Stinger suits are basically dive skins, but with thicker fabric. They were originally designed to protect swimmers in Northern Australia from sunburn and the sting of the deadly box jellyfish.

A stinger suit is so comfortable you want to wear it throughout the day, without the hassle of changing clothes before and after each swim and applying suncream. It's a great amphibian outfit for warm climates. Where it is cooler you can wear it as a base layer under a rain suit or nylon overall. Most regular stingersuits can be extended with a separate hood.

Suppliers

Kiefer USA
Solartex USA
Swimshop UK (look for modest "cover")

Hooded stinger suits are difficult to find. Try these shops:
Probe Wetsuits Australia
Surf Connect Australia


If you come across any manufacturers of hooded stingersuits, please tell us so we can send them any enquiries we get.

Features

Stinger suits differ from dive skins because they have a build-in hood which gives better protection for your neck and ears. Some have mittens (gloves) to protect your hands. They are made from chlorine resistant fabric, have a full front zipper and come in a range of colours and sizes.

Once you get wet in this suit, it feels like build-in air-conditioning, keeping you just at the right temperature. It dries quickly in hot weather, so you may want to soak it again if you get too hot. Don't wear anything underneath and it's like you wear almost nothing, a great feeling of freedom.

Sun Protection

That warm tropical sun has far more burning power than most people realise. Stinger suits give you sun protection when you are on the beach or swim around. The UV-blocking fabric covers most of your body, offering comfort and full spectrum UV protection.

Alternatives

Jeans and a tight pullover (or Lycra swim shirt) are an inexpensive stingersuit alternative unless you are in area with very small jellyfish that could get inside your clothes or up your jeans legs.

This outfit gives you good protection from sunburn, stingers, rough rocks or corals. It is more robust than a stingersuit but causes more drag in the water. You can also wear it elsewhere, even when you're not swimming.