On the beach and pool in summer, you can always see many people wearing a variety of long-sleeved clothes in the water, which is not an ordinary T-shirt, but the “standard equipment” of water sports enthusiasts – Rash Guard. You may wonder, what is the difference between it and a regular swimsuit? Why can’t surfers and divers do without it? Today’s guide, from basic cognition to purchase, washing and care, will take you to understand Rash Guard thoroughly, so that you can be both safe and comfortable when playing on the water.
1. Understand first: What exactly is Rash Guard?
Rash Guard literally translates to “anti-rash clothing” and was originally designed to solve the problem of skin redness and wear caused by surfers rubbing against the surfboard for a long time. Now it has been upgraded to an “all-round protective clothing”, which integrates multiple functions such as sun protection, anti-abrasion, and quick-drying, and has become a must-have item for various water sports such as surfing, diving, and paddleboarding.
There is a surfer next to me, Akai, who wore an ordinary cotton T-shirt to the sea when he first started surfing, and as a result, he was not only sunburned and peeled, but also had a large red rash on his chest by the surfboard. After switching to the professional Rash Guard, all these problems were solved, he said: “Wearing it is like adding an ‘invisible shield’ to the skin, and it is comfortable to spend an afternoon in the sea.” ”
Compared with ordinary swimsuits and T-shirts, the core advantages of Rash Guard are outstanding, and you can see clearly with a watch strap:
Contrast dimensions | Rash Guard | Plain cotton T-shirt | Regular swimsuit |
|---|---|---|---|
Sun protection ability | UPF50+, blocks more than 98% of ultraviolet rays | The sun protection plummeted after wetness, only about UPF10 | Some have basic sunscreen, mostly lower than UPF30 |
Anti-wear properties | Flatlock stitching + abrasion-resistant fabric with strong friction resistance | Easy to pellet, break, no anti-wear design | The fabric is light and thin, and it is easy to be scratched by equipment |
Quick-drying effect | Quick-drying fabric, basically dry in 30 minutes | It is heavy after wetness, and it takes 2-3 hours to dry | It dries quickly but absorbs moisture and fits against the skin, with low comfort |
Resilience and mobility | Four-way elasticity, no restraint of limb movement | No elasticity, tight after wet water | It has elasticity but is mostly one-way, and large movements are easily restricted |
2. Dismantling of core advantages: Where is its “black technology” hidden?
Rash Guard’s ease of use, functional design and fabric technology behind the full backrest. These core advantages directly determine its irreplaceability in water sports.
1. Sun protection: UPF50+ is the basic operation, completely say goodbye to “tanning + sunburn”
During water sports, the intensity of ultraviolet rays will increase by more than 50% after being reflected on the water surface, and ordinary sunscreen products are easy to fall off and fail in water. Rash Guard’s UPF50+ SPF is professionally tested, meaning it can block more than 98% of UVA and UVB rays, achieving the best effect of “hard sun protection”.
Two concepts should be distinguished here: the SPF value is a multiple of the time the skin is exposed to the sun without sunburn, while the UPF value is a standard that specifically measures the sun protection ability of fabrics. For water sports, UPF50+ provides longer-lasting and more reliable protection than sunscreen with SPF50. When I took my niece to the beach, I put on a children’s Rash Guard and ran and played on the beach all day, and my skin was not red at all, which was much more worry-free than repeatedly reapplying sunscreen.
2. Durable and comfortable: chlorine and salt resistant, and also antibacterial and odor-resistant
Clothes that are often soaked in the pool or seawater are easily eroded by chlorine and salt, becoming stiff and faded. Premium Rash Guard features chlorine-resistant technology and salt-resistant fabrics that don’t lose their elasticity as quickly as regular swimsuits, even when used in the pool for a long time. At the same time, antibacterial and anti-odor technology can inhibit bacteria that grow in sweat and seawater, and avoid odors from clothes after exercise.
In addition, cooling fibers and seamless fit design are also key to improving comfort. Cooling fibers provide a cool touch when in contact with the skin, especially in hot weather. A seamless fit reduces friction between the garment stitches and the skin, avoiding strangulation marks or abrasions after prolonged exercise.
3. Full coverage of the scene: How to choose the right Rash Guard for different sports?
Rash Guard’s style design will be adjusted according to the needs of the sports scene, and the right style can be used to achieve the best results. Here are some common scenarios:
- Surfing/windsurfing: Prioritize long-sleeved, high-necked styles with a focus on anti-abrasion and four-way stretch to ensure freedom of movement in the waves while protecting your arms and neck from being abrasively injured by the board. It is recommended to choose a design with reflective strips to enhance the safety of maritime activities.
- Diving/snorkeling: It is recommended to choose a tight model as a base and use it with a wetsuit, which can not only reduce the friction between the wetsuit and the skin, but also take advantage of its quick-drying characteristics to quickly stay dry after getting out of the water. If you’re snorkeling, opt for a short-sleeved model that balances sun protection and flexibility.
- Beach volleyball/paddleboard yoga: This type of exercise focuses on limb stretching, you can choose loose casual or slim fit, women’s waist design can highlight the figure, and pay attention to the thinness and breathability of the fabric to avoid stuffiness during exercise.
- Children’s beach activities: It is essential to choose one-piece models that fully cover the skin and prevent sunburn and mosquito bites. The fabric should be soft and skin-friendly, and the model with cartoon print is more popular with children and is easy for parents to identify in the crowd.
4. Exclusive to the crowd: From children to pregnant women, you can find the right model
Rash Guard has a wide range of fits, so different groups of people can find products that suit their needs:
Men: Long-sleeved loose or tight-fitting compression models are the main ones, which can reduce muscle vibration during exercise and are suitable for high-intensity surfing and sailing; loose models are more suitable for everyday beach activities.
