A rash vest is a fitted swim top that is usually made from lycra, nylon, or polyester. It is the perfect choice of swimwear for the beach, especially if your child enjoys water sports and, as the name suggests, its main job is to protect their body from developing a rash whether that's from the sun, the wind, the sand, from body boarding or anything else that may irritate their delicate skin.
Although a rash top will never give your child the level of warmth that a body wrap, wetsuit or the warm-in-one will, it will certainly give them a little bit more than a usual swimming costume. You can also visit https://www.backbeachco.com/collections/rash-vest to buy rash vests.
1. Sun Protection
The main purpose of a rash top is to provide up to UPF50+ sun protection for your little one's skin making it an essential piece of swimwear for a beach holiday, especially in warmer climates. Tops are available in both long and short-sleeved styles meaning you can give your child full arm coverage if they are more sensitive to the sun or leave their arms uncovered for a cooler feel.
2. Wind and Sand Protection
Having this extra layer over the top of their body will also help to protect your child from the wind and sand. Not only can children burn in the sun they are also at risk of developing windburn on a very breezy day at the beach which can also result in sand being blasted too. The rash top will help to provide a barrier against both of these and allow your child to continue to enjoy their time outdoors.
3. Sea Protection
A rash top is a popular choice amongst surfers as it will provide that essential protection against the sun, the wind plus any friction from the surfboard.
Waiting for that perfect wave can take time and the constant splash of seawater between your body and the surfboard can cause irritation on the trunk of the body. The top gives that layer of protection and when wet, it stays in place providing a barrier for your skin.