A high-quality rash guard does more than just prevent chafing. It also helps you avoid being that leathery person later in life who lets the sun have its way with them for a few decades. So, although keeping rashes away is important, these garments do a lot more than the name suggests.
While it’s hard to go wrong with a rash guard, there are a few that stand out as doing it right. We’ve tested a wide variety of the best rash guards and swim shirts on the market over the past few summers – in the water and out, paddling kayaks, paddling surfboards, with life jackets on, on hikes, and more. Below are our top picks from the basic to the feature-rich, and the pros and cons we noticed while testing each of the products below.
After testing, we found the Vissla Twisted to be the best all-around rash guard with a looser fit that can pull double-duty as a sunshirt on land (click here for the hooded version), but if you’re looking for something more fitted (and cheaper), our best budget option is the O’Neill Basic Skins. For the ultimate high-performance rash guard for surfing, try the Patagonia R0 Hoody.
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Related: The Best Women’s Rash Guards | The Best Sun Shirts | More Surf Gear Reviews
The Best Rash Guards
Best All-Around (Loose) Rash Guard: Vissla Twisted
Best (Softest) Fitted Rash Guard: Free Fly Pinnacle
Best Budget Rash Guard: O’Neill Basic Skins
Best Hooded Rash Guard: Patagonia R0 Hoody
Warmest Rash Guard: Florence Marine X Windshield
Best All-Around (Loose) Rash Guard
Vissla Twisted ($55)
Alternate Styles: Hooded
Fit: Loose
Materials: 85% recycled polyester, 15% recycled spandex
Pros: Comfortable, loose fit, and unobtrusive logo means it looks great as a regular shirt
Cons: Sometimes sold out, looser fit isn’t as performance-oriented for watersports
Vissla was once the new kid on the block, but after a decade of building the brand, it’s pretty safe to say that they are a staple in the surf scene. Their next big break will be addressing the masses, which could very well be where the Twisted Rash Guard comes into play.
With the right combination of comfort, simple design, and relaxed fit, this rash guard will do the job in the water and look great out of the water as well. We were huge fans of the comfortable material and loose fit, and the shirt comes in a couple of different colors as well. Additionally, Vissla uses recycled materials, so it’s also a wise decision for our planet. Add in the fact that the price point is lower than comparable models from other brands, and it’s enough for us to give it the nod as the best all-around rash guard. For those interested in the same comfortable rash guard/sun shirt with a hood, Vissla’s Twisted Long-Sleeve Hoodie fills that niche.
That said, when it comes to surfing and other watersports activities, no loose-fit rash guard will offer the same performance as a tight-fitting version like the Patagonia R0 or the Florence Marine X Hooded Rash Guard, both below.
Best (Softest) Fitted Rash Guard
Free Fly Pinnacle Rashguard ($68)
Alternate Styles: Hooded ($88)
Fit: Tight
Materials: 80% recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex
Pros: Super soft material, front and back attachment points to keep things locked down in heavy surf
Cons: No thumb loops, a little pricey compared to the rest of the market
In the apparel game, if you don’t start with good materials, you won’t get anywhere. Free Fly is a company that puts softness first, using bamboo material in a lot of their land-based clothing. And while the brand’s Pinnacle Rashguard doesn’t have bamboo in it, it’s easily the softest fitted rash guard that we’ve tested thus far. Made of a high-performance stretch-knit mostly-recycled material, this rashie is buttery soft against the skin, with a great fit to boot for a chafe-free experience in the water.
Created in partnership with big wave surfer and waterman Mark Healy, the rash guard is available in a hooded and non-hooded version. The hoodie has a wide, stiff bill to keep the sun out of your eyes and low-profile ear holes for unobstructed hearing (and faster drainage, which is helpful when duck-diving). No thumb loops, but both hooded and non-hooded versions have both front and back attachment points at the bottom hem, so you can really lock things down when you’re charging heavier surf.
