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Best Rash Guards
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
There are many different styles and type of rash guards out there on the market, and many of them offer more than one benefit. When selecting the best ones for this list, we took into consideration all of the added benefits to determine which ones were worth all of the extra bells and whistles. When it came down to it, the more simple the design- the better the shirt. These shirts are made not to be noticed. You want to be able to be out on the water carefree without worrying about becoming horribly sunburned in the evening. A good rash guard gives you all of the flexibility, movement, and comfort as you would if you weren’t wearing anything at all. With that in mind, there were certain criteria we kept in mind while selecting the best products currently on the market.
In a perfect world, you would be able be to out there on the water without risking getting sunburned or hurt. Sadly, we do not live in a perfect world, so wearing a shirt while out on the water is our only line of defense. Since you will have to conceal your body under fabric, it is important that it looks good. We tried to make sure that each guard that we selected offered a stylish design, and was also offered in colors that work for everyone. When you are out there on the waves, you want to make sure that you look good, and we made sure to select styles that make you look great.
Materials
The mark of a really great rash guard starts with the materials that they are made from. It was important that we selected rash guards that were made from materials that had a UPF of 50 or over, and were made from cotton or polyester. When you wear a rash guard, you don’t want to be able to sense that you are wearing a shirt. It should feel like a second skin or even nothing at all. A good shirt is composed of six panels that are held together with seams created by flatlock stitching is what makes a rash guard better than wearing just a regular shirt. We tried to keep an eye out on this level of construction for all of the shirts that appeared on this list.
Effectiveness
As stated earlier, shirts that have a UPF of 50 or over are considered to be the best of the best, and they almost block out the sun completely. There are shirts out there that offer less than 50, but we didn’t consider those types of shirts on this list. One of the most important features of a guard is sun protection, so it wouldn’t be pragmatic to select a shirt that doesn’t offer maximum protection. A shirt that also protects skin from abrasions is also important, and the number one way to keep skin safe is to have as few seam lines as possible. When coming into contact with the water or the ground, you want to create as few points of friction as possible to protect your skin. Additionally, some of these shirts also came with the added benefit of compression. Compression is great if you are engaging in a stressful activity and want to maintain stamina throughout the day, while also trying to prevent muscle soreness the next day. If you are planning on wearing a rash guard to keep the sun off your back while sitting on the beach for a relaxing day, compression may not be for you. However, if you are worried about how you look after a long winter of take-out pizza and ice cream- a rash guard with compression can serve to slightly conceal all those late night snacks.
Value
No one wants to spend a lot of money on clothes. They want to spend a lot of money on surfboards and beachside lunches. When selecting the best rash guards, we kept this condition in mind. Even some of the well-known name brand items were reasonably priced enough to not break the bank. When it came to guards that offered superior compression and are primarily used for jiu-jitsu, the price tag shot up a great deal. Generally speaking, however, all of the shirts that are found on this list cost about the same price that you would spend on a regular piece of clothing, and in some cases, they cost significantly less.
Top Ten Rash Guards
1. Tesla MSZ03
Tesla (not to be confused with those hot new electric cars) makes sharp and stylish outdoor swimwear that is as functional as it is trendy. This shirt is designed a little bit differently than some of the others, and it provides users with additional features at a reasonable price point.
Read moreMaterial
This product is made from durable and thick materials that keep skin protected. It is made from 88 percent polyester and polyurethane. It also has a zipper on the front to make it easy to take on and off.
Effectiveness
The heavier weight of this shirt makes it better at protecting skin from harder falls. If you are someone that often takes a beating while engaging in outdoor watersports, you may want to try out this option. It also offers the highest level of protection from the sun- providing a UPF of 50+. It offers two-way ventilation to ensure that your body stays cool and dry.
Design
What makes this design different is that it has a front zipper for easy access on and off. It comes in many neutral tones with thin yellow stripes along the arms and down the sides. The front zipper makes it so that you can layer it with other shirts on colder days out on the water, and it can be easily removed when you start to work up a real sweat.
Price
Given the durability and level of protection that this rash guard provides, it is offered at an extremely reasonable price. The cost of this item will run you about the same price it would cost you to purchase a nice collared shirt that you would wear to lunch.
