Description

Rash Guard:

A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is an athletic shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester. The name rash guard reflects the fact that the shirt protects the wearer against rashes caused by abrasion, or by sunburn from extended exposure to the sun. These shirts can be worn by themselves, or under a wetsuit. A rash guard by itself is used for light coverage in warm to extreme summer temperatures for several watersports including surfing, canoe polo, water survival training, scuba diving, snorkeling, freediving, wakeboarding, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, stand up paddle surfing, or swimming. There are also lower body rash guards, which are similar to compression shorts to be worn under the surfers’ boardshorts, but more specialized for surfers.

Rash guards are most often worn in surfing when the weather is too warm for a wetsuit, and to prevent wax-based chafing from sliding on and off of the surfboard, on either the torso or the legs. A surfboard’s wax holds sand from the beach that could rub against a surfer’s torso while paddling out to the break, or legs while sitting atop one’s board. Rashguards also offer some protection from the sun and slight protection against jellyfish stings and are sometimes worn under wetsuits to prevent chafing. A rash guard helps to prevent irritation caused by rapid impact with surface water and waves as well.

Other important components of a rash guard include flatlock stitching and six-panel construction. Flatlock stitching creates a seam where the seam allowances lie flat to the garment instead of hanging loose from it. It is made by adjusting the overlock or the thread overedge stitch. Flatlock stitching increases the strength of the garment for intense exercise or recreational activities. Six-panel construction and different material for separate body parts sewn together in panels allow the user to increase mobility wet or dry versus the conventional four-panel tee shirt construction.

The combination of products used to construct a rash guard differs slightly depending on the designer. The use of nylon and spandex creates a garment that is lightweight, quick-drying, flexible, durable, naturally antibacterial and water wicking.