How Good Is Finisterre’s New Wetsuit Rental Scheme?

Wild swimming‘s not for everyone, is it? Whilst over the last couple of years I have come to understand – appreciate even – the therapeutic effects of dunking myself in stingingly cold water as the wind whips around and perplexed (but clothed) dog walkers look on from the relative safety of the lake shore, it’s definitely an acquired taste. The wild swimming epoch is undoubtedly now, but swimwear that provides warmth (and therefore a degree of safety) in the winter months is pricey, especially if you decide after one dip that the lobster tan isn’t your vibe. There’s only so much you can tell about an item from trying it on in a shop fitting room, so being able to try something out (albeit for a small fee) before committing to the spend, is definitely something I’m keen on.

I’m a semi-regular swimmer, and have previously managed to take my outdoor exploits as far as November before retiring until spring. Personally, I prefer not to wear a full wetsuit for autumn/winter wild swimming. I usually only spend a few minutes doing breaststroke in the colder months, and the faff of putting on and removing a full suit detracts from the experience a little for me – I like the simplicity of ‘skins’ swimming. That said, my ambition to swim throughout the whole of winter this year makes me think that a little more insulation might not be a bad idea.

In summary, I don’t really know what I’m looking for. A warm-ish, long-sleeved suit might well be a good starting point, environmental credentials are important to me, and being able to test it out beforehand would be very helpful indeed (can you see where I’m going with this?)…

my ambition to swim throughout the whole of winter this year makes me think that a little more insulation might not be a bad idea

I’ve been swimming once or twice a week in this suit since the end of August, with a final test-run in Windermere last weekend when the thermometer was reading 12°c, though it has been used in lakes that generally read a bit colder such as Ullswater. On those days when the wind is biting and there’s a chilly drizzle in the air (so basically Lake District summertime), it has been a real comfort to have that extra layer of warmth next to my skin, and I’m astounded by how much flexibility and give the suit has for something so warm. The other thing that I found remarkable when compared to Neoprene, is how long it takes once submerged for the water to fully reach your skin through Yulex. Perhaps it’s down to this suit being new, but it’s a really gradual soak which I’ve found helps with acclimatising!

On my usual ‘to the buoy and back’ swims and leisurely floating on warmer days, I found the fabric to have plenty of give for arm movement in front crawl. The cut of the leg is just low enough to provide a bit of warmth and coverage, but ergonomic enough not to restrict movement from the hips.

The aesthetic advantages of this suit are twofold: firstly, the bright ‘flame/ink’ colourway is a welcome change from the usual black of traditional wetsuits and is particularly suited to lake swimming where boats are present, helping you to be seen. Secondly, it’s just so. Damn. Cool. I feel like the protagonist in an action film in this suit.

Softness and stretch

Yulex immediately has a softness that surpasses Neoprene in my opinion. The freedom of movement in this suit is exceptional, which is down to a combination of the fabric and ergonomic panelling.

Environmental credentials

I’m not suggesting anyone immediately throw away their Neoprene wetsuit, but Yulex should definitely be high on your list of things to check out when your current suit reaches the end of its life. Apart from its carbon-neutral, petroleum and carcinogen-free production process, it is certified deforestation-free too. Oh, and don’t forget to recycle your old wetsuit! Alpkit offer this program in the UK.