Our story

Hi, I’m Tom — founder of Wild Swimming Socks 👋

Swimming has always been part of my life. Like so many, I loved it as a kid but drifted away as a teenager. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I discovered open water swimming — and everything changed. The physical challenge, the mental reset, the sheer joy of being outdoors… I fell in love with swimming all over again.

A few years later, my mum (in her 60s!) decided she was done watching from the shore. On a family holiday to Devon, she surprised me by jumping in for a dip — no wetsuit, just pure courage. I was so proud, and she loved it so much that she still swims every summer.

That’s when I realised something: all across the country, brave women are embracing cold water and reaping the benefits. But there was a problem. My mum needed socks — for warmth and for grip on slippery rocks and pebbly beaches. The only options were plain black ones, designed for elite swimmers, hard to get on and off, and not exactly joyful. Worse still, traditional neoprene came with a heavy environmental cost.

So I set out to make something better. I wanted socks that were comfortable, sustainable, and fun. After months of exploring materials, I discovered an alternative that reduces energy use, cuts harmful by-products, and performs brilliantly in cold water. From there, Wild Swimming Socks was born — adding comfort, colour, and a spark of joy to every swim. Gloves followed soon after, and this is just the beginning.

We’re here to share advice, create eco-conscious gear, and help more people get the most out of their time in the water. If you’re ever at Parliament Hill Lido or Denham Lake, come and say hi — I’ll probably be in the water!

Thanks for being part of the journey,
Tom