Best rash guards
Our rash guards are UV-protective swim shirts that provide extra sun protection for your back, chest, and shoulders.
Designed for water-based activities, these lightweight and quick-drying shirts are made from UPF 50+ fabric that blocks 98% of UVA and UVB radiation. With a wide range of styles and sizes available, you can be fashionable and sun safe.
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Check out what Beth has to say about our white men’s rash guard design.
Best for women
Our selection of women’s rash guards suits different styles and activities. Whether you're seeking full coverage with long sleeves, a more breathable option with short sleeves, or a cropped style, we've got you covered.
Crafted with high-quality materials and a focus on both functionality and style, these rash guards ensure you can enjoy your sun-soaked adventures with confidence and protection.
Best long-sleeved rash guard for women
Set sail in this navy and white stripe nautical pattern and navigate the open waters in a timeless Stunner rash guard. It is perfect for women who want full sun protection with an injection of style.
Best short-sleeved rash guard for women
Our black short-sleeved rash guard gives a perfect balance of sun protection and freedom of movement. Stay safe in the sun while looking stylish in an all-black timeless design. It is so easy to take on and off and to match with different swimwear patterns.
Best cropped rash guard for women
This Neon green cropped rash guard provides extra protection for your chest and shoulders, but remains open at the midriff–perfect for a day at the beach, pool, or just going for a stroll. Plus, you'll be giving good vibes only with cool neon green.
Best for men
Our men's rash guards provide the ultimate performance and protection for water-based activities. From long sleeves to short sleeves, these lightweight and quick-drying garments provide excellent coverage and maximum comfort.
Best men’s long-sleeved rash guard
This Navy long-sleeved rash guard features a nice deep blue that complements any swim trunk style. The long sleeves provide maximum coverage for excellent sun protection when you need it.
Best men short-sleeved rash guard
This red short sleeve rash guard features an electrifying fiery orange-red that is ready for adventure. It's sure to turn heads at the beach or pool.
Best for girls
Our girl’s rash guards combine vibrant colors and fun prints with sun-safe fabrics to keep them protected. With long-sleeve and short-sleeve options, your girl will stay covered while having fun and making waves.
Best long-sleeve rash guard for girls
Check out this butterfly rash guard! It is perfect for a day at the beach, by the pool, or at the water park, and provides extra sun protection for your girl’s chest, arms, and shoulders.
Best short-sleeved rash guard for girls
Deck out your little one in this pink short-sleeved rash guard. She will stay sun-safe and radiate joy and confidence while sporting her solid pink zippered swim shirt.
Best for boys
Our boy’s rash guards will keep up with your boy’s active lifestyle. It features moisture-wicking material with a four-way stretch for unrestricted movement. With awesome colors and cool graphics, they'll be eager to suit up for their next beach or pool adventure.
Long-sleeved rash guards for boys
For active boys, our green and white long-sleeved rash guard provides excellent coverage with a youthful, energetic vibe. The bold green hue paired with white striped sleeves creates a sporty look they'll love wearing during swimming, surfing, or beach playtime.
Short-sleeved rash guards for boys
This yellow short-sleeve rash guard for boys packs a punch of sunny vibrance for those endless summer days at the beach or pool. With its eye-catching hue and athletic fit, he'll turn heads whether playing in the water or running around the beach.
Best for babies
Our baby rash guards are the ultimate sun-safe swimwear, shielding delicate skin with soft, stretchy fabrics and vibrant colors. Whether hitting the beach or splashing in the kiddie pool, these adorable rash guards keep your baby comfortable and protected.
Add some colorful pop to your baby’s beach getup with this Palm Breeze design. With its cheerful palm leaf print and pink accents, this rash guard will have your little one beach-ready in style. Add a pair of our 100% UV protection sunglasses for an extra cool factor.
This bright blue rash guard is perfect for little beach bums and pool explorers. The solid bright blue colorway is fresh and lively, while the snug fit, soft, and UPF 50+ fabric ensures all-day comfort and protection.
Benefits of rash guards
Our high-quality rash guards offer the following benefits:
- Abrasion and irritation protection
- Performance enhancement
- Extra warmth
- Durability
- Compression
- Style expression
- UV protection
Abrasion and irritation protection
Our rash guards prevent abrasion, chafing, and skin irritation. The smooth fabric layers serve as a barrier between bare skin and sand, activity gear, boards, or playing surfaces. This helps prevent painful rashes, harness chafe, and turf burns.
Performance enhancement
The flexible, stretch fit of our rash guards improves range of motion and boosts athletic performance. Compression increases blood flow and oxygen, while breathability regulates body temperature. Rash guards allow outdoor athletes to remain comfortable, focused, and sun safe.
Extra warmth
The tight compression fit of our rash guards provides the body with additional warmth in cool water. By trapping a thin layer of water between the skin and fabric, rash guards help maintain body temperature during water activities.
The quick-drying material also limits heat loss once out of cold water by preventing a breeze directly on the skin. Our rash guards offer extra warmth when enjoying the water.
