The Top Water Sports Swimwear I Loved This Summer – Now on Sale! - OK! Magazine

With the sun still shining across the UK, we’re all looking to spend a lot more time outdoors. When the temperatures soar, though, there’s nothing better than being in the water, which is why now is the perfect time to try out a new water sport or hobby to help stay cool whilst being active.

From paddle boarding to sailing or wild swimming, there are plenty of water-based hobbies to try out, and I put several pieces from Animal to the test to see if they were the right choice for getting out in the water this summer. I tried the Margot Womens Recycled Swimsuit, the Isla Womens Printed Surf Suit, the Soleil Womens Shorty Wetsuit, and the Isabella Womens Surf Suit to do several water-based activities during a recent trip to Croatia, and I was more than impressed with all of them.

My favourite pick of everything I tried was the Isabella Womens Surf Suit, £39.99 here (was £64.99), which was the perfect alternative to a full wetsuit with full length sleeves to protect you from sunburn whilst in the water. I wore it for paddle boarding as I knew if I went into the water more than once my SPF would come off, leaving me exposed to the sun’s rays with no way of topping it back up.

The long sleeves are also great if the weather changes from being warm to a little chilly, but it has the same light, stretchy material as a regular swimsuit which stops it from feeling too restrictive. It has a zip up the back which means nothing digs into your chest when you’re lying on your front on a surfboard (or clambering back onto a paddle board), and is fully chlorine and salt water resistant so you can wear it for any activity.

Another similar piece I tried was the Isla Womens Printed Surf Suit, £34.99 here (was £59.99), which is a short sleeved version of the surf suit, with a half zip up the front instead. Just like the Isabella one it was super soft and stretchy and comfortable to wear, and helped protect my shoulders from the sun’s direct rays for an afternoon spent sailing. The sleeves also helped stop any pesky tan lines and chafing from the life jacket!

If you’re looking for something a little more heavy duty for more intense activities, the Soleil Womens Shorty Wetsuit, £44.99 here (was £109.99), was perfect. It’s made from a stretchy DS foam neoprene which felt light and easy to move in, like a regular swimsuit. However it also gives you the warmth of a regular wetsuit, making it ideal for the UK.

If you’re planning on more low key activities like swimming – either wild or in a pool – or just want something with a little more coverage for a trip to the beach, the Margot Womens Recycled Swimsuit, £22.99 here (was £54.99), was ideal. It has a slightly more athletic cut and shape and plenty of stretch which is great for more competitive-style swimming, and I found the higher neckline and zip up front were perfect for helping me feel a bit more supported and secure when moving around in it than a regular swimsuit would.

If you want to combine fashion and fitness in one, Reebok’s swimwear line is the perfect solution. I didn’t get a chance to put the brand’s swimwear to the test, but its new SS24 swimwear line manages to combine chic colourways and cut out designs with silhouettes and designs that are suitable for more athletic pursuits.

The Ariel Swim Suit, £18 here (was £37.99), comes in a choice of two different colours and has a sleek wrap over design with cut out details that make it just as good for a paddle board in the sea as for lounging by the pool on holiday. Similarly the Adalia Suit, £18 here (was £37.99), has a classic shape with extra bust support, and features a stylish low back and double racer back strap detail.