Best Budget Rash Guard
O’Neill Basic Skins Rash Guard ($32)
Alternate Styles: Short Sleeve, Sun Shirt
Fit: Tight
Materials: 87% polyester, 13% spandex
Pros: Form-fitting rash guard with well-placed seams
Cons: Tighter fit won’t be for everyone. For a looser fit, try the sun shirt version
If all you want is a bit of sun and chest protection (which is most of us), simple is almost always better. That’s why O’Neill’s Basic Skins Rash Guard offers a solid choice for no-nonsense, slim-fit performance with 50+ UPF protection. We found the long-sleeve version to have slightly longer sleeves than other brands, so if you’re the lanky type, these tops are a great choice. The tighter fit offers solid performance, and the seams are well-placed for minimal chafing. Those interested in a looser-fitting budget rash guard should check out the O’Neill Basic Skins Sun Shirt, made of the same rash guard material but with a looser fit for in/out of-the-water versatility.
Despite the tight fit, the rash guard had more of a relaxed fit in the neck than others we tested. This can be a pro or con, depending on your preference. If you’re in huge surf, you might want something tighter, but if not, you’ll appreciate having more room to breathe. It’s definitely a bit thinner than other rash guards, so for those who want optimum movement, this is a lightweight, well-moving rash guard for a great price. It does not come with a board-short tie or other such features. If you like the fit but are interested in some higher-quality features, check out the Patagonia R0 Hoody below.
Best Hooded Rash Guard
Patagonia R0 Hoody ($85)
Alternate Styles: No Hood ($65)
Fit: Tight
Materials: 85% recycled nylon, 15% spandex
UPF Rating: 40+
Pros: Feature-loaded: pocket in the back, sun visor on top, boardshorts-tie in front
Cons: Tight fit is not great for wearing out of the water
We’re huge fans of Patagonia’s R0 UPF Hoody, which feels like (at least in our estimation) a garment that was at the forefront of the hooded-rashguard movement. Perhaps that’s hyperbole, but they’ve certainly done a few things to level up the rash guard experience here with a tight, performance fit, a pocket on the back, low-profile thumb-loops, and a hood with a stiff visor that is big enough to keep the sun out of your eyes, without hindering one’s duck-dive.
Made from recycled materials, the hoody offers UPF 40+ protection, which is good enough for us, but some may feel more comfortable with a top that’s rated 50+. However, the lightweight (and mostly recycled) material pays it back in spades with a barely-there feel.
Add in Patagonia’s reputation for fixing what rips, and chances are you will have this shirt as a part of the kit for a long time to come. It was a tough call between this and the Florence Marine X Hooded Rash Guard, but in the end, Patagonia’s sustainability, durability, and the extra features (a hood cinch and thumb loops) won us over.
Warmest Rash Guard
Florence Marine X Windshield Long Sleeve Hooded Rashguard ($110)
Alternate Styles: No Hood
Fit: Tight, compression
Materials: 69% polyester, 25% polyurethane, 6% Spandex
Pros: Ultralight, hooded, form-fitting, smoothskin blocks wind and absorbs sun for max warmth
Cons: Delicate, difficult to remove, expensive
Most rash guards are designed to protect you from the sun and from the friction of surf wax, but on windy days, they can get downright chilly. Enter the Florence Marine X Windshield: this ultra-light, hooded, 100+ UPF, poly/spandex top is coated with a polyurethane smoothskin layer to completely block the wind. The hood and visor offer amazing sun protection during mid-day sessions and work great even while duck diving big sets, taking beatdowns, etc. The smoothskin repels the wind and absorbs enough sun to keep us comfortably warm when the rest of the lineup is shivering against fresh trade winds.
We found the compression fit true to size (without sizing up, as recommended by FMX) and very comfortable, but it’s definitely tough to get in/out of, especially due to the thinness of the material. Our tester actually found out the hard way about the delicacy of the material, with the top tearing up the front from the boardshort tie on a heavy wipeout while surfing a sizeable swell on Oahu. Florence replaced the top without question. We were hoping this was just a fluke, but we’ve since seen other comments about similar failures, so there may be legitimate durability concerns. The product description now even offers a cautionary note: “This is a high-performance product. Due to the nature of its design, natural wear and tear can be expected in areas of high impact & abrasion. Follow the care instructions below to maximize its longevity.” We really do love this top, though, so just be sure to follow the care instructions.
