7 Best Rash Guards and Swim Shirts for Women

Ready to conquer the water? Here is a breakdown of our favorite rash guards and swim shirts for women. 

Swim shirts or rash guards are an excellent way to block the sun and increase body coverage when you are out in the water.

While there are plenty of awesome waterproof sunscreens and sunblocks, the best way to truly limit your exposure to the sun, and forego the constant reapplication and stickiness that comes with sunscreens, is to wear a swim shirt or rash guard.

Whether you are swimming laps at the local outdoor pool, hitting the beach, or just splashing around in the water, a swim shirt can protect your screen without weighing you down like a traditional short or long-sleeved shirt will.

Made with quick-drying materials, whether it’s polyester, Spandex, or thicker and cold-water-busting neoprene, rash guards are designed to protect you from the elements while keeping you comfortable.

Here is a breakdown of our hand-picked favorites of the best swim shirts and rash guards for women.

Speedo Uv Long Sleeve Swim Shirt

• Best swim shirt for women

Speedo is one of the big players in the swimwear market. Their line of lap swimming suits for women and two-piece swimsuits are extremely popular, and their rash guards for women are comfortable, quick-drying, and come in bold colors and patterns.

The Speedo Uv Long Sleeve Rash Guard is made of highly durable polyester, which is the material you want to look for when it comes to resisting harsh pool chemicals.

The fabric is made to avoid pilling and blocks up to 98% of the sun’s rays. This means that you can spend more time in the water and less time hiding from the sun.

Speedo Uv Short Sleeve Swim Shirt

Another entry by Speedo is the short-sleeved version of their popular Uv Swim Shirt. Made with 100% polyester, the Speedo Uv Short Sleeve Swim shirt provides an excellent balance of coverage with a range of motion.

Made of the same anti-pilling fabric as it’s long-sleeved sister, the short sleeve version is available in half a dozen colors and color patterns, provides UPF-50 protection, and dries quickly between swims, keeping you comfortable and protected from the sun.

Roxy Women’s Long Sleeve Rash Guard

• Best surfing rash guard for women

One of the most popular surf brands for women on the planet, Roxy makes an absolute beauty line of rash guards and swim shirts. If you are looking for bright and bold coolers, that unmistakable Roxy logo on the front, and durable and comfortable protection from the elements, the Roxy line of rash guards is your ticket.

The Roxy Whole Hearted Rashguard is made of 92% polyester and 8% elastane. Elastane is a stretch, water-repellant material that helps the shirt to gently hug your skin, reducing excess fabric from flopping around and soaking up more water than necessary.

Available in almost a dozen different colors, the Roxy Whole Hearted Rash Guard gives you the UPF-50 protection from the sun while also bringing a high degree of comfort during all of your aquatic activities.

Roxy Women’s Whole Hearted Short Sleeve Rashguard

Obviously, after going on and on about how much we love the long sleeve version, you knew the short sleeve Roxy Whole Hearted Rash Guard would make an appearance as well.

Available in even more colors, and in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large, this best selling swim shirt and rash guard has that same soft and flexible fabric that you want from your swim shirt.

Quick to dry, easy to pull on and off, and exceptionally comfortable, the Roxy Women’s Whole Hearted Short Sleeve Rash Guard is one of our favorite ways to protect ourselves from the sun while playing in the aquatic outdoors.

O’Neill Basic Skins Rash Guard for Women

O’Neill is another popular surf gear manufacturer that produces exceptional rash guards and swim shirts. The Basic Skins is a simple, soft, and comfortable rash guard that does everything you need it to do when out in the water and sunshine.

The shirt is very light, weighing just 6 ounces, and is constructed of a highly durable blend of polyester and spandex. The spandex stretches slightly, helping the shirt to fit to your body’s unique contours and curves. The shirt comes in a variety of solid colors, from your standard black to harder-to-miss pink.

• See also: 6 Best Rash Guards and Swim Shirt for Kids

With a minimal amount of seams for maximum protection from rashes, and UPF-50+ protection, O’Neill’s Basic Skins are a killer rash guard and swim shirt for dominating the water.

Sociala Women’s Plus Size Rash Guard and Swim Shirt

• Best rash guard for plus size women

If you are looking for a plus-sized rash guard that fits more like a t-shirt and doesn’t cling tightly, the Sociala Women’s Plus Size Rash Guard is an incredibly well-reviewed shirt for swimming and the outdoors.

Made of 82% long-lasting polyester and 18% soft and stretchy Spandex, the Sociala rash guard provides a high degree of comfort and coverage. It can be used for swimming and surfing, or just a day out at the beach. The fabric is designed to dry quickly between swims and provides maximum protection against the sun with UPF-50 blocking from the sun’s rays.

The Sociala is available in four different “X” sizes and comes in almost ten different color combinations. With a slightly loose crew neckline, the Sociala rash guard will keep you comfortable, covered, and protected from the sun while down at the water.

