Finding the perfect gift for the wild swimmer in your life can be a challenge, especially if they've already got all the usual kit!
So we've put together a Christmas gift guide celebrating fantastic independent businesses creating clever, colourful and downright brilliant products for cold-water lovers. From ingenious inventions and beautifully designed swimwear to thoughtful little stocking fillers, there's something for every swimmer and every budget. And because we're a small independent business ourselves, we know just how much it means when someone chooses to shop small.
Gifts over £80
1. Wild Changer — The Changing Bag (£125)
Created by wild swimmer Lee, who couldn't find a changing bag that really worked for life on a wild and windy beach. With the help of a community of 100 fellow swimmers, the Wild Changer was born! With an insulated interior, built-in changing mat and clever compartments for all those swimming essentials, it's a bag designed by someone who really understands what wild swimmers need.
2. The Ootsider — Changing Robes with a Difference (£164.99)
With so many changing robes out there, what makes this one stand out? Scottish social enterprise The Ootsider not only creates wonderfully warm, cosy changing coats in a fantastic range of bright colours, but they're also making a real difference. For every two robes sold, they aim to provide a specially designed sleeping coat to someone experiencing homelessness. They even offer a wheelchair-friendly version, making their range more inclusive. A thoughtful gift that spreads a little warmth well beyond the wild swimming community!
3. Wild Scottish Sauna — Sauna Sessions, Gift Cards & Retreats (£25 - £195)
If your loved one already has all the swimming kit, why not treat them to an experience instead? Wild Scottish Sauna offers wonderful wood-fired sauna experiences in six beautiful coastal locations across Scotland, with everything from sociable sauna sessions to wellness retreats. Sauna culture is becoming a fantastic way to socialise, relax and connect with others without the need for caffeine or alcohol. I've visited a couple of their saunas myself and would highly recommend them! With gift cards available, you can treat someone to a single session or contribute towards a more indulgent retreat.
4. Wilda Swim — Wetsuits Designed for Women (£265)
Wetsuits designed for women, by women! Wilda Swim is challenging the traditional approach to wetsuit design, creating suits that take women's bodies and the way they swim into account. Their Dart wetsuit has been developed specifically for open-water swimming, with flexibility through the shoulders and chest and a fit designed to allow freedom of movement. A fantastic gift for someone who loves swimming but has struggled to find a wetsuit that feels just right.
Gifts from £20 - £80
5. Own The Adventure — Colourful Swimwear (£55 - £70)
Who says wild swimming kit has to be black? Born from a search for British-made swimwear during training for an English Channel swim, Own The Adventure creates bold, colourful swimsuits using recycled fabrics. They also support breast cancer awareness, with a clever reminder to check yourself printed inside every swimsuit. Having had two friends diagnosed, thankfully both caught early, it's a cause close to my heart. Beautiful, fun swimwear with an important message.
6. SwimmingWild — Colourful Neoprene Accessories (£25–£40)
Like us, SwimmingWild loves a splash of colour! Their fantastic range of patterned neoprene gloves, booties, tow floats and body warmers proves that practical swimming kit doesn't have to be boring. With playful prints and eye-catching colours, these are brilliant gifts for the swimmer who likes to stand out from the crowd. And let's face it, finding your swimming pals on a busy beach is much easier when they're wearing brightly coloured attire!
7. Black & Beech — Colourful Merino Mittens (£42)
For the swimmer who loves colour as much as cold water! Black & Beech creates beautifully designed accessories with playful colour combinations and a thoughtful approach to production. Their colourful merino fingerless mittens are perfect for keeping hands cosy after a dip, particularly when you're clutching that all-important flask of tea. A lovely alternative to traditional outdoor accessories.
8. Wild Moose — Hottum Wearable Hot Water Bottle (£28)
Now here's a clever idea! The Hottum is a wearable hot water bottle designed to help you warm up after a chilly dip. Perfect for those moments when you're standing on a freezing beach, trying to get warm while someone suggests going back in for another swim! It's one of those ingenious little inventions that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner!