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Best of the Rest
Best for In/Out of the Water
Bluesmiths Kanaha Hydrophobic Shirt for Men ($115)
Alternate Styles: Short Sleeve
Fit: Loose
Materials: 100% recycled polyester, Ecorepel Bluesign certified water repellent
Pros: Comfortable, water repellent, sustainable, and ultra-quick drying
Cons: Expensive, looser fit isn’t as performance-oriented for surfing
The Bluesmiths crew over on Maui has made it their mission to put cutting-edge technology into premium watersports gear. With the Kanaha Hydrophobic Shirt, they’ve built a lightweight, comfortable, UPF 35 top that sheds water like magic thanks to its environmentally-friendly (and bluesign certified) “ecorepel” finish, compliments of the innovative textiles of Schoeller of Switzerland. Rain from a passing squall beads off this thing like oil on Teflon, minus the heinous forever chemicals, of course. Combined with its 100% recycled polyester mesh weave, this unparalleled water repellent makes the Kanaha the quickest drying rash guard we’ve ever tested.
As an all-around watersports shirt, it’s tough to beat the Kanaha, which is at its best anytime you’ll be in and out of the water, getting splashed or rained on, and not spending most of your time immersed in water. Outstanding for any type of paddle sport or water-based windsport, the Kanaha is also great for high-output, land-based activities thanks to its antimicrobial treatment. We loved it for SUPing on squally days, and for biking and hiking in rain or shine. All this versatility and technology does cost a pretty penny, though. And, versatility aside, when it comes to surfing in particular, no loose-fit rash guard can match the performance of a form-fitting top like the Patagonia R0 or the Florence Marine X Long Sleeve Utility Pocket Hooded Rashguard.
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Runner-Up Best Hooded Rash Guard
Florence Marine X Long Sleeve Utility Pocket Hooded Rashguard ($99)
Alternate Styles: Lots; browse the collection here
Fit: Tight
Materials: 80% recycled nylon, 20% spandex
Pros: Great “light compression” fit, flippable visor, roomy back storage pocket with key loop
Cons: Pricey, no cinch on hood
When you absolutely, positively want to spend as much time in a sunny lineup as humanly possible, accept no substitute. The Florence brothers understand a thing or two about marathon surf sessions in the tropics. Thus, the Florence Marine X Long Sleeve Utility Pocket Hooded Rashguard offers just about everything one could hope for in a UPF 50+ rashie.
The athletic cut and generous helping of spandex make for a comfortable, second-skin fit and unrestricted paddling, while keeping the top easy to get in and out of. Under the withering tropical sun is where this hoodie really shines: the stretchy hood is quick to pull on or off, while the semi-rigid visor can be flipped up for maximum visibility while you’re paddling out or on a wave, then flipped low to keep the sun off your face. Even without messing with the visor, the hood doesn’t interfere with duck diving in all but the heaviest of conditions, when it’ll occasionally get pulled back off your head. We found the unintrusive hood and visor to be a better option than a surf hat.
The back storage pocket is large enough for spare fins, a sunscreen stick, and an energy gel, giving this top true marathon potential. To test its functionality, we were able to access the storage pocket to retrieve a fin key and throw a trailer fin onto a twinnie during a rising swell. Having sunscreen and snacks on hand is a nice option, too. Overall, this rashie is of similar quality to the Patagonia R0 UPF Top; however, it lacks a cinch for the hood. We gave the R0 the top spot thanks to the utility of its thumb loops and cinchable hood (both helpful in heavier surf), but this is a fantastic option too.
Check Price on Florence Marine X
Runner-Up Best for In/Out of the Water
Florence Marine X Sun Pro Long Sleeve Crossover ($89)
Fit: Loose
Materials: 100% Recycled Polyester
Pros: Great-fitting, versatile shirt for days in/out of the water
Cons: No boardshort tie
If loose-fitting sun shirt/rash guard hybrids are your thing, Florence Marine X should be on your radar. With the Florence brothers at the helm, the brand is guided by the unique mix of their lifestyle on the North Shore of Oahu, which can involve hiking/running, strength training, surfing, sailing, foiling, and more, sometimes all in the same day.
As such, FMX has versatile sun protection on lock, with a variety of rash guards, sun shirts, and more to stay protected throughout the course of a day in tropical weather. The Sun Pro Long Sleeve Crossover is one of the most versatile options in the lineup, intended for use both in and out of the water. With a hood, thumb loops, and Airtex side panels for ventilation, it’s ready to keep you cool and protected in hot weather.
But with the intention of this piece being something you can hop in the water with, FMX uses a different, less-porous material in the chest and back area. That’s important for surfing and prone paddling, as we’ve found that Airtex, with its breathable perforations, can chafe a bit more than your average rash guard fabric when sandwiched between your body and a surfboard. The smoother material here helps prevent that. All that said, if you’re looking for a surf-dedicated piece and want to eliminate any potential chafing whatsoever, a tighter-fitting rash guard will be a better option overall.
