Swim shoes for winter bathing

Winter bathing has never been more popular than it is right now, and with all this coastline you just have to take advantage of it. With the right swim shoes for winter bathing, you can also be completely ready to jump into the cold water. Especially in relation to your own safety - and to avoid accidents - it is a good idea to use a pair of swim shoes for winter bathing. 

There's a big difference in whether people prefer winter bathing with or without clothes on, but using a pair of swim shoes for winter bathing cannot be recommended enough. There are many different reasons for this, both when it comes to comfort and safety.

On this page you will find the best swim shoes for winter bathing, and in the other categories you can find all the gear you need for your next cold plunge.

Have your safety in order

In many places, you get in the water by using a ladder on a jetty. As winter bathing obviously takes place in the cold months, both ladders and jetties can be covered with ice and can therefore be very slippery. So to avoid accidents you should use a pair swim shoes for winter bathing.

The same applies to those who enter the water from the beach. Here you can be unlucky enough to step on slippery stones - or even worse - get sharp objects in your foot. Both parts will be dangerous when you are in cold water at the same time, where the body is more exposed to shock.

While jumping into the icy sea can be amazingly refreshing, it is not without risks. Therefore, you should follow these tips:

• Never winter bathe alone
• Only winter bathe where you can reach the bottom
• Have a towel, a bathing poncho or bathrobe ready for as soon as you get out of the water
• Avoid getting your head under water

The best swim shoes for winter bathing can be found on this site

The safety of a pair of swim shoes is obviously one thing. Another thing is comfort. As the feet are the ones that are in the water the most, they are also the ones that get chilled the most. Some even experience pain in their feet both while they are in and when they get out of the water.

This problem can be helped with a pair of neoprene swim shoes for winter bathing. They help to retain the heat and make the whole activity a lot safer, so that you don't slip on the jetty.

This is why we also have a vast selection of swim shoes for winter bathers, so you can find the ones that suit you best. The most important thing is to find a pair that you feel good in and that meets the needs that you have.

You can experience the same with your hands, since they are also very exposed in the cold water. Here we would recommend that you also get a pair of neoprene gloves for winter bathing. This way you also avoid hurting your hands, which can make it difficult to climb up the ladder to the jetty.

Which swim shoes should I pick for winter bathing?

There are many different swim shoes, and they all have their own advantages and meet different needs. When winter bathing with swim shoes, it is important to have shoes that fits snugly, but still provides you the mobility you need in the cold water.

As a general rule of thumb, you should pick a pair of swim shoes 1-2 sizes smaller than your shoe size. This is because they should ideally fit very snugly, so that they are both safer and more comfortable to wear, but also so that too much water does not flow through them.

The idea is that the swim shoes should keep the feet warmer than the water around them, which becomes difficult if new cold water constantly flows through the shoes. This happens if the shoes are not tight enough.

In addition to this, it is also important that the swim shoes fit snugly for safety reasons. If they are not completely tight fitting, there is a greater risk of slipping on the stairs, the jetty or on slippery rocks.

It is also important that they have a non-slip - and preferably a thick - sole, so that you have a better footing. Since you don't stay in the water that long, it's not quite so important whether you can swim far in them.

And precisely for this reason, it's useful to take a look at the thickness of the neoprene on the shoes. The thicker the neoprene layer, the warmer they are - but the less mobility they provide.

Prolong the life of your swim shoes with the right care

When bathing in salt water, it is important to rinse your swim shoes thoroughly in fresh water. This is due to the high levels of salt that slowly softens the materials and makes the stitching less robust. As such, you risk that the shoe eventually falls apart and cracks, or the sole detaches from the upper part. 

After you have rinsed them off, you must hang them up to dry - preferably not in the sun, as this has the same effect as salt water. In addition, it is also important not to wring them dry, as this causes unnecessary wear and tear on the shoes. It is better to let them dry on their own, preferably outside in the shade.

Buy your winter swim shoes at Watery.ie

Get ready for your next winter bathing adventure here with us. We have everything you need, and of course only from the best quality brands. For us, it is perfectly natural to wear swim shoes when swimming in winter, as it makes it safer, but also gives you more comfort when you are in the cold water.

If you shop with us, you will also gain a lot of advantages:

• Free shipping on orders over €79
• 3-5 days delivery
• Our customer service is ready all weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM.

If you need advice and guidance, of course we're ready to answer all your questions. This way you can get properly dressed, so you're ready for your next icy plunge.