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Swim Shirts are more comfortable than most swimwear.
Rash Vests look good on the beach and in the water, but are usually worn under wetsuits to avoid a chafing rash.
Turtle-neck Swim Shirts provide good sun protection for your neck
and reduce wetsuit rash around the collar when worn under your wetsuit.
Crew-neck Swim Shirts are better for fast swimming.
Combine with good fitting leggings to make up a complete swimming suit.
Water Shirts are similar to swim shirts,
but more loose fitting for comfort and ventilation in hot weather.
When wet they keep you fresh and cool.
Hooded Swim Shirts
offer complete coverage of head, ears and neck against sunburn,
if you have sensitive skin.
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Comfy Swim Shirts |
For fun in and around the pool or on the beach you want quick drying outfits
that are comfortable both wet or dry.
There are many names for fairly similar garments, but they may refer to different uses.
We hope to clarify this a bit more in this section.
Swim Shirt Fashion
Swim shirts are so comfortable that many people wear them even when they are not swimming outdoors,
like in the mall or indoor pools, at home or for other sports.
You can enjoy them for extended periods anywhere you need sun protection or want to look good.
On cooler days wear other clothes on top for added warmth, like an anorak or hoodie to reduce windchill.
The advantage of swim shirts versus simply wearing a T-shirt is
that they are designed to be worn in the water and don't get heavy or waterlogged.
You barely notice a tight fitting swim shirt when swimming.
Enjoy the feel of the water flowing through the fabric, a very pleasant experience.
Swim shirts are classed as swimwear by public pools and indoor swimming centres.
You can stay warm in the pool for longer fun.
Swim Shirt UPF Rating
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor
and is very similar to SPF ratings for sunscreens that we have all used.
Always buy swim shirts that are UPF rated 30 to 50.
When a swim shirt shirt has a UPF 30 rating
the material will only allow 1/30th of UV (Ultraviolet) radiation get to the skin,
helping to protect you from skin cancer and premature skin aging.
Short sleeved swim shirts leave your arms exposed to sunburn when you're out on the beach.
Long sleeve swim shirts are better for daily use.
Rash Guard Shirts & Swim Shirts provide SPF Sun Protection that block up to 98% of the suns harmful rays. Rash guards, also known as surf shirts, swim shirts, rash tees and rashies were mostly worn by surfers, but today Rash Guard Shirts are used for SPF sun protection with all water sports like swimming, snorkeling, wakeboarding, windsurfing, scuba diving and more.
We recommend using a combination of swim shirts and sunscreen
whenever you're in the sun to protect against the suns harmful rays.
Best of all, it won't wash or wear off and no need to reapply.
Swim Shirt Sizing
In general, swim shirts are meant to fit snug or skin tight.
We suggest that you buy your swim shirts one size larger than your normal clothes.
The main reason for people going back to shops to exchange a garment is sizing,
and nearly all the time it is exchanged for a larger sized swim shirt.
If you are buying children's swim shirts for the first time,
buy them one or two sizes larger so that your kids have some time to get used to the snug/tight fit.
This will also save you some money as they will be able to grow into them for some time.
- Body Glove: The fit tends to run small, with a snug, skintight fit.
Order 2 sizes larger for a looser "T-Shirt" fit.
- O'Neill: Order 1 size larger for a looser fit,
except for loose fitting swim shirt styles (indicated within the product description).
Keep in mind that as a swim shirt stretches, the UPF rating will decrease.
Swim Shirt Colours
Colour is more than just a fashion decision.
The darker the swim shirt, the more protection it offers,
but it may be hotter to wear in the bright sun.
We recommend black or red swim shirts,
as blue blends with background in a swimming pool making it difficult for lifeguards to see.
Yellow is easy to see from a distance, as it contrasts the water colour.
Dress your club members in team colours for swimming events or water games.
Hooded Swim Shirts
Hooded swim shirts are ideal for swimming or snorkeling where you wish to protect your neck and ears.
Most are snug fitting and thus streamlined in the water.
The hood provides protection for the head without the need to carry a hat around.
Combined with lycra pants they make a complete stinger suit to protect you from toxic jellyfish.
Available from Sugoi, Camaro and O'Neill (24-7 line).
Swim Shirt Material and Weight
The quality and the weight of the material used in swim shirt products
is very important in both in the protection and durability swim shirts provide.
We recommend good quality middle weight to heavy weight swim shirts.
Many web sites are trying to pass off cheap imitations,
so do your research before purchase.
Swim shirts are made of Lycra blended with polyester or nylon, designed to be worn in the water.
The breathable, quick drying fabric provides cooling effect in hot weather when wet.
If you get too hot simply soak it again with a quick dip into the water and you feel cool again.
Choose a swim shirt made from a durable nylon/spandex combination.
Look for thicker material and brands that offer more durability and resilience against the elements.
New materials make the water just bead off the shirt.
Shopping Tips
- Decide on the right size.
Take accurate measurements.
Swim shirts are meant to be tight.
Watershirts are more loose fitting.
- Think about purchasing an entire swim outfit.
Since the sun's rays can contribute to premature aging and skin cancer,
it's best to protect your body with both long sleeve swim shirts and long leggings or pants or shorts.
- Try on several different styles of swim shirts.
Make sure you or your children are comfortable wearing the shirt.
- Choose a hat to protect your face from the sun as well.
- Visit your local mall and see if stores carry swim shirts.
You may get a good bargain on swim shirts at the end of the summer months.
Store them away for next year, if you can't use them this year.
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