Check Price on Florence Marine X
A Snug Fit for High-Performance
O’Neill Premium Skins ($48)
Fit: Tight
Materials: 91% Nylon, 9% spandex
Pros: Snug fit, well-placed seams
Cons: Can be difficult to take off
O’Neill knows a thing or two about surfing and what a surfer needs to excel in the water. Its Basic Skins is our top pick for a budget rash guard, and its Premium Skins offering ups the ante significantly. The seams are well thought out on the sides, allowing for great movement in the water. The fit is tighter than most, but that means fewer opportunities for creasing and getting in the way. It also makes it a bit more difficult to take off, especially after a long surf session.
Online reviews point to the top running small, however, we wouldn’t be surprised if these are customers looking for a looser or more casual rash guard. Don’t be mistaken, this is a rash guard for surfing. With that in mind, our reviewer didn’t experience any issues with this item. He reported that the tightness of the fit meant this top wasn’t moving anywhere, and it also comes equipped with a board-short tie should you need it. O’Neill reports 85% recycled material used in the making of this top, as well, which is always a plus.
A Touch of Extra Warmth
Manera Wetshirt ($75)
Alternate Versions: No Hood, Short Sleeve
Fit: Loose
Materials: Not listed
Pros: Slightly thicker material provides a bit of extra warmth compared to most rash guards
Cons: No thumb loops or visor on the hooded version
Rash guards are meant to protect you from the sun. If it doesn’t do that, it’s not worth classifying as a rash guard. Some rash guards offer extra features as well – a utility pocket, hood, boardshort-tie, etc. One thing they don’t do very well, however, is keep you warm. Quite the opposite, in fact, especially when you get them wet, and a breeze kicks up. Manera’s Wetshirt looks to take on that downside of rash guards with a slightly thicker, tightly-woven fabric that aims to block the wind and maintain a bit of extra warmth compared to most rash guards on the market. And it does a decent job of that. While it doesn’t keep you warm in the way a wetsuit jacket would, it does an ok job of stopping the wind, even when wet, and the thicker material helps retain a bit of your body heat, while also being soft to the touch.
The wetshirt is available with a hood, no hood, and a short-sleeve version. The hood on the hooded version is comfortable and loose-fitting without a visor, which adds versatility for out of the water, but won’t keep the sun out of your eyes if that’s what you’re looking for. A clever hem-stitched boardshort tie rounds out the features on this one.
While it is a bit thicker than your average rash guard, and does a decent job of blocking windchill, if you really want to stay warm in the water without resorting to a full-on wetsuit jacket, we’d recommend you look at the Florence Marine X Windshield, just know that while it does provide wetsuit jacket-level warmth without the bulk, due to the tight fit and smoothskin exterior, it feels much more restricting than your average rash guard.
Rip Curl Waves Short Sleeve ($40)
Alternate Styles: Long Sleeve
Fit: Tight
Materials: 92% polyester, 8% elastane
Pros: Simple, comfortable, well-placed seams
Cons: Material is fairly thin
While short-sleeve rash guards aren’t for everyone, sometimes it makes sense to have less material on the arms weighing you down. This means it’s really just meant to keep the sun off your back and offer the highest performance. For those situations, Rip Curl’s Waves is a fine choice.
The seams are well-designed to be out of the way, and a higher-than-most neckline helps to keep water out on duck dives to ensure the least amount of drag when paddling out. The big differentiator here, among other rash guards, is how thin the material is. For some, it may be too thin; for others, just right.
It’s certainly better than nothing at all, but if you have sensitive skin/nipples, you might opt for a bit thicker material to actually protect from board rash, as well as sunburn – if you’re looking for a shirt to surf in, that is. Ideally, this is for people who paddle hard and don’t want anything to get in their way. For that, this short-sleeve, thin rash guard is one of our top picks.
O’Neill O’zone Premium Skins ($75)
Fit: Tight
Materials: 92% polyester, 8% elastane
Pros: A ton of bonus features and a great fit
Cons: Pricey
Most rash guards are devoid of bells and whistles because, at the end of the day, most people just want something that saves their skin from the sun and their board. But after trying out O’Neill’s O’zone Premium Skins hooded rash guard, we found that the right add-ons can really magnify performance in a big way.
