Whether you are planning to bodyboard this weekend together with friends or going to the beach together with the family, wearing the best rash guard for bodyboarding is important as it can protect you from the tough and inevitable elements.
Commonly designed from very adequate synthetic materials, these rash guards do not only absorb excess moisture that settles on the skin but also give adequate protection against the heat of the sun. While you might find it tedious to repeatedly apply sunscreen lotion or spray, a lot of the best rash guards have sun protection.
Best Rash Guards
There are lots of rash guards you can find in the market today. To give you some ideas about the best rash guard for bodyboarding, here are some that you can check:
LAFROI CLYYB Men’s Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Star Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Best for Indoor and Outdoor Activities
Description
- Fight against the heat of the sun
- Great for indoor and outdoor activities
- Creates flexibility
Features
- 80% nylon and 20% spandex
- UPF 50+
- Quick-drying fabric
LAFROI CLYYB Men’s Long Sleeve Rash Guard takes a spot on this list. It uses 80% nylon and 20% spandex. Its UPF rating is 50+. The UV protection fabric works to prevent you from sunburn due to the extreme heat of the sun.
This rash guard is also ideal for multiple uses. It can be worn for most indoor and outdoor activities. It is perfect for any water sports. You will be impressed by its flexibility. Many people are wearing it for bodyboarding, surfing, paddle sports, workout, and a large array of sports. Moreover, this rash guard quickly dries and lightweight. The fabric works well in absorbing moisture while keeping its breathability, and constantly keep you from humidity.
The “Burst” series spandex permits the compression to support your muscle and inhibit overstretch. It simultaneously develops elasticity which gives you the convenience of moving around.
Pros
- UV protection fabric
- Multiple-use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some users encountered some difficulty in the sizing
O’Neill Men’s Short Sleeve Rash Guard
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Best in Performance
Description
- Performance fit
- World-renowned brand
- Great for rash prevention
Features
- UPF rating of 50
- 4-way stretchable fabric
- Lightweight
Designed from a lightweight architecture of spandex and polyester, O’Neill Men’s Short Sleeve Rash Guard is surely one of the best rash guards for bodyboarding today. It provides a great level of protection against the sun as well as water confrontations.
This short sleeve rash guard is made with a 4-way stretchable kind of fabric and it features a UPF rating of 50. Aside from keeping you away from sunburns, the best-fit design of this rash guard secures you from scratches due to your excessive body movements. Moreover, the smooth paddle zones, as well as the limited seams, enhance suitability for water activities.
Aside from offering a fit that is just right to the body and with a fabric that quickly dries, the performance of O’Neill Men’s Short Sleeve Rash Guard is a lot better compared to other brands of the rash guard in the market today. It does not only feature a breathable fabric and sun protection, but it can also maintain the freshness of your skin and lets you carry out your movements with great flexibility. With essential graphics, O’Neill Men’s Short Sleeve Rash Guard is the best choice if you are looking for all-inclusive protection during your next bodyboarding session.
Pros
- High-level sun protection
- Quick-drying
- Slim fit style
Cons
- Some users encountered a problem with the sizing
Quiksilver Men’s Short Sleeve Rashguard
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Best Flatlock Seam Stitch
Description
- Moisture-wicking
- Made using reprieve
- Imported
Features
- Short sleeve
- Flatlock stitch
- 4-way stretch
Quicksilver Men’s Short Sleeve Rashguard is made up of 6.0 OZ Lycra and it also features a UPF rating of 50+ to keep you away from sunburn. It is also made from a 4-way stretchable material and is recognized for being lightweight.
Its seam construction is built from a flatlock seam stitch which is a kind of low-profile stitch that inhibits rashes and skin irritation.
Pros
- Stretchable material
- Lightweight
- Flatlock seam stitch
Cons
- The logo may delaminate quickly
Hurley Men’s Nike Dri-fit Long Sleeve
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Best Fast-Drying Rash Guard
Description
- Offers maximum comfort
- Guarantees added protection
- Relaxed fit
Features
- Hurley icon branding
- Flatlock seams
- Nike Dri-Fit
Hurley is an American company that has been around since 1979. They have been specializing in the manufacturing, design, and development of surf accessories and apparel. Eventually, the company was taken over by Nike in 2004.
