Rash guards help keep your shoulders and back covered while surfing or enjoying the water. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia
Time in the sun is almost guaranteed to make you happier. But while it’s great to soak up rays and get some much-needed vitamin D, there’s nothing worse than a blistering sunburn. On days when the UV index is high, and you don’t have a buddy to sunscreen your back, reach for a rash guard to stay protected.
Not only do rash guards keep off the sun, but, as their name implies, they prevent rashes that can occur from paddling while surfing, making them a great option for cloudy days as well. We tested the most popular women’s rash guards on the market and rounded up our favorites in this article.
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Related: Best Rash Guards (for men) | More Surf Reviews
The Best Women’s Rash Guards of 2025
Best Overall Rash Guard: Billabong Postcards from Paradise
Best Budget Rash Guard: Hurley Rash Guard
Most Stylish Rash Guard: Carve Designs Lake Sunshirt
Best Features In A Rash Guard: Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top
Best Cropped Rash Guard: Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard
Best Overall Rash Guard
Billabong Postcards from Paradise ($48)
Pros: Stylish, made from recycled materials
Cons: Thin material
When it comes to style, Billabong always hits the nail on the head. Part of their Postcards from Paradise collection, this rash guard comes in a fun, floral print and pairs well with bikinis, shorts, and leggings from the collection. Made from 85% recycled polyester, this top is eco-friendly, and the fabric feels buttery soft against the skin. It’s lightweight and breathable, and dries quickly once you get out of the water, so you can wear it for sun protection on the beach as well.
This top offers UPF 50+ sun protection and covers the back, shoulders, and arms, making it perfect for long days in the sun. While the fabric is super comfortable, it is on the thinner side, so it’s not quite as durable when paddling or resistant to snags. Note: sizing is in juniors, so refer to the size chart to ensure you order the appropriate size.
The Postcards from Paradise rash guard is currently only available in a small, but the Billabong Classic Long Sleeve Rash Guard currently has all sizes available. If you’re not as concerned with style, the Hurley Rash Guard features a similar fit and is less than half the cost – but it only comes in solids, unlike the fun print on the Postcards from Paris Rash Guard.
Check Price on AmazonBest Budget Rash Guard
Hurley Rash Guard ($20)
Pros: UPF 50+ sun protection, made from recycled materials
Cons: No sun protection on the arms
Some people wear rash guards with the goal of sun protection, while others wear them to prevent belly rashes. If your main goal is the latter, the Hurley Rash Guard may be right up your alley. The Hurley Rash Guard is a long-sleeve rash guard that provides full arm sun protection and makes sure your stomach is completely covered, similar to the Postcards from Paradise rash guard.
The rash guard offers UPF 50+ sun protection, is lightweight and comfortable in the water, and dries quickly once you’re out of the water. Our tester found that this rash guard was perfect to quickly throw on before surf sessions. If you’re looking for a bit more arm mobility and are willing to sacrifice some sun coverage, Hurley does offer a short-sleeved rash guard as well.
Check Price on AmazonMost Stylish Full Rash Guard
Carve Designs Lake Sunshirt ($68)
Pros: Half zip, soft and comfortable, longer cut for added sun protection
Cons: Runs big
Carve Design’s Lake Sunshirt has everything you could want and more. In an effort to provide maximum sun protection, the Lakeshirt has UPF 50 protection and a longer cut for added coverage. The top features a full-length zipper, adding style points and allowing for easy entry and exit, and an easy way to air out. Made from a blend of 82% recycled polyester and 18% spandex, the Sunshirt is equal parts soft and stretchy. The Sunshirt also has two zippered pockets, which are perfect for stashing wax and chapstick.
The Sunshirt fits a little looser than other rash guards, so order a size down if you prefer a tighter fit. We’re fans of the loose fit because it allows this versatile rash guard to be worn as a sun shirt throughout the day, and it is comfy both on and off the water. But if you’re small and slim, even a size small may be too big on you. If you prefer a slimmer fit for surfing, Patagonia’s Long-Sleeved RØ UPF Top sports a traditional rash guard fit and has features that help it stay securely in place while you shred.
Check Price on Amazon Check Price on REIBest Features In A Rash Guard
Patagonia Women’s Long-Sleeved RØ UPF Top ($59)
Pros: Rated UPF 40+, made from recycled materials
Cons: Not the most stylish
Fair Trade Certified sewn and made from a blend of 85 percent recycled nylon from fishing nets and 16 percent spandex, Patagonia’s Long-Sleeved RØ UPF Top is about as eco-friendly as it comes. The material is thin, but the fit is tight. If you prefer a looser fit, order a size up.
