Scuba diving is a surreal experience. It’s a peaceful, beautiful, exciting adventure. But the reality is, it requires a lot of gear. You’ll want to make sure you’re well-equipped when diving with the best diving accessories, especially true when it comes to diving suits or rash guards.
When selecting the right rash guard there are several factors to consider.
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Top 10 Best Rash Guards for Scuba Diving
Do you need long sleeves? short sleeves? Like most dive clothing will you be wanting it to fit like a glove or be a little bit looser? Are you wanting to blend in with the fish or stand out?
Whatever your needs are, you’re sure to find the right one here, as we’ve gathered a list of the best rash guards for scuba diving.
1. SCUBAPRO Men’s UPF 50 Long Sleeve Rash Guard
The Scubapro Long Sleeve Rash Guard is a great option that’s able to block up to 98% of UV radiation.
The material of the Scubapro rash guard is durable but lightweight. Since it has long sleeves it gives you the perfect amount of warmth needed to keep you comfortable while diving. Remember to click here to find out how to get warm after a chilly dive to the deep.
If you’re wanting your rash guard to be super tight, then the sizing will be fine for you. However, if you’re someone that needs your clothing to be a bit lose, then you’ll want to get a size bigger than you normally would.
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Pros
- Blocks up to 98% of UV radiation.
- Abrasion-resistant
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Flattering
- Comes in black, Aegean, graphite and white
- Long sleeves
Cons
- Fits smaller than expected
2. O’Neill Men’s Basic Skins UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard
O’Neill’s Basic Skins Long Sleeve Rash Guard is a very popular rash guard. It gives you 50+ UV protection and is a recommended product by the skin cancer foundation.
This O’Neill’s Basic Skins Rash Guard comes in black, dusty blue, graphite, pacific, red, smoke, white, lunar, bright blue, navy, or khaki giving you many options to stay protected in the sun while you’re diving.
This O’Neill’s Basic Skins Long Sleeve Rash Guard does tend to fit on the smaller side, so when ordering, just make sure to size up, unless you’re wanting it super tight.
Even though the Basic Skins fit is tighter than expected it’s still very durable and comfortable. With the O’Neill’s strategically placed seams, it can also make quite an attractive and smart choice for diving.
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Pros
- Easy rash guard maintenance
- Made out of polyester and spandex
- Skin cancer foundation recommended product
- 50+ UV protection
- Strategic seam placement
- Quick dry
- Breathable
- Reputable brand
Cons
- The white rash guard has a different logo design from the other colors
- Fits on the tighter side, size up when ordering
3. Skyone Full Body Scuba Rash Guard Lycra UV Dive Skin
This Skyone Full Body Scuba Rash Guard is impressively cheaper in price when compared to most other full-body rash guards. This particular full-body rash guard also comes in two different styles for men.
One of the styles comes with a blue hood (to keep your head warmer in the water) and one without. For women, this full-body scuba rash guard comes in purple and blue.
All of them are made from lycra, spandex, and nylon, creating a comfortable but lightweight option. There’s also a front zipper on all of the designs, making it super easy to put on and off.
You’ll notice these rash guards tend to fit smaller like most. However, it can loosen up a little bit once you’re in the water. Also, keep in mind that this rash guard is a more cost-effective option that will keep your whole body covered (and even your head if needed).
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Pros
- Full body coverage
- Cheaper price compared to other full-body rash guards
- Lycra, spandex, and nylon material
- Lightweight
- Front zipper
Cons
- Fits tight, you might need to order one or two sizes bigger
- Only one of the men’s rash guards comes with a hood
- Must be hand washed in cold water
4. O’Neill Women’s Basic Skins Upf 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard
This O’Neill Women’s Basic Skins Long Sleeve Rash Guard comes in several different colors: black, smoke black watermelon, dusk, fox pink, graph fox pink, graphite, mist white mist, sea glass, smoke black mist, Tahitian blue, graphic/berry, mist blue, light aqua, dusty blue, Hawaii black, light grapefruit, mist, and riviera.
The rash guard is made out of elastane, spandex, and polyester, giving it a smooth feel to your skin. It has 50+ ultraviolet protection and is a recommended product by the cancer foundation.
This O’Neill Women’s Basic Skins Long Sleeve Rash Guard is overall a really comfortable, reliable option. The O’Neill brand continues to use high-quality material for their rash guards and they tend to be quite form-fitting.
However, like other rash guards, if you’re not wanting your rash guard to be too fitted, you might want to get a size bigger than what you’d normally wear.
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Pros
- Made out of elastane, spandex, and polyester
- 50+ ultraviolet protection
- Skin cancer foundation recommended product
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Several colors to choose from
- Reputable brand
Cons
- The logo appears different depending on which color you choose
- Form-fitting, you might need to size up
5. Scubapro Men’s Eco Long Sleeve Rash Guard
This Scubapro Men’s Eco Rash Guard is a very comfortable option for scuba diving. The material feels the higher quality with more substance compared to some others that are super thin.
This rash guards material has a very flexible four-way stretch allowing you to move several different ways without any issues. This Scubapro Men’s Eco Rash Guard has flat stitching, making it smooth on your skin. It’s also good if you have broad shoulders and need a rash guard that’s going to be mobile with you.
This Scubapro Men’s Eco Rash Guard might be one of the best since it’s been designed specifically for scuba diving. However, you might find you’ll get a little bit too warm since it has long sleeves and a higher neckline. So if you’re diving it a hot climate just keep this in mind.
