Rash Guard

A rash guard may be just the swimwear clothing you need to protect your skin while you're enjoying a number of water sports and activities.

Wear your rash guards!

Days spent enjoying sun and surf are what summer is all about for many people, but there's nothing enjoyable about coming home with damaged skin. Gritty sand, damp bathing suits and ultraviolet rays can take quite a toll, even if you're wearing sunscreen lotion. That's why swimwear manufacturers came up with an alternative solution.

A rash guard is a type of swim shirt designed with ultimate skin protection in mind. These garments are made using various fabric blends of polyester, nylon and Lycra that make them form fitting. When paired up with board shorts or swim trunks, they protect the entire torso and thighs.

Rashies, as they are fondly referred to, also dry out extremely fast, giving them an advantage over ordinary swimwear and T-shirts.

Rash guards were originally developed in answer to the skin rashes that surfers tend to develop while using their boards. The wax used to help surf boards retain their "grip" also collects sand, leaving a fine gritty film on the surface that doesn't immediately wash off in the water.

As surfers pull themselves up on the boards for position, their arms, chests and stomachs rub against the sandy surface, causing chafing and abrasions. Even clean boards can cause a certain amount of rash-causing skin drag, so wearing these surfing clothes while riding the waves is always a good idea.

Rashies are worn for a number of other water sports, including:

• Kite surfing
• Parasailing
• Kayaking
• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Windsurfing
• Wake boarding

Let's take a look at the features you'll find in a high quality rash guard.

As previously mentioned, nylon, polyester and Lycra are the most commonly used fabrics for guards. Since the fit is paramount to the garment's use, it needs to provide just the right amount of "give".

Test the fabric by giving it a little pull. It should stretch easily, but not excessively, and snap right back into place. Anything more or less is not a good fabric blend and should be passed over in favor of a better shirt.

A rash guard is going to take a beating over the course of its wear life since it will be rubbed against rocks, sand and a variety of sporting equipment.

The best rashies will have triple flat locking stitches along every seam. This creates durable, comfortable seams that won't leave indentations on your body or cause additional friction.

Rashies can also double as sun guards, and the very best ones offer a UPF of 50+. For the most surface protection, choose a long sleeved guard over a short one.

Surf with confidence!

The rash guard has found its way from the beach to the street. Men and women alike have discovered that rashies can help them beat the heat and look good while they're doing it.

The fabric used in the garment actually wicks sweat away from the body into the guard itself. Combine this property with the shirt's quick drying capabilities, and you have an efficient evaporative cooling machine that's fashionable and functional.

Additionally, other sportsman have found great uses for rash guards:

• Wrestlers like these garments because they are so form fitting that opponents can't use them to get a grip during matches.
• Martial arts practitioners also appreciate the garment's fit because it provides freer movement during quick maneuvers.
• Bicycle racers appreciate the way these shirts cut down on wind drag and improve their race times.
• Motocross racers and other motor vehicle sport fans like the extra skin protection these garments offer, as well as their cooling capabilities.

As you can see, rashies have a variety of uses, and are suitable attire for men, women and children alike. Wear them on the street, the beach or anytime you just want to feel comfortable. Once you've tried one on, it'll feel just like your second skin.

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