Cold Water Swimming With Raynaud’s: My Reality and What Helps Me Cope

Alexandra Naughton
Dec 2, 2025
3 min read

So, I wanted to talk about something I know a lot of us deal with but don’t always mention: trying to swim in cold water when you’ve got Raynaud’s - Because honestly? It can be a mission warming up after a swim.

I’ve got Raynaud’s myself, and as soon as the colder weather hits, it gets so much harder to warm up - even more so after being in cold water. You come out feeling all refreshed and revived… and then the hands and feet are frozen and white with no feeling of life. It’s that tingle of numbness and the time it can takes to get feeling back.

And I know I’m not the only one. Loads of people quietly struggle with it, especially once winter rolls in.

What Helps Me (friend to friend, not medical advice!)

Over time I’ve found a few things that really help me, None of the below are gifted these are all items I've personally purchased. I thought they just might help someone else too, so I wanted to share with you all:

Rechargeable heated hand warmers — honestly, these are game-changers. I pop them into socks and into my shoes whilst I’m swimming, so they’re nice and warm when I get out. Then once I’m changed, they go straight into my pockets to warm up my hands.

I have a pair from Amazon - OCOOPA UT3 Lite Magnetic hand warmers They are really well priced (well under £20) come in a range of colours - including floral! Plus they are magnetic, so if you put them back to back they stick together so you don't lose them. They even come with a little bag too to keep them safe in. They last me a few swims too before having to recharge them (they come with a split cable to charge both at the same time).
Getting dry & warm as fast as possible — no hanging around! Towel off, layers on, job done. The quicker I’m dry, the less chance Raynaud’s has of setting in. I love a onesie as they are super easy to zip up and cover the body all at once. They don't have to be expensive - in fact mine was £5 in the sale, really fluffy and perfect for what I need. I was recommended this website OHS - Online Home Shop from a friend and it's where mine comes from. It has a great range that's perfect for after swimming that won't break the budget either.

Having the right equipment — If the temperature is getting low then boots & gloves make a world of difference for swimming. There are bright colours, patterns, and different thicknesses - honestly there is something for everyone. Mine are 5mm on the feet as they get the coldest and 3mm on the hands as I like them to be able to move my fingers.
Hot cup of tea — Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good chat so after swimming what better way is there than having a gossip and catching up with friends whilst sipping your cup of hot tea. It warms your body, and holding the cup warms my hands at the same time. Flasks come in all sizes and colours but mine is the Scoville Neverleak Insulated Flood Flask with Foldable Spoon (as it doubles up as my soup flask in the week for work.)

Everyone’s got their own little tricks, but these honestly make a massive difference for me, so hopefully they will to you too. I don't get commission on any of the above, they are simply things I use myself.

You’re Definitely Not Alone

If you’ve ever stood there after a swim, trying to do your zip up with fingers that won’t bend, or trying to wiggle your toes and failing miserably — trust me, I’m right there with you. It's cold on that concrete!

Even with Raynaud’s, I still love cold water swimming. It gives me such a buzz, and half the fun is figuring out how to make it work for your own body.

If you’ve got any little tricks that help you warm up afterwards, share them — we can all learn from each other!