Hooded Swim Shirts

For swimmers with sensitive skin, hooded swimwear offers better coverage against sunburn for head, ears and neck.

The hood provides protection for the head without the need to carry a hat around. This can also be more practical, as it means you have one less item to keep track of when you're surfing the waves or swimming in the pool.

Why Wear a Hood?

A hood is essential for snorkeling and swimming to prevent sunburn and nasty scars from jellyfish. We prefer suits with build-in hood to protect neck and ears as they can't get lost and turn with your head when you look around.

Hoods come in a variety of patterns, with the seams in different places to allow for a better fit. Due to the flexible fabric, the hood turns with your head, giving you full freedom of movement.

The face opening may be either wide or narrow, depending on what you want. Some readers reported being stung on the lips by jellyfish. Some suits have just an opening for the mouth and around your nose and eyes, so you can use snorkel and mask.

Your hood should fit well and move with your head when you turn to the side. It must not obstruct your vision or slop around because it is too big. Keep it in place with the strap of your snorkel mask. Make sure the hood stays out of your mask's face seal, or it will leak.

Swim Hoodie Features

Some long-sleeve swim hoodies have thumb-holes to stop the sleeves from moving up when you do front crawl (freestyle) swim strokes. Some have mittens that can be folded back. These are advantages you should look out for and they protect your hands as well.

Combined with Lycra pants they make a complete stinger suit to protect you from toxic jellyfish. Hooded swim shirts are most popular with snorkelers, surfers and bodyboarders,

Look out for a high UPF (UV Protection Factor). The best ones have a built-in UPF of 50 or more. While this shouldn't mean forgoing waterproof sun block, you are giving your skin the best possible protection. A swim hoodie will also cover the all-important neck and ears, which are too easily neglected and prone to burning.

The darker a hoodie is, the more protection it will offer. On the other hand, this can make it hotter to wear, so bear that in mind. Soaking it with cool water often helps.

Weight is also crucial, as a lighter hoodie can claim protective features, but the fabric is not up to the job. It's best to stay away from cheap options and choose something made by a quality company, so that you know it will stand up to the sun.

Surfwear designers have been at the forefront of creating eco-friendly clothes, as surfers are dedicated to keeping the oceans healthy. O'Neill also has a green hoodie made of 90% recycled bottles and plastics and printed with water-based ink, letting you be that much more a part of the healthy planet.

Finally, be sure to get the exact size. You don't want your swim hoodie to have too much stretch, because it loses its UPF strength that way. Make sure it's large enough to fit comfortably.

Add-on Hoods

You can extend a swim shirt, stingersuit, or other clothes with an add-on hood. The better ones have a large shoulder apron you can wear outside or tucked in. Add-on hoods are small enough to so you can always carry them in your swimbag.

A hood is essential for snorkelling and swimming to prevent sunburn and nasty scars from jellyfish. Add-on hoods are handy if you already have a body suit and want to upgrade it to a full stingersuit. It is soft on your skin and provides freedom of movement. Can be worn over or under all types of swimwear and water clothing.

Hoods come in a variety of patterns, with the seams in different places to allow for a better fit. Due to the flexible fabric, the hood turns with your head, giving you full freedom of movement.

The cut should be wide enough to cover your shoulders. You can wear it out, over your swim clothes for that classic medieval look. Alternatively, you can tuck it into the collar of your UV swimwear or sun clothing and zip it up. That should work well, if you're careful not to snag the fabric.

The face opening may be either wide or narrow, depending on what you want. Some readers reported being stung on the lips by jellyfish, A few hoods offer just an opening for the mouth and around your nose and eyes, so you can use snorkel and mask.

Your hood should fit well and not obstruct your vision or slop around because it is too big. Keep it in place with the strap of your snorkel mask. Make sure the hood stays out of your mask's face seal, or it will leak.

Usually the fabric is chlorine proof and comes with a UPF50+ UVA and UVA for maximum sun protection.

Get your hoods from Ecostinger.com