I didn't even know that Head - you know, the guys who make all the tennis gear - made wetsuits to until I started getting more and more interested in swimrunning and followed the European swimrunning groups - Head are prime sponsors in many of the events and make a range of swimrunning gear. I decided to invest in one last year, the Head Swimrun Rough Shorty.

First things first, the wetsuit looks really nice and is very well made with strong stitching and tough logos on nylon coated neoprene throughout.

Logos are not overly intrusive and there are no cheesy swim running 'taglines' that you tend to get on the cheaper wetsuits.

The whole wetsuit is nylon coated neoprene which makes it tough and abrasion resistant. Think of a surfing wetsuit compared to a triathlon wetsuit - the surface of a triathlon wetsuit is smooth neoprene and we'll get shredded on the first rock or bramble it comes into contact with. It will also wear through very very quickly if it rubs against another neoprene surface such as on the inner thigh.

The wetsuit material is very thin throughout, probably no more than 3 mm and the interior is very soft and comfortable against the skin. I actually prefer to run in this even if I'm not swimrunning! Although I must admit it does cause some looks.

It typically dries out within 10 minutes of running.

Other features include a very soft neck and double-sided zip, which prevents rubbing and allows you to get the wetsuit off very quickly.

The double zip also allows you to quickly 'decab' (without needing help from your partner) for the running legs of your swimrun route, if that's your thing.  However I did find this a bit of a problem because when both zips are down the wetsuit naturally wants to fall down to your ankles! Personally I prefer to keep the wetsuit up for the whole swimrun though, so this is not an issue.

The arms of this shorty wetsuit extend to just below the elbow which can give a surprising boost in colder conditions. When it is hotter you can roll the sleeves up above the elbow.

There are no detachable arms on this wetsuit, but that's not to say you can't use them if you have any from other suits.

The legs extend down to just above the knee.

The front zipper has an integrated whistle in the zipper lanyard.

There are also some useful nylon loops at the base of the zipper on the front and back, which can be used to tether your partner. If you prefer not to be tethered together then you can use them to attach your hand paddles or foldable water bottle.

There are two internal pockets on either side of the front zipper, however in my opinion these are quite useless because once the wetsuit is on the snug fit means it's very difficult to get anything in those pockets anyway, especially as the pockets close with strong velcro.  Maybe these are preferred by some athletes though.

There is no external pocket on this model which is a shame, however I have hacked a basic mesh running belt together with a tough buckle and use this to carry my gels and other gear. I have also sewn on some webbing loops to the belt strap and can attach hand paddles if I'm using them.

Overall Rating

This is a really great wetsuit for the price (less than £200) and has lasted me a full season, into its second year and is not showing any signs of wear. 

The lack of an external pocket is unfortunate but frankly I find a running belt is a better bit of kit anyway as it can carry a bit more gear, can be swiveled to the front/back as needed, and no external pocket means nothing can get lost.

This wetsuit is really comfortable to run in and highly flexible for swimming, plus it looks pretty slick.

All in all I am very happy with this wetsuit and would strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to splash out on an entry level swimrunning wetsuit.

Quite a few people have been asking me recently about swimrun wetsuits and which one would be best.

Swim running is a new sport and the kit is evolving year-by-year but there are definitely some key differences between the standard triathlon wetsuit and a swimrun wetsuit, which are important considerations.

Shorty

Most swimrun wetsuits are 'shorties'. As swim running is typically a spring summer autumn sport this is usually enough to keep you warm but if you do tend to feel the cold you may want to consider a model that has full length arms or one with detachable arms.

Zips

A swimrun wetsuit typically opens at the front. The zip should be heavy duty and have a velcro flap at the top as with the standard tri wetsuits.

The front fastening zip allows you to undo the zip during the running stage to allow yourself to cool down and helps with chest expansion during the run.

I also find the front opening useful to stuff gear down either side, for example my cap and goggles on one side and foldable water bottle on the other. This keeps all of my gear close at hand and prevents it from rattling around and falling off.

Some swimrun suits come with zips on both front and back sides, for example the Head Swimrun Shorty.

This makes it easy to get the top down for 'decabbing' if you want to do the run with the wetsuit rolled down. Personally I find 'decabbing' an inconvenience because the wetsuit tends to fall down around your ass when you do the run and you need a tight belt to keep it up! Each to their own, but a double sided zipper will allow you to decab by yourself and not waste time/having to rely on your partner to help rolling the suit down and back up at each transition.

I do like the double-sided zip idea though, purely to get the wetsuit off easily at the end!

Upper

The upper part of a swimrun wetsuit may or may not be nylon covered neoprene and should be as flexible as the triathlon suits. Typically now they are evolving to be smooth surfaced neoprene, at least on the front panels, to minimise water resistance, but are often nylon covered neoprene on the back and upper arms.

