Hi there!
One of the reasons for wearing a swim rash guard is to better protect your skin from the sun!
So if you’re getting ready for summer beach trip… you may be getting started on figuring out what to pack for summer vacation!
And one of the things that’s very likely on your packing list as part of your beach essentials is sunscreen.
Well, instead of worrying about constantly re-applying sunscreen to your skin that’s exposed to the skin, you can wear a rash guard!
It won’t completely eliminate the need for sunscreen since parts of your skin will still be exposed, but in many cases, it can eliminate the use of sunscreen a LOT!
So…
What is a rash guard?!
You’ve probably seen pictures of surfers.
In which case, these are the types of shirts that is common for surfers to wear.
A rash guard quite literally is a “guard” against a “rash.”
One of the “rashes” that was “guarded” against was said to be chafing from skin to surfboard contact as surfers were paddling out to sea.
But if you’re just playing around in the water at the beach, your skin isn’t rubbing against anything.
So then…
Why wear a rash guard when you go swimming outside?
Well, if you consider sunburn to be a rash…
Another one of the rashes that a rash guard protects against is sunburn.
For outdoor swimming, one of the biggest reasons to wear a rash guard aka swim shirt is for that sun protection.
And, if you want to be environmentally friendly, then wearing a swim shirt is the environmentally-friendly option compared to wearing sunscreen! (Sunscreen has chemicals. You wear sunscreen. You go into water. Toxic chemicals also go into the water. Marine life are impacted by these toxic chemicals.)
So wearing a swim shirt that has built-in UV protection (which rash guards generally do!) means that you have less skin exposed.
And having less skin exposed means that you need to apply less sunscreen!
It also means that you don’t need to be as concerned with making sure to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day too. Although it’s still a good idea to apply sunscreen on the skin that’s still exposed, but a swim shirt means a lot less sunscreen you need to apply!
And if you’ll be snorkeling, then your entire backside is going to be exposed to the sun.
If you’re mostly standing or in an upright position, then your shoulders are extra exposed to the sun.
Swimming shirts can provide a little bit of extra protection from the sun and harmful UV rays!
For women, it’s typical to wear a rash guard or swimming shirt over a swimsuit.
There may be some technical differences between a rash guard and a regular swimming shirt (namely, rash guards may fit better for sport and activities where you’re more active in the water), but if you’re just splashing around in the water, you can go for a rash guard or a regular swimming shirt!
There are also other types of UV shirts (UPF shirts – ultraviolet protection factor) that are designed more for land or out of the water, like if you’ll be out and about in the sun.
These types of regular UV shirts may be a bit looser.
You may find a non-swimming specific shirt like this to be an annoyance in the water if the bottom of your shirt keeps floating up.
So if would be best to look for shirts that specify swimming at the least.
If it’s called a rash guard, then that is a swimming-specific shirt.
Now…
Find your perfect swim rash guard swimming shirt for the beach!
There are affiliate links on this page. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from this.
Swimming shirts for women
- Short sleeve
- Long sleeve
- Long sleeve zip-up
- Brand name: O’Neill rash guard
If you are a female, it is typical to wear something like a bathing suit underneath the rash guard.
You can search amazon for something like “bathing suit” or “bathing suit top”!
For bottoms, you can wear your bathing suit of course, and you can also search on amazon for something like “swim shorts.”
See more swimming shirts: Search swimming shirts for women
Rash guards for men
- Short sleeve
- Long sleeve
- Brand name: O’Neill rash guard
Also search on Amazon for bottoms like “swim shorts” or “swim trunks” or “board shorts”!
See more swimming shirts: Search for long-sleeve rash guards for men
See more swimming shirts: Search for short-sleeve rash guards for men
Swimming shirts for kids
Swimming shirts for girls
See more swimming shirts for girls:
- Short sleeve swim set (top and bottom)
- Long sleeve swim set (top and bottom)
- Long sleeve (top only)
Swimming shirts for boys
See more swimming shirts for boys:
- Short sleeve (top only)
- Long sleeve swim set (top and bottom)
What else should you pack for a beach swimming trip?
Keep the sun off of you when you’re out of the water by using a beach tent or beach umbrella!
HAPPY SWIMMING WITH A RASH GUARD ON!
Here are some ideas for an Upper Peninsula road trip!
The most important places in the UP to know about are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and the bubbling Big Spring of Kitch-iti-kipi.
Make it a Michigan camping trip to remember by going camping near Lake Superior.
Lighthouses are also a thing, so stop by one of the Lake Superior lighthouses (or many more!), like Whitefish Point and/or Crisp Point. You can also go to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum to explore why Lake Superior has a reputation for being Shipwreck Coast and the Graveyard of the Great Lakes.
Many people don't make it over to the western part of the Upper Peninsula. But if you want to, you will want to know about Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Then, on your way back down south, you can make a detour to go to Mackinac Island (ferry required) or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (Or, you can do these things on your way up north!)
Read the details: Best places to visit in the Upper Peninsula
Take care when camping!
Message from the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
Michigan is currently experiencing unprecedented hot and dry conditions, causing extreme fire danger.
While we desperately await some much-needed rainfall, it's important to note that you could be the difference between a campfire and a wildfire.
We strongly suggest you refrain from any outdoor burning at this time.
If you do decide to have a campfire, be sure to:
- Keep a water source next to your campfire.
- Properly extinguish your campfire when you are finished by dousing with water and stirring dirt in with a shovel.
- Use the back of your hand to detect if heat is still coming from the fire or ring. If you can feel heat, the fire is not out. Douse and stir again.
- Spray down the metal ring of your campfire. The heat from that can cause dry grass to catch fire.
- Never leave your fire unattended, not even for a minute.
Read more from the State of Michigan.
There are affiliate links on this page. Among others, as an Amazon Associate I may earn from purchases.