The first big feature is the cut, and how all the seams are out of the way by facing outward. We never felt anything coming into contact with the skin, which is especially important considering how tight the fit is. The spandex allows for the tightness to fit your form pretty well, and as long as you’re in relatively good shape, it should feel welcome to have less fabric to fold over when paddling.
The next feature is the large bill on the hood that does a great job blocking out the sun. Even when duck diving, the bill never caused any problems and was a great feature to have in the late afternoon when the sun would hover above the Pacific. The hood easily cinches shut with a toggle on the side, making sure that it fits well no matter your head size.
The pocket in the back is large and out of the way. We were able to put a GoPro camera in there to take out when needed and stash when unnecessary. This rashie is very similar to the Patagonia R0 UPF Top; however, it has a bit thicker material. We gave the R0 the top spot after reading some concerns about durability with the visor on the O’zone; however, we have yet to experience any issues and will update this review if anything arises.
Best Rash Guards Comparison Table
| Model | Price | Fit | Materials | Notable Features |
| Vissla Twisted | $55 | Relaxed | 85% recycled polyester, 15% recycled spandex | Loose fit, eco-friendly materials |
| Free Fly Pinnacle Rashguard | $68 | Tight | 80% recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex | Front and back boardshort attachment |
| O’Neill Basic Skins | $32 | Tight | 87% polyester, 13% spandex | Great price, different fit options |
| Patagonia R0 | $79 | Tight | 85% recycled nylon, 15% spandex | High-performance fit and features, hood |
| Florence Marine X Windshield | $110 | Tight | 69% polyester, 25% polyurethane, 6% Spandex | Smoothskin exterior blocks wind |
| Bluesmiths Kanaha Hydrophobic Shirt | $115 | Loose | 100% recycled polyester, Ecorepel Bluesign certified water repellent | Ecorepel fabric repels water |
| Florence Marine X Long Sleeve Utility Pocket Hooded Rashguard | $99 | Tight | 80% recycled nylon, 20% spandex | Performance features and fit, hooded, boardshort tie |
| Florence Marine X Sun Pro Long Sleeve Crossover | $89 | Loose | 100% Recycled Polyester | Hood, thumb loops |
| O’Neill Premium Skins | $47 | Tight | 91% Nylon, 9% Spandex | Super-tight performance fit |
| Manera Wetshirt | $75 | Loose | Not listed | Hood, boardshort tie |
| Rip Curl Waves Short Sleeve | $40 | Tight | 92% polyester, 8% elastane | Basic short-sleeve |
| O’Neill O’zone Premium Skins | $75 | Tight | 92% polyester, 8% elastane | Performance fit, feature-loaded, hood |
How We Tested The Best Rash Guards
As surfers, the best way we know to try and get a rash is to get out in the water and paddle. Wax isn’t the kindest to the skin, so paddling for any length of time will cause a bit of chafing. It may come as no surprise, but all the rash guards we tested aced this pretty well. Let’s hope so, right?
The second criterion is sun protection – while they boast UPF 50, the only way to truly test was to go out midday without sunscreen (at least where the shirt was covering) and see if things got hot. Black naturally feels warmer, but the sun effect is a different story. So, all the models listed here did not leave any adverse effects on the skin after use.
Next was the comfort factor, where we simply judged how well the shirt would hang from the skin. Since all body types are a wee bit different, we had a couple of different guys (all in the M shirt range) of different body types try it on – from the svelte to the working-class dad bod – and averaged out the consensus. The result? A wide range of fits, from skin-tight to loose and baggy. We made note of them in each review.
Lastly, we simply wore the shirts around in everyday life to see how they could double up in town. While this isn’t a huge factor given that its purpose is to do a job in the water, it’s still nice to know if you can wear it in a pinch without looking too strange about it.
For our 2025 update, we put all the contenders through the usual gauntlet of surfing around O’ahu in wind, rain, and relentless sun. We threw in a bit of offshore SUPing. We tried out all the extra features by bringing snacks, gels, and spare fins in utility pockets. And, to be honest, we fell in love with the versatility of hoods and visors, especially during midday tropical sessions.
In 2026, we took a trip to Maui to test some new options from brands such as Free Fly, Manera, and others, taking new photos, and updating our top picks after testing this latest crop of rash guards.
