How to Choose a Rashguard for Men

January 13, 2025 Pascal Cadorette

Have you started doing jiu jitsu, MMA or training but realize you need better gear? One of the essential pieces for any man who is passionate about combat sports is a good quality rash guard.

No matter your discipline, choosing the perfect rashguard is essential for your comfort and performance.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover all the tips you need to choose the perfect rashguard for you. You'll find the features to look for, the most suitable materials, trusted brands, and much more. Plus, since rashguards are somewhat unusual garments, you'll learn how to measure correctly to get the perfect fit.

Whether it's protecting you from rashes, irritation or bruising, a quality rashguard will be extremely important in your comfort and performance in combat.

A rash guard offers many benefits for men involved in combat sports.

First, it acts as a barrier against rashes and irritation. By creating a barrier between the skin and the ground or equipment, it reduces the risk of developing rashes caused by constant friction.

In addition, the rashguard helps prevent irritation caused by sweat and humidity. Because it is a garment that breathes very well, it quickly wicks away moisture and sweat. This makes you more comfortable and sweat accumulates less in your clothes.

Second, a rashguard offers better protection against bruises and contusions. The elastic and durable fabric of the rashguard provides an extra layer of protection against bumps and friction during intense workouts. You probably noticed it during your first workouts on the ground, we get bruises QUICKLY and irritations!

Finally, it may seem trivial and even a bit exaggerated, but a rashguard can help you improve your performance in combat. As it is a garment that is very close to the skin, in a very smooth fabric, it allows greater freedom of movement. The breathable fabric wicks away moisture and keeps the body cool, which helps you stay focused and optimize performance during combat.

It's a simple piece of clothing, but it makes a huge difference in the appreciation of your training and even your performance in combat.

When choosing a rashguard, it is essential to consider the type of sleeves that best suit your sport. A long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless rashguard can make a difference depending on the type of martial art or training you do.

Short sleeve rashguards

THE short sleeve rashguards provide great freedom of movement in the arms while providing sufficient protection against irritation and bruising. They are ideal for intense training where speed and fluidity of movements are essential. For example, in MMA, boxing or Muay Thai, short-sleeved rashguards are often preferred over long-sleeved ones.

Long sleeve rashguards

THE long sleeve rashguards provide extra protection in the arm area, ideal for combat sports that involve grappling and ground strikes such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, etc. They reduce friction and abrasions during grappling movements and provide protection against blows and scratches.

When you're fighting in Jiu Jitsu, a long sleeve rashguard will make a huge difference in your muscle recovery and the bruising you'll get!

Sleeveless rashguards

Also called rashvests , sleeveless rashguards are perfect for water activities like surfing, swimming or diving. They are essentially a tank top, but looser and made from a compression fabric to allow moisture to escape and breathe better. They provide extra sun protection at the shoulders while allowing plenty of freedom of movement for the arms.

Choosing the material for your rashguard is crucial to your comfort, durability, and performance. Rashguards are typically made from materials such as polyester, nylon, or spandex. Each of these materials offers specific benefits.

Polyester

Polyester is a strong, durable and lightweight material. It offers excellent protection against skin irritation and rashes. Polyester is also highly breathable and wicks away moisture quickly, helping to keep you dry during intense workouts.

Nylon

Nylon is a stretchy and durable material, ideal for combat sports that require great freedom of movement. It offers extra protection against skin irritation and is also resistant to tears and abrasion.

Spandex

Spandex, also known as elastane, is an extremely stretchy and flexible material. It provides a snug and comfortable fit, allowing for great freedom of movement. Spandex is often blended with other materials to improve the strength and moisture-wicking properties of the rashguard.

At Solar, our rashguards are mostly manufactured in 82% Polyester and 18% Elastane , to ensure good durability, excellent comfort and good breathability to be at your best during your fights or training.

When choosing a rashguard, it is important to consider several factors to ensure you get the best fit, comfort, and durability possible. A rashguard is an investment, it is a combat gear and you have to choose it wisely. Since you are going to invest a certain amount of money, you have to make the right choice.

Fit is key.

Make sure to choose a rashguard that fits your body snugly, without being too tight or too loose. A rashguard that is too tight can limit your mobility, while a rashguard that is too loose can cause irritation or shift during movement.

To make sure you choose the right size of Rashguard, we have created a comprehensive Size Guide , so you can be sure to choose the perfect size for you.

Comfort is paramount.

Look for a rashguard with flatlock seams or flatlock seams to prevent irritation and chafing. Also, make sure the rashguard offers good breathability and moisture management to keep you dry and cool during intense workouts.

At Solar, our Rashguards are mostly sewn with flat seams and cover stitches to ensure that the seams remain strong and stretchy even during training, twisting and tension.

Sustainability is a key factor.

Choose a rashguard that is made from high-quality materials and is known for its durability. Check user reviews and brand recommendations to ensure the rashguard will stand the test of time and regular workouts.

By the way, to improve the durability of your rashguard, you can consult our article How to Get Rid of Bad Odors from Your Rashguards

Besides protecting against irritation and bruising, rash guards also provide protection against the sun's UV rays.

Many rash guards are made with materials specifically designed to block harmful UV rays, providing added protection when working out outdoors or around water.

When choosing a rashguard for a UV protection , look for ones that offer a UPF protection (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) high. Rashguards with a UPF 50+ provide maximum UV protection, blocking over 98% of harmful UV rays.

It is important to note that even with a rashguard offering UV protection, it is still recommended to apply sunscreen to uncovered areas for complete protection against UV rays.

Using quality materials, Solar rashguards achieve UPF 50+ protection to allow you to train outdoors in the safest way possible.

To prolong the life of your rashguard and maintain its quality, it is important to take proper care of it. We cover how to properly care for your rashguard in this article, but here are some care tips to ensure the longevity of your rashguard:

Rinse your rashguard with clean water after each use to remove any salt, chlorine or perspiration residue.
Wash your rashguard by hand or machine wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid using fabric softener, as this can compromise the breathability of the fabric.
Do not wring your rashguard to dry. Simply hang it in the shade or lay it flat to dry to avoid any distortion.
Avoid ironing or putting your rashguard in the dryer, as this can damage the fabric fibers.
If you need to store your rashguard for a long period of time , make sure it is completely dry to avoid mold or bad odors.

When looking for a high-quality rashguard, it is essential to choose a trusted brand that offers reliable and durable products. Here are some of the most popular rashguard brands and their distinctive features:

Hayabusa : Known for its exceptional quality, its Hayabusa rashguards offer a perfect fit, UV protection and excellent wear resistance.
Solar : Solar rashguards are excellent rashguards specifically designed for fighters who want to shine in their art. Thanks to quality materials and handmade design, Solar rashguards are durable, comfortable and breathable.
Venum : Venum rashguards are appreciated for their modern aesthetics and high-quality fabric. They offer UV protection and great breathability.
Under Armour : A well-known brand in the sports field, Under Armour offers rashguards with compression technology for optimal muscle support.

Choosing the right rashguard is crucial to your comfort, protection and performance during your workouts. Be sure to consider key factors such as fit, comfort, durability and UV protection when making your choice.

Measure your size correctly to get the perfect fit and look for rash guards made from high-quality materials such as polyester, nylon or spandex.

Remember to take care of your rashguard by rinsing it after each use and washing it properly to prolong its life.

Finally, choose a reputable and reliable brand that offers quality products and matches your personal style.

With this selection guide, you are now ready to choose the perfect rashguard to accompany your combat training and ensure a comfortable and efficient experience.