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What is Jakabel?
Jakabel is a UK-based online shop specialising in children's sun-protection and swimwear, including UV swimsuits, sunsuits, floatsuits, wetsuits and beach accessories. Its stated focus is UVP50+ clothing for babies through to teens, designed to be worn in and around water.
What it sells
The range is organised around sun safety and swimming rather than general childrenswear:
- UV swimwear and sunsuits, including a baby range
- The Swimsafe Floatsuit, described as the original version of this product
- Shorts and tops, swim shoes, towelling items and wetsuits
- Swimming accessories and pool toys
- A youth/adult category, so older children and possibly parents can be kitted out too
Who it suits
It is aimed at parents and carers who want children covered up in strong sun, particularly those heading on holiday, to a pool or to the beach. The site notes that its nylon/lycra fabric has a soft feel and can act as a barrier for children with skin conditions such as eczema — a practical point, since creams can be applied underneath without the child becoming slippery to carry.
A practical next step
If you are buying for a baby or toddler, start with the baby range and the floatsuit, since those are the areas Jakabel presents as its speciality. Check the size guidance and whether the item is intended for in-water use or dry-land sun protection before ordering, as the two are not interchangeable. You can browse the shop at Jakabel.
How do I choose the right size of UV swimwear for my child?
Start with your child's body measurements, not their age or clothing size. UV swimwear needs a snug fit to keep fabric between skin and sun, but it must not restrict movement or dig into shoulders and thighs. Measure chest, waist, height and, for a floatsuit, weight, then compare against the brand's own size chart.
What to check before ordering
- Height and weight first. For babies and toddlers, weight matters more than age because a floatsuit needs to support the child correctly.
- Chest and waist circumference. A suit that gaps at the neck or armholes lets in sun and water; one that pinches leaves marks.
- Torso length. If the suit pulls down at the shoulders or rides up at the crotch, size up.
- Growth allowance. UV fabric has little stretch, so a small margin helps, but too much loose fabric defeats the protection.
Jakabel's page groups its range by category — Baby, Kids Swimsuits UVP50+, Sunsuits, Shorts & Tops, Wetsuits, and Floatation aids — and states its sun protection wear is UVP 50+. The site also notes that its nylon/lycra has a soft feel on babies' skin and can act as a barrier for children with eczema, which is relevant when choosing a fit: a suit that stays close to the skin without rubbing is more comfortable for sensitive skin. You can browse the ranges at Jakabel.
A practical scenario
If your child measures between two sizes, size up for sunsuits and shorts-and-tops sets, where a little length is harmless. For a Swimsafe Floatsuit, follow the manufacturer's weight guidance closely — buoyancy aids are sized for support, not just coverage, so an oversized suit can ride up and a too-small one can be hard to get on.
Next step
Measure your child once, write the numbers down, and use them for every purchase. If you are unsure between two sizes, ask the retailer which size suits your child's weight and height before buying, and check the returns policy in case the fit is wrong.
What makes the Swimsafe Floatsuit different from other floatation aids?
The Swimsafe Floatsuit is presented by Jakabel as a combined garment rather than a standalone float: a UV50+ sun-protection swimsuit with built-in buoyancy, so a child wears one piece for both sun cover and floatation support. That is the main practical difference from armbands, rings and other separate floatation aids, which are worn or held in addition to swimwear.
Where that distinction matters
- Getting dressed and undressed: one garment replaces layering a float over a swimsuit, which can be easier for wriggly babies and toddlers.
- Sun exposure: the suit itself is part of Jakabel's UVP50+ range, so it covers skin while the child is in the water rather than only while they are out of it.
- Skin conditions: Jakabel states its UV wear creates a barrier between sun and children's skin, and that parents can apply creams and still lift children without them slipping through their hands — a claim made by the retailer, not an independent clinical finding.
- Supervision: no floatation aid, including this one, replaces constant adult supervision. Treat it as a familiarisation and support aid for shallow, supervised water, not as a life-saving device.
Who it suits
Parents who want fewer items to pack and put on, and who value UV cover as much as buoyancy, are the natural audience. Families who need adjustable buoyancy for a progressing swimmer, or who want to remove floatation as confidence grows, may find separate aids more flexible, because buoyancy is fixed into the garment.
A practical next step
Check the sizing and weight guidance for the Floatsuit against your child's measurements before buying, since a combined suit has to fit closely to work as intended, and confirm whether you want the UV suit as a general swimsuit or only for floatation sessions. Jakabel's own site sets out the range at Jakabel. For general water-safety guidance on how floatation aids should be used with young children, the Royal Life Saving Society UK is a useful reference at RLSS UK.
Can Jakabel UV clothing help children with eczema or sensitive skin?
Yes. Jakabel states that its UV wear is designed to create a barrier between the sun and children's skin, and specifically mentions eczema as a condition it can help with. The page also notes that the nylon/lycra fabric has a soft feel on a baby's skin, and that parents can apply creams and still pick up their child without the child slipping through their hands.
Why that matters for eczema-prone skin
- Sun protection is a genuine need, not a bonus. Eczema-prone skin is often more sensitive to sunburn and overheating, so covering up with UVP50+ clothing reduces how much sunscreen you need to apply to irritated areas. Sunscreen itself can sting broken or inflamed skin, so garments that cover arms, legs and torso can be the more comfortable option.
