Tati Weston-Webb sporting her Body Glove Smoothies set. Photo: Brent Bielmann
Summer is here, meaning it’s time to swap out the neoprene and show a little more skin. As a lady slider, it can be difficult to find a suit that not only looks good, but will stay securely in place during shred sessions. I set out to find suits that could keep up with my active lifestyle and put them through the wringer in order to find the best stay-put swimsuits for lady surfers. Here are ten that passed with flying colors. Nothing catches your eye? Check out ten more picks from years past right here.
Live somewhere that never gets to swimsuit temperatures? Check out our guide to The Best Women’s Springsuits. Live somewhere even colder than that? Check out our guide to The Best Women’s Wetsuits.
TLDR: What are the Best Women’s Swimsuits for Surfing?
Patagonia Reversible Extended Break One-Piece ($149)
Jolyn Lia One Piece Swimsuit ($64)
Body Glove Smoothies Alana Bikini Top ($50) & Eclipse Surf Rider Bottom ($40)
Billabong Tropic Times Underwire Top ($70) & Maui Rider Bottoms ($60)
Carve Designs Tamarindo Top ($48) & St. Barth Bottoms ($55)
Slipins Surfskin Mini ($150)
Roxy Classics Athletic Bikini Top ($42) & Mini Bikini Bottoms ($30)
Seea Hermosa One Piece ($135)
Prana Jess One-Piece ($95)
Sensi Graves Rose Eco Long Sleeve Top ($69) & Emma Eco Bottoms ($54)
Sisstrevolution Slumber Longline Top ($44) & Rem High Waist Bottoms ($44)
What Makes a Good Swimsuit for Surfing?
A swimsuit may seem like a pretty straightforward piece of gear — it’s just a few pieces of fabric sewn together. But through years of experience, and a couple of mishaps, I’ve learned that not all swimsuits are created equally. A good suit not only comes at an affordable price but also fits securely, is durable, and looks good.
Durability
Swimsuits do not come cheap — that’s a fact. If I’m dropping over $100 on a tiny piece of fabric, I want to make sure it’s going to last more than one summer, which is unfortunately all too true for most bikinis.
Fit
Fit is crucial when it comes to a good swimsuit. Obviously one size does not fit all but if you’re anything like me you do a lot of your shopping online and want a suit that fits true to size. Additionally, I want a suit that hugs in all the right places so it looks as flattering as possible.
For surf suits, I have found that ordering a size down, especially in bottoms can help with a secure fit. For reference, I’m 5’7”, 120 pounds and tested small and extra-small suits.
Aesthetic
If it doesn’t look good, I don’t want it, plain and simple. When I’m purchasing a new suit, I want it to come in a fun print or color and have a cute cut. In addition to your surfing, your suit is a way of expressing yourself out in the water and it’s always fun to find a suit that matches your personality.
Comfort
I’ve always been a function over fashion kind of gal but when I find a suit that combines both, I’m stoked. I spend most of the day in my swimsuit and as such, I need it to be comfortable otherwise it’s not going to make the cut.
Photo: Caleb Heikes (@rogue.mango)
Patagonia Reversible Extended Break One-Piece ($149)
Durability: 5/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5
When it comes to Patagonia, I’ve learned to expect quality and the Extended Break one-piece swimsuit is no exception. Designed specifically for surfing and swimming, the suit features a deep V-neck, moderate rear coverage, and supportive straps in back. Made with the environment in mind, the suit is Fair Trade certified sewn and is constructed from a blend of recycled nylon and recycled polyester. The result is a fabric that is not only soft and comfortable but also fits securely and is flattering to the body. Bonus points because it’s reversible.
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Jolyn Lia One Piece Swimsuit ($64)
Durability: 4/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5
The JOLYN x Eryn Krouse surf capsule collection features completely surf-oriented swimwear, and the Lia One Piece is no exception. A flattering style that stays put against the waves, The slim coverage suit with a French cut leg provides extra support with its built-in shelf bra and adjustable straps.
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Body Glove Smoothies Alana Bikini Top ($50) & Eclipse Surf Rider Bottom ($40)
Durability: 3/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Out of the box, the Alana bikini set is easy on the eyes. The fixed triangle top features a sporty design with strappy back detailing and removable pads, making it ideal for waves and wipeouts. The bottoms are a fuller coverage style but feature the perfect amount of ruching to give your booty a little flair. While the bottoms fit well and true to size, I’d definitely recommend going down a size for a more snug fit. There are tons of color options so you can mix and match to your heart’s content, which is something I appreciate. The suit is buttery soft making it easy to wear all day — the flip side of the lightweight and comfy fabric is that it will stretch out with time. Sported by pro surfer, Tatiana Weston-Webb, this suit gets the job done and looks good, too.
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Billabong Tropic Times Underwire Top ($70) & Maui Rider Bottoms ($60)
Durability: 4/5
Fit: 4/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
Featuring a cute tropical print and a trendy cut, Billabong’s Tropic Times bikini set is made from recycled seersucker fabric and is a guaranteed head turner. The ruched underwire top features removable padding and adjustable straps, allowing you to give the girls the perfect amount of lift and support. At first I thought the style wouldn’t hold up well in the surf, but the fit is surprisingly secure — my only complaint is that the underwire can dig in a bit when lying on your board. Also made from recycled fabric, the Maui Rider bottoms feature a flattering high-rise design and offer medium bum coverage. The bottoms are reversible, allowing you to mix and match styles, which is always a plus in my book. Although the suit fits fairly well, as a petite surfer I wish Billabong would add more XS options to their inventory for a more secure fit.