The Long-Sleeved UPF Top is a long-sleeved, crewneck style top rated UPF 40+. The flatlock seams and seamless underarms provide a chafe-free surfing experience. Thoughtful features include a security pocket with an internal key loop and a board shorts connector to prevent the top from riding up, which are features we are huge fans of. In terms of looks, the RØ UPF Top isn’t our top pick, but it’s sustainable and functional. If you want something a bit more stylish, we’re big fans of the Billabong Postcards from Paradise for its sleek design and fun pattern.
Check Price on PatagoniaBest Cropped Rash Guard
Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard ($99)
Pros: Flattering fit, mock-neck
Cons: Pricey, no stomach protection
Like most products from Patagonia, the Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard was made with the environment in mind. Fair Trade Certified sewn, the Swell Seeker was made from a blend of recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and spandex, similar to the Patagonia Long-Sleeved RØ UPF Top. As such, the rash guard is lightweight, soft, and stretchy.
The form-fitting, cropped cut is flattering but doesn’t provide protection from rashes on the stomach. The Swell Seeker sports a slightly high cut neckline, offering additional sun protection on the neck. Our tester found that the Swell Seeker rash guard was comfortable and allowed a full range of motion while paddling and swimming.
Check Price on PatagoniaBest of the Rest
NRS Long-Sleeve Rash Guard ($48)
Pros: Made from recycled materials, offers UPF 50+ sun protection, antimicrobial elements
Cons: Not the most stylish
Traditionally a river-oriented company, NRS makes gear that transitions well between both the river and the surf. The NRS Long-Sleeve Rash Guard is made from a mix of recycled polyester and spandex and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. The strategic seam placement prevents chafing and allows for freedom of movement while paddling or rowing.
The quarter-zip design allows for quick ventilation, and the hem loop allows you to secure your board shorts to your rash guard, just like the Patagonia Long-Sleeved RØ UPF Top. Another feature we greatly appreciate is the integrated antimicrobial elements that help keep your rashie smelling fresh.
Check Price on REISalt Life Polly in Paradise Performance Tee ($48)
Pros: Moisture-wicking, breathable, versatile
Cons: Not as form-fitting as traditional rash guards
Although the Salt Life Polly in Paradise Performance Tee is technically a sun shirt, it also works well as a rash guard. Made from a blend of polyester and spandex, the Polly in Paradise tee is lightweight and stretchy.
The shirt offers UPF 30 protection, and the fabric is moisture-wicking and dries quickly. The shirt is breathable and comfortable, and our tester liked that she could wear it for surfing, fishing, hiking, and a bunch of other outdoor activities. If you want a sun shirt that is made from a more rash guard style material, the Billabong Postcards from Paradise sits at the top of our list, thanks to its comfort and style.
Check Price on AmazonBest Women’s Rash Guards Comparison Table
| Rash Guard | Price | Cut | UPF Rating | Material |
| Billabong Postcards from Paradise | $48 | Long sleeve | 50 | Recycled polyester/elastane |
| Hurley Rash Guard | $20 | Short sleeve or long sleeve | 50+ | Polyester |
| Carve Designs Lake Sunshirt | $68 | Long sleeve | 50 | Recycled polyester/spandex |
| Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard | $99 | Long sleeve, cropped | N/A | Recycled nylon/spandex or recycled polyester/spandex |
| Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top | $59 | Long sleeve | 40+ | Recycled nylon/spandex |
| NRS Long-Sleeve Rash Guard | $48 | Long sleeve | 50+ | Recycled polyester/spandex |
| Salt Life Polly in Paradise Performance Tee | $48 | Long sleeve | 30 | Polyester/spandex |
Some of the many women’s rash guards we tested: Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
How We Tested The Best Women’s Rash Guards
Our lead tester lives on Oahu in Hawaii, where there is no short supply of sun. As such, a rash guard is an important part of her daily surf wardrobe. In order to test these rash guards, she hit the water and took into account how comfortable each was, the amount of sun protection it provided, how well each stayed in place while surfing, and more. She recruited a friend to help because it’s always good to get a second opinion.
If you’re looking for other women’s surf gear, we’ve done extensive reviews of the Best Women’s Springsuits, Best Women’s Wetsuit Jackets, The Best Women’s Board Shorts, and the The Best Women’s Swimsuits for Surfing (That Will Stay Put), so you can get out there and stay protected in your warm-water surf adventures.