Durability
With reinforced stitching and durable technical fabric, our rash guards are designed to hold up through repeated use. They maintain their structural integrity after exposure to salt water, chlorine, and abrasion. Your rash guard will last for years and maintain its quality.
Compression
The form-fitting cut of our rash guards provides beneficial compression to the muscles. This can boost circulation while also reducing the onset of fatigue. The flexible second skin fit allows unrestricted mobility for paddling, swinging, and reaching movements.
Style expression
With so many different colors, prints, and designs, our rash guards allow you to showcase your style. Mix and match solid colors and patterns to create a customized watersports look. Or coordinate with our collection of board shorts, bikinis, or wetsuits for a trendy, stylish finish.
UV protection
Our rash guards offer excellent UV protection. The fabric we use is rated UPF 50+ for the highest level of sun protection, blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
This helps protect the skin from harmful sun rays and keeps you protected for hours of fun in the sun.
If you’d like to plan your outdoor activities strategically to avoid peak UV hours, check our hourly UV index forecast.
Factors to consider when choosing a rash guard
With so many rash guard options, it can be tough to choose the right one. Here are some tips you can follow:
- UV protection. This should be your top priority. All our swimwear comes with a high UPF rating, which indicates how effectively the fabric blocks harmful UV rays. Also, consider the fabric construction and composition, as tightly woven, lightweight materials tend to offer superior sun safety.
- Fit and comfort. A proper fit is crucial for both sun protection and unrestricted movement in the water. Opt for rash guards made from stretchy, flexible materials that move with your body. Flat seams and a chafe-free design will also improve comfort for all day wear during extended wear.
- Durability and quick-drying. Invest in long-lasting, high-quality materials to ensure your rash guard withstands frequent use and exposure to the sun, salt water, and chlorine. Look for fabrics with quick-drying properties to prevent the garment from becoming waterlogged and heavy.
- Style and design. While function should be the primary concern, rash guards are available in a variety of colors and patterns to suit your style. Consider whether you prefer full coverage with long sleeves or more breathability with short sleeves. Zip-up designs offer added convenience, while pull-over styles provide a streamlined look.
Choose Swimzip for your swimwear
At SwimZip, we offer quality sun protective swimwear that will make you look and feel your best. Our rash guards are not only fashionable but also provide complete sun protection. They are made of the highest-rated, most comfortable UPF 50+ fabric, and are quick-drying and chlorine-resistant.
Whether you're planning a beach day or a pool party, our rash guards are a must-have addition to your wardrobe. They can also be a go-to piece of gear for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. They are available in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes, ensuring there's a perfect fit for everyone.
Check out some of our other collections:
Rash guards FAQ
Do you wear anything under the rash guard?
Women often wear a bathing suit top or a swim bra under a rash guard for additional support and coverage, as rash guards can be thin and sheer, especially when wet. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
Men usually don’t wear anything under a rash guard. They typically wear them with board shorts or swim trunks.
Is a rash vest the same as a rash guard?
A rash vest is the same as a rash guard. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe a type of athletic shirt made of spandex, nylon, or polyester that is worn in water sports to protect against sunburn, chafing, rashes, and long-term skin damage caused by abrasion
Do you wear a rash guard over your swimsuit?
Rash guards can be worn as a stand-alone swim top, or over a bikini top or one-piece swimsuit. They provide an additional layer of protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. They also protect against chafing caused by surfboards, wetsuits, or other water sports equipment.
Do you wear a bra with a rash guard?
Women often wear a bra or a swim top under a rash guard for breast support and coverage. Regular bras are not recommended for use under rash guards due to potential damage from the pool or salt water. Instead, swim bras, bikini tops, or sports bras made from quick-drying fabrics are suitable choices.
What is the best material for rash guards?
The best materials for rash guards are lightweight, quick-drying synthetic fabrics such as our nylon and spandex blend. These materials have great moisture-wicking properties, stretchy flexibility, and the ability to provide sun protection through tight weaves or specialized coatings.
Is a rash guard just a compression shirt?
While rash guards and compression shirts share some similarities in their form-fitting design, they serve different purposes. Rash guards are specifically engineered for water sports, offering sun protection, moisture-wicking, and abrasion resistance, while compression shirts are primarily designed for improved muscle support and circulation during intense physical activities.
Why do surfers wear long sleeves?
Surfers wear long sleeves for protection against the sun's harmful UV rays and to prevent skin abrasion from contact with the surfboard, surf wax, or sand. Long sleeves also offer additional warmth in cooler water temperatures and can protect against jellyfish stings or other irritants in the water.
Should a rash guard be tight or loose?
A tighter-fitting rash guard is better for high-performance activities such as surfing and paddle boarding, where less drag is desired. A looser-fitting rash guard might be more suitable for relaxed activities or when floating and lounging. The fit should allow for comfort and a full range of motion.
Do I really need a rash guard?
While not strictly necessary for all water activities, rash guards offer several benefits that make them highly recommended, especially for extended periods of time in the sun or for water sports involving potential abrasion.
They provide excellent sun protection, prevent chafing and rashes, offer warmth in cooler waters, and can enhance performance by reducing drag. For these reasons, many water enthusiasts consider rash guards an essential piece of gear.
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