Can You Wear a Rash Guard Under Your Wetsuit?

When you take part in water sports it is important to wear the correct thermal exposure protection, such as a wetsuit, to keep your body warm and protected from things that you might come into contact with in the water. Rash guards are stretchy shirts made of lycra material that are worn by a number of water sports participants, including surfers and scuba divers. Wearing a rash guard under your wetsuit can help protect you from a number of potential problems.

  1. Warmth

    • Wetsuits keep the body warm by trapping a layer of water between your skin and the neoprene wetsuit layer. This water is trapped there and heated by the body. A rash vest worn under a wetsuit adds an extra layer that keeps more water trapped and increases your insulation. This allows you to stay warm.

    Protection from Rashes

    • Rash guards do just as the name suggests: guard against rashes. Neoprene wetsuits can cause skin irritation, be it through a slight allergic reaction or in areas of the body that are constantly moving in the wetsuit, such as the joints, armpits or nipples. Rash guards are made of lycra, which is more comfortable and protects against the moving neoprene.

    Wetsuit Seams

    • Seams around the joints in a wetsuit can cause irritation to a diver or snorkeler. This can be a bigger problem on poorly made wetsuits where the seams are substantially raised and made of rougher threading. Rubbing against this, especially in areas with a lot of movement like the joint between the body and the arms, can cause painful rashes. A rash guard adds a layer of protection and prevents irritation areas from forming.

    Sun Protection

    • You can use your rash guard for sun protection between water activities by keeping it on while you roll down the top of your wetsuit to cool off. Wearing a long sleeve rash guard under a shorty wetsuit when the water is warm can also protect your arms from sunburn while avoiding overheating.