Breathable light weight shell suits are popular with both men and women in Asia. Matching tops and pants make this a practical outfit on land or in the water. It costs very little, avoids sunburn and feels pleasant as it dries in the breeze.

Advantages

Here are few advantages we've found while using a shell suit:
1. It dries very quickly, even while you wear it.
2. You can also wear it when you're not swimming.
3. The small front pocket takes keys or money.
4. You can fold it into the build-in stuff bag and take it anywhere.
5. Pools should have no problem as it sheds no fluff to block their filters.

   Make sure you get at least one zipped pocket so you can keep a locker key or small change in it. Also look out for a soft breathable fabric. Some suits may be waterproof, some not.

Suppliers

Better department stores or sport shops. Check out the boating, golf or hiking sections. Costs ca. €20-40.

For this review I got hold of an UMBRO shell suit from the golfing section of a big sports store, a suit like many others, so this report may apply to them too. It has a simple, uncluttered design.

This inexpensive suit consists of loose fitting pants (can be used as over-trousers) and a pullover type top (like an anorak) with zipped pockets.

The fabric is soft and very breathable. I tried the suit on in the evening, with nothing underneath, like I would for swimming. It didn't feel sticky or sweaty at all. That evening I fell asleep on my bed while reading a book. I woke up the next morning still wearing this shell suit and feeling alright. It is so breathable, it could double up as sleep-wear, if you have no other choice.

Waterproofing Test
In the shower with the hood up, this suit kept me dry for quite a while. A bit of water seeps into the collar when you turn towards the water, but all rain-suits and ponchos do that.

Swim Test
Next up was the swimming pool test where I wore it just like swimwear with nothing underneath. Like most in pools you should take a shower, so I only wore the bottoms and put the top on before I entered the pool hall. In the pool the fabric felt soft and light, it didn't chafe. Once all surplus air bubbled out I started swimming my training lengths.

As expected it slowed me down a bit compared to wearing shorts or a one piece lycra body suit. But the extra resistance is great for fitness training. After a short while I got used to the suit and barely noticed it at all.

The following day I wore this shell suit in the sea, on top of a tracksuit. Again, the lightweight suit is barely noticeable, but it did provide good cover against windchill.

Summary
A shell suit like this is probably one of the most versatile outfits you can carry around every day. You can swim in it, sleep in it, avoid the wind and rain, and pack it away into its small bag when you don't need it. All of this for about €20 is an absolute bargain.

Felix  

Reader Story

It was a warm but rainy day when I came past the local swimming pool and saw my friends playing around in there. Then I realised that I didn't bring my swim shirt and shorts, or a change of clothes so I could have jumped in as I were. Too bad.

"Why don't you swim in your rain suit?" one of them asked. Great idea. I took off my clothes, put on just my unlined rain suit, and jumped into the pool. To my surprise the suit felt pleasant and comfortable. It was easy and fun to swim in.

Afterwards, I changed into my dry clothes, shook the water off my rain suit and put it back on. What a simple and practical idea. Why didn't I think of that earlier?

Now many of my friends do the same when we go swimming, instead of carrying around extra swimwear.

Jeroen (16) from Holland