Sporting a rash guard whilst you benefit from the open air might help hold you protected from the solar’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. The most effective rash guards are comfy, quick-drying, and versatile. Most types have a built-in UV protect, which is essential when the UV elements are excessive, says surf coach Thomas Cravarezza.
To seek out one of the best rash guards, we spoke with Cravarezza to study which key options each type ought to have. Then, we extensively researched dozens of prime choices from in style manufacturers at totally different worth factors. We selected our prime picks for his or her superior match, consolation, design, and worth.
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Light-weight and breathable
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Fast-drying
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Tight, efficiency match with minimal seams
Key Specs
Sizes: Males’s XS-3XL, Girls’s XXS-XL | Fast Drying: Sure | Supplies: Nylon, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Hand wash chilly, air dry
Who It is For
Finest for surfers, seaside goers, or water sports activities fanatics who desire a extremely protecting, cozy, and quick-drying rash guard.
Why We Love It
O’Neill’s Premium Skins Lengthy Sleeve Rash Guard is our prime total decide as a result of its four-way stretch and quick-drying material are perfect for most water sports activities. Whether or not you’re knowledgeable surfer or spending an informal day on the seaside, this rash guard is rated UPF 50+ to your security—probably the most safety that exists.
We like that this rash guard is created from breathable nylon and spandex, plus there are plenty of colours and sizes to select from. The tight, efficiency match offers consolation with out including cumbersome layers. Even higher, there are minimal seams to forestall chafing or drag that may sluggish you down.
Additionally obtainable in ladies’s sizes at Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Items.
Potential Flaws
- Some wearers be aware that it might run small—think about ordering one dimension up out of your ordinary in the event you choose a extra relaxed match.
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Key Specs
Sizes: Males’s S-2XL, Girls’s XS-XL | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Nylon, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Machine wash
Who It is For
Finest for many who desire a budget-friendly, light-weight rash guard that is a breeze to launder.
Why We Love It
For a budget-friendly choice, we advocate Kanu Surf’s Platinum Rash Guard. It’s created from a mix of nylon and spandex, which implies it’s each light-weight and quick-drying. It doesn’t matter in the event you’re a surfer or desire a rash guard for recreation—this one performs at a cheaper price level than a lot of our different prime picks.
This rash guard options lengthy sleeves and a standing collar for added solar safety. In contrast to different choices that require hand-washing, this one will be tossed into the washer for simple laundering. It additionally boasts UPF 50+ solar safety, so you’ll be able to swim and work out worry-free.
Additionally obtainable in ladies’s sizes at Amazon and Kanu Surf.
Potential Flaws
- Since this rash guard is so skinny, a few of the lighter colours could seem barely see-through when moist.
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Key Specs
Sizes: Girls’s XS-XL | Fast-Drying: Sure | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Hand wash
Who It is For
Finest for many who desire a budget-friendly rash guard with a snug, second-skin really feel.
Why We Love It
For a light-weight prime with a second-skin really feel, we advocate Physique Glove’s Normal Smoothies Lengthy Sleeve Rash Guard. This budget-friendly choice has lengthy sleeves and is available in a wide range of brilliant colours. Like others on our checklist, it additionally affords most UPF 50+ safety.
We like that this rash guard has a versatile match, due to a stretchy mix of nylon and spandex. And flatlock seams imply this prime will nonetheless really feel comfy, even after spending hours in saltwater, with out inflicting any chafing or pores and skin irritation.
Potential Flaws
- In contrast to a few of our different prime picks, this rash guard does not have a excessive collar, so be certain to use loads of sunscreen from the neck up.
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Key Specs
Sizes: Males’s S-3XL (common, tall) | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Polyester, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Quick | Care: Machine wash
Who It is For
Finest for many who choose a brief sleeve rash guard that is abrasion-resistant, light-weight, and cooling.
Why We Love It
For scorching-hot days when lengthy sleeves aren’t an choice, we advocate L.L.Bean’s Swift River Cooling Solar Shirt. This cooling rash guard is barely fitted and made with light-weight consolation in thoughts for many who don’t like a tighter, extra conventional efficiency match. The anti-microbial material additionally wicks moisture away rapidly, to maintain you cool and dry.
Comprised of polyester and spandex with UPF 50+ solar safety, this abrasion-resistant rash guard is right for strolling on the seaside, paddleboarding, and different numerous water actions. We additionally like that it is machine-washable and is available in each common and tall sizes.
Potential Flaws
- In contrast to a few of our different prime picks, this rash guard does not have a tall collar.