Summary
If you are in the market for a rash guard that is a little bit thick and heavier than some of other shirts out there, this is offered at a great price. The design of this model is perfect for surfers that aren’t afraid to chase those big waves and need a little bit more protection if they happen to wipeout.
2. DRSKIN
The DRSKIN Rash Guard is designed to provide more features than just protection from the elements. It is also considered to be a compression shirt. DRSKIN has been one of the top-selling companies on Amazon for their sale of compression pants for three years in a row, and users love how effective and affordable their products are.
Read moreMaterial
The material is composed of three distinct layers. One layer is designed to dispel water, one layer is designed to metastasize water, and the last layer absorbs water. It is easily cleaned; all you need to do is pop it into the washing machine. The odd ramp sewing method also ensures that the seams are flat and don’t rub against the skin.
Effectiveness
This long sleeved shirt provides maximum protection against the sun. It is considered to have a UPF of 50+, meaning you are not going to be getting sunburned when wearing this shirt. The compression that it offers benefits muscles by keeping blood flowing to them during strenuous activities.
Design
What is great about this shirt is that it is available in a myriad of fun colors and unique designs that will appeal to everyone. Colors include neutral colors such as black, white grey, and blue, to fun and bright colors such as neon green, red, and blue. If you are looking for a shirt with a print, it is also offered in black, white, and red camo designs.
Price
The most appealing feature about this product is that is it offered at a very reasonable price. It runs about the same price as you would pay for a regular T-shirt. With all of its added features and color options, this is a great deal.
Summary
If you were looking for a rash guard that serves more than one purpose than just keeping you protected from the sun, this selection is an excellent choice. It is offered at a great price and comes in a variety of styles so that you can afford to buy one for every day of the week.
3. Hayabusa Metaru
The Hayabusa Metaru Rash Guard is a perfect rash guard for wrestlers or surfers. If you wear it for surfing, it will make you look like a surfer from the future. It sports an intricate and sharp design that is available in many colors. In addition to keeping your skin protected, it also is a compression shirt- meaning it will keep your muscles warm and your blood circulating.
Read moreMaterials
This shirt is made from a blend of polyester and elastane. The materials that make up this shirt are also coated with titanium fibers that are also antibacterial. Inner silicone banding keeps the shirt front shifting around while engaging in strenuous activity.
Effectiveness
This shirt was designed with those engaging in Jiu Jitsu in mind. It works to keep the temperature of the body evenly maintained while engaging in strenuous activity to help you perform at your very best. The materials that it is made from allows for maximum flexibility for enhanced performance.
Design
The design is the very best feature of this shirt. The exterior has a slash design that comes in various colors such as blue, white, and purple, with a consistent black base.
Price
The price of this shirt runs about double the cost of many of the other rash guards that are currently on the market. However, if you are looking for a shirt that offers maximum compression to keep you constantly performing at your best- this is well worth the padded price tag.
Summary
For the athlete that is in the market for a rash guard that not only keep the skin protected from abrasions but also help circulate blood and keep body temperatures regulated (and has the extra cash to spend), this is a great option for all of your needs.
4. Sanabul Essentials
Sanabul makes great gear that is designed to be worn for all four seasons out of the year. It has a slightly different design that makes for an easier fit, and it checks all of the boxes that surfers would want when selecting a rash guard to protect their skin while they are out on the water.
Read moreMaterial
The polyester material for this shirt has been treated with an antimicrobial substance to reduce bacteria and prevent fungal growth. Sometimes when you are out on the water for extended periods of time with a wet shirt, it can sometimes be a breeding ground for bacteria, but not with this product.
Effectiveness
As with all great rash guards, this shirt offers a UPF of 50+, meaning you can stay out on the water longer and not worry about tending to a sunburn upon arriving back on the shore. It also serves as a compression shirt, which is great when you want to keep your muscle warm and pumping with blood when engaging in strenuous activities.
Design
The design of this shirt is what makes it stand out slightly from the rest. It still fits tightly as some of the other products on this list, but it also has vented armpits that keep the body cool and provides an excellent range of motion. It is offered in a solid black with colored sleeve options available. Color options include: blue, brown, purple, red and white.
Price
The price of this shirt runs a little bit more expensive than some of the other options on this list, but it by no means is going to break the bank
Summary
For surfers or wrestlers that are looking for a rash guard that goes that extra mile in terms of performance and is designed to keep the body cool and range of motion intact, this is a great option.