We first ran this review in the spring of 2023. We updated it in May of 2024, deleting a rash guard that was no longer available and adding three new rash guards that we have been testing (and loving) this spring. We updated this guide once again in September of 2024, adding some additional photos and information to our product descriptions and Buyer’s Guide. We did another update in May of 2025, deleting options that are no longer available and adding in the Carve Design’s Lake Sunshirt.
Best Women’s Rash Guards Ratings Table
| Rash Guards | Overall | Comfort | Sun Protection | Durability | Style |
| Billabong Postcards from Paradise | 4.75 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Carve Designs Lake Sunshirt | 4.5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Hurley Rash Guard | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| NRS Long-Sleeve Rash Guard | 4.25 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Salt Life Polly in Paradise Performance Tee | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Crop rash guards are great for style and comfort, but offer less sun protection. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia
Best Women’s Rash Guards Buyer’s Guide
What Makes a Good Rash Guard?
When we’re in the market for a new rash guard, there are a few things that we look for. We want it to be comfortable, durable, stylish, and offer plenty of sun protection.
Comfort
When it comes to choosing a rash guard, comfort is the name of the game. We look for something that fits snug, but not too tight, so it won’t move around, but will also be comfortable while we’re surfing. Some of the most comfortable rash guards we tested are the Carve Design’s Lake Sunshirt, the Billabong Postcards from Paradise, and the Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard.
The Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard is comfortable and stylish, but doesn’t offer as much coverage as a non-cropped rash guard. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Sun Protection
There’s really not much point in wearing a rash guard if it doesn’t offer sun protection. We like to check the UPF rating before we buy a rash guard and make sure it will cover enough skin so we don’t have to worry about getting sunburnt or lathering up.
Rash guards like the Carve Design’s Lake Sunshirt and the Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top offer full coverage protection, whereas crop rash guards like the Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard don’t cover quite as much skin.
Bonus points when a rash guard is stylish. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia
Durability
Rash guards are often made from pretty thin material, so they’re not typically the most durable piece of surf equipment. But some are made better than others and will last longer. We look for quality stitching and fabrics because you know we’ll be rocking the same rash guard for years to come.
We always feel well-protected wearing gear from Patagonia like the Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top and the Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard because not only are they well-made, but Patagonia has an incredible repair policy.
The Carve Design’s Lake Sunshirt features a full-length zipper and pockets. Photo: Jenna Miller//The Inertia
Style
When we’re looking for a new rash guard, we want something that comes in a fun print or a bold solid. We also want the fit to be flattering, so it’s something we feel good about wearing. The Billabong Postcards from Paradise rash guard was our pick for most stylish rash guard due to its fun, floral pattern.
The Billabong Postcards from Paradise rash guard has everything you could want in a rash guard and more: UPF 50 protection, made from recycled materials, a great fit, and fun patterns.
What Else Should I Look for in a Rash Guard?
Stays Put
We like rash guards for the sun protection they offer, but we often get annoyed with them because they tend to ride up frequently while paddling. To prevent this, we prefer rash guards that fit snugly or that have a board shorts attachment on them. The Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top and the NRS Long-Sleeve Rash Guard both have board short attachments.
Rash guards were made for sunny surfs. Photo: Tommy Pierucki//The Inertia
Cost
Rash guards vary vastly in price. Some are super cheap while others will cost you a pretty penny. We tend to settle somewhere in the middle. We want something that’s made well and will withstand the test of time, but we don’t need a designer rashie. At $19, the Hurley Rash Guard is the most affordable rash guard on our list, whereas the Patagonia Swell Seeker Cropped Rash Guard is the most expensive rash guard at $99.
The Hurley Rash Guard is functional and affordable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Eco-Friendly
Although it doesn’t typically affect the performance of the rash guard, we always like it when our surf gear is sustainably made. Some of the rash guards on our list were made from recycled materials, which we noted in our comparison table if that’s something that is important to you. Although many of the rash guards on our list include sustainable features, the Patagonia Women’s Long Sleeved UPF Top is probably the most eco-friendly all around.
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Editor’s Note: Surfing somewhere cooler? Check out our guide for The Best Women’s Wetsuits. For shoulder season, don’t miss our Best Women’s Springsuits Guide. And if you need a great women’s swimsuit that will stay put while surfing, check out our guide here. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
