Most people consider rash vests and wetsuits to be one and the same. In reality, they are very different. Continue reading to see what a rash vest is, why you might need one, and why you'll want one.
Most people who are not familiar with water sports have never even heard of a rash vest. This is completely understandable. A rash vest, which is also known as a rash guard or rashie, is a one piece garment that is made from very thin and flexible material that those who enjoy water sports wear to protect them from sunburn and also from chafing while in the water. A lot of people get wetsuits and rash vests confused since they look so much alike, but they have completely different purposes. Wetsuits are usually made from very thick, insulating material and are intended to help the water sports enthusiast retain valuable body heat. Rash vests, on the other hand, are made from very thin material and are only intended for skin protection.
Most people routinely think that a wetsuit must be worn while scuba diving at all times, right? Not necessarily. You have to remember that wetsuits were designed to help the wearer retain body heat. This is not advisable in all diving conditions. For example, in the warm and shallow waters off the coast of Costa Rica, a rash vest may be all a diver really needs as long as he or she isn't staying in the water for too long.
Rash vests are very easy to shop for as they are commonly available in a variety of water sports stores such as those that sell scuba diving gear, surfing equipment, snorkeling equipment, and others. They are available in many exciting styles and colors and there are sizes available for each member of the family including the kids. And fortunately, if you have a large family, you won't have to pay much at all to outfit them in rash vests. Kids rash vests are rarely more than $30 each and adult rash vests are rarely more than $50 each.
Rash vests makes a lot of sense for many different applications. They're not just for wake boarding or surfing. A lot of people even prefer to wear them underneath some wetsuits like the tri suit or full suit. If you are planning on participating in a water sport in the near future, take the time to consider whether a rash vest will meet your needs.