Nylon covered neoprene will allow you to sweat and is definitely tougher, which is an important consideration given swimrun routes are normally through rough terrain.

Arms

Swimrun wetsuits are normally shorty style wet suits with short arms and some models come with detachable full arm sets which you can add or remove based on the water and air temperature, Eg. Zone 3's Versa. See a review here.

I have found this to be very useful and it does allow you to do swimrun training year round.

Hips and Legs

The hips on a swimrun wetsuit are wider which allows greater mobility of the hip flexor muscles when scrambling in and out of water and running long distances.

The trend now is for the legs to be shorty style length, however some models do have slightly extended length on the legs such as the Zone 3 Versa.

One thing I would consider as essential on a swimrun wetsuit is for the legs to be nylon coated as opposed to smooth neoprene.

As you can see from the Zone 3 Versa review the smooth neoprene legs rubbed through on my inner thighs within a short time and the legs of any swimrun suit take a real bashing on rocks, thorns, brambles and so on. Smooth neoprene just get shredded whereas nylon coated neoprene is far tougher and is abrasion resistant.

Pockets

A lot of wetsuit manufacturers market inside pockets as a great feature but in my experience they are useless! When the wetsuit is on, the snug fit means it is near impossible to get anything in or out of the pockets, let alone when running.

In my opinion the best pocket design are the ones on the outside of the wetsuit. The Zone 3 Versa has a single pocket in the small of the back which can be open and closed with a tough zip, which importantly fastens shut with downwards, which means it does not open when you start swimming.

The Colting Swimrun Go wetsuit for example, also has two outside zip pockets in the kidney areas of the back of the wetsuit.

Hoops and Attachment Points

The latest swimrun wetsuits come with small nylon hoops at strategic places on the wetsuit, for those who want to use a tether line with their swimrun partner.

If like me you don't use a tether line another option could be to attach a small clip to one of the loops and use that to attach your hand paddles to whilst running.

Whistle

Many of the new swimrun wetsuits come with the mandatory whistle in the front zipper lanyard. this is a really good idea because it means there's one less piece of detachable kit to worry about, especially important because you can be disqualified for unknowingly dropping kit along the course.

Conclusion

Swimrunning is on the rise and has great appeal for both competitive swimrunners and those who just like to get outdoors and experience the elements.

The latest wave of swimrun wetsuits do have some great features, but there is no need to rush out and buy the best model - try it first with a standard shorty wetsuit, or even a cut down triathlon wetsuit, and see if you like it.

Then match the features you think would be important to you, along with your budget, and hopefully you will end up with the best suit for your needs.

Swimrunning involves a lot of experimentation - what works for one person may not work for you - try different things and don't be afraid to do some clever hacks or even make your own kit.

Try with an entry level suit first like the ones mentioned here which are excellent value for money; then upgrade after a year or two.

A decent, well thought out wetsuit with loads of features helps of course, but is not the be all and end all and should be seen as an investment only once you're sure swimrunning is for you.

I get asked this a lot. There's no best answer, however a few tips and tricks might help you to make the best decision for your needs to help you start the amazing sport of swimrunning.

The review below is for three different types of shoe, having tried and tested all of them over the last couple of years.

Reviews are split the reviews into key areas and do not get sponsorship from any of the manufacturers!  All feedback is my own personal opinion.

Normal Running Shoes

If you want to try swimrunning but do not want to go and blow loads of money then you do not need to go out and buy specialist shoes. I started out using normal trail running shoes. In this case a pair of battered Salomon SpeedCross.

In fact, this type of shoe will invariably float and can give some propulsion when you kick, so are a perfectly feasible option for beginners. There are however a few things to be aware of:

Tongue

The tongue is not designed for swimming so will actually act like a brake when your feet are in the extended, pointed position in the water. Trim the tongue down so it is flush with the top of the shoe and sew up the cut, so there is no resistance in the water.

Drainage

The pair above were really beaten up with splits in the upper shoe but that actually helped drainage! If the soles have some life left in them, consider drilling some small holes between the lugs to aid drainage.

Shoe Body

Obviously the shoe body is designed for running so likely consists of a lace up shoe, which may or may not have a sewn in tongue. A sewn in tongue is better as it will help keep sand and grit out.

Weight

Although they may be marketed as super lightweight, once they get wet they are not. So choose a pair with no frills and minimal cushioning as this will just absorb more water.

Drop

This is the amount of drop from the heel to the ball of the foot. It is best to use minimal drop shoes if you have them, as swimrunning requires maximum flexibility and sensory input when scrambling out of the water into the run, so your toes can literally curl around the rock surface as if you were barefoot. Higher drop shoes are also heavier and in my experience cause more drag in the water.

Tongue

There is no tongue on this  swimrun shoe. They're designed for swimming so the upper shoe consists of a neoprone sock style and the flap you see above points downwards to minimise resistance and is designed just to cover the string tie..

