EasyOff™ Fleece Lined Swimming Socks in Cold Cold Heart with Kevlar Soles

Not technically. Plenty of swimmers get in without them. But wild swimming rarely means walking over a smooth pool floor. You could be stepping over shingle, stones, rocks, sand or uneven lake edges, and neoprene socks help with two of the biggest annoyances of open water swimming at once: cold feet and painful feet.

Both use the same 3mm limestone neoprene upper for warmth and flexibility. The EasyOff™ range adds a 5mm Kevlar® sole (the same material used in bulletproof vests) for extra protection and durability, plus a wider adjustable fastening that's easier to manage when your hands are cold and your fingers have stopped cooperating. Core Socks use a simpler wrap around velcro fastening and a 5mm neoprene sole rather than Kevlar®.

They give the sole armour like durability and protection against sharp stones, shells and rough riverbeds, so you get proper grip and coverage without the sock wearing through as quickly as a standard neoprene sole.

3mm limestone neoprene through the upper, with the reinforced 5mm Kevlar® sole underfoot. As a rough guide, 2 to 3mm suits spring, summer and early autumn swims, 3 to 5mm covers autumn and winter, and 5mm or more is for dedicated winter and ice swimmers. All our products use Limestone neoprene which is warmer than normal neoprene so you don’t need a thicker sock which can by too buoyant while swimming. We also fleece line our EasyOff™ socks for added warmth and comfort.

The fleece lining sits against your skin to add an extra layer of warmth and comfort on top of the neoprene, so they feel soft rather than rubbery next to your feet or hands. It also helps the fit feel snugger and more comfortable over a longer swim, rather than just relying on the neoprene alone.

No, it's designed to do the opposite. The fleece lining is quick-drying and wicks moisture away, so it won't stay damp or clammy from sweat before you get in the water, and dries out faster afterwards too. That combination of warmth, quick-drying performance and moisture-wicking is what keeps them comfortable to wear again and again, not just for a single swim.

EasyOff™ Socks come in Small (UK 3 to 5), Medium (UK 6 to 7) and Large (UK 8 to 9). If you're between sizes, we'd recommend sizing up and using the adjustable fastening to get a snug, comfortable fit. Loose socks let cold water flush through and perform worse.

It depends what you need them for. Swim shoes can offer more substantial protection when you're walking over particularly rough ground, but swimming socks are designed to stay flexible around your foot while you're actually swimming, so you get protection getting in and out without it affecting your stroke.

Not necessarily. If you're just finding out whether wild swimming is for you, there's no need to buy a mountain of kit before your first dip. But if your chosen spot has a rocky or uneven entry, or you already know you feel the cold in your feet, socks are one of the first things worth adding to your kit bag.

Yes, that's exactly what they're designed for. Socks give you more flexibility than a rigid swim shoe because they move with your foot rather than against it, while still protecting against pebbles and rocks between the water and your towel.

Yes. The upper is limestone neoprene rather than traditional petroleum based neoprene, a more environmentally conscious choice that also performs warmer at the same thickness and is more flexible and durable.

Rinse them in clean fresh water after every use and leave them to air dry. Avoid machine washing, tumble drying or drying near direct heat. Cared for this way, they should easily last multiple cold water seasons.