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Licensed by the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis
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Full-length zipper for simple removing when moist
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Tagless design, with clean seams
Key Specs
Sizes: 0 months-14 years previous | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Nylon, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Machine wash
Who It is For
Finest for infants to 14-year-olds who want a extremely protecting rash guard that is each sturdy and licensed by the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis, assembly the very best solar safety requirements.
Why We Love It
For infants and youngsters who like to spend time within the solar, we advocate SwimZip’s Youngsters Lengthy Sleeve Zipper Rash Guard. Accessible in all kinds of enjoyable colours and patterns, plus loads of sizes for little ones as much as 14-year-olds, this rash guard is loaded with considerate options that oldsters and caregivers will recognize. We particularly love that it is tagless and has a full-length zipper, which makes it a breeze to placed on and take away when moist.
We love its high-collar, seamless design, a serious bonus for youngsters with delicate pores and skin. Plus, it is licensed by the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis, so you’ll be able to belief that it meets the very best solar safety requirements to your little one. And it is a breeze to launder—merely toss it into the washer for a fast refresh.
Potential Flaws
- Some be aware that over time, the colour could barely fade.
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Key Specs
Sizes: Mens’ S-3XL, Girls’s S-3XL | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Polyester, elastane | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Machine wash
Who It is For
Finest for surfers and water sports activities fanatics who desire a stretchy, barely compressive rash guard that stays put.
Why We Love It
When you’re searching for a rash guard for browsing, scuba diving, and different water sports activities, Enormous Sports activities’ Splice Skins Rash Guard is our prime decide. The four-way stretch material makes this rash guard superb for spending lengthy days within the water. Plus, we just like the distinctive design, which options totally different patterns on only one sleeve.
With UPF 50+ solar safety, this rash guard is simply as modern as it’s protecting. Wearers have additionally discovered that it stays put all day lengthy, from the hem to the sleeves, due to its barely compressive, but comfy match, making it superb for intense surf classes.
Additionally obtainable in ladies’s sizes at Amazon and Enormous Sports activities.
Potential Flaws
- This rash guard has a barely compressive match. We recommend sizing up if you need a little bit extra wiggle room.
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Wind-proof and breathable
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Made with recycled supplies
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Clean seams to forestall chafing
Key Specs
Sizes: Unisex S-L | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Polyester | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Hand wash
Who It is For
Finest for train fanatics, together with surfers, underwater photographers, runners, hikers, skiers, and extra who desire a versatile rash guard that performs properly in each cold and warm climate situations.
Why We Love It
We advocate Platinum Solar’s Unisex Thermal Swim Shirt for each chilly and scorching climate situations, due to its windproof, breathable thermal insulation that retains you comfy and dry, whether or not you are browsing in chilly water or climbing on a scorching day. We love that it may be worn as a layer or by itself, relying on the climate and the exercise you are doing.
We just like the comfy fleece lining, which is delicate towards the pores and skin. And it is rated UPF 50+ for optimum safety. Plus, this rash guard is created from recycled plastic and different post-consumer waste. We additionally like that the seams are clean to forestall irritation and chafing to be able to focus in your journey, not your clothes.
Potential Flaws
- Though it is pricier than different rash guards on our checklist, we predict the added fleece lining and premium high quality are value paying a little bit additional for.
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Key Specs
Sizes: Girls’s XS-2XL, Males’s S-2XL | Fast-Drying: Sure | Supplies: Polyester, spandex | Solar Safety: UPF 50+ | Sleeves: Lengthy | Care: Hand wash
Who It is For
Finest for surfers, beach-goers, and out of doors exercisers who desire a fashionable, quick-drying rash guard.
Why We Love It
Looking for a rash guard with a novel design? We advocate Platinum Solar’s Lengthy Sleeve Rash Guard. We like that it is light-weight and breathable, with a silicone band that stops it from using up if you’re swimming in heavy surf or exercising open air.
We love that it has a shoulder zipper that will help you simply slide it on and off, even when moist. Select from a wide range of brilliant hues and watercolor patterns that may stand out on the sand, all with most solar safety.
Additionally obtainable in males’s sizes at Amazon and Platinum Solar.
Potential Flaws
- Some wearers have discovered that this rash guard runs small, so you might wish to dimension up in the event you choose a looser match.
What to Search for When Looking for Rash Guards
- Coloration: It isn’t only a matter of private choice. Darkish and brilliant colours (like yellow, pink, and pink) take up ultraviolet rays extra successfully than paler colours do. Additionally, think about the local weather: A darker rash guard will hold you hotter, whereas white and different mild colours will cool you down, says Cravarezza.
