Why does an air temperature of 22–23 degrees and a water temperature of 30 degrees make us feel comfortable? 0 20

The human body effectively heats the layer of air that is in close proximity to the skin. However, the thermal conductivity of air is extremely low, and even the lightest clothing hinders convection. For a naked and motionless person, a temperature of 22–23 degrees may not be so comfortable, especially in the presence of wind.

Heating a similarly thick layer of water requires significantly more energy, and this layer easily loses heat to the 'external' water. Typically, people swim without clothes or in tight swimsuits, which allows the warmed layer to mix freely with the cold water.

Thus, only water with a temperature close to body temperature is perceived as truly comfortable.