9. Designed by Islay — Après Swim Club Tote Bag (£25)
Well, we couldn't put together a wild swimming gift guide without sneaking in one or two of our own designs! Our Après Swim Club tote bag celebrates the friendships, laughter and all-important post-swim cuppas that make wild swimming so special. Made from 100% organic cotton, it's spacious, practical and perfect for carrying your flask, snacks and extra cosy layers. I've been using a prototype for six months now, and I have to say it's become my go-to bag for everything from beach trips and sauna sessions to days at the park with the kids!
Discover the Après Swim Club Collection
10. Swimbler — Waterproof Bobble Hats (£32)
A bobble hat that's actually waterproof? Now that's clever! Created by a fellow open-water swimmer, Swimbler's colourful bobble hats combine a waterproof membrane with a cosy fleece lining to keep your head warm and dry, even in the most unpredictable British weather. With bright colours and a detachable pom-pom, they're a brilliant gift for wild swimmers who love a bit of personality with their practical kit!
11. C-Monsta — The Clever Wetsuit Hanger (£30)
If you've ever had a wetsuit, gloves and boots dripping all over your bathroom, you'll appreciate this little invention! The C-Monsta is designed to hang your wet swimming gear together, helping everything dry while keeping it organised. It might not be the most glamorous present under the tree, but it's certainly one of the cleverest. A brilliant gift for anyone whose home has slowly been taken over by damp swimming kit!
12. Black+Blum — Explorer Flask Duo (£49.95)
For the swimmer who never dips alone! This beautifully designed one-litre insulated flask comes with two stainless steel drinking cups, making it perfect for sharing a warming cuppa with your swimming buddy. It's one of those simple but thoughtful designs that makes a lot of sense when you're sitting on a chilly beach having a good blether. Because the best part of wild swimming is often the company you keep.
13. Kyloe in the Wild — Sunglasses (£70–£90)
We know this is a festive gift guide, but there's nothing quite like a swim on a crisp, sunny winter's day! Kyloe in the Wild creates colourful, eco-friendly polarised sunglasses that actually stay put on your head, perfect for those bright days by the water. With a range of frames and colours to choose from, there's something to suit every style. I have a few pairs myself and they're great! A stylish, sustainable and practical gift for wild swimmers who love being outdoors, whatever the season.
Gifts from £10-£20
14. The Art of Wild Swimming — Anna Deacon & Vicky Allan (from £14.99)
For the wild swimmer who's always looking for their next adventure. These beautifully illustrated books are packed with stunning photography, local knowledge and inspiration for discovering new places to dip. With over 100 wild swimming locations in each edition, they're a wonderful gift for anyone who loves exploring our beautiful waters. The Scotland edition even features my oldest pal Mhairi (@mhairi.wildswimming), which makes it an extra-special addition to our gift guide! There are three editions to choose from, so wherever your wild swimmer likes to dip, there's plenty of inspiration for their next adventure:
Scotland — £16.99 | England & Wales — £16.99 | Ireland — £14.99
Celebrate the independent bookshop too! We've linked to Topping & Company Booksellers, an independent bookshop in Edinburgh but check your local one.
15. Designed by Islay — Wild Swimming Mugs (£12.50)
Our colourful illustrated wild swimming mugs are another little offering from our own collection, perfect for that all-important post-swim cuppa! Inspired by my own love of cold-water swimming, our designs celebrate the happy moments, little rituals and wonderful friendships that make wild swimming so special. Designed in Scotland and made in the UK, they're a lovely gift for your favourite dipping buddy — or just yourself!
16. Salty Sea Sisters — Beautifully Illustrated Adventure Maps
For the swimmer who loves exploring new places! Salty Sea Sisters creates colourful illustrated adventure maps that are as lovely to look at as they are useful. Their Hike Map of Ireland features more than 200 mountain peaks, hand-drawn landmarks and a checklist for ticking off adventures along the way. Although it's a hiking map rather than a dedicated wild swimming map, it's a gorgeous gift for anyone who loves exploring the great outdoors.