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Pros
- 4-way stretching material
- 50+ UV protection action
- Holes for your thumbs
- Polyester fabric
- Engineered for scuba diving
- Flat stitching, making it comfortable on your skin
- Good if you have broad shoulders
- Well known scuba diving brand
Cons
- Might get too warm with the long sleeves
6. Mares Men’s Rash Guard Loose Fit, Short Sleeve, Black/White
Mares Men’s Rash Guard is a good option for scuba diving when in a warm climate. This rash guard is made out of 85% polyester and 15% spandex. The stitching lies flat on your skin so there’s no irritation when you’re putting on gear or moving around.
This rash guard also looks quite flattering because of the color contrast with the black and white, along with the positioning of the black on the sides (making you appear leaner).
The company Mares is also well recognized in the scuba diving world. They’re a company that’s focused on creating high-quality products from those that love water activities, especially scuba diving.
Since the rash guard has 50+ UV protection, you’ll be safe in the sun for your whole scuba adventure. However, this particular Mares Men’s Rash Guard is short sleeve, like a t-shirt so it is best if you’re wearing it in warmer water.
The only downside to this Mares Men’s Rash Guard is that it tends to fit smaller than expected. However, this does seem to be the case for many of the rash guards, since they are supposed to fit tighter.
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Pros
- Sizes small to 3XL
- White and black, flattering design
- Mares brand specializes in water activities
- Great for hot climate
- Fast drying
- UV protection 50+
- Flat stitching
- 85% Polyester and 15% spandex
Cons
- Not loose fitting
- Fits smaller than expected
7. Cressi Camouflage Rash Guard for Scuba Diving
The Cressi Camouflage Rash Guard is a good choice if you’re wanting to blend in with your surroundings in the water. The camouflage pattern on the rash guard makes it great for not scaring away sea life.
It comes in three different colors too; blue hunter, brown hunter, and green hunter.
This Cressi Camouflage Rash Guard will also provide more warmth than many of the other long sleeve rash guards. It has a 1mm premium neoprene that’s built into the center of the rash guard, adding more warmth throughout. You can wear this rash guard on your skin or on top of your wetsuit.
Since the Cressi Camouflage Rash Guard can make you blend into your surroundings underwater, it might be better for advanced scuba divers. If you’re a beginner you might want something that’s brighter so that others can see you more clearly.
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Pros
- 50+ UV protection
- Three camo hunter colors to choose from
- Attached hood
- Chest loading pad
- Made from lycra, nylon, and spandex
Cons
- Camouflage isn’t good if you’re a beginner diver and want others to see you easily in the water
- Fits tighter than expected.
8. Mares Shorts Sleeve Trilastic Rash Guard
This Mares Short Sleeve Trilastic Rash Guard is unique in its design. It’s designed with extra attention given to the material and each thread in the stitching, making it one of the most suitable rash guards for diving in comfort.
Similar to the other Mares Rash Guard mentioned in number 6, this one is also a great option for a warmer climate. This one might be slightly more flattering though since it comes with a blend of different greys and black.
This rash guard like many will feel looser in the water but it does tend to fit quite snug. When choosing the right size for you just keep that in mind.
Overall, Mares is a respectable company, providing divers with many different options to stay protected and comfortable in the sea.
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Pros
- Short sleeve
- Size small – 3XL
- 2” high and 8” wide
- Flat stitching
- Beautiful design
- Black and grey colors
- 50+ UV protection
Cons
- Fits smaller but will loosen a bit when in water
9. SCUBAPRO Rash Guard Womens Long Sleeve (UPF50)
This Scubapro Womens Rash Guard is an attractive option if you’re wanting something that’s sure to draw some attention and has long sleeves.
The colors available are; teal, flamingo, jewel, and shell with some funky details near the shoulders.
Scubapro is also another reputable scuba diving company that makes good quality dive wear. This rash guard also has excellent UV protection and has a UPF 50 which is the highest protection possible for a rash guard.
The Scubapro Womens Rash Guard doesn’t lose its stretch or shape after being worn several times. The smooth stitching along with the polyester fabric makes for a comfortable dive.
The fabric for this Scubapro Rash Guard is also able to dry quite quickly so it will allow you to be in and out of the water for the whole day.
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Pros
- Bright and fun colors to choose from
- Excellent protection UV rays (UPF 50, highest protection possible for rash guard)
- Smooth stitching
- Made from high-quality polyester fabric
- Can wear under wetsuit comfortably
- Doesn’t loose stretch or shape
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Fits smaller
10. Aqua Lung Mens Rash Guard Long Sleeve
This Aqua Lung Rash Guard is an attractive men’s long sleeve. It comes in two colors: galaxy blue and camo (which can also help to blend in with your surroundings).
The best feature on this rash guard is that it has a stitched in loop on the front that can connect to your shorts to prevent the rash guard from riding up when you’re in the water.
The neck collar on the Aqua Lung Rash Guard also helps to prevent the gear from scratching your neck when putting it on and taking it off.
Overall this Aqua Lung Men’s Rash Guard is a very comfortable option for scuba diving. With the extra handy features, it can make all the difference when you’re moving through the water.
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Pros
- Unique athletic design
- Able to connect rash guard to your shorts so it doesn’t ride up in water
- 50+ UV protection
- Neck collar helps prevents you from your gear
- Galaxy blue, galaxy camo
- Durable material
Cons
- Tighter fit
For a very quick recap, Here are our top 3 Best Rash Guards;
- Elastic material
- Camouflage effect
- Soft durable pad
- Designed in Italy
- Blocks 98% of UV
- Made from Polyester
- Comfortable yet durable
- Abrasion-resistant
- Sizes:Small to 3XL
- Fast Drying
- UV protection 50+
- Short Sleeved