- Protection: Verify the rash guard’s label to search out its UPF ranking (this means how properly the rash guard blocks UV rays). The upper the quantity, the higher—UPF50 material blocks 98% of the solar’s rays.
- Sizing: Your rash guard should not be pores and skin tight. As an alternative, search for one which’s a little bit free—not so free that it comes off within the ocean, however not so tight that it pulls as you progress your physique. Cloth that is stretched too tightly will lose its UV effectiveness over time.
- Supplies: Nylon and polyester supply one of the best UV safety. Additionally, be certain your rash guard has a decent weave, which makes it tougher for UV rays to cross via the material.
- Thermal Safety: For colder climates, think about a rash guard with built-in thermal safety. The additional layer could make an enormous distinction in cooler temperatures.
- Sleeve Size: Lengthy sleeves might help shield your arms from the solar’s UV rays, however brief sleeves could really feel extra breathable and comfy.
How We Chosen the Rash Guards
To decide on one of the best rash guards, we extensively researched dozens of choices from in style, trusted manufacturers. We additionally consulted with a surf teacher to study which key options each rash guard ought to have. Then, we reviewed key specs from producers and sorted via buyer suggestions for dozens of rash guards at a wide range of worth factors to search out the highest types. When deciding on rash guards, we consider every one based mostly on the next key standards.
- Match: We think about the rash guard’s silhouette and buyer suggestions when assessing the way it will match. Is it created from stretchy, breathable supplies? How do wearers really feel concerning the match? This analysis helps us decide if the rash guard runs small, giant, or true to dimension.
- Consolation: We prioritize rash guards created from high-performance materials that will not irritate your pores and skin. We additionally consider the rash guard’s design—is it adjustable? Does it present sufficient protection?
- Design: There are lots of types of rash guards obtainable. We consider design based mostly on sleeve size, protection, zippers or fasteners, and coloration.
- Worth: To evaluate a rash guard’s worth, we weigh its worth towards its options. Based mostly on its match, consolation, and design, do we predict it is priced pretty? Would we purchase it ourselves, or would we solely buy it if it went on sale? How does the worth evaluate to different rash guards available on the market?
Our Consultants
We consulted our knowledgeable at every stage of our analysis, deciding on, and reporting course of. Our knowledgeable taught us what to search for whereas purchasing for high quality rash guards and helped us perceive how they will shield the pores and skin from UV rays. Though we select merchandise independently, knowledgeable enter influences our choices.
- Thomas Cravarezza, surf teacher at Manly Surf College in Australia
Steadily Requested Questions
Do rash guards hold you heat?
Some rash guards include built-in thermal safety or fleece linings that may assist hold you heat. Nevertheless it’s value noting that rash guards are made to dam, mirror, and take up the solar’s rays—not for physique temperature management. When you’re searching for one thing to maintain you heat for lengthy intervals of time, think about a wetsuit, which is particularly designed to be worn in chilly water.
What’s the distinction between a rash guard and a solar guard?
Rash guards typically have a tighter and extra compressive match than solar guards, making them superb for water sports activities and out of doors exercises the place you need your clothes to remain put. Solar guards, or solar shirts, are sometimes looser and are higher geared up for common solar safety whereas spending time open air, however aren’t essentially the most suitable choice for intense exercises or water-related actions.
Ought to rash guards be tight or free?
Rash guards ought to really feel cosy, however not uncomfortably tight. Some even supply compressive suits for added assist throughout extra intensive water sports activities and exercises. In case your rash guard is just too free, it might experience up or shift round, distracting you whilst you surf or exercise.
Why Belief Verywell Match
As a private coach and Verywell Match author, Ravi Davda understands how necessary high quality product suggestions will be. He recommends merchandise which are dependable, comfy, and genuinely well-reviewed by those that’ve tried them.
Further reporting contributed by Sarah Felbin and Gabrielle Applebury, MA, LMFT
Sarah Felbin is a Verywell Match author who’s all the time diving into the most recent well being and health analysis. When she retailers for rash guards, she prioritizes types that present most protection and safety from dangerous UV rays. She additionally seems for zippered designs which are simple to slide out and in of.
Gabrielle Applebury, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and household therapist, runner, and the affiliate editor for Verywell Match. Whether or not specializing in exercise gear, attire, or different merchandise, she’s devoted to offering suggestions based mostly on thorough analysis and testing.