Swimming is amazing exercise, there’s no denying it. It offers a full body workout, it's good for stress and lowering blood pressure, and it helps improve your overall fitness with low impact on your joints. Whether you’re just starting out or you're already a regular at the pool, the one thing you're going to need is good quality active swimwear.
When shopping for the right sports swimwear online, it can be difficult to find one that offers the right levels of performance, comfort and support. From chlorine resistant compression-wear for training to swimsuits with shorts, we've compared the best active swimsuits for women. Check out our ranking of the top 10 in the UK, including big brands like Speedo and Nike, and where to buy them on Amazon and eBay!
Quick List - Top Active Swimwear for Women
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Before you jump in at the deep end, there's a few things to consider when choosing your next swimsuit. Here's what to look for to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Different cuts and styles of swimwear work in different ways. Choosing the right one will help improve your performance and how you move through the water. Here are some of the best activewear cuts to look for!
Traditional cut swimsuits offer better coverage, which is ideal if you are concerned about exposing too much in the pool! They also tend to have thicker straps which means they are less likely to cut into your skin.
They’re a versatile choice as they can be used for lap swimming, swim racing, diving, aqua jogging, and water aerobics. Their increased skin coverage means that they’re also suitable for open water swimming. Just bear in mind that if you’re regularly using them outside, you may end up with some unusual tan lines!
You may have seen athletes at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games sporting leg suits. These look just like a regular swimsuit, but with extended legs similar to cycling shorts. These swimsuits have been gaining popularity among casual swimmers as well as athletes, with many preferring the increased upper leg coverage and the streamlining effect you get in the water.
Leg suits are a great choice if you swim competitively as the extra streamlining means you may be able to shave a couple of seconds off your PB. Like traditional cut swimsuits, they're also suitable for swimming outdoors.
More modern “minimalist” suits are often used for lap swimming, open water swimming and diving. These swimsuits have larger cutouts to reduce drag from the fabric in the water, and are given different names depending on the specific back design, such as racerback, flyback and crossback.
If you're looking for active swimwear that's both functional and fashionable, these are an excellent choice. You'll be able to find minimalist swimsuits in a range of bright patterns and geometric designs that will certainly appeal to the fashionistas of the pool.
The material you choose can help you get better performance and longevity from your swimsuit. For example; a lot of performance swimsuits don't have much give as they are designed to be as tight to the skin as possible. If you would prefer a bit more comfort, choose a suit made from 4-way-stretch fabric.
Quick drying suits are a a great choice for extending the life of your swimsuit. Your suit is going to get wet, therefore the quicker it dries, the less chance there is of it going mildewy in your swim bag. Similarly, chlorine can have an adverse affect on fabric as it can fade colour and cause the fabric to disintegrate over time. Choosing a suit with chorine resistant fabric will keep it in top condition and save you money in the long run!
If you swim outdoors, you may want to opt for a suit that provides protection from ultra-violet light. Fabrics with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating will block a certain amount of UVA and UVB radiation from reaching your skin, helping to prevent skin damage and sunburn. Like SPF in suncream, the higher the UPF rating the more protection the fabric offers.
If your bust size is on the larger side, you may want to choose a suit that has integrated bust support. Once you're in the water your breasts become a bit more weightless than usual. When coupled with vigorous movement from your swimming strokes, this may cause you problems if they've not got adequate support.
In swimwear this usually comes in the form of an elastic "bra shelf" that sits under your bust to keep the ladies in place. However, some swimwear brands do provide suits with underwiring for more ample swimmers.
The cut of the leg of a swimsuit is purely a matter of choice and what you feel is most flattering for you. If you want a greater range of movement, then a high cut leg may be a better option for you. If you prefer more coverage, then you may feel more confident in a lower cut leg.
Whichever one you choose, make sure it won't restrict your movement or cut into you. Sometimes the cut isn't obvious from the product photo, so always check before buying to avoid disappointment.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adidas Women's Allover Print Swimsuit | ![]() | A Performance Swimsuit Made Using Compression Fabric | |
2 | Slazenger Ladies Support Swimsuit | ![]() | A Popular Swimsuit for a Very Competitive Price | |
3 | Figleaves Womens Freestyle High Neck Swimsuit | ![]() | Great Swim Support for Larger Busts | |
4 | Speedo Women's Essential Endurance Legsuit Swimming Costume | ![]() | A Long Lasting Suit in a Classic Style | |
5 | Seafolly Women's Active Deep V Maillot Swimsuit | ![]() | A Suit That's Both Stylish and Functional | |
6 | Slazenger Women's Boyleg Swimsuit | ![]() | A Flattering Shape That Offers Hip and Upper Leg Coverage | |
7 | Nike Women's Fastback One Piece | ![]() | A Durable Swimsuit for Training | |
8 | Arena Altair Swimsuit | ![]() | Increased Back Coverage for Improved Comfort and Support | |
9 | Zoggs Cottesloe Powerback Swimsuit | ![]() | An Amazingly Good Value Suit That Won't Stretch or Sag | |
10 | Speedo Women's Placement Hydrasuit Swimsuit | ![]() | An Eye Catching Swimsuit With High Neck Design |
Although it may be one of the more expensive options on the list, this high quality suit will make sure your training sessions go swimmingly. It's made from Infinitex+ performance fabric that uses high compression for intense training. This can help improve the blood flow to the muscles, allowing you to warm up and recover faster.
