How to Choose a Cover Up for Beach and Pool Days

Quick answer

Choose a cover up by matching fabric to how wet you get, length to where you are going after the water, and fit to whether you want to change underneath it. If you mostly need drying and coverage between swims, a towel wrap does that job better; if you want to walk to the snack bar or drive home looking put together, a cover up wins. For families, a hooded terry kids' cover up solves the same problem for little ones.

Start with fabric, because it decides how the cover up behaves

Terry absorbs water and feels like a towel you can wear, which makes it the practical choice for pool days with repeated dips. It is heavier and takes longer to dry than a thin woven fabric, so it is less ideal if you are packing light or moving between several stops. A lightweight non-terry cover up dries fast and packs small but will not dry you off after a swim.

Ask one question before you buy: do you want the cover up to dry you, or just cover you? If drying matters, prioritize absorbent terry and accept the extra weight. If coverage and quick drying matter more, choose the lighter option and keep a separate towel for drying.

Match length to your after-swim plans

A shorter cover up is easier to move in and dries faster, which suits pool decks, boat days, and quick transitions. A longer cover up gives more coverage for the walk to the car, the snack bar, or a casual lunch, but it picks up more water and sand at the hem. If you plan to sit down and eat after swimming, length matters more than weight.

For travel, favor the shortest length you are comfortable wearing in public. It takes less space in a bag and dries faster in a hotel bathroom. Save longer lengths for days when you are staying at one pool or beach.

Get the fit right for changing and moving

A cover up should let you change underneath it without exposing yourself, which means enough room through the body and a neckline that stays put. If you want to pull it on over a wet swimsuit, size for ease rather than a close fit. If you mainly wear it dry over a swimsuit, a closer fit looks neater.

Check the armholes and hem: tight armholes restrict movement, and a hem that sits exactly at the widest part of your leg can ride up when you walk. A zip front is easier to manage when wet than a pullover, especially for kids.

Cover up vs towel wrap: pick the job, not the label

A towel wrap is for drying and modesty between the shower and the pool, and it stays at the pool. A cover up is for moving through public spaces, so it needs to look intentional and stay closed while you walk. If you only need something to wear from the locker room to the water, a towel wrap is simpler and cheaper. If you need to leave the pool area, a cover up is the better purchase.

Some people buy both: a towel wrap for drying at the pool and a cover up for the trip home. That is a reasonable two-piece kit if you swim often.

Travel and family considerations

For travel, choose a cover up that doubles as a light layer and packs flat. Avoid heavy terry if luggage space is tight, and check that the fabric can air-dry overnight. For kids, a hooded terry cover up with a zip front and pockets keeps them warm after swimming and gives them somewhere to put small finds; embroidery makes it easy to spot in a shared bag.

If you are buying for more than one person, personalize each cover up. Monogramming or applique helps identify whose is whose at a crowded pool and makes a practical gift.

Decision rules for buying a cover up

• If you need drying, choose terry: Terry absorbs water and works as a wearable towel, but it is heavier and slower to dry. Choose it for pool days with repeated swims and short walks. Pick terry when drying matters more than packing light.
• If you need to pack light, choose a lighter fabric: A non-terry cover up dries faster and takes less space, but it will not dry you off. Pair it with a separate towel. Choose light fabric for travel and carry a towel for drying.
• If you will change underneath, size for ease: Look for room through the body and a neckline that stays closed. A zip front is easier to manage when wet. Size up if changing underneath is part of your routine.
• If you are buying for kids, prioritize a zip front and hood: A hooded terry cover up with a zip front and pockets keeps kids warm and covered after swimming and is easier to put on wet. Choose a kids' cover up with a zip and hood for pool days.
• If you only need coverage between the shower and pool, buy a towel wrap: A towel wrap is simpler and cheaper for drying and modesty at the pool. A cover up is for leaving the pool area. Buy a cover up only if you need to walk through public spaces.

Products that fit these decisions

• Summersalt x Weezie Beach Towel & Wet Bag Set: Summersalt x Weezie Beach Towel & Wet Bag Set includes one oversized Beach Towel and one splash-proof Wet Bag. The wet bag keeps a damp towel or swimsuit away from dry clothes, which solves the travel problem a cover up alone cannot.
• Weezie Basic Bath Sheet Starter Pack (6 pieces): Weezie Basic Bath Sheet Starter Pack includes 4 Bath Sheets and 2 Hand Towels, with hemmed edges and optional embroidery or applique. If your cover up is for coverage rather than drying, a separate bath sheet set handles drying at home and keeps the cover up dry for the walk back.
• Kids’ Cover Up: Kids' Cover Up is made of soft, super-absorbent terry with a hood, zip front, and pockets, and is customizable with embroidery or applique. The zip front and terry fabric make it a practical choice for kids who need drying and warmth after swimming, and the hood adds coverage on the ride home.

Who this guidance is for

Best for

• Adults who want one cover up for beach, pool, and the trip home
• Parents buying a hooded cover up for kids after swimming
• Travelers who need a cover up that packs small and dries overnight

Not for

• Swimmers who only need drying and modesty at the pool, who should choose a towel wrap
• Buyers who want a cover up to dry them off and pack light, which no single fabric does well