UV Leggings & Swim Leggings

UV Leggings for SUP, the Beach and Water Sports

UV leggings are thin, fitted swim leggings made from quick-dry lycra rated UPF 50+ that protect your legs from the sun in the water and on land. Unlike neoprene pants they don't add warmth, so they're made for hot days when a wetsuit would be too much. Wear them for SUP, swimming, the beach, yoga or a walk along the coast.

Sunscreen on your legs washes off quickly in the water, but leggings protect you for as long as you wear them. Pair them with a rash guard for full-body sun protection. UV leggings are part of our sun protection range.

Which UV Leggings Should I Choose?

It depends on the water temperature and whether you need sun protection or warmth.

Types of UV Leggings

UV leggings differ in length, waistband and extras.

• Full-length UV leggings – cover the whole leg down to the ankle. Best for a full day in the sun and fair skin.
• 3/4 leggings – end mid-calf. Cooler on hot days and popular for SUP and yoga.
• High or compression waistband – keeps the leggings in place after a fall and doesn't dig in.
• Leggings with a pocket – a small waistband pocket for your car key.

UV Leggings or Neoprene Leggings?

UV leggings protect you from the sun, while neoprene leggings keep you warm.

• Lycra UV leggings – thin, breathable and quick-dry, with no added warmth. Based on wetsuit manufacturers' recommendations, they're enough in water above roughly 26 °C.
• Neoprene leggings – 1.5–2 mm neoprene that warms your legs and lower back. For water below roughly 25 °C, wind and longer sessions in the water.

When your legs start getting cold on the board, it's time to swap lycra for neoprene.

What Does UPF 50+ Mean on Leggings?

UPF is the sun protection rating for fabric: UPF 50 lets through 1/50 of UV rays, so it blocks around 98% of UVA and UVB. SPF is the rating for sunscreen; for clothing the correct label is UPF. Because leggings are fitted, the fabric stretches, and overstretched fabric protects less. Once your leggings turn see-through at the knees or hips or lose their stretch, replace them.

How Should UV Leggings Fit?

Choose your size by waist and hip measurements in the size chart on each product. Leggings should fit snugly with no wrinkles, without digging into your waist. The test is simple: do a squat. If the fabric turns see-through at the knees, go up a size. You're welcome to try them on in our shop in Ljubljana.

UV Leggings for SUP

On a SUP you're in the sun the whole time and light also reflects off the water and the board, so your legs burn faster than on the beach. UV leggings don't get in the way of paddling or squatting on the board, and they dry quickly after a fall. Choose full-length leggings for a long tour and 3/4 for SUP yoga or a short paddle.

Who Else Are UV Leggings For?

• swimmers and snorkellers,
• kitesurfers and windsurfers in warm destinations,
• anyone doing yoga or SUP yoga outdoors,
• travellers heading to hot and tropical places,
• anyone with fair skin, lots of moles or tattoos on their legs.

What to Wear with UV Leggings?

• On top: a short or long sleeve rash guard.
• When it cools down or gets windy: a neoprene top.
• When you get out of the water: a changing poncho to dry off and change quickly.
• On your feet: wetsuit boots for rocky shores and hot sand.

How to Care for UV Leggings

After every use, rinse them in cool fresh water to remove salt, chlorine and sand. Hand wash or machine wash at 30 °C without bleach or fabric softener, and dry them in the shade. That way the fabric keeps its stretch and protection for longer.

Related categories
Rash guards & UV shirts · Sun protection · Boardshorts · Neoprene pants · Neoprene tops · Changing ponchos