5. Quiksilver
If you are unsure whether you want to buy a long sleeve or a short sleeve rashguard- the Quicksilver design offers a sleeve that lies somewhere in between. It comes in many fun colors, and it is offered an at a reasonable price.
Read moreMaterials
This shirt is composed of 100 percent cotton and 6.2 ounces of stretch polyester fabric. This fabric provides maximum flexibility and is incredibly soft to the touch. This fabric makes it easy to just throw into the washing machine to clean.
Effectiveness
Just like all great rash guards, this shirt proves a UPF of 50+, which is the highest level you can currently buy. The lightweight material and simple seam designs make it feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all, all the while being protected from the sun and abrasions.
Design
The design of this shirt is simple. It has sleeves that end right above the elbow, and the Quicksilver logo on the chest as well as the sleeve. It is available in a myriad of colors such as black, white, blue, red, navy, and grey.
Price
The price of this shirt runs about the middle of the road. It is not the most expensive shirt that is on the market, but it by far the least expensive. This shirt will likely set you back the same amount that you would spend on a nice button-down office shirt.
Summary
If you are in the market for a simple rash guard that will protect you from the sun and also keep your skin safe from abrasions from nasty falls, this is an excellent choice for all of your outdoor adventures.
6. Speedo Swim Tee
The brand Speedo needs no introduction. You might even have a Speedo swimsuit packed away in your summer clothes somewhere. It’s no surprise that Speedo also makes rash guards, and they make them very well. This shirt checks off all the boxes that a swimmer would want in outdoor protection.
Read moreMaterial
This shirt is made from 100 percent polyester, and it fits loosely around the body. It also sports limited seams so that there is a limited around of friction and rubbing, making it feel like you are wearing nothing at all.
Effectiveness
Like any quality rash guard, this shirt offers the maximum amount of sun protection that any shirt can give: UPF 50+. That means that your skin will be safe from the harmful and cancerous rays of the sun so that you can stay out there longer. Fewer seams also mean that if you happen to suffer a nasty wipeout, there will be fewer points of friction between the water/ground and your skin.
Design
Since their founding in 1914, Speedo has been able to make stylish and functional pieces without skipping a beat, and that is the case with this product as well. It’s designed to fit a little bit looser for users that hate wearing tight-fitting clothing. However, if you prefer for it to fit tight, simply go down a size. It is offered in a variety of cool beach tones such as blue, white, black, grey, and bright ocean.
Price
The cost of this product is a little more affordable than the O’Neill guard. It will run you about the price of a good quality graphic T-shirt. Keep in mind, however, that this is a short sleeve shirt, so it doesn’t offer the same level of protection on your arms as a long sleeve shirt would.
Summary
If you are in the market for a rash guard that checks off of the boxes of what surfers want in protective gear, Speedo is an excellent choice, especially with its reasonable price.
7. Kanu Surf
Kanu Surf started by selling swimsuits door to door in New York City in 1997, and have grown into a very successful company that sells great quality outdoor gear at a great price. This shirt offers the superior protection from the elements as many of the other top brands, and it is affordable enough to buy one in every color.
Read moreMaterial
The material of this shirt is made from 100 percent polyester. This material is great because it fits comfortably, is lightweight, and offers great protection from the sun. It is also made with minimal seams to make it feel like you are wearing nothing at all.
Effectiveness
This shirt provides the maximum protection from the sun that any shirt is capable of providing: UPF 50+. You can stay out all day on the water under the harsh sun of a cloudless summer day and you won’t have to worry about applying sunblock. Additionally, the minimal seams means that if you happen to suffer a wipeout, there will be fewer points of friction between the water and your skin.
Design
The design of this shirt is simple and doesn’t have any logos or designs. It is available in every color imaginable- red, yellow, orange, pink, black, white, grey, and green. Each shirt has a sleek black panel that run from under the arm and down along the sides, giving the illusion of length and making you look lean.
Price
The best part about this product is the incredibly affordable price point. It runs about the same price that you would spend on just a regular t-shirt, allowing you to buy one in every color, or for every day of the week.
Summary
For surfers looking for an affordable rashguard that offers the maximum protection from the sun without breaking the bank, Kanu Surf is an excellent choice for your next trip out on the water.
