Anyone have experience of sun-protection suits?

[utterlyconfused]

I want to get my children, who are very fair, sun-protection suits for France this summer. I have seen various ones at a wide range of prices - which obviously reflect the quality. Eg Mothercare's are about £16, but GLTC has them for £30+.
Anyone got any input on this? I don't want to buy something whose zips will break or which will go green in chlorine, but how much is it necessary to spend to get something that's ok. My children are 4, 6 and 7.
Thanks.

I bought some from Next for £13 or so, and they have been fine.

The fabric should have a sun protection factor. All the ones I bought last year (most expensive was £15) said 40+ and did the job in Italy (temp 30 degrees plus)

And presumably they all give the same amount of protection?
Did you just get all-in-one, short sleeves and legs?

Do check the SPF factors and that they cover all types of UV but dd had a Sainsbury's one last year and was fine , although colour on the hat ran a bit, ds had a House of Fraser one and both have had Speedo in the past.

They have to be fairly snug to be effective though. we've had both styles and the 2 piece was easier for nappy changes and she could wear the top with a swim nappy if needs be.

I found last summer that just a long sleeved sun shirt was adequate for ds (in Canaries), and I just put a high factor cream on his legs.

Bumpity bump - anyone else?

I don't think you can judge them on price alone. As someone said, you need to check the SPF factor and probably feel the fabric aswell. In the past, mine have worn an old mothercare one and a sainsburys one and both have been fine. I think your kids are quite old for them though? You'd probably battle to find one for a 6 and 7 yr old. They would probably be happier in their swimming costumes and suncream I imagine!

If you get the two piece, try and get one with a long back, otherwise it can ride up when they're bending over. I personally prefer the two piece as ds has a tendency to unzip the all-in-ones.

I generally go for at least one year bigger in size.

Try and get the matching hat if possible - the ones with the neck flaps are great.

Have had all sorts of makes, and never any problems. We don't use them much in pools though, mainly the sea, so perhaps that makes a difference?

Do they burn less when they are older?

\link{http://www.sunsuits.co.uk\This website }does good quality sunsuits for all ages from baby to adult.

I don't know but at least they are more sensible about having sun cream put on! I found those suits were great because when mine were little they wriggled so much, I never knew how much cream had actually gone in the right places! At least with a 6 and 7 yr old, they will stand still.

What a great site - thanks Laura! I think the Aussies are the best people for these as they have been really into their sun protection for years. I hadn't done a search, wanted some general opinions first, but I think these look fantastic. I just don't think you can be too careful and they generally don't wan't to hang around for a "proper" application of sunscreen.

We have just been on holiday to Portugal and we got DS a two piece sun protection swimwear suit from George it was £11.99 and it was really good, he was very well protected.

Asda had girls ones at 50% off (only £5) spf40+

DD (3) practically lives in hers in the summer as we're at the beach so much, and last year she wore one in the pool in France. She's had a Tesco one, a second hand M&S one and Asda ones and I've had no problems with any of them and they've protected her fine. They've had some real abuse and no zips have broken, gone green or colours run.

I prefer the all in ones because they don't ride up and expose her back when she's busy digging in the sand. They're also perfect for going under her wetsuit. If they did them in adult sizes I'd wear one under mine!

I got ds's sun shirt from www.solartex.com, which ships from US - only used that site because I wanted \link{http://www.solartex.com/Detail.bok?no=74\this suit} for myself! Very pleased with products and they were excellent with returns.

Watcha, Surfermum!

Well, surfermum, look at Laura's website!!

Like your name, think your advice should be good

you should check the UVF?SPF factor - our more expensive ones here in Aus have a 100% protection factor whereas others not so expensive we have bought had a 50% protection factor.

Both my dds have these suits - we live in Aus - they go swimming at least once a week - probably a lot more in summer and they have lasted fine. Dd1 has one that is 2 years old and still going strong. Her other vest which is over 3 yrs old has been passed to dd2 and is still going strong. My two also have hats in that fabric as well - fab - they dry so quickly and great for swimming - both fair fine haired monkeys.

Our designs range - from just a vest, a top and shorts and an all in one. Legionnaires hat and a bucket hat style.

YOu see them everywhere over here in Aus and they are just brilliant.

For the older ones perhaps the vest style is better. Tend to see that on older kids here - shirt/vest and boardies.

Wow! Just checked the link out and they do them in my size! Although I certainly shan't be prancing around the beach in one. I wonder if they'll stop that "oooooooooh" moment when you get in the sea and the water seeps through your wettie and hits your bits.