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Summersalt sets itself apart from other swimwear brands with its under $100 designer swimsuits.
They use premium recycled fabrics with a UPF 50+ to protect skin during long hours under the sun.
We tried 7 different suits from the brand and were big fans of their style, compression, and price.
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In the months leading up to summer, many different emotions arise when shopping for swimsuits. There's excitement for the fun, carefree times ahead, but equal parts trepidation and frustration because navigating the market for the best swimsuits for women is just so unnecessarily tricky. Shopping swim brands often means choosing between comfort, trendiness, or a fair price — rarely can you find all three in one spot. But you'll see in our Summersalt reviews that it can be done.
In May 2017, the online swimsuit brand entered the arena and garnered mass attention on Instagram. Summersalt was founded by swimwear and direct-to-consumer veterans Lori Coulter and Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin, makes one-pieces and bikinis that look and feel good, using quality materials that don't translate into exorbitant prices.
Most of the one-pieces and bikini sets cost about $95 and come in a variety of styles, such as jewel-toned, color-blocked statement pieces or their classic lifeguard suits. We found in our Summersalt reviews that what brings all the suits together are clean lines and familiar silhouettes, made unique with just the right twist.
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What Summersalt swimsuits are made of
The Plunge Top features built-in cup support and pairs well with The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom. Jacqueline Saguin/Insider
Swimsuits are for lounging, but they're also for a host of other summer activities. Summersalt suits can keep up with all your physical activities plus the sweat, oil, chlorine, sunscreen, and debris that come with them. These suits are made from premium recycled materials, making them more technical, softer, and more durable than traditional fabrics.
As long as you're out in the sun, the premium recycled materials offer UPF protection of 50+, meaning they'll block more than 98% of UV rays (just as SPF is used to measure sunscreen effectiveness, UPF is a measure of sun-protective fabric effectiveness).
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How does Summersalt fit?
Summersalt reviewed 1.5 million body measurements from 10,000 women, which we gathered has much to do with the spot-on fit. They also employed a patented "TrueMeasure" process, which uses 3D body scanning, mass customization, and computer-aided design to make its suits and direct its supply chain.
They also stand up to the perils of harsh, chlorinated water. Having swam in her city league and high school swim teams, former senior reporter Connie Chen has gone through her fair share of swimsuits that lost their shape and compression after hours of continuous use. Summersalt's have four times the compression of the average swimsuit, and still, retain their shape after more than 100 hours of use in chlorinated water.
The site makes it easy to find your desired fit, categorizing pieces by "Great Boob Support" and "More Butt Coverage." Whether you're searching for the best swimsuits for DD cups or a one piece for your long torso, the filters exist to make sure you feel secure. In our Summersalt reviews, the team found that this attention to detail paid off.
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The Plunge Bikini Top and The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom
Jacqueline wears a Lava color swimsuit in size 4. Jacqueline Saguin/Insider
Color options for the top: White Sand, Lava, Sea Urchin, Seaweed, Deep Sea
Color options for the bottom: White Sand, Leopard, Lava, Hibiscus, Grapefruit, Sea Urchin, Deep Sea, Seaweed, Seaglass
Sizing options: 2-12; 2-22
If you're shopping for a two-piece bikini that hugs you in all the right places, look no further. To my awe, the thin material clung to my skin, offering light-to-medium compression. The mid-rise fit was the perfect compromise of secure bottom coverage without the weird tan lines you'd get from a true hi-rise suit. I love a good plunge top and this definitely satisfied in the support department. The inner padding looked a bit funny, but once I put it on, it lifted like a dream.
I wore my suit on a beach trip and loved how confident I felt. However, I'd say I probably wouldn't go for all-day wear because the straps tended to wear down on my shoulders and the bottoms dug in slightly. —Jacqueline Saguin, style & beauty reviews fellow
The Perfect High Leg One Piece
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Danielle wears an Electric color suit in size 6. Danielle Mak/Insider
Color options: Electric, Cotton Candy Sky
Sizing options: 2-22
Summersalt's selection of one-pieces really shines because I loved how comfortable and confident I felt in this swimsuit. The double lining in the suit hugged my body in the right places without feeling restrictive and tight. The adjustable straps fit to my 4-foot-11 short-torsoed frame and the built-in cups provided excellent bust support.
This suit requires more maintenance in the bikini line area. Though flattering, the high leg cutouts exposed more of my lower torso and thighs. I would note that for those who don't like the look of errant stubble or hairs poking out of their swim bottoms.
This suit may be a little pricier compared to other clothing brands. But, the swimsuit is thoughtfully designed and I believe it will hold its shape for years and make it well worth the price. I also appreciate how inclusive the site is with model and sizing diversity. The models are of different ages, body types, and ethnicities, and the sizing goes up to 22. It feels good to see this represented. —Danielle Mak, Business Intelligence senior analyst
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The Perfect Wrap One-PieceMoMo wears a Sky Blue & Mountain color suit in size 22. MoMo Lamping/Insider
Color options: 10, including Leopard and Gingham
Sizing options: 2-22
Summersalt had exactly what I was looking for: cute, size-inclusive, full-coverage swimsuits that don't look like they belong in my grandma's closet. You can tell Summersalt really cares about high-quality fabric construction. The first thing I do with a new suit is toss out the padded breast cups, but Summersalt actually sews theirs into place so there's no worrying about them sliding around or folding.