Drainage

The upper shoe has numerous tiny holes throughout so water drains immediately.

Shoe Body

Consists of a neoprene sock that slips onto the foot. Tough nylon loops help you to pull the shoe on. The tight fitting sock design helps keep grit and sand out and keeps the shoe snug to your foot when swimming. Has a quick pull lace system.

Weight

Very light. No cushioning on the upper shoe, no water absorption.

Drop

Minimal drop, 3-4mm, means the feet are fairly responsive and good for long distances of 20km plus.

Sole and Tread

These have a great tread on the sole, absolutely essential for varied and wet terrain.

Top End Swimrunning Shoes

Vivobarefoot Primus Swimrun

I would say this is the best swimrunning shoe available and extremely well made, with well thought out features. They come with a more expensive price tag of around £120 but they are worth it.

Tongue

No tongue, upper shoe consists of a neoprone sock that fits closely around the foot. Extremely comfy sock-like feel.

Drainage

The upper shoe is nylon mesh and drains instantly.

Shoe Body

Neoprene sock variety. Very comfy fit. Nylon loops help you to get the shoe on and off. These shoes seem not to let in any sand at all so reducing the chance of blisters due to grit/sand on the foot. Quick pull lace system. Extremely tough and well made, the pair above have been in use for a year and show no signs of wear.

When you walk/run barefoot or use barefoot shoes your feet adopt a more natural shape with a wider forefoot and splayed toes. These shoes are designed to accommodate that and the result is a wider front area compared to 'normal' running shoes, which also helps with kick propulsion.

Weight

Very very light. Absolutely minimalist. No water absorption means they do not weigh any more when wet.

Drop

No drop. These are so-called 'barefoot' shoes, and you feel like you are running barefoot. This does take some getting used to and I had to change my running style (I think for the better), to more of a forefoot, natural style, which took some time to get used to. The effect in the water is also very positive and you can get decent propulsion despite the fact you're swimming with shoes on.

Sole and tread

Conclusion

There's a whole school of though on barefoot running and minimalist shoes and you are sure to find loads of information on both sides of the debate, with protagonists of barefoot running saying it's good for the foot and other experts saying barefoot running damages them.

I am more of the mind we evolved to run barefoot, not in shoes, and in truth, since I have been using the minimalist shoes, I enjoy running more and have had less direct running related injuries such as twisted ankles, which I used to get all the time with clunky, high-drop trail shoes.

I think that's another discussion though and is ultimately a case of 'each to their own', but the message here is:

Swimrunning shoes are designed for just that - swimming and running.

So keep them simple, the less frills the better, because you'll only be dragging them through the water on the swims!

If you are thinking about trying swimrunning but want to avoid spending loads of money to give it a go, read on!

Sure, like most sports, it can be very expensive to get everything at once before you start swimrunning, but to just have a go you don't need much equipment. After all, swimrunning is just that... swimming... and running... there's not much else to it.

If you are a sea swimmer or triathlete, the chances are you already have a couple of worn out wetsuits you can adapt and an old pair of trainers is perfectly adequate to give it a go.

Other features in swimrun wetsuits include pockets for gels, maps, kit or clips for tethers / water bottles and so on. The outer 'skin' of swimrun suits is often part or full nylon coated (as opposed to fully neoprene as in tri suits) as this resists abrasion from rocks and thorns when running cross country. The hip region is also designed for more running flexibility.

Here are a few options that will suffice for a few sessions to give you an idea if you like swimrunning, without splashing out on all the gear.

• Cut down a old/battered triathlon wetsuit and 'decab' at each run (lower the top half)
• Use a cheap shortie surf suit, make sure it is a snug fit, but these actually also zip from the front and are shorties and have a nylon outer surface material.
• Use a nylon belt on the outside of the wetsuit - it will help prevent the suit from falling down when you decab.
  
• Use wetsuit shorts with a wetsuit vest, even better if it has a zip front.
• Use a triathlon cycle/running suit if the water is warm enough. Swims are usually pretty short.
  
• Shoes - any old trail shoes will do, in fact we have found the more holes in them the better as the water will drain right out.
  
• Drill a couple of holes in the soles to assist water drainage.
  
• Tip: Reduce the size of the shoe tongue - when you are swimming a normal running shoe tongue will act as a 'brake', dragging in the water, trim it shorter and you'll minimise drag.

Other Stuff

What about hand paddles? Pull buoy? Tether? 

You don't need any of them to have a go.

If you have the pull buoy/paddles from your pool training, experiment and see what works for you.

Personally, I prefer a minimalist approach and found I did not need them, so why take them on a marathon distance swim run?

Useful Links

Zone3 Versa Swimrun Suit Review

Experimenting with Kit

Swimrun Diary - a Journey of Pain to Breca