Rash Vests

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    Stay protected and comfortable on the water with high performance rash vests from Gill and Sola. The Gill Zenzero Rash Vest offers a sleek, lightweight design with UPF protection, making it perfect for layering or wearing alone in warm conditions. Sola's men's rash vests provide a flexible, quick drying fit with excellent sun and skin protection, ensuring all-day comfort for watersports and beach activities. Designed for durability and performance, these rash vests offer the perfect balance of protection, breathability, and freedom of movement.

    Rash Vests Built for Life on the Water

    Our range covers the full spectrum from affordable, everyday rash vests through to premium vests. The Gill Zenzero Rash Vest is a close fitting vest available in multiple colourways for both men and women offering solid UPF sun protection. For those after something at the premium end, the new Zhik Eco Spandex UPF50+ Rash Vest delivers maximum sun protection in a sustainable, stretchy fabric. 

    Sola round out the range with short and long sleeve rash vests for men and women that offer reliable performance, making them a popular choice for club sailors and beginners. Whatever your budget or your discipline, there's a rash vest here that does the job properly.

    Rash Vests for Men and Women: Short and Long Sleeve

    Short sleeve rash vests suit warmer conditions and sailors who want maximum arm freedom for tacking and hiking. Long sleeve options like the Sola Mens Long Sleeve Rash Vest add forearm coverage for longer sessions in mixed weather or stronger UV. For women, the range includes the Gill Zenzero, Gill Pro, Zhik Eco Spandex, and Sola Ladies options, covering different fits and price points. If you are layering under a wetsuit, a close-fitting short sleeve is usually the better choice as it reduces bulk and stays in place when pulling the wetsuit on and off.

    Shop similar collections: Sailing Cap | Sailing Gloves | Sailing dry Top | Sailing wetsuits | Sailing drysuit | Sailing Shorts | Thermal sailing layers | Sailing life jackets

    FAQ

    What's the point of a rash vest?

    A rash vest protects your skin from UV radiation, windburn, and chafing caused by repeated contact with a wetsuit, board, or harness. Most UPF 50 rash vests block over 98% of UVA and UVB rays, making them the first layer worth putting on before any water session.

    Should rash vests be tight or loose?

    Rash vests should fit close to the body without restricting movement, because a loose rash vest bunches under a wetsuit and causes the exact chafing it is designed to prevent. Surf and sailing fits run slightly more compressive than a standard swim shirt, so size up only if you layer over thermals.

    Do thermal rash vests work?

    Yes, thermal rash vests genuinely extend your time on cold water by trapping a thin layer of warmth against the skin. The Zhik Mens Microfleece X Yulex Top uses a microfleece inner lining to retain heat while the outer layer handles wind and spray.