As spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to do your swimsuit shopping. Whether you prefer pools, lakes or the ocean, an athletic swimsuit is a brilliant choice for exercising or lounging in the water. Whether it’s swimming exercises, water sports or waves, it’s essential to invest in a good athletic swimsuit that will keep you comfortable, flexible and protected.
A quality swimsuit will last longer, especially if something specially designed it to resist chlorine and salt water. As with buying running clothes online, finding a good fit that is presentable can be difficult. The choices are endless, from swim backs to long sleeves, and we’ve rounded up the best sports swimsuits to help you choose.
The best athletic swimsuits
What to consider?
Fit and function
The type of athletic swimsuit you choose depends on the activities you’ll be taking part in while wearing it. If you’re going to be surfing or spending a lot of time in the waves, it’s important to wear a swimsuit that won’t slip off easily or get out of place. A blanket over your arms and stomach can protect you from chafing and sunburn.
Swimsuits with thick straps or racy backs are usually great for exercise, as they allow for a great range of motion and safety around the chest. Minimal swimsuits are best for swimming, especially if speed is important to you, as they usually have the least amount of fabric and are more aerodynamic.
Material
For the material of your athletic swimsuit, look for those made of quick-drying materials like polyester and nylon, which also reduce drag when you swim. Chlorine-resistant fabrics, such as polyester, are also something to look out for if you often work out in a public pool.
How we chose
To find the best options among the many sports swimsuits out there, we looked at some of the most popular styles available from online, department and sports retailers. We considered price, materials, size, range of motion and additional features like SPF fabric and water efficiency. Finally, we looked at thousands of reviews to choose the 6 best sports swimsuits.
1. Solid Durafast Diamondback Training Bikini
Wearing a bikini may seem risky, especially when swimming in the ocean or playing water sports. But while it shows a little more skin than a one-piece swimsuit, this TYR bikini stays in place no matter what activities you’re involved in. The top is fitted, like a sports bra, and the bottom has a drawstring waist that can be tied as tight as you like to make sure it doesn’t fall down.
Buy: Solid Durafast Diamondback Training Bikini
2. Athletic Racerback One-Piece Swimsuit
This one-piece swimsuit is ideal if you prefer a more colorful, high performance swimsuit when you’re active. This brightly colored swimsuit’s wide straps and padded, wire-free bra offer optimal support.
It’s made of breathable, quick-drying fabrics, which is helpful when out of the water, but especially during water activities like surfing or competitive swimming, as it reduces drag. It comes in 21 colors and is more affordable at about $30.
Buy: Athletic Racerback One-Piece Swimsuit
3. Orange swimsuit with white bows
This swimsuit is an ideal mix of athletic functionality and fashionable design. The color blocking and side tie make it a cute option for a day at the beach, but it also stays put when you’re surfing the waves. While the tie can be a little awkward for swimming, and it’s definitely not made for speed, the tie is just for style, so even if it comes undone, your swimsuit will stay in place. It also comes in 16 different colors and patterns, so there’s something for everyone.
Buy: Orange swimsuit with white bows
4. Athletic One-Piece Swimsuit
With a more traditional one-piece cut, this Speedo swimsuit is ideal for many water sports, but it’s an especially good choice for chlorinated pools. Not only is it designed to stay in place without distorting, but it’s chlorine resistant and holds its color and shape better over time than comparable swimsuits.
Buy: Athletic One-Piece Swimsuit
5. High waist two-piece bikini
This bikini is ideal if you prefer a style that’s a little less sporty, but still performs well and stays in place. It comprises a sports bra-like top that covers well and doesn’t ride up, and a high-waisted bottom that is both comfortable and stays in place.
Buy: High waist two-piece bikini
6. Athletic Racerback One-Piece Training Swimsuit
If you prefer a swimsuit with more conservative coverage, consider this one-piece workout swimsuit. Its racer back straps allow full arm movement, making it ideal for swim workouts and water sports that require wide arm movement. Its built-in bra is ideal if you’re looking for extra support in the chest area. The cups can also be removed, and this chlorine-resistant swimsuit is available in seven colors so you can have one for everyday of the week.
Buy: Athletic Racerback One-Piece Training Swimsuit
