Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking Rash Guards.
Kayaking is a popular paddle sport that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age or gender. It’s pretty straightforward, and you don’t have to go through extensive training to start kayaking. However, if you’re just starting out, make sure that you adhere to the safety rules and regulations, and have someone by your side to assist you.
According to studies, the majority of people who lost their lives in an accident were the ones who decided to ignore the rules and paddle away into the waters without proper safety gear. It’s not wise to take risks when kayaking. You are always required to wear appropriate gear, which includes the life jacket or Personal Floating Device, a helmet, kayak clothes, and rash guards.
In this guide, let us learn all about rash guards for men and rash guards for women, and what kind of protection you can get by wearing it.
What is a rash guard?
- similar to a wet suit but much thinner
- give protection from UV rays (sun)
- prevent rashes of the skin
If you’re new to this sport, you probably haven’t heard of the rash guard. A rash guard is basically an extra layer of protection for your skin. It was designed specifically for the water sport athletes who spend most of their time out in the sun.
A rash guard is known by several names, and these include; a rash vest and a rashie. It is very similar to a wet suit, but the only difference is that rashies are much thinner. Rash vests protect the wearer from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and also prevent the rashes which may appear due to abrasion.
Rash guards are made of very thin materials. Some of the most common materials used to make rashies are; polyester, nylon, spandex, and neoprene. These are highly elastic materials. The reason why the manufacturers chose these stretchable materials is that stiff materials will not allow the wearer to move freely.
If you have been into water sports for a while, you may have experienced or at least heard of some people getting severe allergic reactions by wearing a wetsuit. This is a very prevalent thing that happens to people who have highly sensitive skin. Rash guards are made of skin-friendly materials, so the wearer does not feel itchy or experience uncomfortable feel.
Rashies can be worn under a swimsuit or a wetsuit. There are several types of rash guards, and you can choose according to the weather /climate conditions, or according to your preference. You can choose a rash guard based on your needs as well.
For example; if it’s a cold day or the region where you live is mostly chilly, you can choose a thicker rashie. If you want to wear a wetsuit over it, an ideal type would be a sleeveless one. This will give you more comfort and better maneuverability around the shoulders.
You can also buy a thermal rash vest. These are usually thicker than regular ones and are made of insulating material to keep your body warm in cold water. If you’re looking for a thermal vest, make sure that it is made of neoprene. If the weather is too hot to wear a full wetsuit, you can go for a thin rash guard. A full-body rash guard is widely used in kayaking. It might hinder your body movements a little, but it provides maximum protection.
What are rash guards used for?
- extra layer of skin protection
- insulation
- ultraviolet (sunburn) protection
- just plain sexy
Rash guards are used effectively for a number of reasons. They are used as an extra layer of protection, and as insulation to provide heat in the cold water. It is also used as a protection against the sun’s harmful rays. In addition to these, rash guards have other useful purposes too. Let us talk about it in greater detail.
You may have experienced body rashes as a result of spending a considerable amount of time in the water. A rash on the thigh area and armpits is primarily due to chaffing. This is because your skin in these areas is repeatedly brushed against each other.
Another reason for getting rashes is because the ocean and seawater can be pretty harsh for your skin if you’re exposed to it for an extended period of time. You may also come in contact with other elements such as sand, and this can result in body rashes around the belly and other sensitive skin areas.
Chafing combined with sand and salty water can cause the skin to become reddish, and may result in itchiness or a burning sensation when you’re out of the water. In most extreme cases, you may even experience an allergic reaction or other skin infection. There is a reason why it is called a rash guard. Rashies are beneficial in three ways:
- It acts as a sunscreen
- It prevents your skin from friction, thus protects you from rashes
- Provides your body with heat in cold condition
Rash guards are becoming very popular these days. They are seen as a swim fashion in a world of water sports. A lot of athletes wear them for a number of reasons. They not only shield you from the sun and rashes but wearing rashies make it easier for you to take off your wetsuit.
Should rash guards be tight?
- proper fit is snug, loose can cause a rash
Yes, rash guards are meant to be relatively tight, but this does not necessarily mean that you always have to pick the tightest one. If you want to put on a wetsuit on top of the rashie, it would be a better option to choose a suit that fits snugly. However, it should not be too snug that it prevents you from moving freely.
Kayakers can choose either a loose fit or a snugger fit rash suit, but it’s always a better idea to buy a tight fit suit. Just make sure that you’re comfortable, and it does not hinder your movement. If you’re a body-conscious person who does not want to expose your body, go with a loose fit or at a shirt-like rash suit. It is recommended that you try them on before buying one. You also need to ensure that it has flatlock stitching; this will provide you maximum comfort and prevent chafing.