Although Nike had already acquired Hurley, the latter continued to create incredibly impressive surfing products and one of these is the Hurley Men’s Nike Dri-fit Long Sleeve. Prompted with the dri-fit technology of Nike, this kind of rash guard offers lightweight and flexible comfort so you can conveniently do movements whether in or out of the seawater.
Hurley Men’s Nike Dri-fit Long Sleeve is thin enough that you might even forget you are wearing a shirt. Just like the other prominent brands, this rash guard has a UPF rating of 50+ to provide protection against the sun. Just how its name implies, it dries fast and it is very good at absorbing sweat when you go out of the water.
Although it is noticeable that this rash lacks some technical features, it is still lightweight and comfortable to wear. These are enough reasons why you would still want to wear this rash guard even after your water activity. These rash guards are better compared to the heavier shirts.
The rash guard exhibits a simple, black shirt design with a meager logo. You might find it quite basic, however, most customers think that the smaller the size of the logo is, the better. Moreover, it is noticeably more loose-fitting, yet not too drooping.
Pros
- Odor-resistant
- Lightweight
- Quick-drying
Cons
- More expensive compared to others
Kanu Surf Men’s Long-Sleeve Rashguard
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Best Budget
Description
- Great fit, colors, and function
- Superior-quality functional swimwear
- Good for any surfers and recreational athlete
Features
- 13% Spandex, 87% Polyester
- UPF rating of 50+
- Long sleeves
Kanu Surf is one of the popular brands when it comes to swimwear for men and women, and even kids. One of its latest designs is the Kanu Surf Men’s Long-Sleeve Rashguard. This rash guard offers the best protection when you are under the heat of the sun. Featuring a UPF rating of 50+ and long sleeves that wrap the entire length of the arm, you do not have to worry about burning your skin even after a whole day of water adventure.
Made from a mixture of spandex and polyester, the two materials work incredibly for effective swimwear. The integration of spandex material lets the fabric strain based on your body movements and physique. The use of polyester, on the other hand, ensures that the material used is soft, fast-drying, and breathable. Furthermore, this rash guard is form-fitting. Thus, you can also wear it as underneath clothing.
You will be impressed by how this rash guard can manage the powerful elements of the sea. It is very durable in that it cannot break down against saltwater, chlorine, and even the washing machine. Moreover, the materials of Kanu Surf Men’s Long-Sleeve Rashguard are lightweight. However, they are amazingly tough at intercepting UV rays while under the sun.
Pros
- Fast-drying
- Machine-washable
- Durable
Cons
- Fits tighter
- Fabric may stretch out even after several uses
Buyer’s Guide
Buying the best rash guard for bodyboarding depends on your needs and preferences. You must be particular about the details of your rash guard. However, there are some things that you need to consider when choosing the right rash guard for you:
Use
With the different types of rash guards that exist nowadays, it is relevant to give a good thought on how you intend to use them. If you figure out that you will dominantly use the rash guard in colder oceans, you should tighter-fitting rash guards with long sleeves to give you a warm feeling. When wearing a tight-fitting rash guard, you can comfortably wear it underneath a wetsuit to provide an additional layer of insulation.
If you are looking forward to a bikini cover-up to shield the shoulders from the damaging rays of the sun, then you might want to wear a short-sleeve rash guard with a front zipper. However, if you are someone who gets to travel both colder and tropical climates, you might want to buy a long-sleeve single-piece for a warm layer underneath a wetsuit or your shielding option against the sun.
The majority of the rash guards are quite adaptable and some can even clench as a dynamic workout top, granting their qualities to wick away moisture. So, you must carefully think about what you want to get from your rash guard and begin searching for ones that meet your requirements.
Type
There are several types of rash guard. The type of rash guard that is appropriate for you will depend on the current climate. The typical sleeve rash guards are those with short sleeves, long sleeves, or serving as a vest to wrap the upper body although several rash guards cover the entire body and are labeled as a full-body rash guard.
You might want to use a thermal rash guard featuring long sleeves if the temperature is cold and you often go in and out of the ocean. Moreover, you must remember that there are rash guards specifically made for men, women, and unisex.
