We put 3 of the best sporty swimming costumes to the test and have some cool eco-friendly swimmers to see you through to the end of the summer. 

If the easing of lockdown has seen you itching to swerve the living room workouts and get back to the swimming pool or the sea,  it might be a good time to invest in some new kit.

A proper training swimsuit isn’t just about looking the part – the right performance fabric can help you feel supported, comfortable and confident during every kind of swim (after all, there’s nothing worse than stopping to adjust a flimsy bikini when you’re mid-stroke).

Plus, finding one you love can give you that extra bit of motivation to prioritise a lunchtime dip over another episode of something on Netflix. We tried out three new swimsuits for the season, here’s what we thought…

1. ROXY Fitness One Piece Swimsuit in Mood Indigo €95, visit surfdome.ie

For sports swimsuits, ROXY might not be your first thought – arguably their looks are more fashion/trend-led than practical about diving into the water. However, this one-piece bridges the gap pretty successfully.

Made with recycled fabric (high-performance VITA Xtra Life™ Lycra®), the cozzie combines UV, chlorine and sun-cream resistant properties with a racerback shape that leaves your arms free to move, yet fits snugly around the torso.

The half-zip at the front looks good and you’ll find yourself satisfyingly zipping it up and down – even if it doesn’t have much of an actual function. It’s not overly suitable for those with a larger bust, unfortunately (Roxy suggests it’s ideal for A-C sizes) and the removable support pads do shift around a little. However, the material is tough but comfortable and makes you feel super streamlined – you’ll get a lot of wear out of this.

2. Alpkit Nefyn Swimwear Set €24.99; €14.99 each for Bottoms and Top individually, visit eu.alpkit.com 

Alpkit specialises in kit for outdoor life, but this sporty two-piece is ideal for laps in the pool or spring and summer wild dips. Sustainably made with ECONYL® (material made with recycled ocean plastics and nylon waste), the fabric is lined for extra coverage and support.

We love how well-fitting it feels – sturdy enough to feel like it’ll stay in place and hold its shape well, yet still super comfy so you can swing those arms and move around with ease. The top has a fairly high neckline and sits nice and high under the arms, which is great if you want a bit more coverage, and the waistband sits at just the right point.

This is a two-piece you’ll want to wear time and time again – and it could easily be twice the price, the quality feels ace.

3. Speedo Retro Logo Medalist Swimsuit Black €40, visit speedo.com

Hands up if you remember donning a Speedo costume during your school swimming lessons? If like me, you were a regular at your local leisure centre in the Nineties, the retro logo on this one will give you a real nostalgia hit.

As someone who isn’t a fan of the recent high-cut swimming costume trend, I really liked the modest way the costume cuts around my body, which minimises any self-conscious worries as you come out of the water.

It’s made from Eco EnduraFlex – a type of high-performance fabric that has all the shape-retaining benefits of Speedo’s old costumes but is pleasingly made from recycled yarns for a more sustainable swim. The brand says it also boasts a higher chlorine resistance than standard high-street swimwear fabrics, so it shouldn’t go saggy or misshapen after a few uses in the pool. Soft and comfortable yet supportive, it really feels like a second skin as you’re gliding through the water.

Sustainable swimwear

If you’re worried about your fashion footprint and want to make more sustainable shopping choices, summer swimwear is a great place to start.

This season, brands big and small have used innovative techniques to create beachwear ranges with impressive environmental credentials.

And they look great, too. Whether you’re swimming, catching rays or a bit of both, here’s our pick of the best eco-friendly bathing suits for summer…

1. Nike Women’s Colour-Block Midkini Top €50; Women’s Colour-Blocked High-Waisted Swimming Bottoms €43, visit nike.com

Nike’s new Icon range of men’s and women’s swimwear is made with recycled polyester and nylon. This sporty pink and black bikini comes with a handy detachable zip-up pocket.

2. Rixo Alice Top €105; Mid-Rise Bikini Bottoms €74, visit rixo.co.uk

Venturing into sustainable fashion, celeb favourite Rixo has created a line of chic bikinis and swimsuits with Q-Nova, a nylon fabric produced from regenerated sea waste in a process that doesn’t use chemicals. We love the Alice halterneck bikini, which comes in two contrasting prints.

3. H&M Conscious Padded Bandeau Bikini Top €4.99; Conscious Brazilian Bikini Bottoms €9.99, visit hm.com 

Eco and budget-friendly, H&M’s Conscious collection swimwear is ideal for those who prefer a more minimal aesthetic, with lots of plain black pieces in simple shapes, like this bandeau bikini.

4. Tropic of C Praia Bikini Top €115; Bottoms €100, visit mytheresa.com

Trust Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel to come up with the season’s sexiest swim range. A collaboration with Tropic of C, the itsy-bitsy bikinis and strappy swimsuits are made with textiles recycled from things like fishing nets and plastic bottles, and also feature upcycled labels and bamboo hang tags.