You don’t need to be getting tubed to find some shade out on the water with our top picks for rash guards. Photo: Ella Boyd/The Inertia

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A high-quality rash guard does more than just prevent chafe. It also helps you avoid being that leathery person later in life who let 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 tested about a dozen of the best rash guards and swim shirts on the market over the past couple of 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 below products.

After extensive testing, we found the Vissla Easy Seas Eco 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 was the O’Neill Basic Skins.

Navigate To: Comparison Table | Buyer’s Guide | The Best Women’s Rash Guards | The Best Sun Shirts

Editor’s Note: After more testing this summer of 2024, we updated this guide with three new rash guards, and expanded info for our top picks to help our readers find the best rash guard for their needs. 

The Best Rash Guards of 2024

Best All-Around Rash Guard: Vissla Easy Seas Eco
Best Budget Rash Guard: O’Neill Basic Skins
Best Women’s Rash Guard: Carve Designs Kona Rash Guard
Best Hooded Rash Guard: Patagonia R0 Hoody
Most Comfortable Rash Guard: NRS H2Core

Best All-Around Rash Guard

Vissla Easy Seas Eco ($55)

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 Easy Seas Eco 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 O’Neill Premium Skins.

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Best Budget Rash Guard

O’Neill Basic Skins Rash Guard ($32)

Fit: Tight (also available in a looser sun-shirt style)
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 this 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 rashguard should check out the O’Neill Basic Skins Sun Shirt, made of the same rashguard 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 O’Neill O’zone, below.

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Best Women’s Rash Guard

Carve Designs Kona Rash Guard ($72)

Fit: Relaxed
Materials: 82% recycled polyester/18% spandex

Pros: Cute front-zip, longer cut provides extra sun protection.
Cons: On the larger side, size down if between sizes.

Carve Designs has come up with the perfect women’s rash guard with their Kona Rash Guard. The top is made of recycled fabric, with a longer cut for a bit of added sun protection and a half-zip that provides easy in/out as well as some extra style points.

In testing we found the Kona to be incredibly soft and comfortable, with a bit of a relaxed fit, so be sure to size down if you prefer a tight-fitting rash guard. Our tester found the loose fit to be a pro rather than a con, allowing the rash guard to be worn as a sun shirt out of the water, and providing all-day comfort both in and out of the water. For more women’s rashguards, check out our guide to the Best Rash Guards for Women.

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Best Hooded Rash Guard

Patagonia R0 Hoody ($79)

Fit: Tight
Materials: 85% recycled nylon, 15% spandex

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 rashguard 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 O’Neill O’zone, but in the end, Patagonia’s sustainability and durability won us over.

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Most Comfortable Rash Guard

NRS H2Core ($58)

Fit: Relaxed
Materials: 85% recycled polyester, 15% recycled spandex

Pros: Simple design, good stitching, a bit of extra warmth
Cons: Thicker material can be too warm

NRS is known inland as a paddlers brand, and as a result, may not be on some surfer/beachgoer’s radar. The H2Core rash guard feels the least balloon-like of the spandex armada which is the rash guard section of your local shop.

Although it’s a similar blend of materials to other rash guards we tested, the extra thickness gives a level of comfort that feels good both in and out of the water. Naturally, with extra thickness comes extra warmth so if the sun is beating down in warm water this might not be the best choice. But when the water is cold and the sun is hot (pretty much anywhere north of 40° latitude) a bit of extra weight might come in handy.

We also found it to dry quickly and wick moisture away from the skin well, despite being on the thicker side, which is always a huge bonus for out-of-the-water activities. Super-versatile, this rash guard pulls great double-duty as a sun shirt, though thinner shirts like the Vissla and O’Neill options, above will fare better in truly tropical climates.

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Best of the Rest

Best All-Around Tight-Fitting Rash Guard

Dakine HD Snug Fit ($60)

Fit: Tight
Materials: 87% recycled polyester, 13% spandex

Pros: Flexible and responsive, nice splash of style with the tie-dye arms
Cons: Not as breathable as others tested

Dakine has been around for a while, making all kinds of accessories from backpacks to surfboard leashes and many more. Their HD Snug Fit rash guard is as advertised: a snug-fitting rash guard meant to keep you protected from sun and chafe while also maintaining some style with the tie-dye arms and subtle branding.

The main downside is the tight fit will certainly accentuate a “dad-bod,” should there be one of those in play, and the shirt definitely serves a slimmer frame in general, though the stretchy material means it will fit a variety of body shapes. This is a great choice for those looking for a tight-fitting but no-nonsense rashie.

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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. Their Basic Skins is our top pick for a budget rash guard, and their 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 less 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.

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Runner-Up Best Hooded Rash Guard

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.

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Rip Curl Waves Short Sleeve ($40)

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.

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RVCA Long Sleeve Rash Guard ($46)

Fit: Relaxed
Materials: 85% recycled polyester, 15% elastane

Pros: No-nonsense design
Cons: Seams under armpits can get in the way

If you want a fit that isn’t skin-tight but still keeps the water out while paddling and duck diving, RVCA’s Long Sleeve Rash Guard might be the right choice. With a simple approach that just gives you a basic design without any added fluff, this rash guard provides just enough coverage while also not gripping against the skin in a bad way.

Skinnier folks might find it a bit too relaxed and bunch up underneath. We also found that the seams came into play right next to the shoulders, so anyone with a wider board might have some chafing there. But for shortboards or people with smaller arms, that shouldn’t be a problem.

With 15% elastane in the weave, this rash guard stretches a bit more than others, which likely adds to the relaxed feeling without being too baggy. It’s comfortable but still performs well, which is no simple feat. All in all it’s fairly basic, but really, that’s what most people want and need at the end of the day. So if you’re just looking to get out there and catch some waves and keep the sun off your back, this rash guard will do the trick.

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Keeping nipples happy and skin from blistering. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Rash Guards Comparison Table

These are our top picks for the best rash guards of 2024. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best Rash Guards of 2024

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 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.

In our most recent update after extensive testing this 2024 summer season, we added three new rash guards we deemed worthy of inclusion, and built out better recommendations and information around our top picks to help our readers make the most informed purchasing decision possible.

Women’s rash guards tend to put a bit more of an emphasis on style. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia

Rash Guard 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.

O’Neill’s O’zone does a lot more than protect against chafy nipples. The hood has a large bill and adjustable tightness. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

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.

It’s easier to look for waves if you’re not burning up in the sun. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

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 Easy Seas or the NRS H2Core provides ample breathability and comfort.

The O’Neill Premium Skins allow for great performance in the water with a tight fit and well-placed seams. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia

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 Premium Skins, 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.

The back pocket for Patagonia’s R0 gives a safe place to stash a key and a debit card without getting in the way. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia

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.

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.

keeping the sun off your back is a key feature of a rash guard. Photo: Lindsay Gough //The Inertia

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.

It’s easy to stash a GoPro, and whatever else safely in the back of the O’zone. Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia

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 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.

Short-sleeve rash guards help keep the sun off your back and shoulders, but don’t forget to sunscreen your arms! Photo: Lindsay Gough//The Inertia

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 gear reviews and gear features from The Inertia, click here.

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