A rash guard is a form-fitted athletic shirt primarily designed to protect the wearer from various types of skin irritants and injuries associated with water and combat sports. It is called a rashguard because its primary purpose is to protect the skin from rashes and abrasions.
Rash guard was originally introduced for just water sports like surfing and diving or paddleboarding. But its versatility and comfort have made it a popular choice for various other outdoor activities and for avoiding skin infections during close-range martial arts like BJJ. It is made from breathable materials that provide the wearer with flexibility and quick-drying benefits.
Why Wear BJJ Rashguard | Purpose of Wearing
The primary purpose of a rashguard is to protect the skin. When surfing, swimming, or participating in combative activities, your skin is more exposed to surfaces that cause friction. This can lead to severe abrasions or sometimes harbor bacteria. Rashguards are skin-tight shirts that are specifically crafted to protect your body from these elements while enhancing your outdoor experience.
Prevent Chafing and Rashes in Skin Contacts
The snug fit of rash guards helps prevent skin irritation caused by friction against surfboards and gym mats. They are made from robust materials like nylon and polyester, which can withstand the friction caused by surfaces and keep you protected from abrasions. Rashies feature flatlock stitching and multip-panel construction that not only make them durable but also distribute stress evenly across the garment. This acts as a second skin for the wearer against skin-to-surface contact and prevents chafing or any type of skin infection.
Offer Muscle Support During Rigorous Movements
Rashguards are typically designed to be molded as per the wearer’s body shape. This compression fit helps stabilize the muscles and reduce excessive movements. Skin guards also apply pressure to enhance blood flow to your muscles, which aids in delivering oxygen and nutrients more efficiently. Improved circulation helps mitigate the BJJ or MMA fighters to perform for longer periods without getting fatigued and post-training soreness.
Manage Sweat and Regulate Temperature to Enhance Comfort
Rash vests are made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which are hydrophobic. They help resist water absorption and allow moisture to be transported away rather than trapped in the garment. The tiny spaces in the fabric also allow sweet to move quickly to the outer surface and keep the athlete dry and comfortable during intense bouts. This quick drying and moisture management ability of rashguards maintains the inner temperature and reduces the feeling of stickiness and heaviness, ideal for combat fighters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Provide Sun Protection From Severe Burns
Most rashguards have a UPF rating of 50+, which helps block harmful sun rays. This rating is ideal as it offers maximum protection against ultraviolet rays and ensures you can stay outdoors without worrying about skin damage. These protective sun coating materials are tightly woven, reducing UV penetration through the fabric and preventing skin disorders and sunburns.
Customize your rashguard for BJJ with Infinitude Fight to enjoy high-level protection in style from abrasions and burns.
Benefit Yourself with Rashguards Against Abrasions
Rashguards have evolved over the years beyond their surfing roots. They are now widely used in martial arts, fitness, and even casual wear to enhance comfort, protection, and performance. This makes them an essential piece of gear for enthusiasts to ensure their safety. Fighters use them to prevent chafing and irritation from prolonged exposure to surfaces during outdoor sports or combat activities such as BJJ.
Here is why you should incorporate a wholesale rash guard into your sportswear and outerwear collection.
- The sleek design of compression shirts allows a full range of motion, which is essential for executing complex techniques in MMA and BJJ. They also prevent opponents from easily grabbing onto loose fabric.
- Soft and breathable manufacturing fabric prevents moisture from seeping into the guard and keeps you comfortable during intense activities.
- Whether you are fighting against surfboard rash, grappling mat burns or harmful UV rays, a rashguard offers superior skin protection.
- The rash vests’ tough and stretchy material can frequently be used in intense sports without tearing or losing elasticity.
- People wear these valuable tops mostly in water-based or open-air activities to protect the upper body from abrasions during surfing and offer UV rays safety.
- These tight-fit athletic suits help reduce the chances of skin infections by creating a barrier between you and surfaces like gym mats, promoting better hygiene.
