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I’ve always felt that the right two-piece bathing suit reigns supreme over a one-piece for active women of any age or body type. The top of a bikini provides sports bra-like support—or at least more support than the top half of a one-piece bathing suit. Bikini bottoms tend to stay in place better than the bottom of a one-piece, which, with movement, inevitably creeps and needs constant readjusting. And in the summer heat, the lack of fabric around the midsection just feels better.

Having grown up a San Diego beach kid and a Santa Barbara college kid, I’ve spent a lot of time in bathing suits so I have an informed opinion of what works and what doesn’t. Now in Boulder, Colorado, I don’t wear swimsuits as often, but I SUP and, anytime I travel to a beach, lake, or river, I like to surf, swim, paddle, bodysurf, wakeboard, and play beach volleyball, Smashball or soccer in bikinis. (I also like to go on runs after throwing on shorts and a tank over my suit).

In recent years, I’ve considered whether I need to switch to wearing one-pieces instead of bikinis because of my age. I’m not 20; I’m pretty far from it. I’ve have had two kids. I’ve wondered: Do societal norms accept women in their late 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond baring their midriffs and wearing bikinis, regardless of what their midsection might look like? Whatever the answer to that may be, I’m pretty sure I don’t care. Or at least, I don’t want to care.

Not everyone finds a bikini more comfortable than a one-piece. But if you do (like me), there’s a host of bikinis for active women of any age. I decided to test a few of them to find the best.

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How I Tested Bikinis

I took a collection of bikinis designed for active women (plus some skimpier Roxy tops and bottoms because, you know, tan lines) on a family trip to Costa Rica and wore them surfing, swimming, bodysurfing, and playing volleyball and soccer on the beach with my teenage sons and husband. Twice, when a beach soccer game was dying out, I spontaneously took off on a barefoot run on the sand at low tide—once just wearing a bikini and once with a wet sun shirt thrown over my top half. I also brought the suits on a river rafting trip in Arizona where we paddled and hiked for a week, only removing our bathing suits at the end of each day, sometimes after doing cartwheels on the riverbank.

The following suits have been thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly tested over the past month. They’re all designed for active pursuits: They provide more coverage both in the rear and up top than skimpier bikinis, and they stay put whether you’re paddling out, diving for a volleyball, chasing a toddler—or racing a teenager.

Here’s how the suits I’ve been testing have fared through my abuse.

Bikinis for Active Women Reviews

Most Comfortable

Carve Designs Escondido Top and Pipa Compression Bottoms

The pulls on overhead and fits like a sports bra. Though the company rates it as “light support” for A/B cups, I found it plenty supportive for a run and any other beach activity. I love the simplicity of this top. There are no hooks, loops, adjustment straps, or fasteners digging into the skin, so it’s comfortable to wear under a PFD or backpack. I also love how the fabric is a blend of 82 percent recycled polyester, made from plastic water bottles, and 18 percent spandex for stretch. I’m a big fan of companies striving to minimize plastics that end up in the ocean, especially when I’m wearing a suit to enjoy said ocean. Plus, the material is 50 UPF.

The strike a great balance between modesty and style. They have decent rear-end coverage, although they’re a tad cheeky, and the material extends high enough to cover the lower belly. These bottoms stayed put while doing cartwheels, surfing, and playing in the ocean. They’re made with a compressive fabric blend: 42 percent spandex (the compressive quality), 35 percent recycled polyester, and 23 percent recycled nylon. They feel supportive in the right places without being constrictive. 50 UPF.

Most Coverage

Prana Baja Bound Swim Top and Bottom

The high-neck styling of the offers more coverage than I’m used to, but I appreciated the modesty when playing Blackjack dealer to four teenage boys one rainy afternoon in Costa Rica. The adjustable band closure around the ribcage and high neck make this top one of the more supportive in this roundup. Though I found it a tad warmer than the others during land-based activities like walks or beach runs because it covers more skin than “traditional” bikinis, I was comfortable during all water activities. 50 UPF.

The are the most full-coverage of any other bottoms I tested, both in the rear and around the midsection as the top extends past my belly button. The wide side cut helps the material—78 percent recycled nylon, 22 percent Lycra/elastane blend—stay put for minimal creeping. A small, zippered pocket at the back holds a key or other essentials, though it kept me from wanting to do crunches or yoga poses on my back. An adjustable tie at the waist helps keep them from getting washed off my body while playing in whitewater, though I’m not sure they need it. 50 UPF.

Most Secure

Patagonia Nanogrip Bottoms and Nanogrip Sunny Tide Top

I’ve long been a fan of for their in-between amount of coverage and comfort. The, however, stay in place better. They feature a “Nonslip Nanogrip lining” throughout the entire interior which felt like it did, indeed, stick to my bare skin just a touch, and didn’t slip or creep when I paddled out on a longboard or played volleyball. The cut is midrise and mid-coverage: they’re much lower at the waist than others in this roundup, but the material covers more of my rear and stays put.

The has one knock against it: the light color I received (Milkweed Mauve) is see-through enough that the outline of the removable pads is visible, even when dry, which made me want to keep the pads in. Otherwise, the Nanogrip material helped keep the top secure during beach volleyball. I like how the strappy back of this suit crisscrosses, which adds support without bulk and ties midback only. Suits that tie around the neck tend to become uncomfortable during long beach or other water-activity days. The Nanogrip material, though effective, doesn’t feel great when sweaty—it didn’t breathe as well as some others.

Most Fashionable

OuterKnown Seea Vega Bikini Top and Seea Vega Bikini Bottom

The comes from Outerknown, the company started by pro surfer Kelly Slater. I appreciate the sports bra-like fit of this top and its easy, pullover style. The slightly stretchy straps allow movement without restriction, and their narrow placement adds support and didn’t dig into my shoulders under a day pack. The cut is slightly low, but not too low, for active pursuits. I received multiple compliments while I wore this top because of the combination of cut and color.

The is mid-rise with a high leg, which is good for lounging and most activities. I didn’t, however, love the feeling of seams that come from the color blocking, and for that reason, I’d rather pair the Seea Vega Bikini Top with a different bottom, like the Carve or .

Most Surprising for Fit and Function

Roxy Beach Classics Triangle Bikini Top

I packed this one for the minimal tan lines I’d get from its slim straps, and because I like the look of a classic cut triangle top, but I was surprised by how well the stayed put playing sand volleyball. While the “triangle” portion of most traditional triangle tops slides around on the straps, which are usually thin, cord-like, and round, this one’s triangles are fixed onto a rectangular-shaped chest strap and shoulder straps. That kept the triangles in place, which I appreciated. The soft, recycled nylon fabric has a slight stretch to it and kept the shoulder straps from digging into my skin. Plus, the hook closure held the top securely (and never comes unintentionally untied). I like wearing this top with any of the bottoms in this round-up.