15 Best Rash Guards in 2022 | Tested by Surfers

O’Neill has used a four-way material that helps cool you down as moisture evaporates from its surface. The fabric seems quite thin but it still gives plenty of protection. Flatlock stitching means there’s less of the chafing you get with some other rashies and seamless paddle zones give a greater range of movement. Again, the downside is no board short connectors.

But this is still a great value rash guard that will keep you cool, especially if you’re surfing somewhere tropical.

This super stretchy rash guard is made from polyester and elastane. We love the cut of this rashie, which tends to run a bit small so buy a size up if you’re not sure. We also love the simple Roxy heart logo on the front. With 50+ UPF sun protection, this is the perfect choice for a day in the sun.

Plus, with around 12 colors to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

This rash guard and swim shirt for men boasts sweat-wicking, four-way stretch material that stays super comfortable both in and out of the water. The hood means that this rash guard looks a lot like a shirt and since it dries so fast thanks to Nike’s Dri-Fit fabric, it’s perfectly acceptable to head for a late afternoon beer directly from the beach.

We like the relaxed fit and Hurley’s reputation for long-lasting sportswear.

If you’re a woman who wants to stand out from the crowd, you will definitely like the Volcom Simply Solid Body Suit. Designed like a long-sleeved swimsuit, this rash guard is stylish but also highly practical as there’s no chance of it rolling or riding up. We were worried the front zipper would dig in when lying on your front but that’s not a problem as it sits flat. The downside is that it’s only available in a couple of different colors.

The more reserved lady may think the suit rides a bit high at the rear but we say what’s wrong with showing a little cheek?

This Scubapro offering provides UV protection to snorkelers and added warmth to divers who wear it under a wetsuit. The polyester material hugs the skin comfortably and is highly durable and abrasion-resistant. Even after using it for a few years, this rashie kept its shape.

We like the high neckline for diving as it prevents your wetsuit from rubbing.

Scubapro has knocked it out of the park with their Everflex jacket and, in our opinion, this diving brand has beaten some serious competition from the dedicated surf brands. This rash guard is made from neoprene for warmth and features a zip-up styling. The material is, as the name suggests, incredibly stretchy and will not inhibit freedom of movement in the arms, which is important for surfers.

We like the fleecy, soft interior and the fact that this jacket dries so quickly. We just wish there were board short connectors at the bottom of the rash guard but that’s the only downside for us. That said, this is a thicker jacket so it won’t roll up as thin rash guards can.

Another solid offering from Quiksilver. The All Time Long Sleeve rash guard is a classic design which comes in loads of different colors. Quiksilver may be better known for their surfwear but this rashie is especially good for snorkelers. We like the fact that it’s lightweight and super comfortable.

The only downside is that the material is very stretchy and you end up losing the snug-fit over time.

Although initially designed for martial arts and crosstraining, we think this Sanabul rash guard is ideal for surfers and as an all-round swim shirt. It allows for great flexibility and the material has anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties. We like the underarm ventilated mesh which is there to let moisture escape. As a compression vest, it’s also meant to improve blood flow throughout the body to increase muscle performance.

We’re not sure it will tone your muscles, but the Sanabul rash guard will give you protection from the sun without restricting your movements.

Although initially designed for martial arts and crosstraining, we think this Sanabul rash guard is ideal for surfers and as an all-round swim shirt. It allows for great flexibility and the material has anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties. We like the underarm ventilated mesh which is there to let moisture escape. As a compression vest, it’s also meant to improve blood flow throughout the body to increase muscle performance.

We’re not sure it will tone your muscles, but the Sanabul rash guard will give you protection from the sun without restricting your movements.

The Mares Trilastic is a great rash guard, especially for female divers. The flatlock seams don’t dig into your skin when worn under a wetsuit and we were able to tuck the shirt far enough inside the suit so it didn’t ride up while diving.

Although it has a lower UPF than the other rash guards we’ve looked at, it still gives excellent UV protection. It’s quite a tight fit across the chest so if you’re well-endowed it’s advisable to go a size or two up.

This long-sleeve rashie from Quiksilver is made from stretch polyester blend material that gives loads of flexibility whatever activity you’re into. It’s also a moisture-wicking fabric so sweat is quickly transferred from the inside to the outside of the vest. The snug-fit design looks great but it does mean the rash guard can feel a bit too tight, so you might want to consider going up a size.

With Quiksilver being a market leader in surfwear, you know you’re getting a quality product.

The Oceanic Lavacore Lavaskin has a fleece inner that feels really nice on the skin. The added bonus is that it will keep you warmer than regular rash guards whether snorkeling or diving. Thumb hooks make it easy to get into a wetsuit, too.

We love the cut of the Oceanic and the stretch-fit that feels more like you’re wearing a t-shirt. It’s available in three attractive pastel shades.

This is a great uni-sex rash guard for kids. The silky-smooth material is nice and stretchy so your child will be comfy playing around on the beach, by the pool, or in the water. These rashies come with long or short sleeves.

The one downside we noted was that the long sleeves are a bit too long. However, this was easily fixed by rolling them up. There are plenty of bright colors to choose from making it easier to keep an eye on your little one!

This SwimZip rash guard is something your little boy will enjoy wearing. But we think your daughter will also like it, though you may have to buy a size down for girls. It’s very comfortable, there’s no neck tag, and a zipper flap prevents it from rubbing on your kid’s skin.

The best feature of the SwimZip is the full-front zipper. Super easy to get on and off when you have a wriggling child who just wants to run off and have fun!

O’Neill certainly knew what they were doing when they designed the Thermo X Insulative Top. The material is a 220g mix of nylon and spandex that’s soft, stretchy, low-bulk, quick-drying, water repellent, and odor resistant.

We love that it’s thin enough to fit under a wetsuit and the neckline is low cut so doesn’t interfere with the neck of your suit. For surfers, there are seamless paddle zones and boardshort connectors.

There is also a women’s version of the Thermo X, which you can find here. This reviewer has been using hers heavily for more than three years and the rash guard is still in excellent condition.

The O’Neill Thermo X is a top choice rash guard and swim shirt no matter what outdoor or water activities you’re doing. You will not be disappointed.