Style, affordability and performance are all non-negotiable when it comes to choosing a decent swimsuit, but if you’re considering a sports-related cossie, you’ll want to demand even more from your final pick – it can’t just look good for sitting around the side of the pool, after all. It needs to deliver during intense movement and over prolonged periods of activity.
You might be an avid swimmer, paddleboarding pro or perhaps dipping a toe in triathlon or heading out for a surfing session once the weather warms, but whatever your watersport of choice, there’s a whole host of swimsuits out there that are perfect for your next session in the pool. But what should you consider when tracking down the right suit for you?
First thing’s first: think about what you need the swimming costume for. Sure, you can snap up a classic swimming costume that you can do it all in but for utmost comfort and satisfaction, it’s worth paying attention to the details which will make that swimsuit the best option for your objective.
You should also consider the environment you’ll be swimming in: do you need something to keep you warm out in the cold lakes or chilly British sea? Or will you be doing lengths in a nice, toasty indoor pool?
There are also options when it comes to materials. More and more brands are looking to recycled materials to craft their swimwear from, while others are exploring more sustainable and environmentally friendly options, such as yulex rather than neoprene in surf-related pieces.
In a bid to find the best sporty swimming costumes for a variety of activities, we tried on a range of cossies and got into the water, all the while thinking about the quality, design, coverage, support and comfort of each option.
How we tested
To really put these swimsuits through their paces, we took to the water and spent time doing all manner of water sports that came our way. Indoor pools, lidos, lakes and the sea: we’ve dipped in them all and assessed how the swimming costumes have fared during exercise and also post-activity.
As is the case with any item of activewear, it is crucial that the product washes well and the fabric, stitching and any fastenings don’t easily deteriorate, so we kept an eye on this too. Plus, style, affordability and any technical innovations were taken into consideration. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
The best women’s sporty swimsuits for 2023 are:
- Best sporty swimsuit overall – Zone 3 women’s strap back swimsuit: £37, Zone3.com
- Best for surfing – Finisterre nieuwland 2e yulex long sleeve swimsuit: £150, Finisterre.com
- Best for training – Dhb Aeron women’s swimsuit: £38.50, Wiggle.co.uk
- Best budget option – Nabaiji women’s one-piece swimsuit kamyie+: £17.99, Decathlon.co.uk
- Best luxury option – Stay Wild Swim odyssey one piece: £170, Shopstaywildswim.com