What to Wear for a Polar Plunge

If you are looking for something adventurous, consider taking a polar plunge, which is a swim outdoors in the winter. Many people join a club with other polar plunge enthusiasts, such as the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, whose members swim weekly in the Atlantic Ocean throughout the colder months. Others engage in a one-time event for charity, such as to raise money for the Wisconsin Special Olympics.

  1. Swimming Shoes

    • Wear shoes while plunging, to protect and warm your feet. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club recommends wetsuit or neoprene surf boots. The soft material makes the boot slip over your bare feet like a sock, giving you a barefoot feel while providing some protection from hard surfaces. The boots are designed to protect water sport enthusiasts from the cold and are recommended whenever temperatures are 59 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

    Swimming Clothes

    • Opinions differ on what to actually wear while in the water. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club website recommends wearing a swim suit. Polarplungesc.com, which promotes a polar plunge in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, suggests wearing a complete outfit of loose-fitting clothing that can be taken off easily, such as pullover shirts or slip-on pants. The Special Olympics Wisconsin site enourages people take the plunge wearing a costume.

    After-Swim Clothes

    • Pack after-plunge clothing that's warm and dry. Choose attire free of snaps, zippers or buttons, making pulling on the clothes quick and easy. Polarplungesc.com recommends packing a pair of slip-on shoes without laces.

    Special Considerations

    • Consider wearing your plunge clothing underneath your after-plunge clothing when traveling to the event. That way, you can simply pull off your clothing and enter the water without having to take the time to change. Pack your camera, valuables and clothing in a backpack. Bring a plastic bag to store your wet swiming clothing and at least two towels. Use one of the towels to stand on and the other for drying yourself.