You just want a bit of extra coverage as the swims get darker and the chill gets to your belly button and shoulders. But you really don't want to lose your pride, or face the faff of a wetsuit.
The short answer
For dips and short swims, a bonded swimsuit gives you extra warmth while keeping the feel of the water and the quick change. For long swims, very cold water or when you want buoyancy, wear a wetsuit.
What a bonded swimsuit is
Two layers of recycled swim fabric joined together to make one thicker 1mm material. It contains no neoprene. It feels like a heavier, warmer swimsuit, and sits halfway between a swimsuit and a wetsuit.
How they compare
| Bonded swimsuit | Wetsuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 1mm bonded recycled fabric | Neoprene, usually several times thicker |
| Warmth | An extra layer on arms and core | Much warmer, built to insulate |
| Feel | You still feel the water | Sealed off from it |
| Buoyancy | Very little | Lifts you in the water |
| Getting changed | Like a swimsuit | Slow, especially with cold hands |
| After the swim | Rinse and dry flat | Rinse, hang, wait |
Choose a bonded swimsuit if
- You dip or swim for minutes, not miles
- You swim "skins" and want a little more cover without giving that up
- You want to be dressed and holding a hot drink quickly
- You'd like one piece that works from an early summer morning through to winter
Choose a wetsuit if
- You're swimming distance or staying in a long time
- The water is very cold and you're not acclimatised
- You want the buoyancy, for confidence or for speed
- An event requires one
Can you wear both?
Yes. The Bonded Long Sleeve Swim Top layers over a swimsuit, and you can add gloves and boots, which is where most people feel the cold first. The thumb holes on our bonded pieces pull down over your hands or over gloves.
A word on safety
No swimsuit makes cold water safe. Get in slowly, don't swim alone and get out while you still feel fine.
Our bonded pieces
The Bonded Long Sleeve Swimsuit is reversible with a front zip. The Bonded Long Sleeve Swim Top is cut to layer. Both are in our cold water collection while stock lasts. Our next collection arrives in spring 2027, and you can join the waiting list. More questions? See our FAQ.