Rash Shirts

[itself]

Anyone own one? My dermatologist suggested we get these as we are outside constantly biking, hiking or paddling. I went to Sports Authority last night, and tried a Body Glove UVA one on...geez, these shirts fit tight!

I understand it is important to get the ones that say UVA or UV on them? Fill me in!

Lisa

[Cataboo]

I have several that I use for paddling - I tend to size up on them, because if you get the ones that fit tight, after a while the seams really can begin to chafe, especially if you rotate your torso paddling & have your pfd rubbing. Also if they're tight they tend to constrict your muscles, which I don't like.

I can't really give advice on the UVA vs. UV, because I haven't paid too much attention to it - but I tend to buy the patagonia brand ones (or if they still have water girl ones, the water girl ones). Sierra trading post can be a good source of them.

The other thing that I use a lot paddling is a windproof pullover - I like the arc'teryx squamish... Just a very light extensive zipper, blocks the sun, blocks the wind, repels the water a bit, and doesn't make me hot. I think I also use the arc'teryx switchback shirt. I also use either biking. There's some threads on the coolwings on here that people use to block the sun a bit when biking.

As for hiking - I'm not sure I'd use a rashguard for hiking, but most silkweight baselayers will work for it (the bf uses his for paddling instead of dedicated rashguards)... or a lot of the brands (columbia, mountain hardwear, rei), sell sun shirts that have various panels that you can unzip for ventilation.

[SlowButSteady]

Land's End has some looser-fitting ones.

I would be unlikely to wear one for anything other than water-related sports

[Blueberry]

Rash guards are really nice for paddling - but I often just use the same thing I do for hiking - a loose fitting cotton men's dress shirt. Get one from good will. My jacket fits right over it.

For biking, I do like the cool wings. I have discovered the one time they don't work - 90+, humid and no breeze. Of course, I'd have been miserable anyway