I loved wearing it to the beach because I didn't need an extra top for exploring the boardwalk or going into a restaurant. I wore it with a skirt and it looked like a regular top. It wins in the tummy support department, too. The wrap detail adds fun while accentuating my waist to create an hourglass shape.
I readjusted my top throughout the day because the fabric flattened my chest rather than lift and support. When you have a large chest, like I do, the constant flattening can make your underboob sweat almost unbearable. As a plus-sized woman with a large chest, I take "Boob Support" very seriously and Summersalt doesn't quite check that box. —MoMo Lamping, culture & employee experience manager
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The Tie Backflip
Elisabeth wears a Hibiscus & Lava color one-piece in size 8. Elisabeth Chambry/Insider
Color options: 6, including Modern Zebra and Deep Sea
Sizing options: 2-22
I'm usually drawn to black suits, but I really liked the selection that Summersalt had for one-piece swimsuits that looked flattering and colorful.
I loved the colors and material of the bathing suit; it looks and feels well made. A major plus for me was the sewn-in boob pads; I usually can't stand them floating around in suit tops. Everything looked great, but the shoulder straps kept flipping and didn't fit quite right. I have a wide ribcage and back, so I may just need to size up. I still wore the swimsuit to a pool party where I received multiple compliments and it stayed put really well despite the flipping straps.
This suit is on par with my go-to's. I have an Everlane and an Andie suit that fit a bit better, but this suit has a flair that those others don't.
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The Sidestroke
Ashley wears a Sea Urchin color one-piece in size 0. Ashley Phillips/Insider
Color options: 10, including Sea Urchin and Garden Party
Sizing options: 0-24
The Sidestroke swimsuit put Summersalt on the map and I've wanted to try it out for quite some time. But, as much as I liked the bold color options, they just weren't really my style. I was so excited to see that it now comes in all black.
When I first pulled the suit out of the package, I thought it was going to be way too small. While it was a little snug to pull on, it actually turned out to be the perfect fit. Most of Summersalt's suits start at a size 2, but this particular style has the option of a size 0. I took a chance by going with the 0 and it worked great for my 5-foot-two frame.
I can't wait to wear it on my next vacation, but as a side note, it's probably best to wear it on a not-so-sunny day to avoid the one-shoulder tan lines. The one drawback about this suit is that it doesn't have any built-in cups so there is zero support. But, I like the suit enough that I may try and have some sewn in by a tailor. —Ashley Phillips, style & beauty editor
My main consideration when buying a swimsuit is whether or not it has enough support to handle my chest. I have a DD cup size, so it can be a pretty significant challenge. In a bold move, I tried the one-shoulder Sidestroke suit in White Sand — which was risky for two obvious reasons. I have to say, I'm incredibly happy with how supportive the suit ended up being. There was no issue with lopsidedness or sagging, and the diagonal seaming on the front was super flattering.
The white color isn't see-through when wet, either. There's an extra lining over the chest for added assurance, and the backside was totally fine.
And just to tip the scale a little more, the suits are made from recycled materials and they're affordable — so you'll be doing both your wallet and the environment a favor. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
The Sidestroke is one of Summersalt's most popular styles, and now I can see why. I love the one-shoulder look, and I possibly love the back cutout even more. Whether you go for one of the solid, neutral color options or bright color-blocked options, the suit is flattering because the eye follows the line of the diagonal stripes, which parallel the one-shoulder strap and complement your curves. Worth noting after many a memory of struggling to wriggle in and out of a wet swimsuit, it was easy to put on and take off and very comfortable.
Like Sally, I was hesitant about the color. I usually stray away from white swimsuits because they don't always provide reliable opaqueness. However, I didn't feel self-conscious at all because the fabric was thick enough. White is a bold choice, but you can trust it's the right choice once you see how cute yet secure this style is. — Connie Chen, senior reporter
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The Swan Dive
Summersalt
Color options: 10, including White Sand
Sizing options: 0-24
I've been wearing this swimsuit for about two years now, and I love it as much now as I did the day I got it. Me and my large chest have a hard time with one-pieces that are supportive enough, but the adjustable straps on the back of this suit let me tighten it up to hold my boobs in place. The color blocking is also super flattering, even on my 5-foot-1 frame. I'd suggest going true to size in this suit. — Sally Kaplan, senior editor
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The bottom line
With their durable fit and sleek designs, Summersalt's suits succeed in meeting the crossover of confidence and comfort. They're durable and practical, so you'll be getting your money's worth season after season. Whether you're looking for a sporty bikini or sexy plunge one-piece, our Summersalt reviews concur that these designer swimsuits won't disappoint.
Jacqueline Saguin is a style & beauty fellow with Insider Reviews, covering everything from the latest TikTok trends to sustainability in the fashion and beauty industries. Before joining Insider, she was a freelance writer at Giggle Magazine and Wellness360 Magazine, where she wrote and edited feature stories, product roundups, and expert reported stories. Her work has appeared in Her Campus, PBS/NPR-affiliate WUFT News, and more.Jacqueline earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication studies from the University of Florida. Although she is focusing on e-commerce and style & beauty, she has a background in entertainment, health, and parenting writing as well as social media management.Say hello at jsaguin@insider.com or @jackiesaguin on Twitter.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read less
