What are the best swimsuits for women? Swim coach Helen Webster tests 10 suits to find out

There’s a dizzying array of swimming costumes available right now. Do you want something eco-friendly? Something to support hard training? Something with sleeves or a thermal lining? Or one which looks good as well as allowing you to get the hard yards in?

I tried out new options from all the key swimwear brands including Speedo, Orca, Zoggs, and Nike, to help you decide which is right for you. If you need more buying advice before making your choice, head down to the section below which explains how to pick the best swimsuit for you. To complete your swim kit collection, be sure to take a look at our review of the very best swimming goggles. Read on for my reviews…

Best women’s swimming costumes in 2026

1. Coots London LF One Piece

Straight out of the packaging it’s obvious this suit from small independent brand Coots London is in a class of its own, hence the ‘best overall’ sticker! The ‘LF’ stands for London Fields, the lido with brightly-coloured changing rooms which inspired the pretty design. I loved the fit of this suit which had an unusual strap and racer-back design but great coverage that helped allow freedom of movement without feeling too skimpy.

The suit is double-lined in premium Econyl fabric and made in London with sustainability at its heart and every detail is carefully-considered, right down to the embroidered logo. It’s a considered purchase yes, but the suit’s construction/stitching is guaranteed for life with free repairs if needed.

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2. Tri Fit Propel Reversible

Despite being another relatively skimpy suit, I actually really liked the Propel from Tri-Fit, a new-ish brand who have been consistently scoring well in 220’s group tests over the last couple of years. This reversible suit gives a choice of print or block colour in two options (print/pink here or print/black) and is made out of quality-feeling eco-friendly Italian Carvico Fabric which offers chlorine resistance, quick-drying properties, and UPF 50+ UV protection.

The thin straps are comfortable and I really liked the back design (shown above) with its wider middle section for support. Although a higher cut again, I didn’t find the suit needed adjusting on the bum as I swam. I’ve worn this loads over the summer with no signs of wear.

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3. Zoggs Cuba Sprintback

The neon tiger stripes are a bold choice here (I will be busting this one out for the lake Hallowe’en swim!), but love them or not you can’t go wrong with a Zoggs swimsuit as proved time and time again in our testing.

There are currently five prints available online in this Sprintback design, which has a comfortable high-cut leg and thin straps that cross into an open back design. The front lining added to the supportive feel of the suit, and the back is black, so no worries about transparency.

Sizing is 6–16, but other styles from Zoggs go up to a UK26. The fabric is Zoggs Ecolast+ fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and offering a lifetime guarantee, which is great news.

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4. Speedo Endurance+ Medalist

This front-lined suit from swim powerhouses Speedo has been on rotation in my kit bag for a while now and it’s one of those classic suits that I reach for time and time again because it just does the job well. The classic block colour looks good and has resisted fading (loving the red for its Baywatch vibes too, though it comes in blue and black as well).

The racer back is solid enough to stay in place well while still allowing shoulder movement without restriction and the leg cut hits the sweet spot between being high enough to swim but not so high it moves around. The Endurance+ fabric is designed for chlorine-resistance and quick-drying, but Speedo also offers other fabrics that are recycled, if that’s a dealbreaker.

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5. Finisterre Kaia Yulex Swimsuit

Eco-aware swimmers will cheer at the fact that this suit is made from traceable Yulex rather than neoprene (Yulex is made from tree sap rather than petrochemicals). It’s 2mm thick all over and is designed for swimming and surfing. This is a newer iteration of a suit I have tried before and it’s now more supple and flexible which is very welcome.

I could likely have worn a UK14 as the UK16 here is slightly too big, but I liked the freedom of movement and although still a bit of a wriggle to get out of with that front zip, I didn’t have to ask for help as with the previous version! The high neck and long sleeves were a nice touch for warmth and I used this for shorter chilly swims where a full wetsuit was a bit of a faff to bother pulling on.

6. Huub Training Costume

The range of swimsuits from Huub include those designed by their sponsored athletes as well as in collaboration with Her Spirit, so the range often changes – look online to see what’s on sale at the moment!

This noughts and crosses design is based on a suit I’ve swum in before, albeit in a now-sold out print, and it does the job just as well. The suit is fully-lined and has been through many wash-and-wear cycles since beginning testing with little signs of wear.

The thin straps allow great range of movement, but I liked that the suit wasn’t cut too low over the bust or too low on the hips/bum. Sizing is only in 6–16 though, which is a bit of a shame, as I could see this working for larger-busted, curvier swimmers without feeling frumpy too!

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7. Nike Poly Solid

The Poly Solid from Nike is another classic suit which, while maybe not the most exciting design on test, has the fit to serve you well for many swim sessions.

The fit was great here (I’m in a UK14 so they’re true to size), though the suit is only available online up to a size 16 which will limit its appeal a little. The fabric is Nike’s HydraStrong, which isn’t made from recycled materials, although other swimwear includes recycled polyester.

The black fabric is fully lined and has a slight sheen to it, and the swoosh logo is embroidered. The back is open and allowed for a full range of movement through the front crawl cycle, and the suit had a slightly compressive feel which felt good.