Best Rash Guards Buyer’s Guide
Rash guards are one of those items where there isn’t a whole lot of variation out there when it comes down to it. After having been readily available on the market for decades, most brands have refined their product through testing and redesign long enough so that it’s pretty hard to go wrong with anything out there. But there are a few key differentiators that will help you decide which is the best rash guard for you and your needs. The following few key points are essential to helping you choose the ideal rash guard.
Materials: Most rash guards are crafted from a blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex, each contributing to specific characteristics. A nylon and spandex blend gives the rash guard a high degree of stretchability, allowing unrestricted movement – a crucial aspect for high-movement activities such as surfing or martial arts. However, when it comes to durability, especially in a chlorinated pool environment, a polyester and spandex blend outperforms, thanks to polyester’s resilience. This blend is also swift to dry and offers superior UV protection.
Size and Fit: This depends largely on what you’ll be using your rash guard for most of the time. If you’re a surfer or a martial artist, a tight-fitting rash guard (like O’Neill’s Basic Skins or the Rip Curl Waves) is your go-to choice. It lessens the risk of getting tangled with your surfboard or giving your opponent a grip in martial arts. For more relaxed activities like casual swimming or beach lounging, a loose-fitting rash guard or surf shirt, such as Vissla’s Twisted, provides ample breathability and comfort.
Stitching: One element that sets high-quality rash guards apart from their lower-quality counterparts is the stitching. Flatlock stitching is a mark of a premium rash guard. It not only enhances durability but also provides comfort against the skin, reducing potential irritation or chafing. Others, such as O’Neill’s O’zone, put the stitching on the outside for even less friction inside.
Sun Protection (UPF): If keeping your skin safe is a factor (everyone should be raising their hand), take note of the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. For instance, a UPF 50 rating means that just 1/50th of the sun’s UV radiation will hit your skin. For effective protection, aim for a rash guard with a minimum UPF rating of 30.
Design and Coverage: The design and coverage are largely a matter of personal preference and climate conditions. Short-sleeve rash guards allow a greater range of motion and are perfect for warmer weather. Long-sleeve variants cater to colder conditions and are a favorite among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners due to the additional protection they provide, as well as those doing big midday surf and beach sessions in the sun.
Features: Depending on what you are looking to do in your new rash guard, features can make or break the experience. If you plan on surfing, especially in heavier waves, a boardshort tie is an essential, helping you lock things down and keeping your rashie from going over your head after a trip through the spin cycle. Some rash guards, like the Patagonia R0, also have thumb loops to help keep the arms of your rash guard in place.
Looser sunshirt-style rash guards also often have this feature, to keep the sleeves of the shirt over the backs of your hands for increased protection. Some performance rash guards also have back utility pockets, which are a great option for extended sessions when some snacks, sunscreen, or wax might make the difference between staying out for hours or needing to take a break mid-session.
Brand Reputation: A brand’s reputation also plays a crucial role in your decision-making. Seek out brands known for their quality and durability. Delve into reviews (like this handy one you are reading now) and ask for recommendations to get a clearer picture of what to expect.
What Else Is Important When Choosing A Rash Guard?
When choosing a rash guard, there are a few more important factors to consider. Firstly, comfort is key, as you’ll be wearing the rash guard for extended periods.
Look for materials that are soft, stretchy, and allow for unrestricted movement. Additionally, quick-drying properties are crucial to ensure you stay dry and comfortable throughout your day.
Rash protection is, of course, another essential aspect. A good rash guard should minimize skin irritation and chafing caused by friction with equipment or contact with surfaces. Consider models with flatlock seams and smooth fabric to enhance comfort and reduce the risk of rashes.
Sun protection is vital, especially when spending time outdoors. Look for rash guards with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings to ensure effective shielding against harmful UV rays. This helps prevent sunburn and reduces the risk of long-term skin damage. Most rash guards these days claim a UPF of 50+, which has become the standard. If they don’t claim this, then it’s worth getting one that does.
Last, but certainly never least — don’t forget to consider style. Rash guards come in various designs, colors, and patterns, allowing you to express your personal style while enjoying whatever activity you choose.
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Editor’s Note: For women’s rash guards, click here. For more warmth, check out our guide to The Best Wetsuit Tops. Still cold? Try one of The Best Springsuits. For more surf gear reviews and gear features from The Inertia, click here.
Catch Waves, Not Sunburns: The Best Women’s Rash Guards