17. Designed by Islay — Wild Swimming Tea Towels (14.95)
A little bit of wild swimming happiness for the kitchen! Our colourful organic cotton tea towels celebrate the wonderful world of wild swimming, with our popular illustrations inspired by the characters and rituals you'll recognise from your own swimming group. Practical, cheerful and a lovely reminder of those invigorating dips.
18. Candles from the Croft — Reed Diffusers (£20)
Bring a little of the great outdoors inside! Hand-poured on a family croft in the Scottish Highlands, these lovely reed diffusers capture the fresh, uplifting scents of nature. With fragrances such as Highland Waterfalls and Rocksalt & Driftwood, they're perfect for wild swimmers who love the smell of the sea, lochs and rivers, even when they're cosy at home.
Discover Candles from the Croft
19. LAB SWIM — Swimmers Changing Mat (£15)
For those post-swim cold feet! LAB SWIM's clever changing mat has a soft fleece side to stand on and a water-resistant outer layer to keep your feet clean and comfortable. Compact and easy to pack into your swim bag, it's a practical little gift for swimmers, whatever the terrain!
20. Designed by Islay — Art Prints (£8-£27)
For the swimmer whose love of cold water doesn't stop at the shoreline! Our illustrated wild swimming prints bring a little colour and joy into the home, with designs celebrating everything we love about outdoor swimming. Available in three sizes, they're a thoughtful gift for any wild swimmer.
Under £10 (perfect gifts for swim groups!)
21. Designed by Islay — Après Swim Club Keyrings & Magnets (£8-£10)
Cold swims. Hot drinks. Warm hearts. Our Après Swim Club collection celebrates the very best part of wild swimming — the friends, the laughter and the warming drinks afterwards! Our colourful keyrings and wooden magnets make perfect little stocking fillers, Secret Santa presents or thank-you gifts for your swimming pals. Small gifts with plenty of personality!
22. Balmy Fox — On the Water SPF 25 Lip Balm (£8.95)
An ideal stocking filler for anyone who loves the water! Handmade in small batches in Wales, Balmy Fox creates natural lip care for outdoor adventures. Their On the Water SPF 25 lip balm helps protect and moisturise lips exposed to sun, wind and water. Compact, practical and perfect for popping into your swim bag, it's a lovely little gift for anyone who enjoys a dip, whatever the season. Because on a crisp winter's day, the last thing you want is crisp lips!
22.Designed by Islay — Wild Swimming Wooden Decorations
A little festive cheer for wild swimmers! Our sustainable wooden Christmas decorations celebrate the joy of cold-water dips and make a lovely addition to any swimmer's Christmas tree. Perfect for gifting to your swim pals or adding a splash of your passion to your own festive decorations!
24. Dook — Handmade Soaps (around £8–£10)
With a name like Dook (Scottish term for a dip), how could we not include them? Especially when they make such gorgeous-smelling handmade soaps! This independent Edinburgh business creates beautifully scented soaps and skincare, perfect for a little post-swim pampering. A bit of luxury after a wee dook in the sea!
24. Designed by Islay — Wild Swimming Christmas Cards (£3)
And finally, don't forget the Christmas cards! Our wild swimming Christmas cards are designed especially for those friends who think nothing of jumping into freezing water, even in the depths of winter. A colourful way to spread a little festive cheer to your fellow cold-water enthusiasts.
A Little Christmas Cheer from Independent Businesses
Whether you're shopping for a seasoned wild swimmer or someone who's only just discovered the joy of a chilly dip, we hope you've found a little inspiration. Every business featured here brings something different to the wild swimming community, from clever inventions and thoughtful designs to products created with a genuine love of the water. And by choosing to shop independent this Christmas, you're supporting the people, passion and creativity behind these brilliant ideas.
Here's to cold swims, hot drinks and warm hearts this Christmas!
Islay x
Prices and availability may change, so please check directly with each business before ordering. This gift guide has been personally curated by us, with no paid partnerships or affiliate links with any of the other businesses featured — just independent brands and products we genuinely love and recommend.