- The cream-and-grip detail is a real practical fix. A child slathered in emollient is genuinely hard to hold, especially near water. Jakabel's point is that the fabric gives you something to grip, which is the kind of small thing that decides whether a beach trip works or turns into a struggle.
- The fabric claim is worth testing yourself. "Soft feel" is the brand's description, not an independent assessment. Lycra blends vary, and seams, tags and tight cuffs are usually what trigger irritation rather than the main fabric. Check the inside of the garment before committing to a full day out.
What to check before buying
Look at the specific product rather than the range as a whole. The page lists separate categories including sunsuits, shorts and tops, swimsuits, baby items and wetsuits, and these differ in coverage and fit. For eczema, full-coverage sunsuits and long-sleeve tops tend to be more useful than swim briefs, because they cover the areas most likely to burn and least likely to be protected by cream.
Also consider:
- Fit over compression. Snug is good for UV coverage; too tight is bad for itchy skin. If your child scratches, a slightly looser layer over a thin cotton base can help.
- Wet vs dry. Chlorine and salt water can aggravate eczema. Rinsing immediately after swimming and changing out of damp UV wear matters as much as the garment itself.
- Patch-test the fabric. If your child reacts to synthetic fibres, wear it briefly at home first rather than discovering the problem on holiday.
Next step
Browse the sunsuits and shorts-and-tops categories at Jakabel and pick the highest-coverage option in your child's size, then check the seams and cuffs in person or against the returns policy. If you want a second opinion on fabric suitability for eczema, a dermatologist or your child's eczema nurse can advise on specific fibres; general guidance from organisations such as the National Eczema Society is also a reasonable starting point, though it is not specific to this brand.
What should I pack for a family beach day using Jakabel products?
Pack a Jakabel-based beach kit around three jobs: sun coverage, flotation, and after-swim warmth. The site's own categories point to the pieces worth bringing: UV50+ sunsuits, kids' swimsuits, shorts and tops, sun protection wear, swim shoes, towelling, and wetsuits, plus the original Swimsafe Floatsuit and other flotation aids.
A practical Jakabel beach packing list
- Sunsuits and UV50+ tops or shorts for each child, so most skin stays covered and you need less sunscreen on wriggly bodies.
- Kids' swimsuits for actual water time, with a dry UV top or sunsuit to pull on afterwards.
- The Swimsafe Floatsuit or another flotation aid if your child needs extra support in the water — check it fits well before you rely on it.
- Swim shoes for hot sand, pebbles or rock pools.
- A towelling item to dry off and keep younger children warm between swims.
- A wetsuit if the sea or pool is cold, or if your child tires quickly once wet.
- Swimming accessories and pool toys for keeping non-swimming moments occupied.
Who this suits
Families with babies and younger children will get the most from the baby range and UV protection for babies. If your children are older or you also swim, the youth/adult range and wetsuits cover everyone. Jakabel's own description notes that its nylon/lycra UV wear has a soft feel and can act as a barrier over skin prone to eczema; parents can apply creams and still handle children without them slipping, which is a genuinely useful detail for beach days with eczema-prone skin.
One decision to make first
Decide whether your child will be in and out of the water constantly or mostly playing on the sand. Constant water time means a well-fitting swimsuit plus flotation aid; sand play means a sunsuit, hat and shoes matter more. If you are unsure, start with the sun protection range and the Swimsafe Floatsuit, then add towelling or a wetsuit for cooler days. Browse the categories at Jakabel and check sizing before you buy.
Are Jakabel products suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes—Jakabel is built around babies and young children, not just older kids. The product range is explicitly split into a Baby section and a Kids Swim section, with UV protection for babies called out as a main category, so the site is aimed at parents shopping for very young children rather than adults.
What's aimed at little ones
- Baby range: 15 products, plus a dedicated "UV protection for babies" category.
- Sun protection wear at UV50+/UVP50+ across sunsuits, shorts and tops, and swimsuits.
- Floatation aids, including the "original Swimsafe Floatsuit" and a separate floatation aids category.
- Practical extras: swim shoes, swimming accessories, towelling, wetsuits, and a youth/adult range for older siblings or parents.
Why that matters for babies specifically
The site describes its nylon/lycra as soft against a baby's skin and says the UV wear creates a barrier between the sun and skin conditions such as eczema. It also notes that parents can apply creams and still lift a child without them slipping—a small detail, but one that matters during nappy changes and poolside handling.
Toddlers
Toddlers sit between the baby range and the kids swimsuits, so you'd typically shop the baby category for a smaller child and the kids swimsuits/shorts-and-tops categories as they grow. Sizing isn't something to assume from the category names, so check the individual product pages before buying.
A practical next step
If you're buying for a baby under about a year, start with the baby UV protection category and add a sunsuit or shorts-and-tops set for extra coverage. For a toddler already confident in water, look at the kids swimsuits and the Swimsafe Floatsuit—but treat any floatation aid as a supplement to your supervision, never a substitute.
For general context on sun protection for young children, the NHS and Cancer Research UK publish sun-safety guidance for babies and toddlers at NHS and Cancer Research UK.
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