Fit
The best rash guards should be a snug fit. It has to be like that since tight-fit rash guards create less resistance making it lessen rubbing and irritation. Nevertheless, you might find a hard time figuring out the sizing of rash guards. To help you achieve great performance, check the rash guards for a looser fit, however, find a form-fitting look.
Fabric
You must also realize that the kind of fabric used in a rash guard is very important. The most prominent materials used are polyester, spandex, neoprene, and nylon. You should be smart in choosing the fabric of your rash guard. Remember that the best rash guard must be gentle to the skin, breathable, light, and quickly-dries. Whichever you decide to get, make sure that the fabric is not rough to the skin. The idea in choosing a fabric for your rash guard is to acquire a feeling like you are not wearing a shirt.
Likewise, you must check whether the fabric has UPF protection. The UPF protection is important as it guarantees that your skin will not burn even after too much exposure to the sun.
Short-Sleeve or Long Sleeve Rash Guard
This comes down to your preference. Wearing a long-sleeve rash guard can fully protect your arms from the heat of the sun. However, some people would still want to wear a short sleeve rash guard. Some people find the long sleeve rash guards inconvenient as they think that they can limit their liberty to move but since rash guards are designed snug-fitting, this is only evident on bulkier rash vests that provide thermal protection.
Details
Give importance to the details of the rash guard, even to the smallest ones. The materials, seams, and designs are essential. These elements give a significant contribution in providing the uses they are designed for.
Sun Protection
Even if it is not specifically mentioned by the manufacturer, any kind of rash guard has a certain level of protection against the sun. Considering that, certain rash vests are particularly made for the highest sun protection and brag a UPF rating of 50+.
If your top priority is to get maximum sun protection in wearing a rash guard, then you must buy the one with a high level of UPF. The UPF rating demonstrates the amount of UV radiation, both UVA and UVB, the rash guard permits to reach the skin.
Thermal Protection
If you often bodyboard, snorkel, dive, or swim in a cooler temperature, you might want to buy a rash guard that could make you feel warm. Rash guards are often made from fleece or neoprene material.
The thickness of the rash guard is always sized up in millimeters. Rash guards have a thickness of 0.5mm to 4mm. Its thickness directly corresponds to the warmth it gives.
Effectiveness
When considering the effectiveness of the rash guard, you must get an option that is durable, lightweight, and is made with materials that ensure that your skin will not suffer from irritation due to the constant scraping with the bodyboard. Moreover, you should know that the best UPF rash guards have seams that are hardly felt by the skin and provide a high level of protection against sun rays.
Extra Features
One of the most sensitive parts of the body that can be greatly affected by the heat of the sun is the neck. Ironically, a lot of people forget to apply sunscreen in this area. You can prevent this kind of concern by finding a rash guard with a high collar to guarantee your neck is covered.
FAQs
Is it necessary for the rash guards to be tight?
Not necessarily. The fit of your rash guard depends on your purpose of using it. Tight rash guards are recommended for diving, swimming, and surfing activities. This ensures that you can freely move around without having any excess fabric intervening. However, if your purpose of wearing a rash guard is to have protection against the sun, you should get a loose-fit rash guard.
Is overheating a serious problem?
Not really. The good thing about rash guards is that they are designed to endure hot water conditions. This implies their breathability and lightweight. All of the rash guards that are featured in this article have quick-drying abilities, however, this does not mean that they could make you look like a dried-up leaf once you get out from the water. They use materials that could still take out moisture from the skin to give you a cooling sensation.
Conclusion
Buying the best rash guard for bodyboarding is a good investment. You have seen a lot of bodyboarders who suffered from chaffing, skin irritations, and sunburn because they didn’t consider buying the best rash guard for their water activities. These misfortunes can be prevented if you get the right rash guards.
You should know that rash guards are not only meant for a fashion statement. They were made to give you protection while you are enjoying the thrill of the waves. Do not forget to refer to the buyer’s guide above when buying for your rash guard. There are lots of selections in the market today that it can become confusing to decide which one to buy. If you know the important things to consider, you can always get a rash guard that is most suitable to your needs and preferences.