Scubapro Women’s Everflex 1.5mm Long Sleeve Rash Guard

• Best neoprene rash guard for women

For swimmers, snorkelers, and divers heading out into cooler waters, the Scubapro Everflex provides wet-suit levels of warmth without the hassle of having to climb in and out of a full head-to-toe wet-suit.

The Scubapro Everflex is made with 1.5mm neoprene, which is the same material that open water swimming wetsuits, buoyancy swim shorts, and open water swimming caps are made of. The added benefit of this kind of material is that it is very buoyant, helping you float across the surface while strapped to your snorkel mask or your open water swimming goggles.

With a zip-up front, fleece-lined interior for added comfort and warmth, and a construction that is done with solvent-free glue, the Scubapro Everflex is our favorite neoprene rash guard for women looking to conquer cold water.

Rash Guards for Women – What You Need to Know

Women’s rash guards come in a large range of sizes, materials, thicknesses, colors, and of course, price.

While rash guards are primarily used for ocean activities like surfing, they are an excellent multi-purpose swim shirt that can be used for a wide range of activities.

Here’s a look at the information you need to make the right choice in picking the rash guard that matches your needs and goals in the water.

Let’s go!

What is the purpose of a rash guard?

Rash guards are designed to protect your skin from the sun, keep you warm in cold water, and protect your skin from rashes and the elements.

Swim shirts can be used for swimming in outdoor pools and for warmer open water swims to limit sun exposure.

Rash guards are a way to provide more modest coverage when at the pool and the beach.

Women’s rash guards are designed to be comfortable, dry quickly after being in the water, and stretchy to be snug on the skin.

Rash guards give excellent sun protection and are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to match every kind of activity and sport.

What are rash guards made of?

Women’s rash guards are typically made of neoprene, polyester, nylon and elastane (or one of elastane’s branded versions, including Lycra and Spandex).

Here is a quick look at the materials and their respective benefits:

• Elastane (also known as Lycra and Spandex). Elastane is a synthetic material that is known for its stretchiness and water-repellence. Although this fabric is comfy and helps provide a superior and custom fit, it does degrade when repeatedly exposed to harsh pool chemicals like chlorine.
• Neoprene. This material is one of the most popular for open water and cold water swimming shirts and suits (and wetsuits, too!). Neoprene is perfect for swimmers who are going to be in really cold water. It retains heat and is soft on the skin. Neoprene is especially susceptible to pool chemicals, so avoid wearing neoprene rash guards in the pool if possible.
• Polyester. Polyester is the King Daddy of swimming fabrics. It lasts almost forever, holds color, doesn’t stretch, and stands up spectacularly to chlorine and bromine. While polyester rash guards are awesome for comfort and durability, they don’t have a lot of stretch or insulation.
• Nylon (or polyamide). Nylon is another synthetic fabric that is soft on the skin, highly durable, and one of the common materials used in swim shirts for their breathable and form-fitting properties.

Rash guards aren’t made exclusively of these fabrics, with most of them being constructed of a variety of those materials.

Most swimming shirts for women, for example, are made of a blend of polyester or nylon with elastane, a light and flexible combination ideal for swimming. Rash guards, especially those designed for cold water, are built with neoprene.

Ultimately, the fabric(s) in your rash guard should line up with your goals for the shirt and the water.

What are thermal rash guards?

Thermal rash guards, which are designed to provide extra warmth in cool water, are excellent as a form of swimwear for aerobics and provide a balance between swimwear and wetsuits.

Thermal women’s rash guards are built mostly from neoprene and are thicker than regular swim shirts and rash guards. The warmest of these kinds of rash guards are up to 5mm thick.

Long sleeve vs short sleeve rash guards

Whether you choose a short sleeve or long sleeve rash guard is ultimately up to you and your personal preferences.

Long sleeve swim shirts obviously provide more coverage and protection from the sun. Short sleeve rash guards give you more flexibility and range of motion.

Rash guards also come in a tank version, but this is less frequent. Sleeveless rash guards provide maximum flexibility with reduced sun coverage and heat retention.

How fast do rash guards dry?

These kinds of swim shirts are designed to dry quickly. Wearing a wet, soggy shirt between swims and surfs is no one’s idea of a good time. Damp fabrics give you a chill and is uncomfortable.

Fortunately, swim shirts and rash guards are built specifically to dry quickly. Rash guards feature materials that repel water and wick moisture to help you get dry quickly after hopping out of the pool or ocean.

Extra features of rash guards and swim shirts

Swim shirts and rash guards have a variety of extra bells and whistles that can make the most of your time in the water.

For example, additional features include thumb hooks which help keep the shirt from riding up when you swimming, a hood to provide extra sun protection (and heat retention), board connectors, and even small pockets for stashing valuables while in the water.