Women: Focus on waist cinching and slimming design, and some styles incorporate fashion elements such as lace and print contrast, which can be both sports and photos. Pregnant women can choose high-waisted abdominal supports, and the fabric should be soft and elastic, without binding the abdomen.
Children: One-piece models are preferred, with tightened cuffs and ankles to prevent seawater from entering. It is recommended to choose fluorescent color blocking, which is more eye-catching on the beach and reduces the risk of getting lost.
Plus-size people: Choose loose models with elastic stretch designs to avoid exposing the shortcomings of the body, and at the same time confirm the secondary stretching performance of the fabric to ensure that it is comfortable and not tight.
5. New trend of materials: environmental protection and performance, fish and bear’s paws can be both
Today’s Rash Guard not only focuses on functionality, but also practices environmental protection. More and more brands are using recycled materials to promote sustainable development in the industry:
Environmentally friendly materials: The most common are recycled nylon and marine recycled plastics, which are processed into fabrics by recycling waste plastic bottles, fishing nets, etc., and their performance is not inferior to virgin materials, while reducing marine pollution.
Environmentally friendly process: environmentally friendly dyes are used to avoid chemical pollution of water bodies, and fluorine-free waterproofing technology reduces the damage to the ozone layer. Many brands have also obtained Oeko-Tex certification, ensuring that the fabrics are free of harmful chemicals and safe for both pregnant women and children.
From the perspective of industry trends, the proportion of environmentally friendly materials in global outdoor water sports equipment in 2024 has reached 35%, and it is expected to exceed 50% in 2026. By choosing the environmentally friendly Rash Guard, you are also contributing to the protection of the marine environment.
6. Buying cheats: 3 steps to choose a suitable and practical Rash Guard
Many people will step on the pit of “inappropriate size” and “mismatched function” when buying Rash Guard, and master the following 3 steps to make an accurate purchase:
1. Measure the size: Data is more reliable than feeling
Don’t choose a size based on height and weight alone, be sure to measure key data such as shoulder width, bust circumference, waist circumference, etc., and choose according to the brand’s size comparison chart. The measurement method is simple:
- Shoulder width: The straight-line distance between the two acromions
- Bust: The fullest part of the chest is around the body
- Waist circumference: The thinnest part of the waist is around the body
- Sleeve length: The distance from the acromion to the wrist
Pay attention to tightness when trying on: tight models should be able to insert 1-2 fingers, which not only ensures a good fit but also does not restrict movement; the loose model is subject to the fact that the hand is not tight when raising the hand and the hem is not out of position.
2. Look at the features: Choose the core selling points as needed
Focus on different functions according to the sports scene: chlorine-resistant materials are preferred for pool sports; seaside sports focus on UPF50+ sunscreen; high-intensity exercise focuses on four-way elasticity and antibacterial and anti-odor.
3. Check the details: These designs hide quality
Premium Rash Guard will have these details: flatlock stitching reduces friction and is not easy to open; The tightened design of the cuffs and hem prevents water ingress; The zippered model (if available) features a waterproof zipper for added practicality.
7. Washing and care guidelines: do these points well to extend the service life
Rash Guard’s fabric is special, and the wrong way of washing and caring can destroy its sun protection and elastic functions. Here’s how to do it right:
- Cleaning: Hand wash with cold water after each use to avoid hot water damaging the fabric fibers; Use neutral detergents, do not use laundry detergent or fabric softener to avoid residual chemicals.
- Drying: After washing, gently wring out the water, dry in the shade and avoid light, direct sunlight will reduce the sun protection index; Drying is prohibited, high temperatures can cause the fabric to shrink, deform.
- Storage and replacement: fold and store to avoid stretching and deformation caused by hanging; It is recommended to replace it after 6-8 months, especially for models that are used regularly, where sun protection and elasticity will decrease over time.
8. Procurement perspective: Sourcing Agent Yigu’s professional advice
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in outdoor equipment procurement for many years, I recommend that whether it is individual purchase or bulk purchase, we should prioritize “functional certification + supply chain transparency”. When purchasing, look for authoritative certification logos such as UPF50+ and Oeko-Tex to avoid buying inferior products with peeling off base color and false sunscreen standards. Bulk procurement can examine the brand’s low-carbon supply chain and material traceability, and now many Southeast Asian factories can provide traceability reports on recycled materials, which is not only in line with environmental trends, but also can enhance product competitiveness. In addition, children’s models should focus on reviewing the skin irritation test report of the fabric to ensure safety.
9. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Rash Guard
Q1: Can Rash Guard be worn directly as a swimsuit? A: Yes. It is quick-drying and waterproof better than ordinary swimsuits, but if it is pool sports, it is recommended to wear it with swimming trunks, and some styles have a lining design that does not fit well as professional swimsuits.
Q2: How to choose the size of the Rash Guard for kids? A: It is recommended to choose 1 size larger than the usual dressing size, because children grow quickly and are more relaxed and more convenient to move; Focus on shoulder width and bust to avoid being too tight.
Q3: Does SPF decrease with the number of uses? A: Yes. Frequent use and cleaning can wear down the fabric’s sunscreen coating, so it is recommended to check it regularly, and if you notice that the fabric has become thinner or lighter, it needs to be replaced.
Q4: Do plus-size fat MMs choose tight or loose models? A: It is recommended to choose the “micro-tight + waist-tightened” style, which will not be too exposed, and can avoid the loose model from floating in the water and affecting activities; The fabric should be selected with good secondary stretchability.