyone expects.
Poncho towel A bamboo and cotton blend towel poncho to make quick drying and changing in colder weather a breeze. Comes in just as handy on summer swims too.
Still not sure? Get a gift voucher
Swimmers can be particular about their kit, and that's fair enough when it has to work on a freezing morning. If you don't know their size, their favourite colour or what they already own, a Wild Moose gift voucher lets them pick for themselves. Vouchers start at £10 and go up to £100, so they work for a stocking filler or a big contribution towards a robe.
A few tips before you buy
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Check their size. Robes, gloves and joggers all come in sizes, so have a sneaky look at what they wear now or check our size guide.
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Think about when they swim. Year-round cold water swimmers will get the most out of warm-up kit like the Hottum, changing mitts and a robe. Summer swimmers might prefer a poncho towel or a backpack.
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Bundle the small bits. A flask, a pair of Hottie Botties and a hat make a lovely little winter swim kit for under £75.
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Order in good time. Have a look at our delivery page for Christmas cut-off dates.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for swimmers who swim outdoors?
The best gifts help them warm up faster after a swim. Changing mitts, a hot water bottle belt like the Hottum, a flask and a changing mat are all practical and affordable. For a bigger gift, a waterproof, fleece-lined changing robe is the one most swimmers would love.
What can I buy a wild swimmer for under £20?
Mini hot water bottles, a felted wool sauna hat, a sauna mat or a changing mitt all cost £20 or less at full price. They're small, useful and easy to post.
What should I buy someone who's just started wild swimming?
A tow float is a great first buy, as it makes them easy to spot in the water and gives them something to hold if they need a rest. A water thermometer and something warm for afterwards, like a changing mitt or a bobble hat, round it off nicely.
What's a good gift for someone who loves swimming and saunas?
A felted wool sauna hat and a sauna mat. The hat stops their head overheating so they can stay in longer, and the mat gives them something clean to sit on. Our Sauna Bundle includes both.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes. Wild Moose gift vouchers range from £10 to £100 and can be spent across the whole range, so they're a safe choice if you're not sure of their size or style.
What are good wild swimming gifts for her?
The same kit that works for any swimmer: something to warm up with, something to change under and something to carry it all in. A changing robe in a colour she'll love, a Hottum, a changing mitt or a bobble hat all go down well. Women now make up a big share of wild swimmers, and plenty of them swim through winter, so warm-up kit is rarely wasted.
