What To Wear For A Polar Plunge

Whether for charity or just because you fancy it, actually committing to a polar plunge is the hardest part. Once you’ve got your plunge scheduled, most of your preparation will then involve mentally psyching yourself up to get into the seriously cold water - and maybe convincing your friends to join you too! While it’s easy to get wrapped up in all of this excitement, you also need to carefully consider what you’ll wear. The right layers and equipment will not only make the cold water bearable, but also ensure that you can restore your core temperature quickly and safely when you get back to shore.

We have broken down what to wear for a polar plunge in this guide, covering every stage of your upcoming challenge.

Getting Ready For The Polar Plunge

Choosing what to wear for a polar plunge starts with the clothes you’ll wear long before you get in the water. Keeping comfortable and warm ahead of your plunge is key and you’ll want to have some loose-fitting layers on over your swimwear. These layers also need to be easy to remove, with no fiddly zips or fastenings, as you’ll want to quickly shed them when it’s your turn to get into the cold water. Loose jogging bottoms and a baggy sweatshirt work well, with one of our award-winning changing robes over the top for privacy, warmth and makeshift changing space while you’re getting ready. 

In addition, appropriate footwear is key. Lots of organised polar plunges stipulate that participants must wear shoes. Neoprene boots or aqua shoes are great choices as they’ll offer that little bit of extra warmth when in the water while also protecting your feet from any harsh or uneven terrain on the shore. 

During The Plunge

When the time comes to take the plunge, your swimwear will serve as your baselayer. Traditionally, participants opt for a swimsuit alongside some accessories for added warmth. Neoprene gloves alongside your chosen footwear help to protect your extremities during the short time you’ll spend in the icy water. You might even want to wear a warm hat for added comfort and protection from extremely cold air temperatures. 

While it’s not typical to wear a wetsuit for a polar plunge (this kind of defeats the purpose of the cold challenge), you may wish to if it’s your first time or you’re worried about hypothermia. This extra layer of protection can give you the reassurance you need - think of it as a neoprene safety blanket!

What To Wear Afterwards

When you first get out of the water, what you wear for a polar plunge is key in warming up safely. As soon as you’re back on dry land, your body will feel cold and numb and you may even start to experience the afterdrop. This is why it’s crucial to layer up as soon as possible, and your initial loose clothing and changing robe will be your best friends here. 

Pop your changing robe back on as soon as you’re out of the water and make sure that it’s one with ample space to easily slip back into your dry clothes without losing loads of heat whilst changing. In these circumstances, the Pro Change Robe EVO is the ultimate pick, with the newest design featuring a plush sherpa fleece lining and handy fleece-lined hand warmer pockets to help you warm up, alongside easy-hold zips you’ll have no problem grasping even when your hands are cold and numb from the chill.

With your dry clothes back on and changing robe warming you up, sipping a hot drink from an insulated tumbler can then make all of the difference and get your core temperature back to normal more quickly. 

Fancy Dress?

For some, wearing fancy dress is a bit of a tradition for polar plunging. Particularly for charity or community polar plunges, a lot of time and effort can go into thinking of a fun polar plunge costume! If you are wearing fancy dress, do keep in mind that your chosen costume still needs to be practical for the challenge you’re going to undertake. Choose something light and easy to remove. Steer clear of lots of loose and fiddly layers as these can be difficult to remove when you’re freezing. 

Final Polar Plunge Outfit Tips

Once you know what to wear for a polar plunge, there are a couple of final things you can do to complete your preparation. Get all of your gear together the night before and check that it’s comfortable and easy to get in and out of before stowing it away in your waterproof kit bag. Do a final check of the conditions on the day and don’t be afraid to add additional layers if you think they are needed.

Lastly, remember to listen to your body when it is time to plunge. If you’re not used to cold exposure, don’t stay in the water for longer than is safe and take your time properly warming up afterwards. With the right mindset, awareness of your surroundings and the proper clothing, all that is left for us to say is this: good luck and enjoy the cold water!