Ultra-quick drying, it strangely feels dry even when its wet, saving you time towelling off once you're back on dry land. Best of all, it features a fresh design with a snug fit that's not too tight!
This may seem like a basic swimsuit, but it's gained plenty of fans. Owners of this offering from Slazenger attest to how supportive and secure it feels, even when doing vigorous activities like water aerobics.
The scoop back is really flattering and makes the suit easy to put on. It's made from chlorine resistant fabric and fully lined to ensure your modesty remains fully intact. Overall, the quality far outweighs its reasonable price point, even outperforming some of the more expensive brands.
It's notoriously difficult to buy sports swimwear if you have a larger bust, which is why we've awarded this swimsuit a bronze medal in our ranking. It has inbuilt bust support which, when coupled with the zip closure on the back, will allow you to feel comfortable and secure in the water.
This is a very attractive suit from Figleaves with a high neck front and racer style back that give it a sports-luxe feel. The curve of the fabric panels accentuates an hour-glass shape and is super flattering on all figures!
The legsuit is certainly growing in popularity amongst female swimmers. If you're looking to try one, we can't recommend this swimsuit highly enough! It's made from Speedo's Endurance + fabric which is quick drying and chlorine resistant. As it won't fade or stretch, you can train with it day after day.
The only slight downside is that the legs can ride up a bit as you swim. But, minor annoyances aside, it offers great bust coverage, support and will stand the test of time, even for the most frequent of swimmers.
This gorgeous soft plum coloured swimsuit is undeniably alluring. We love the understated and classy design, with crossback strapping that reveals a bit of skin, while providing enough coverage to remain practical.
If you're after an active swimsuit that doesn't necessarily look like one, this could be the perfect choice for you. The deep V neck looks daring, but is surprisingly supportive, including removable cups which offer an added level of protection should you prefer it.
The colour of this suit just screams cool swimming pool or tropical seas, and is sure to be flattering on a variety of different skin tones. Best of all, if you're self-conscious about showing too much leg in the pool, the extra hip and thigh coverage can be a real confidence boost.
However, this particular design can prove difficult to get on and off, owing to the cut and the tension of the material. But once it's on it'll really sculpt and shape you for a streamlined silhouette.
This sleek swimsuit from Nike is a top choice for training. It features wider than usual straps for increased comfort when practising laps. It's also made using chlorine resistant Hydrastrong fabric, for better durability, even with regular wear.
Just be aware that this swimsuit isn't particularly suitable for women with larger busts, as it doesn't offer any support. This isn't ideal if you're blessed in the chest department, as the last thing you need is to be worrying about falling out of your suit when you're mid-training session.
This suit has wider straps and increased back coverage, giving improved support and a comfortable and secure fit. It's made from Arena's exclusive Maxfit fabric with 4-way-stretch that offers the perfect balance of lightness, elasticity and power.
This is a really attractive suit from a well known swimming brand. That said, we've had to mark it down owing to the fact that the green metallic detailing is prone to peeling off. While won't affect the performance of the suit, it does detract from the overall quality of the garment.
This swimsuit from Zoggs' essential range is designed to offer comfort and support, while providing excellent value for money. Made from chlorine resistant Aqualast fabric, it won't stretch or sag for less drag in the pool.
Unfortunately, it comes up a little short in the body. So if you're taller, or have a longer torso, you may want to consider choosing a different design as this one could dig in or be uncomfortable to wear.
This stylish swimsuit from Speedo has a very modern looking design, despite being a traditional cut. The red and black ombre is eye catching, but not over the top, with a high neck for increased coverage and light bust support.
However, there are a couple of areas where this suit falls short. Firstly, the length of the zipper pull is far too short, meaning that you may find it difficult to zip it all the way up unaided. Second of all, the sizing runs very small, even by swimwear standards.
The last thing you want when you’re putting in the time at the pool, is to feel that your swimsuit is preventing you from doing your best because of a bad fit. A well-fitting swimsuit should feel fairly tight when you first put it on, as swimsuits by their nature will ease up a bit once you’re in the water.
Any bags or wrinkles in the suit can cause drag in the water, which isn’t so much of a problem if you’re just going for a leisurely swim, but if you’re a competitive swimmer this could add time to your laps. Some swimmers may find it beneficial to size down to ensure their suit has a snug fit in the water.
When it comes to the straps, your swimsuit should feel supportive, but should not dig in or restrict your arms. Correctly fitted straps shouldn't cut into your shoulders, this won't only be more comfortable to wear, but will allow for a full range of movement.
If you really want to make a splash at your next swim session, we've found a few more accessories to help you achieve your fitness goals. Whether you prefer swimming outdoors, in the sea, or at the pool, check out the links below for more aquatic gear!
So concludes our list of top ten favourite active swimsuits. We hope you're feeling ready to take the plunge when choosing the perfect swimwear for keeping active in the pool. You're sure to take to it like a fish to water!
Author: Catherine Torrance
No. 1: Adidas|Women's Allover Print Swimsuit
No. 2: Slazenger|Ladies Support Swimsuit
No. 3: Figleaves|Womens Freestyle High Neck Swimsuit
No. 4: Speedo|Women's Essential Endurance Legsuit Swimming Costume
No. 5: Seafolly|Women's Active Deep V Maillot Swimsuit
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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