12 best rash vests and wetsuit tops for men & women

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Protect yourself from sunburn, chafing and cold water chills

Dipped your toe into the wild swimming trend? Maybe you're taking up surfing for the summer, or fancy giving stand up paddleboarding a go. Whatever your watersport of choice, you'll be pleased to hear that reduced muscle pain, increased circulation and boosted recovery are among the benefits of cold water therapy. But before you dive in headfirst, know that any open water pursuit will be a lot easier (and more comfortable) with the right kit.

There are myriad options when it comes to shopping for open water swimming kit — from the ubiquitous changing robe and buoyant wetsuits to tow floats and swim socks. And while you needn't splurge on every single item, a rash vest or wetsuit top is a sound investment to keep both sunburnt shoulders and cold water chills at bay.

Rushing to the beach? No worries — these are the best rash vests and wetsuit tops for men and women available to buy now. Keep scrolling for the full list.

Also known as rash guards, rash vests are long- or short-sleeved tight-fitting t-shirts worn for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or any other water-based activity. They're designed to protect against UV rays, chafing and saltwater sting, keeping you comfortable on the board, blocking out wind-chill or providing a layer of warmth in cold water.

Rash vests can be worn alone, over swimwear or under a wetsuit — this is common for surfers, to protect against board rash (hence the name). They're ideal if you want a little more coverage for either modesty or sun protection purposes, or if you want an extra layer between yourself and the elements.

Though used interchangeably, rash vests and wetsuit tops aren't technically the same thing. A rash vest tends to be made of nylon or polyester, and while one will take the edge off wind-chill, it won't keep you warm like a wetsuit top will. The main function of rash vests is to protect against friction and UV rays.

A wetsuit top, on the other hand, is an altogether more technical product and its primary purpose is to keep you warm, though they can also aid buoyancy too. Made from (you guessed it) wetsuit materials like neoprene and Yulex (a plant-based neoprene alternative), they work by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the top. Your body then warms this layer of water, locking in heat and creating toasty insulation around your core.

Exactly what constitutes the best rash vest or wetsuit top will depend on what you're using it for. If you're surfing or swimming in summer, UV protection will be important while warmth won't. If you're a cold water swimmer then long sleeves and thermal features may come higher up your priority list.

Think about what water pursuits you'll be partaking in and what time of year you'll be doing them, then consider the following when shopping:

Below we've listed the very best rash vests and wetsuit tops for men and women for any and all types of water activity. We've tested them in lidos and lakes, swimming in chilly oceans and surfing in sunny conditions to ensure we're bringing you the products we truly rate. You are welcome.

This long-sleeved rash vest from Sweaty Betty fits like a second skin. Sculpting and supportive, it's easy to take on and off thanks to the elastane content and the half zip makes it super versatile — just unzip to let cool water in when things heat up. The fabric is fairly thin, with comfortable flat lock seams to guard against chafe.

Also available in black, or pair with the matching Yulex paddle shorts for extra warmth.

It should come as no surprise that Decathlon makes a great budget rash vest — for both men and women. With the top level of UV protection (UPF 50+), a slim fit to reduce drag and board short connectors, this long-sleeved number is an utter bargain at just £15. It's comfortable, dries fast and does not ride up — plus it's slightly longer than your average rash vest so ideal for those looking for extra coverage.

Also available: women's long sleeve rash vest, women's short sleeve rash vest, men's short sleeve rash vest.

Swim brand Roxy is synonymous with surfer girl style, and this short-sleeved rash vest ticks all the boxes, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality. Comfortable and no-frills with a snug fit, it provides great UV protection and is pleasingly stretchy, allowing you to strike out in front crawl or paddle freely on the board with no restrictions. The stitching and seams are virtually unnoticeable too, so there's no chance of board chafe.

We love the simple screen-printed logos on the sleeve and chest but it's also available in this bright blue Hawaiian style floral print.

Here at Runner's World we're big fans of M&S' fitness collection Goodmove, and this rash vest is one of the best things from the range. It's thicker than most rash vests, verging on a wetsuit top, with the more robust fabric, long sleeves and snug fit helping to keep you toasty. We tested it in the English Channel in Spring (brr) and were surprised how long we could stay in the water. Thoughtful details like the tactile rubber zip pull, flattering dipped hem and stretchy construction help catapult this among the ranks of the best rash vests out there.

Wear with a bright bikini or pair with the matching bottoms.

Looking for the best rash vest for summer? This short-sleeved number from British board-sports brand Animal has you covered — literally. It's thin and flexible, with high sun protection and is chlorine and saltwater resistant. It won't offer much in terms of warmth so is better suited to the summer months when UV protection or board chafe is your main concern. Plus nature-lovers will be pleased to learn that it's crafted from fabric that uses plastic bottles that would have otherwise become ocean waste.

Also available: The women's version: Animal Daisy Womens Logo Recycled Rash Vest.

This long-sleeved rash vest from lululemon is a little different in that it's loose-fitting, so not suited to surfing or performance swimming as it will ride up. It's ideal however as a beach cover up, for light swimming (your shoulders will stay protected) and stand up paddleboarding. Ventilation panels on the back keep you cool on sunny days while high UV protection prevents burn. It's soft, stretchy and quick-drying, and perfect if you're feeling a little wobbly around the tummy and don't fancy a skin-tight fit.

The high neck and virtually seamless construction make this rash vest ideal for wearing under a wetsuit as it will protect against burn and chafe from a wetsuit collar and stray sand. But even if worn on its own it will help keep you toasty thanks to the thermal fleece lining and snug fit. The Lycra material means it's easy to move in and super comfortable, plus it offers high UV protection.

This rash vest from Speedo offers great protection without being too tight-fitting — there's a little give across the middle for a comfortable fit. The mock neck keeps out wind-chill, protects against wetsuit collar burn and happens to look great on pretty much everyone too. Flatlock seams mean zero chafing and there's a handy board short loop to prevent riding up.

Also available: A long sleeved version, the men's version: Men's Tech Short Sleeved Rash Top.

The best wetsuit tops needn't be pricey, as proved by this neoprene number from Decathlon. It's tight-fitting (as wetsuit tops should be) with snug sleeves and seamless 1.5mm neoprene panels on the torso to keep your core warm. There's a useful toggle fastening on the bottom to tighten the hem as well as a board short loop and it's windproof as well as offering great UV protection.

This wetsuit top from eco-conscious outdoor brand Finisterre is crafted from 2mm four-way stretch Yulex natural rubber neoprene and made specifically for cold water antics. Like all swimwear made from wetsuit materials it can feel tight to begin with, but it soon loosens up with use and the warmth it offers is unparalleled. The full-length zip also means the snug fit isn't an issue when it comes to changing, and there's a nifty zip-guard to protect your skin.

Also available: in black, and the men's version: Nieuwland 2e Yulex Long Sleeve Top.

This slim-fit rash vest is a brilliant budget option for men. With a long-sleeved design and available in a range of colours (we're particularly partial to the charcoal pictured), it offers maximum UV protection, is stretchy for great range of motion and doesn't ride up.

When looking for the best wetsuit top with long sleeves, two things are paramount: a full-length zip (good luck getting it on or off otherwise) and decent stretch, so you can still actually move once its on. Luckily, this one from Patagonia delivers on both, plus it's made from 1.5mm Yulex to keep you warm and buoyant. Flatlock seams keep things comfortable and chafe-free while the length offers good coverage.

Also available: The women's version: Women's R1 Lite Yulex L/S Top (bigger-busted women should size up).

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