Racing St. George in 5 weeks, and the water will be on the cooler side. I’ve done some cooler, early season races, but not the IM distance swim, and I’m a little concerned about the water temp. It looks like B70 has an option, and there are lots of other cheaper options on Amazon. Any recommendations for swim booties? Will a double swim camp suffice or is a neoprene cap recommended if water is in the low 60’s?
In before posts about how they swim in water temps below 30 with no wetsuit lol
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For the head, I think a double cap will suffice, it always has for me, but as always, YMMV.
I have the Blue70 swim socks, I didn’t find there was much warmth provided, but I wasn’t really looking for any. I used them mostly to protect my feet when doing triathlons at Lake Mead, where there were sharp rocks, broken bottles, cans, and new chip seal on the boat ramp.
Edit: I’ve always found protecting my ears from the cold by using ear plugs more important than keeping the top of my head getting warm.
swim in water temps below 30
That would be very HARD to do.
swim in water temps below 30
That would be very HARD to do.
Ah glad you got it
You want a �
nate
The coldest race swim I’ve ever done was in Pontevedra for team USA long course in 2018. That was where I learned that there is a ‘Wetsuit mandatory’ category. Water was 57 degrees/14 C.
They actually shortened the swim because of the water temp. Water was so cold that it took several minutes to control my breathing after initially getting into the water. *(and I had been trying for several days to accommodate to cold water.)
I used double neoprene cap and my head was fine but any exposed parts-nose/cheeks/hands…felt pretty cold. My hands actually went numb. I used booties (*Blue Seventy- large) which helped a lot but they are hard to get off when your hands won’t work well.
I can lend them to you if this is the only race you’ll be needing them for. PM me if you decide on that. It can’t cost too much to send them in the mail, but I would want them back.
Dale
https://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=554838
At 70.3 Indian Wells last year they forecasted the water temp in the mid/upper 50’s but actually ended up being 62 if I recall correctly. I wore Zone3 booties and neoprene cap. The booties were a bit of a pain to get off in transition but don’t regret wearing them. I felt the cap helped reduce that initial “shock” when your head went underwater.
Xterra Lava Booties for $15 here. I used these at AlaskaMan, down to 47º F, and they worked just fine. I agree with others and keeping my bald head warm was they key though.
When I saw Swim booties I thought this thread was going in an entirely different direction.
I like the Blue 70 ones.
I don’t do well with cold water. My set-up this past week for two OWS in our local lake (average water temp of 55 degrees)
Wetsuit: Synergy Endorphin Blueseventy thermal skull cap doubled up with visible race swim capMack’s wax ear plugsAqua Sphere tinted gogglesSwim gloves for the first swim only and I know that gloves are not permitted. No gloves yesterday.No swim socks either day
First day: My face was really cold. I had to roll onto my back a couple of times. It took a good 400 yards to get used to it. Meanwhile my buddy had no issues. After getting used to it for 10 minutes we ended up having a great one hour swim in smooth water.
Yesterday: Water definitely felt warmer. No gloves/no socks. Cross-wind at 12 MPH according to Garmin with solid waves. Tough day. Swam for an hour and was 20 seconds per 100 slower than the first day. Wind sucks!
For each of the last two races, I’ve used the opportunity to warm up before the race start and plan to do it again in St. George. Good luck.
I find that swimming in cold open water like the San Francisco bay I definitely recommend using ear plugs. For me it seems to keep the chill out along with a double cap
Nate,
I have raced in water as cold as 52, and IM in 54. Booties have never been an issue. In low 60s you should have no need for booties. I probably wouldn’t even do 2 swim caps in that temperature. HOWEVER, the most important thing is ear plugs. I use the wax type and think they are best. Believe it or not, preventing to cold water from getting into your ear will keep you warmed, AND you will not have balance issues when you get out. I’m assuming your wetsuit is a fullsuit, although I have done low 60s in a sleeveless with no problems. Ear plugs are the secret weapon!!
I raced Ultraman Florida in February with a 10K swim. Per my Garmin watch, the temperature oscillated between was 58/59 and a max of 63. I’m guessing based on the graph the water was 58/59 with a few warmer pockets perhaps when it was a little shallower. My time in the water was ~3:30. I definitely got cold, but if my memory is right it was with about 2000m to go (so after about 2:50 or 3 hours give or take) where I was shivering a bit and had to put in a surge to warm up.
I wore Blue-seventy booties, a DeSoto two piece full sleeve wetsuit, and a neoprene cap with the race cap on top. I thought I might ditch that neoprene cap at some point but I never did despite it bugging me. It was the kind with the stretchy chin strap and it covered my ears. That kept the water near my ears on the warm side and since I got so cold I kept it on.
I love wearing the booties. I do think they keep your feet warmer than without, and honestly the best part about them is that they somewhat protect your feet from little pebbles, etc. I would wear them at most temperatures if they were allowed.
The neoprene cap - like I said it kept the water that was near my ears (or perhaps just inside) warm. My biggest issue with it was that I had long hair that I had tied up in a bun and it was giving me a terrible headache because it was tight. Most people won’t have this issue. I used a ton of tri-slide on my neck because I was worried about the chin strap chaffing (it is tight) but that turned out to be the least bothersome thing once I got in the water.
I bought the Huub booties for a fjord swim in Norway and I was praying to the weather gods that I wouldn’t have to wear them. I tried them out in a cold lake back in the UK and frankly hated them. I mean, they would have done the job but they just felt, erm, wet to me and like they were adding drag. Which may have been entirely in my head but I was very relieved that we had unseasonably warm weather for my race and I didn’t need to wear them.
Also bought the Zone 3 neoprene skull cap which I also didn’t use.
Both sitting unused in my garage (booties used once, skull cap never), if you were in the UK I’d have chucked them in the post for you.
For info, Allan Hovda of Norseman fame wears a skull cap if the water is below 15 deg C and booties if it is below 12 deg C, based on his blog.
https://triallan.com/2018/06/18/preparing-for-norseman-part-2-the-equipment/
Cheers, Rich.
X10 on the ear plugs. Cold water in the ear can affect balance and equilibrium. In addition, if possible before start, submerge your head several times and maybe a few expulsive exhalations.(blow some bubbles out your nose)
neoprene cap and swim booties made a big difference for me last fall when I swam into October with lake water likely in the low 50s. My feet are a problem point, so the neoprene booties really made a difference.
I confess, I have noticed some exceptional swim booties over the years. I think it’s all the kicking.
Serious Q… are booties allowed in the race ?
I’ve done some non-IM races and they were not permitted - seen as giving an advantage (Not getting into that debate here - just asking if actually permitted).
For me I don’t like to use them unless it’s really really baltically cold - they lift my feet up too much when swimming and start to bend me backwards putting pressure on my lower back). But i defo get it for if there’s a risk of cut feet). I’ve swum down to about 50f quite a few times without. When it was 38f (3c) on a New Year’s day swim I’m glad I had them - I forgot my gloves and my hands felt like they were on fire; the cold water and colder air temp was really painful.
I recommend to try swim in this temperature water before race, to reel how it impacts you.
My first race in 55F water was a 1 k swim, I was shivering and feeling cold. It was wetsuit and double cap. Now I swim unless there is ice, but with 3mm west with hood, 5 mm boots and gloves when water is below 49F. Some of my buddies have full gear at 47, others at 55F. And in cold water it is my cheap wetsuit (entry level) I use, as it has thicker neoprene layer at the body.
If you use boots be prepared that you legs are lifted, and thus your swim will be much like using a pull bouy.
Enjoy your race and please come back with your experiece.