8. Baleaf
This rash guard is perfect for surfers that want something light and easy. This comes shirt comes in many fun and neutral colors, and it fits a little loose to give you more range of motion while you are out on the water.
Read moreMaterial
Made from 100 percent polyester, this shirt is so lightweight it feels as if you are wearing nothing at all, and it dries incredibly fast so that you can transition from the water to the beach without being weighed down with uncomfortable and wet clothes.
Effectiveness
Like any great rash guard, this shirt offers maximum protection from the sun: a UPF of 50+, which is the highest level currently available on the market. The seams and loose design keeps skin safe without sacrificing range of motion so that you can perform at your very best.
Design
The simple design fits loosely on the arms as well as the torso. It has a loop at the bottom of the hem to affix to boardshorts to prevent riding up. The flatlock seams also limit friction between the shirt and your skin. It comes in many neural colors such as black, white, grey, blue, and a muted orange.
Price
The best feature about this shirt is the price. It is one of the most affordable products currently out there on the market and costs about the same amount that you would spend on a run of the mill t-shirt.
Summary
For surfers that want something simple and light, but it comes with all of the features that you will need to keep your skin safe and comfortable, this is an excellent choice that is offered at a great price.
9. O'Neill Long Sleeve
O’Neill is a Californian company that was founded in 1952 with the idea of making effective gear for surfers. You may know the brand primarily for their bathing suits, but they are much more than that. For the outdoor adventurer that wants to keep their skin protected without the feeling like they are even wearing a shirt at all, O’Neill makes excellent gear for everyone.
Read moreMaterial
The product is made from elastane polyester- which makes it incredibly lightweight and quick drying. It is also made with the fewest seams possible so that it feels like a second skin. The polyester material is sewn with minimal seams so it feels like you aren’t wearing anything at all.
Effectiveness
The fewer seams that a shirt has means the fewer points of friction there will be when the surfer suffers a wipeout, leaving the skin more protected. This shirt was sewn with as few seams as possible. It is also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation because it provides UPF protection of 50+.
Design
The design of this shirt is sleek and sharp, and it fits like a glove. The placement of the seams helps the material contour to your body so that it always feels comfortable. The O’Neill logo is placed predominantly across the chest, and it is available in a myriad of fun colors such as blue, red, yellow, white, black, and grey. If you're not thrilled about the giant logo across the chest, it is also offered with a more modest logo on the sleeve.
Price
When you purchase an O’Neill product, you know that you are buying one of the best pieces of gear out there, and it reflects in the price. While it is not the most expensive shirt out there, you will be paying a little bit more than you would some of the others. The price of this item will run you about the same price is it would cost you to buy a nice button down shirt.
Summary
For swimmers that are looking for a rash guard that fits comfortably and comes in a variety of colors to match their personal style, this is an excellent option. You will also feel safe knowing that the product is coming from such a well-known company such as O’Neill.
10. Legend
Legend Rash Guards are an excellent choice for the surfer or swimmer looking for something simple and sleek to keep them protected. The lightweight material dries in a flash, and it is available in many colors to suit all tastes.
Read moreMaterial
The material that this rash guard is composed of is incredibly lightweight and soft to the touch. After getting wet, it takes this shirt approximately 10 minutes to dry, so you can transition from water sports to picnicking on the beach without the need to change into dry clothes.
Effectiveness
This shirt offers great compression so that muscles are constantly warm and flowing with blood, which will help your muscles from becoming overly fatigued and help with soreness the next day. In addition to compression, this shirt also offers the highest sun protection that is available, UPH 50+. That means that 98.8 percent of the sun’s harmful rays will not come into contact with your skin. This company stands behind their product so much that they offer a 100 percent lifetime guarantee if you are not satisfied with its effectiveness
Design
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to this rash guard. It comes in red, black, white, blue, or grey, and they all have standout white stitching along the breastplate and cuffs.
Price
The price of this item is just a little bit more than some of the other options on this list, but it is still less expensive than some of the name brand options, such as O’Neill. Considering that it comes with a lifetime guarantee, it is well worth the slightly padded price tag.
Summary
For surfers that want a rash guard that not only protects them from the sun but also provides compression so that you can say out on the water longer, this is an excellent option for your next day out on the beach.
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