Bare Rash Guards

Bare Rash Guards — Protection for Every Dive, Every Sport

A rash guard doesn't need to be complicated — but it does need to do its job. Bare's rash guard range is built around the same commitment to fit and quality that defines their wetsuits: anatomical patterns that move with you rather than against you, materials that hold their shape and UV protection across repeated salt and sun exposure, and a range of configurations that covers everything from tropical diving to paddleboarding, surfing, and watersports instruction.

Bare rash guards serve two primary functions: UV protection and skin protection. In tropical conditions where thermal insulation is unnecessary, a rash guard provides a meaningful barrier against sunburn (which can happen surprisingly quickly when you're on the water for hours), stings from jellyfish and fire coral, and abrasion against boat surfaces, wetsuits, and BCD harnesses. They're also a required layer for many diving courses conducted in warm water where wetsuits would be impractical.

At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full Bare rash guard range — long sleeve and short sleeve versions for men and women, hooded options for additional sun and stinger protection, and compression-fit designs for divers who wear rash guards as a base layer beneath wetsuits or BCDs. DiveCatalog.com is an authorized Bare Sports dealer.

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The Bare Rash Guard Range

Hooded Rash Guards

Bare's hooded rash guard is the most protective configuration in the range — a full-length hood attached to the long-sleeve body provides complete upper-body and head coverage against UV, stingers, and wind. Particularly useful for boat divers spending extended time at the surface, snorkelers in high-UV environments, and divers entering the water through jellyfish-heavy surface conditions. The hood can be worn up on the surface and pushed back underwater if preferred. Available in men's and women's versions.

Long Sleeve Rash Guards

The standard long-sleeve rash guard provides full arm and torso coverage in a lightweight, quick-drying construction. UPF 50+ sun protection rating blocks the majority of UV radiation during surface intervals and snorkeling. A comfortable fit that doesn't restrict swimming or paddling movement. Available in men's and women's versions with gender-specific fit patterns.

Short Sleeve Rash Guards

The short-sleeve option provides torso protection and partial arm coverage for divers who prefer more airflow or freedom of movement on the surface. Suits warm tropical conditions where UV protection on the arms is less critical than chest and back. Available in men's and women's versions.

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Rash Guard Materials

Bare rash guards use a blend of polyester and spandex/Lycra — polyester for durability, quick drying, and color retention; spandex for the stretch that allows a close, chafe-free fit. This construction holds its shape after repeated wetting and drying, retains the UPF protection rating over time, and resists the fading and deformation that lower-quality rash guard materials show after a season of use.

Flatlock stitching (where seam allowances are opened flat and stitched on both sides) creates a smooth inner seam surface that reduces chafing under BCDs, wetsuits, and harnesses during extended wear. This construction detail makes a real difference on long diving days when you're wearing a rash guard for six or more hours continuously.

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Who Are Bare Rash Guards For?

Diver / Athlete Type	Recommended Style	Key Reason
Tropical / warm-water scuba divers	Long sleeve or hooded	UV protection during surface intervals; stinger protection in the water
Snorkelers and freedivers	Hooded or long sleeve	Extended surface exposure; full-body UV protection; jellyfish barrier
Boat divers with long surface intervals	Hooded	Maximum UV and wind protection without wetsuit bulk on deck
Paddleboarders and kayakers	Long sleeve or short sleeve	UPF 50+ protection for extended sun exposure; quick-dry for active sports
Divers wearing rash guards as wetsuit underlayer	Long sleeve (compression fit)	Reduces friction between skin and wetsuit; prevents rash; quick-dry
Dive instructors and divemasters	Long sleeve or hooded	Full-day sun exposure protection; durable for repeated daily use

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Rash Guard vs. Wetsuit — When to Choose Which

A rash guard provides UV protection and stinger/abrasion protection in warm water — it has no meaningful thermal insulation. A wetsuit provides thermal insulation by trapping a thin layer of water that your body heats. In tropical water above about 27°C / 80°F, a rash guard is often all that's needed for a comfortable dive. Below that temperature, a wetsuit provides warmth that a rash guard cannot. For extremely warm conditions where even a thin wetsuit would be too warm, an Exowear garment sits between the two — a 3-layer construction that adds light thermal protection and wind resistance beyond a rash guard, but without neoprene.

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Why Buy Bare Rash Guards from DiveCatalog.com?

• Authorized Bare Sports dealer — full manufacturer warranty
• Full range available — hooded, long sleeve, and short sleeve in men's and women's versions
• Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
• Easy returns — if sizing isn't right, exchanges are straightforward
• Rewards program — earn points on every purchase

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Frequently Asked Questions — Bare Rash Guards

Do rash guards provide warmth?

Not meaningfully. Rash guards are designed for UV protection and abrasion resistance, not thermal insulation. In water below about 27°C / 80°F, you'll want a wetsuit for warmth. In warmer conditions, a rash guard is often sufficient protection on its own.

Can I wear a rash guard under my wetsuit?

Yes, and many divers do. Wearing a rash guard under a wetsuit reduces friction between skin and neoprene, makes the wetsuit easier to pull on and off, and eliminates chafing during extended wear. Use a long-sleeve rash guard for full arm protection under full wetsuits.

What does UPF 50+ mean?

UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 50+ means the fabric blocks over 98% of UV radiation — comparable to SPF 50 sunscreen but without the need to reapply. A UPF 50+ rash guard significantly reduces your UV exposure during surface intervals and snorkeling compared to bare skin.

Do I need a hooded rash guard?

Not necessarily, but the hood provides extra protection if you spend significant time on the surface in high-UV conditions (tropical daylight, overhead sun on a boat), or if you dive in areas with jellyfish near the surface that you need to swim through on entry. For underwater diving, an attached hood is a practical convenience more than a necessity.

How do I care for a rash guard?

Rinse in fresh water after each use in salt water. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener (it degrades stretch properties). Hang dry rather than tumble dry to preserve shape and UPF rating.

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Simple gear done well. Browse the full Bare rash guard collection above and reach out if you'd like a recommendation for your conditions and activities.