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Carve Designs Tamarindo Top ($48) & St. Barth Bottoms ($55)
Durability: 4/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5
Have you ever found a bikini that you absolutely love so you buy the exact same style over and over again? That’s the Tamarindo top and St. Barth bottoms for me! Made from four-way stretch tricot, the Tamarindo top features a sporty fit with crossover adjustable straps in back. Available in a wide range of color options, it’s super comfy and perfect for long days in the sun. Made from 82 percent recycled polyester, the St. Barth bottoms provide a full coverage, classic fit, so you don’t have to worry about flashing anyone when you wipe out.
Top
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Bottoms
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Slipins Surfskin Mini ($150)
Durability: 4/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Made in the USA and featuring 50-plus UPF sun protection, Slipins are the perfect cross between a swimsuit and a rashguard. The form-fitting suits have a silky smooth fit and include a front zipper, long sleeves, and thumbholes to offer maximum sun protection. Slipins has a wide collection of ocean-inspired designs and although some of the prints are kind of out there, they’re all really unique and fun. While the price is a bit steep, these suits have accompanied me on many surf trips and assure that everything is going to stay in place no matter how big a wave you drop in on.
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Roxy Classics Athletic Bikini Top ($42) & Mini Bikini Bottoms ($30)
Durability: 3/5
Fit: 4/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
You can never go wrong with a solid, sport bikini set and Roxy’s Classics bikini is a solid staple to have in your wardrobe. Available in five different color options, the Classics Athletic top features soft, resistant stretch fabric, removable pads, adjustable straps, and a cross-back tie. This minimalist, triangle-shaped top has quickly become a go-to of mine and I love how the solid color allows me to easily mix and match. The Mini bottoms offer a mid-rise waistline with mini seat coverage, allowing for optimal tanning potential during sessions. While the material is buttery soft and incredibly comfy, it is on the thin side, meaning the fit isn’t quite as snug as you’ll need if you’re out there sending it — I’d suggest going down a size for an ultra secure fit.
Athletic Bikini Top
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Mini Bikini Bottoms
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Seea Hermosa One Piece ($135)
Durability: 5/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Combining function with fashion, Seea’s Hermosa One Piece is the ultimate surf suit. Made from a blend of recycled polyester/spandex and recycled nylon/spandex fabric, the long-sleeve one-piece suit is fully lined and is rated to UPF 30-plus so you don’t have to worry about lathering on as much sunscreen. For the most flattering fit possible, the suit features a sweetheart bust, belt-like waist, and keyhole back. While one-piece suits don’t typically tend to be the most stylish, the Hermosa comes in a variety of fun prints and the secure, yet flattering, fit ensures it will look good and stay securely in place regardless of what you throw its way.
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Prana Jess One-Piece ($95)
Durability: 5/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Overall: 4.25/5
Made from 78 percent Econyl recycled nylon and fair trade certified sewn, the Jess One-Piece is not only good for surfing but is also gentle on the environment. The suit is specifically designed for performance and offers moderate bust coverage, moderate support, a moderate seat, removable soft cups, a standard leg, scooped back with adjustable strap detail, and is rated to UPF 50-plus. Although athletic one-pieces aren’t the most stylish, the Jess features a reversible pattern and crisscross back detailing for a little added flair. The material is sturdy and sports a clean finish construction, meaning it looks good and isn’t going anywhere during your time on (or off) the water.
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Sensi Graves Rose Eco Long Sleeve Top ($69) & Emma Eco Bottoms ($54)
Durability: 4/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Overall: 4.75/5
Sensi Graves is in the business of making bikinis for girls who rip and the Rose Eco top and Emma Eco bottoms are no exception. Designed with the environment in mind, both pieces are made from reclaimed fishing nets and recycled plastic bottles and one percent of sales are donated to environmental groups. The crop top offers a cute fit while the long sleeves add sun protection, making it the perfect top for summer surfs. The Emma Eco bottoms are fully lined, medium rise, offer moderate coverage, and include side cut-out detail — they fit snugly so you don’t have to worry about them moving around during sessions.
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Photo: Caleb Heikes (@rogue.mango)
Sisstrevolution Slumber Longline Top ($44) & Rem High Waist Bottoms ($44)
Durability: 5/5
Fit: 5/5
Aesthetic: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Overall: 4.75/5
Sisstrevolution is all about making suits for women and as a result, the suits not only look good but are cut to accentuate your beautiful curves. The Slumber Longline is a sports bra style top that offers more coverage and support, giving it a modest appearance with a fun print. The Rem High Waist bottoms feature a high-leg cut and cover the belly button, giving them a flattering yet retro fit. The material is thick and sturdy and the suit fits securely so you can surf to your heart’s content without worrying about your bikini moving around.
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Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. For ten more women’s swimsuits for surfing that we love, click here.
