Five Shopping Tips For Buying a Rash Guard

Author: Tyler Collins

Are you on the market for a rash guard? If you're shopping for rash guards there are some very important factors you need to consider before you make a purchase. Maybe you need a rashguard for surfing, sports, martial arts, grappling, or just spf sun protection. Whatever your reasons for buying this type of garment, you need to make sure you're shopping decisions are smart ones because this purchase is sensitive to your health. There are very important things to evaluate before spending any money on a rashguard, such as the fabrics used, the comfort and protection guarantees, pricing considerations, the origin of the manufacturer and several other important variables. Read on and this short buying guide will help you become an expert rash guard shopper in just a minute or two.

1. Materials and Fabric
The best rash guards are made with Lycra and Nylon, which are two fabrics that when blended together provide the optimum rash protection and flexibility. The proper composition of fabrics is about 80% Nylon and 20% Lycra, which has been scientifically tested by various rash guard manufacturers. Some companies create a garment made of spandex, or blend of spandex and cotton because those materials are cheaper than good quality Lycra. These "knock offs" of real rash guards are often poorly crafted and fall apart easily. Not to mention the limitations in SPF protection!

Solaroo Aloha Rash Guard Uv Blocking for All Ages

2. Comfort, Sizing, and Satisfaction Guarantee
Clothing items are probably the most challenging products to shop for on the internet, especially form fitting rash guards. If you order a rash guard online, or any clothing for that matter, you'd be wise to make sure the company you're dealing with offers and exchange program. When you receive your rash guard, try it on and check for any bothersome areas, scratchy surfaces, and any areas that might cause irritation. After all, we want to prevent rash not create it.

3. Rash and SPF Sun Protection
Quality rash guards offer both rash protection and a strong SPF protection. "SPF" stands for "Sun Protection Factor" which is commonly measured as a percentage of how much of the harmful UV/UVA sunlight rays are blocked. You want a rash guard with at least 95% SPF rating because this allows you to wear it without having to worry about sunscreen. The company promoting the garment should be able to guarantee the SPF rating with certification from a radiation testing laboratory.

4. Affordable Price and High Quality
Rash guard prices on the internet generally range from about $20 to about $40 in most cases. Well known brands try to charge the higher amounts because they print their logos all over them and make them look more appealing to shoppers. However, these bigger surf brands are not offering any better materials, protection, or comfort guarantees than the smaller companies who focus on quality rashguards rather than branding. If you want to pay $10-15 more for a 'logo' that's okay, but if you are just interested in a high quality rash guard with a nice color, optimal comfort, and total protection, there are companies who offer that value without the big price tag.

Neosport Juniors' Unisex Uv Rash Guard Dive Shirt

5. Origin - Is It "Made in USA"?
If you buy a rash guard that was manufactured overseas in places like China, you are likely signing yourself up for disappointment. Specialty Lycra fabrics and professional "flat lock" stitching is required for achieving the sun protection, durability and flexibility you want, especially if your shopping for surf rashguards. Most overseas operations have goals to mass produce rather than use careful quality control in their manufacturing. Make sure the company you buy your rash guards from displays a "Made In USA" promise.

Now that you know what to look for in a rash guard and the company selling the rash guards, feel free to begin shopping. There are many good companies out there, so how do you know where to start? Well, like any online shopping experience you can start with any references that friends have provided you, and follow the resources provided by people offering quality information around the product. Shopping for a rash guard can be fairly easy if you're using the guidelines I've just provided you, so keep your eyes open and shop smart.

Tyler Collins is Vice President of Surfing Smooth Inc, Orange County, CA. a company specializing in surfing apparel, beach wear, and sun protection technology in clothing. For rash guards and more information on sun protection, visit website: http://www.myrashguards.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/five-shopping-tips-for-buying-a-rash-guard-32497.html

About the Author:

Tyler Collins is the Vice President of Surfing Smooth Inc., a company specializing in beach wear and sun protection clothing. Collins is experienced in the sport of surfing; An industry leader of breakthough sun protection technology. He has aligned himself with revolutionary manufacturing techniques and sciences that improve garments with more advanced fabrics and stitching. Collins is extremely passionate about surfing, and he is dedicated to providing premium quality rash and sun protection apparel.

Technorati Tags: clothing, guard, kids, lycra, rash, rash guard, rashguard, rashguards, spf, sun, sun block, sun protection, surf, Surfing, wetsuit

What started out as a protective shirt intended to prevent rashes underneath wetsuits for surfers and divers has exploded into nothing less than a twenty first century phenomenon: the lycra rash guard shirt.

What is a rash guard? Good question. Basically, it is an athletic fitting, stretchy shirt made from nylon and lycra. Originally, rash guards were used for what exactly the name implies, to prevent rashes. These water-repelling shirts were worn under the wetsuits of surfers to prevent the chaffing and skin irritation around the arm pits, which result from constant paddling.

In the early 80's, at surf spots in Australia and California, where the water is cold in the winter, but warm in the summer, surfers began wearing their rash guard surf shirts without a wet suit in the warm water, primarily to avoid getting pesky nipple rashes. These primitive rash guards provided little sun protection.

In the following years to come, surf companies and wet suit makers started targeting surfers, offering long-sleeve rash guards, rashguards for men, surf shirts for women, and even swim shirts for kids and toddlers. They became extremely popular, and spread like wildfire.
Cool Wetsuits for Kids

Body Glove  Wetsuits & Surf Shirts with Body Glove quality.

O'Neill Toddler Series. Quality, style & selection of Wetsuit & Rash Guard for the kid's.

By the early 90's, rashguard popularity had grown outside the surf community and into mainstream America. Why, you ask? Well, not only do these rashies provide comfort, durability and performance for any water sport or outdoor activity, they also now offer excellent sun protection. Thousands of miles from any beach, families in America's heartland are realizing the benefits of a SPf 150+ swim shirt that is stylish, functional and more affordable than sunscreen. Across America, and the globe, rash guards have become commonplace for use by men, women and children at pools, lakes, sporting events, etc. With this boom, the quality of rashguards has also improved with new stitch technology, and increased SPF ratings.

Amazingly, the rash guard has even become a fashion statement. Men often wear their rashguard to clubs, restaurants, wherever. This is especially a hot trend with gays and marines, who like a tight fit that shows off their muscles. Popular ska band "The Aquabats" have made wearing their trademark royal blue rashguards a staple of their live performances and appeal.

Looking to the future, the trend is expected to continue expansion. With rises in skin cancer rates, global warming concerns and the constant need for economical and effective innovation, the demand for rashguard shirts, with their athletic durability, comfort and style, is a no-brainer for the millions of savvy outdoor enthusiasts across the globe.

If you or your family plan on spending a good deal of time outdoors in the future, investing in a rash guard shirt would be a very wise investment. The many uses, hot style, affordability, and sun protection are just the start of a long list of pros. Who knew that the undershirt for wetsuits would grow into such an effective and innovative product? It's always the simplest things that change people's lives, isn't it? Go online and buy a rashguard today!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/the-rash-guard-phenomenon-628177.html

Author: Justin Laubscher

About the Author:
Justin Laubscher is co-owner of The Beach Depot, an excellent online store specializing in high quality rashguards and swim shirts. He recently launched My Surf DVDS, another popular web store that carries a huge selection of dvd surfing titles.

Technorati Tags: rashguards, Surfing, wetsuits