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8. Reebok Adelia

Only available in four sizes (XS to L), the Adelia from Reebok is a bit limited in range, but the material was pretty stretchy. Of the suits on test, this nylon number didn’t feel very supportive and I wasn’t keen on the wide straps with low front scoop combination, which just felt a bit old-fashioned. I would have liked the fabric to be a bit more compressive for hard training.

That said, this is at the budget end of the test and the design is pretty neutral, with a racer back that is modest as a result of the wide straps and keyhole design. Reebok don’t make any claims of chlorine-resistance for this suit online. Neither is there any mention of recycled materials being used, which is a shame from such a big name company.

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9. Speedo Colourblock Zip Swimsuit

Something a bit different, the Colourblock from swim giants Speedo features a long front zip which gives surf vibes and makes it really easy to get in and out of – as well as allowing the ‘X’ back design to sit perfectly around my shoulder blades for ease of movement. I liked the Slate Green colourway and pops of colour and the fit here was great. The suit comes in 2XS to 2XL which equates to 6-22 and my L was a 14-16 so I could have maybe sized down as it was a touch too big.

The fit was good though and comfortable. It does feature removable bust pads which I took out as I’m not a fan, but that didn’t affect the fit. Fabric is chlorine-resistant and quick-dry and while 22% isn’t recycled, the majority of 78% is in Repreve Polyester yarn made from post-consumer waste.

10. Zoggs Awaken Silver Lined Swimsuit

There are 14 designs available in this silver-lined swimsuit range now – the Awaken has a cross back as well as foam cups on the bust, a medium leg cut and level 3 support (equating to medium support, out of four available in the Zoggs range).

These suits claim to retain body heat for 60% longer than a normal swimsuit and while that may not be immediately obvious upon submerging, both myself and other swimmers trying this suit felt that we were less cold when we exited the water.

I also really like it as an extra layer under a wetsuit to add to core warmth, though I prefer the scoop-back styles without padding.

The vibrant fabric and look of this suit was a hit though and with so many designs, there’s sure to be one to suit you.

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What features should you look for in a woman’s swimsuit?

• Design and fit: Pick a design that makes you feel good. It’s been shown that the more confident you feel in any kit, the better you perform, and that’s got to count for something at swim squad. A swimsuit should fit skin tight when dry or wet, but not dig in so much as to feel uncomfortable. Choose a costume that reduces drag and allows smooth movement through the water. A well-fitted, streamlined design will support your speed and technique, especially during tumble turns and long sets.

• Straps: Straps should stay in place without digging into your shoulders. Cross-back styles are often best for comfort and freedom of movement, while wider straps provide more support for larger busts.

• Freedom of movement: The suit should not restrict your stroke mechanics or body rotation. Look for designs that allow full arm mobility and flexibility during all swimming strokes. Look particularly at the straps and cut at the bust, and whether they are a food fit for your body shape.

• Chlorine-resistant fabric: Make sure the material is durable and designed to withstand regular exposure to chlorine. Most reputable brands offer performance fabrics that retain their shape and color over time.

• Sustainable credentials: Consider eco-friendly options made from recycled materials like fishing nets or plastic bottles. Also check if the manufacturer uses sustainable packaging and ensures ethical factory conditions.

Frequently asked Questions about women’s swimsuits

Need a little more warmth for your outdoor swims? Take a look at our lists of the best triathlon wetsuits and best thermal wetsuits.

How we tested swimsuits

All of these swimsuits have been tested by open-water swim coach and 220 Triathlon editor Helen Webster. Each swimsuit has been worn for multiple swims and rated against a range of criteria that you’ll see outlined in the next section of this article.

Anything that scores 90% or above is genuinely a class-leading product. Gear that’s rated between 80-90% is still one of the best you can buy, while anything that’s 70-80% is still a decent performer. Scores below that means there’s a few issues with the product, but if the price is right, it could still be a good buy.

Meet our tester

Helen Webster is not only a swimsuit and goggles model, but also our highly qualified swim gear tester, open water swim coach, and 220Triathlon’s editor. You’ll see her appear in lots of our swim gear content because she really knows her stuff. Helen can recognise a good swimsuit a mile off and the authority on the key features needed in long-lasting and high-performing swim clothing.

Recent updates

• 13 October 2025: we added reviews of the Funkita Eclipse One Piece and Budgy Smuggler High Cut Racer.
• 14 November 2025: we added a new header image and a new category for a best high neck swimsuit option for the Speedo Colourblock Zip Swimsuit.
• 14 December 2025: We added new reviews of women’s open-water swimsuits, including that of the sustainable Yulex Finisterre Kaia Yulex Swimsuit and the Zoggs Awaken Silver Lined Swimsuit.
• 9 January 2026: we refreshed our product links to find you the best deals on our recommended swimsuits.
• 17 March 2026: we cut the product selection down to 10 having checked they were all on stock.
• April 2026: we added schema tables to all our specs data and updated the format of the article as a whole.