How to Size Rash Guards

Rash guards are very tight fitting T-shirts made of synthetic fabrics like Spandex. They were invented to prevent chafing, or rash, under a rubber wet suit. They also offer excellent sun protection, so they are often worn by people, especially kids, who have never tried on a wet suit. They are more expensive than ordinary T-shirts and they are usually adorned with the name of a wet suit or surf board manufacturer, so some people consider them fashionable. Because they are hard to tear and they protect against wrestling mat burns, they are common in mixed martial arts gyms.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Tight-fitting cotton T-shirt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your chest size; hold the tape under your armpits and over your chest and read the circumference measured by the tape.

    • 2

      Lower the tape and measure your waist, wearing only your underwear, just below your navel. Rash guards are made so that slim people can just fit into them.

    • 3

      Wear a medium rash guard if you are a man and your chest circumference is less that 40 inches and your waist is less than 32 inches. Wear a medium rash guard, if you are a woman and your chest is less than 33 inches and your waist is less than 25 inches.

    • 4

      Wear a large rash guard, if you are a man and your chest measures more than 40 inches or your waist measures larger than 32 inches. Wear a large rash guard, if you are a woman and your chest measures larger than 34 inches or your waist measures larger than 26 inches.

    • 5

      Select an extra large rash guard, if you are a man and your chest measures more than 42 inches or your waist measures more than 33 inches. Women with chest measurements larger than 36 inches or waist measurements larger than 27 inches should wear an extra large rash guard.

    • 6

      Try on all rash guards over a tight-fitting, cotton T-shirt before you buy them. Usually a rash guard one size larger than your usual T-shirt size will fit tight. Some rash guards sold in surf shops fit tighter than that. Some rash guards sold by vendors who do not specialize in surf or scuba-wear may only be a little tighter than your regular, cotton T-shirt.