Rash Guards & Tops

GENERAL PURPOSE

• Provide warmth, sun protection, and rash protection.
• Can be worn under a wetsuit for rash protection.
• Protection from harmful UV rays.
  (both directly from the sun and reflected by the water)
• Protection against jelly fish stings.
• Prevent wax-based chafing from sliding on and off of the surf board.
• Use with modest swimwear and as additional top coverage.
• Lightweight and are made to fit tight/ snug.

THERMAL RASH GUARDS

• Provide some extra warmth in cold water.
• Commonly used for aqua aerobics and watersports. 
  (in water that is too warm for a wetsuit, but too cold for bare skin).
• Made of thick, insulating fabric used for warmth.
• The "mm" designates the thickness of the material in millimeters.
  (Choose a higher thickness for extra warmth)

MATERIAL

• Typically composed of a synthetic blend of fibers
• Mainly feature Lycra, neoprene, polyester or a nylon-spandex blend.
• Each offer different levels of stretch, warmth, and breathability,

LYCRA

• Breathable with optimal stretch.
• Prevent chafing and dry quickly.

NEOPRENE

• Insulate the body in cooler waters.
• Provide both insulation and stretch for flexibility of movement.

POLYESTER

• Offer maximum breathability and sweat wicking.
• Lack the same stretch and flexibility of those composed of a lycra blend.

NYLON-SPANDEX

• Surfer will get stretch
• Tight fit, breathability, and a quick drying.

RASH GUARD SIZING

FIT

• Supposed to fit tight to the body to keep chafing or uncomfortable rubbing at a minimum.
• Some styles are made to fit a little looser to be more forgiving to the body-image conscious.

STITCHING

• Flat-lock stitching and a six-panel construction for the best fit.

SLEEVE LENGTH

• Available in tanks, short sleeves and long sleeves.