Best Rash Guards for Women in 2024
A rash guard is an important piece of clothing in water sports and other physical training activities. Its light fabric provides comfort and also protects against harmful UV rays. Scuba divers wear rash guards for UV protection after diving as well as to protect the skin from chaffing while putting on or taking off a wetsuit. In addition, a rash guard helps in protecting sensitive skin, especially when renting out scuba diving gear. In this article, you’ll find the best rash guards for women in scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and other activities.
Wetsuits come in full-bodied sizes or shorties. When picking a rash guard it’s important to consider the type of wetsuits you currently own. If picking a wetsuit for a relaxing day at the beach, then any rash guard will serve its purpose.
Rash guards can be used in multiple settings and not only for scuba diving. Feel free to wear your favorite scuba rash guard when surfing or swimming.
Let’s get into the list of the best rash guards for women. I’ve gone a step further and clustered the rash guards according to type for easy navigation.
READ MORE: Best Scuba Diving Headbands
Full-bodied rash guards for women
Full-body rash guards are perfect for scuba diving. As a diver, you get coved at every inch the wetsuit touches.
In addition, a soft and snug-fitting rash guard makes wearing your wetsuit very easy. The wetsuit just slides over the nylon, polyester, or spandex rash guard. As a diver, I know wearing a wetsuit can be very stressful at times.
Tutublue Women’s One Piece Full Body Rash Guard
Made from 16% lycra and 84% polyester, this is a definition of a perfect rash guard for scuba divers.
The materials used are soft on the skin, very lightweight, and hug the body perfectly just like skin.
Available in black, patterns, and neon poppy. Don’t worry, the neon colors aren’t screaming. It’s a soft blend of neon colors making it look very stylish.
The rash guard offers 50+ UV protection against both UVA and UVB rays. In case you don’t have enough reef-safe sunscreen, you can skip applying it to your body and only focus on the exposed sections of your body.
It’s quick-drying due to the very lightweight materials used.
Another key feature that stands out in this rash guard is the high-rise neckline. Sometimes the zipper and velcro fastening around the neck can cause irritation. With a higher neckline, you are sure the rash guard keeps your skin protected from abrasion and bruising.
If you are worried about putting on some weight, relax the material is very stretchy accommodating any gains.
Akaeys Women’s Full Body Rash Guard
How beautiful is this color combination and coordination? The placement of the block colors flatters your body boosting that beach confidence.
An amazon choice item with multiple reviews to help you gauge the rash guard.
This rashguard is made using nylon and spandex meaning the stretch is fabulous. Another reason to love the material choice is that your wetsuit will slide right in with minimal effort.
Available in many colors to suit everyone’s preferences.
The rash guard offers up to 50+ UV protection against the sun making it suitable for days when you do not have any sunscreen left.
Don’t worry about suffocating in the nylon spandex mix, the material is breathable and easy to clean.
FEOYA Women’s Rash Guard
This rash guard is made from spandex(18%) and nylon (84%). This shows that the wetsuit is stretchy perfect for pairing with a full-body wetsuit.
Compared to other rash guards, this one is a lot thicker but still the perfect thickness for a rash guard. If you are just participating in water activities such as surfing, snorkeling, or relaxing at the beach, this rash guard will serve you well.
Some divers may find it too thick to wear under a wetsuit especially a thick one about 5 mm in thickness.
It’s very comfy and keeps you warm while in the water and protects you from injuries and stinging by marine life forms.
READ MORE: Can Jellyfish Sting Through A Wetsuit?
Womens Boyleg Sun Protection Suit
In case you do not like the idea of a full-bodied rash guard under your wetsuit, this is a winner.
Some divers don’t mind walking around in their wetsuits after diving. With this rash guard, you can remove the upper part of the wetsuit and leave it hanging around the waist. The rash guard protects the upper body from UV rays and harsh weather conditions.
Unlike full-body rashguards that tend to flatter slender bodies more, this particular rash guard is available in all sizes including plus sizes.
Made with a high percentage of nylon mixed with spandex, it’s super stretchy and easy to put on a wetsuit.
