Buying for a wild swimmer is easy once you know the secret. They don't want another fluffy towel with a mermaid on it. They want kit that keeps them warm, safe and seen, ideally in a colour you can spot from the other side of the lake.
So we've done the hard work for you. Here are our favourite Christmas gifts for wild swimmers, from stocking fillers to the full kit, picked by people who swim in them all year round.
Stocking fillers for swimmers (under £15)
Silicone Swim Cap: £12
A bright cap is the easiest way to be seen in open water, and ours come with a bit of attitude. Choose "Certified Wild", "Happiness" or "In My Element" in pink, orange or green, or go for camo or Geo.
Open Water Safety Light: £12
Winter swimming means dark mornings and early sunsets. This little light attaches to a Dippy tow float, so your swimmer stays visible when the light goes. It has five reviews so far, all five stars.
Waist Belt Leash: £6.99
Not glamorous, but anyone who's lost a tow float belt will thank you. It fits Dippy tow floats, adjusts from 62cm to 114cm and doubles as an extension belt.
Gifts under £35
Wild Swimming Tow Float: £22.49
If they swim outdoors, they need a tow float. It's a bright, lightweight buoy that follows behind them on a waist belt, so boats, paddleboarders and friends on the bank can see exactly where they are. It isn't a life jacket, but it's something to rest on when they need a breather. Pick pink and yellow, or orange and yellow. The orange one has 71 reviews averaging 4.8 stars.
28L Swimming Dry Bag & Tow Float: £31.49
The upgrade. It's a tow float with a 28-litre dry bag built in, so their phone, keys and a jumper can come along for the swim. It's our most-reviewed product: the orange camo version alone has 122 reviews averaging 4.7 stars. It comes in pink camo and lime green camo too.
Geo Tow Float with Thermometer: £21.99
For the swimmer who always asks "how cold is it?" before they get in. The built-in thermometer shows the water temperature in real time, so there's no more guessing (and plenty of bragging rights).
Neoprene 3mm Swim Gloves or Socks: £25.99
Hands and feet are usually the first things to go numb in winter. A pair of 3mm neoprene gloves or socks means they can stay in a little longer and enjoy it a lot more. Pink, orange or grey/green.
Bigger gifts (and bundles)
The Perfect Pair: £50
Neoprene gloves and socks together, in pink, orange or grey. The matching set for the swimmer who's planning to keep going all winter.
The Triple Crown: £100
A 40L waterproof tote bag, a 28L dry bag tow float and neoprene gloves, all in matching colours. Bought separately, that lot would be £117.48.
Waterproof Changing Robe: £110
Our Geo changing robe has an all-weather waterproof outer and a cosy fleece lining. It's roomy enough to get changed underneath, so there's no more wriggling about in the car park with a towel.
The Full Monty: £180
The lot: the Geo changing robe, a 40L tote bag, a Wild Swimming Tow Float and a swim cap. Bought separately, it would be £204.49. If you're buying for someone just starting out, it's everything they need in one go.
You'll find all three bundles in our gift bundles, in pink, orange, green and Geo.
Still stuck? Get a gift card
Dippy digital gift cards come in values from £25 to £100 and are emailed straight to you, so they're perfect for last-minute shoppers (we won't tell). They get to pick their own colours too, which with this lot is half the fun.
When to order for Christmas
Order by [last order date for Christmas delivery] for UK delivery before Christmas. Gift cards arrive by email, so they're fine right up to Christmas Eve.
Want to know what our team never swims without? Read Five Things I Never Leave Home Without for a Wild Swim, or find out why we call tow floats and dry bags wild swimming's secret weapons.
Wild swimming gift FAQs
What do you buy a wild swimmer for Christmas?
Kit they'll use every swim: a tow float, a bright swim cap, neoprene gloves and socks, or a changing robe. If you're not sure what they've already got, a gift card lets them choose.
What are good stocking fillers for swimmers?
A silicone swim cap (£12), an open water safety light (£12) or a spare waist belt leash (£6.99).
What do you get a cold water swimmer who has everything?
A tow float with a built-in thermometer so they can check (and brag about) the water temperature, a waterproof tote for all that wet kit, or a bundle in a new colour.
Do wild swimmers really need a tow float?
It isn't a life jacket, but it makes them much easier to see, keeps their bits dry and gives them something to rest on. That's why it's usually the first bit of kit outdoor swimmers buy.