Does the rash guard prevent sunburn?
- Yes!
- A rashie with a UPF rating of 15-24 provides a reasonably good sunscreen, and it blocks about 90% of the UVA rays.
- Rash vests that have 25-39 UPF ratings are considered very good, and it absorbs about 95 % of the harmful UVA rays of the sun.
- The best rashies have 40-50 or more UPF rating, and these provide excellent protection. More than 98 % of the UVA rays can be blocked.
Yes. Rash guard’s primary purpose is to provide the wearer protection from the sun’s harmful rays, which may increase the chance of getting skin cancer. They are used as an alternative to sunscreen by many people who are into water sports. Rash guards for women and rash guards for men can be very colorful. Dermatologists also agree that rash guards are more effective than high SPF sunscreen for water sports athletes, or even for those people who spend their holidays on the beach.
Most of the rashies have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 30 or more. Rash guards can be called UPF clothing as they are tested to ensure that the UVA rays do not go through it. It also protects your skin from the UVB rays. They are one of the most important kayak apparel which acts as the skin’s physical shield. It is very important to check the UPF rating before buying one, the higher the rating, the more protection you will get. Here is a list of rash guards with different UPF ratings and their level of protection.
The most common reason why rash guards are used as an alternative to sunscreen creams or lotions is that these creams lose their efficacy when that part of the skin perspires or comes in contact with water. Also, not many people love to wear sunscreens. It may also cause irritation to some, especially children.
Do rash guards keep you warm?
- on average, an extra 5-15 degrees warmer
Rash guards can keep your body warm when you’re in cold waters. They are used for a different purpose. Some people wear rash vests when the weather is too hot. The reason is that the ocean water is always cold even when the sun is at its peak. For those individuals who want to stay long in the water wear rash guards to keep their body temperature warm.
There are also some rashies that are explicitly designed to provide insulation; these types of rash guards are called thermal rash guards. Neoprene is used to make thermal rashies as they do not allow the body heat to escape, while their elastic property enables the wearer to move freely.
Thermal rashies are much thicker than the others, and their thickness is indicated by two numbers. The first number indicates the thickness of the torso area, while the second number indicates the thickness of the fabric around the limbs. For better comfort and maneuverability, see that the rashie is not so thick in the area of the limb.
For those people living in the regions where the weather condition is very chilly, you can back up your thermal rash guard with a wetsuit. This will provide your body with maximum warmth.
Do rash guards protect from jellyfish?
- yes, but we don’t recommend you try it
Although rash guards are not designed for this purpose, it can still protect you from jellyfish stings and other marine creatures. A rash guard can act as a protective layer or as a barrier that keeps you safe from being stung by marine creatures, especially a jellyfish.
However, be forewarned, it does not guarantee total safety. Rashies does not cover all parts of your body; those exposed areas can still be a target. The poison in the tentacles of the jellyfish can remain active for a long time even if the creature is dead.
For maximum protection, it is always a good practice to apply a special type of lotion that can keep you safe. If you think that the area has lots of jellyfish, it is best to avoid those waters. In most beaches, these areas are marked with a purple flag to indicate the presence of these dangerous creatures.
Also, if your rashie is loose, the chances are that the tentacles of the fish may find its way underneath your suit. So be aware of the waters you want to go in, and take preventive measures. You may not encounter these creatures while kayaking, but nevertheless, it is best to be on the safe side.
Do you wear a bathing suit under a rash guard?
- rash guards for women are mostly worn under the bathing suit
- rash guards for men can be worn under or over the bathing suit
- rash guards for girls can be worn either way
- rash guards for boys are sometimes worn instead of a bathing suit
It really depends on the preference of the wearer. Most girls or women prefer wearing a bathing suit top under a rashie. In case you’re wondering if you can wear a bathing suit under a rash guard, you can definitely go ahead. It doesn’t matter if you choose a long sleeve or a short serve; it’s all right as long as it is a rash guard. Rashies dry very quickly, so you shouldn’t worry too much.
For the men folks, you can wear your favorite shorts or swimming trunks with your rash guard. You can also wear a swim brief under your rashie.
Conclusion.
A lot of people confuse a rash guard with a swim shirt. But you should know that these are different things although they are very similar to each other. They serve similar purposes but usually swim shirts are loose-fitting, while rash guards are tight-fitting. Most of the swim shirts too offer protection against UVA rays just like the rashies.
Rash guards are very versatile, they can be used alone, or with a bathing suit, and a wetsuit, or even under dry kayak pants. Regardless of the weather conditions, hot or cold, you can pick one accordingly. It is also the best alternative to using sunscreen lotions. However, you should always apply sunscreen on the skin areas that are not covered.