Top Only Rash Guards
These are more common to spot on a beach and among water sports participants. As the name suggests the rash guard is only a shirt either long sleeve or short-sleeved. No bottoms are included in this type of rash guard and many pair them with bathing suits or get a pair of bottoms.
Women’s UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard
The color combinations are so beautiful you will want to get each.
Offers 50+ UV protection from harmful UV rays. In addition, the high neckline ensures the zipper on your wetsuit doesn’t cause bruising.
The material used is 17:3 ratio polyester: spandex. This means that the rashguard can stretch and is also easy to clean and dry. In addition, it hugs the skin perfectly making it easy to put on or take off a wetsuit.
It’s important to note that the manufacturers highly recommend hand washing only to maintain the material and shape of the rash guard.
O’Neill Women’s Rash Guard
I love brand names this spikes my trust in the product especially if it’s a brand that has been around longer in the water sports industry.
O’Neill is one of those brands known to make top-quality sporting products including wetsuits.
This rash guard is recommended by the skin cancer foundation, so you know it’s good. It offers 50+ UV protection against all types of sun rays UVA and UVB.
The polyester and spandex material sits perfectly onto your skin just like a bonus layer of skin.
Easy to wash and it is machine wash safe so don’t worry about ruining the perfect fit or stretching it.
Available in different colors appreciated among women.
Mares Womens Rash Guard Long Sleeve She Dives
Talking about brands, here is another one you can trust. Mares manufactures scuba diving gear including some of the best scuba diving fins on the market.
This rash guard is so soft, lightweight, and hugs your body perfectly. The spandex and polyester material used to manufacture this rash guard allows it to stretch accommodating movements.
It offers 50+ UV protection so you can save the sunscreen for the face and back of the hands.
I love the high neckline as it will protect you from zippers and velcro fastening on your wetsuit.
READ MORE: Best Scuba Diving Fins for Travel
Scubapro Women’s Amber Rash Guard
We are still on scuba diving brands and top manufacturers. Scuba pro is widely known for its high-quality scuba diving products from fins, masks, rash guards, diving accessories, and wetsuits.
This particular rash guard has a high neck and UV 50+ protection against sun rays. A beautiful pattern and design are flattering for women of all ages and sizes.
Available in black, blue, and white with flower patterns.
Here are more rash guards from Scuba pro you should consider adding to your diving closet. Available on Amazon in various colors.
I personally love all rash guards by ScubaPro due to their perfect fit and the high neck. I hate the feeling of wetsuit zippers pressing on my neck or fastening rubbing against my skin. This always leaves me with bruising and a rash that is very itchy.
Aqua Lung Women’s Galaxy Rashguard
Yes, another scuba diving brand. 🙂
One reason I love brands in a specific field is that I know they manufacture their products with the consumer in mind. For scuba diving, the brands have the diver in mind and after years of research and survey, they know exactly what the divers need.
This however doesn’t mean other products in the same category are bad or faulty. I love experimenting and trying out different products from non-brand manufacturers.
This rash guard has a mix of spandex and nylon making it super stretchy and allowing it to fit perfectly on the body.
Like many other products featured in this article, you get 50+ UV protection. Plus it’s super comfortable to wear and feels great on the skin.
I love the galaxy pattern paired with black, It’s super laid back yet stylish.
AXESEA Womens Rash Guard
This rash guard doubles up as a swimsuit and is very trendy. I love the patterns featured in this rash guard series as well as the one-piece design.
When traveling and don’t want to carry too many items in your travel bag, this rash guard will save you space. I mean you can use it when swimming, surfing, and scuba diving.
Offers 50+ sun protection against UV rays. The elastane lining makes it feel super comfy on the skin.
Body Glove Short Arm Rashguard
If you love scuba diving in shorties and don’t want to have long sleeves on your rash guard showing, then this is the rash guard for you.
The short sleeves work well with shorties. The neckline is a bit on the medium as it’s not high compared to other rashguards but gets the work done protecting the neck area.
I have heated conversations with my dive buddies on whether wearing a long-sleeved rash guard with shorties looks funny. Everyone has their preferences but personally, I don’t see anything wrong if your long sleeves are showing. It’s UV protection over stylish :-). As long as both the rash guard and shortie wetsuit feel comfortable to you then go ahead and rock them.
