Shopping Tip: Ecostinger Sun Suits EcoStinger Sun Protection Clothing is UPF50+ certified by ARPANSA. Italian made swimwear fabric, chlorine resistant, quick drying, optimum breathability, exceptionally durable. www.ecostinger.com

Stingersuits were originally designed to protect swimmers in Northern Australia from sunburn and the sting of the deadly box jellyfish. They are ideal for the active swimmer and suitable for many water sports including diving.

Comfort

These suits are probably the most comfortable swimwear you can get, a great amphibian outfit for warm climates. You may want to wear one throughout the day, without the hassle of changing clothes before and after each swim and applying sun cream. They have no tight waistband, are lightweight and quick drying.

Once you get wet in this suit, it feels like build-in air-conditioning, keeping you just at the right temperature. It dries quickly in hot weather, so you may want to soak it again if you get too hot. Don't wear anything underneath and it's like you wear almost nothing, a great feeling of freedom.

Design

Stinger suits differ from dive skins because they have a build-in hood which gives better protection for your neck and ears. Some have mittens (gloves) to protect your hands. They have a full front or back zipper and come in a range of colours and sizes.

Fabrics

Stinger suits are basically dive skins, but often with thicker fabric and a hood. Some have a special thinner tan-through fabric which keeps the stingers away but not the sunshine.

Most stinger suits are made of high quality soft Italian chlorine resistant fabric which provides you with a protection greater than 97.5% of UV rays. This in effect provides you a sun rating of UPF50+.

Sun Protection

That warm tropical sun has far more burning power than most people realise. Stinger suits give you sun protection when you are on the beach or swim around. The UV-blocking fabric covers most of your body, offering comfort and full spectrum UV protection.

Alternative

Jeans and a tight pullover (or Lycra swim shirt) are an inexpensive stingersuit alternative unless you are in area with very small jellyfish that could get inside your clothes or up your jeans legs. This outfit is more robust than a stingersuit and gives you good protection from sunburn, stingers, rough rocks or corals. Although it causes more drag in the water, you can also wear it elsewhere, even when you're not swimming.