- Rashies can be worn alone or layered under wetsuits. They are available in various styles and colors, allowing you to express your personality while enjoying activities.
- Because of their durability, guarded tops can withstand harsh conditions such as saltwater, chlorine, and friction. This makes them long-lasting even when used in rugged environments.
Choose the Right Type of Rashguards For Specific Sport Activity
Also known as rashies or rash vests, these tight-fitted garments come in various variations to offer protection and fulfill various sports demands, whether close-combat or open-air water activities.
Short- Sleeves Rashguards
- Ideal for–swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling
- A versatile athletic tight-fitted vest offers more flexibility and comfort. Practitioners use short-sleeve guards to protect the shoulders and torso while leaving the arms for full mobility. They are mostly worn for casual beach activities in warmer environments.
Long-Sleeve Rashguards
- Ideal for–surfing, diving, open-water swimming, kayaking
- Full-upper body protection with full coverage of arms and torso. Long-sleeve rashies are suitable for colder water temperatures and enhanced safety against abrasions and jellyfish stings.
Compression Rashguards
- Ideal for– Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, Grappling, Cross-training
- Thinner than traditional and Fit-snugly to the body. Compression rash vests are crafted to support muscles which is crucial in combat sports. They are worn mainly by BJJ fighters to prevent irritation during skin contact and regulate body temperatures in workouts.
Thermal Rashguards
- Ideal for–Cold water diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing
- Feature thicker and insulated fabrics to help retain body heat. Thermal rashies are manufactured for prolonged exposure to cold water, making them ideal for winter sports or cooler climates.
Full-body Rashguards
- Ideal for–kayaking and windsurfing
- Specialized garments for greater protective covering. Full-body rashguards provide a more comprehensive approach against environmental factors and preserve hygiene.
Rash Guards Crafmanship for Better Sports Experience
Rashguards are made with performance and protection in mind, which makes their material and design essential to their functionality. They are made from synthetic fibers to provide the wearer with a comfortable and smooth protective experience.
Material used:
- Nylon– known for its durability and lightweight nature. Rashies made of nylon are often preferable for flexibility and quick drying.
- Spandex– provides excellent stretchability, so a wearer doesn’t feel resistance when performing movements.
- Polyester– commonly blended with the former two to increase strength, moisture-wicking properties and UV protection for outdoor sports.
Many rashguards use a combination of these materials to optimize comfort, durability and performance. A typical blend consists of 80% polyester and 20% spandex.
Design features:
- Skin guards feature flatlock stitching. This technique creates flat seams that reduce bulk and irritation and make the garment more comfortable.
- Include multiple panel constructions to allow greater mobility and flexibility than traditional t-shirts.
- It comes with built-in UV protection to shield the skin from sun rays.
- Some vests may have antimicrobial treatments that help reduce odors and the growth of bacteria.
Conclusion:
Rashguards are essential for anyone engaging in water sports and close-combat activities. They offer a great combination of protection against sunburns and abrasions, and their lightweight style makes them a popular choice among athletes and beachgoers. Wearing these tight-fitted garments ensures that your skin stays safe and allows you to focus on your performance without any discomfort.
FAQs
Is there any difference between a rash guard and a swim shirt?
Rashies are fitted tops made from spandex or polyester to protect the skin. They can be worn alone or over a swimsuit and typically provide full coverage. On the other hand, swimsuits are more revealing and made from lighter and thinner materials. They are designed for swimming activities but do not offer any protection against environmental elements.
Why do fighters wear rash guards?
Fighters of mostly Brazillian jiu-jitsu wear rashies to protect themselves from skin infections, mat burns, and cuts during close-contact training.
Are rash guards better than sunscreen?
Rash guard offers consistent UV ray blocking, while sunscreen requires reapplication to maintain effectiveness. Unlike sunblocks or sunscreens, the protective effects of rash guards do not wash off or wear away with water exposure, ensuring ongoing coverage throughout activities.