First autumn coming up for me and I'm trying to plan kit before the sales disappear. At what water temp do you all put gloves and booties on? And is it worth getting the 5mm ones straight away or are 3mm enough for Dorset?
Rough rule I give everyone: below 12°C gloves make the swim longer, below 10°C they make it possible. Dorset bottoms out around 8°C in March so 3mm is genuinely fine here — 5mm is for people swimming through Scottish winters. Spend the difference on a decent changing robe, you'll use it every single swim.