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Hitting the beach this year? Stay protected with one of these swim shirts

Surfers, paddle boarders, swimmers, and even chillers all need a great swim top for hitting the beach

Water level view of man on surfboard.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If there's a better way to spend a relaxing summer day than hitting the beach with your buddies, your grill, and a cooler full of cold ones, then we'd like to know it. But in our hurry to make the most of the day, we often neglect to look after our bodies. Of course, we don't always know about it until the following day.

For surfers or paddleboarders, the abrasion from being up and down on your board can be like sandpaper against your skin, and we've all learned about the dangers of UV damage. We can layer up with the right sunscreen all we want — and you definitely should — but sometimes we need a little more protection. These swim tops and rash guards are the best choices for summer beach wear this year to protect your torso from the sun, wind, sand, and waves.

Quiksilver All-Time Short-Sleeve Rashguard
Quiksilver All-Time Short Sleeve Rashguard
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Rip Curl Wettie Logo Short Sleeve UV Shirt
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Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt
Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt
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O'Neill Hyperfreak Rashguard
O'Neill Hyperfreak Rashguard
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Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt
Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt
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NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt
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TYR SunDefense Hooded Shirt
TYR SunDefence Hooded Shirt
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Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Shirt
Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Shirt
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NRS HydroSkin 0.5mm
NRS HydroSkin
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Quiksilver Short-Sleeve Rashguard
Amazon

Quiksilver All-Time Short Sleeve Rashguard

Put your trust in a brand that knows a thing or two about delivering the best surfing gear on the market. This short sleeve rash guard has stood the test of time, protecting you against those harsh UV rays, as well as from your surfboard, wetsuit, any anything else you come up against.

Quiksilver All-Time Short-Sleeve Rashguard
Quiksilver All-Time Short Sleeve Rashguard
The Rip Curl Wettie t-shirt in white, being modelled against a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rip Curl Wettie Logo Short Sleeve UV Shirt

Now, we love a swim shirt that is as functional as it is stylish. The Rip Curl Wettie looks and wears like a normal t-shirt but is equally at home whether you're lounging on the beach or hitting the surf. The best part about the Wettie? It's UV protective, made for those long days under the big blue.

Rip Curl Wettie Logo Short Sleeve UV Shirt
Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt
Speedo

Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt

Speedo seems like a no-brainer when it comes to the best swimming gear out there, from your trunks to this handy and protective long-sleeve shirt built with UPF50+ protection. Wear it all day long to shield your skin from harmful rays. Consider picking up multiple options for your next beach getaway, too.

Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt
Speedo Easy Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt

O'Neill Hyperfreak Rashguard

If you want a close-fitting, long-sleeve rash guard, then look no further than the O'Neill Hyperfreak. This UPF 50-rated rashguard is designed to help your body regulate temperature effectively when you're in and out of the water.

O'Neill Hyperfreak Rashguard
O'Neill Hyperfreak Rashguard
Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt
Vuori

Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt

There are any number of watersports you can engage in, from surfing to plain old swimming and, of course, boating or hopping on a jet ski. For a day on the water that involves a bit of everything, get this performance water shirt with an athletic fit and versatile design.

Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt
Vuori Long-Sleeve Uluwatu 2.0 Water Shirt

NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt

This polyester/spandex blended shirt is UPF 50+ protective, keeping you safe for long days out on the beach or paddleboarding. As a paddlesports brand, NRS has positioned the seams of the H2Core shirt in a way that reduces friction, whether you're swimming, paddling, or just having a chilled day on the beach.

NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt
NRS H2Core Silkweight Shirt

TYR SunDefence Hooded Shirt

It's not always tropical weather when you hit the beach, but you still need protection from those harsh UV rays. The TYR SunDefense Hooded Shirt is a break from your traditional rash guard, providing UV protection from a more relaxed feeling, super lightweight hooded top. This is a great choice if you're hitting the beach for your early morning workout.

TYR SunDefense Hooded Shirt
TYR SunDefence Hooded Shirt
Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Top
Patagonia

Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Shirt

Patagonia is assuredly best known for trail-ready hiking and camping gear, but it turns out that it's quite useful to have a swim shirt from the legendary outdoor brand on your person as well. It offers plenty of mobility and weather-ready protection and comfort.

Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Shirt
Patagonia R0 Long-Sleeve Shirt
A man modelling the NRS Hydroskin rash guard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

NRS HydroSkin

This heavier-duty rash guard from NRS is made with a hydrophobic neoprene inner. This makes the NRS HydroSkin the ideal beach t-shirt of choice for those early-season days when the water is too warm to need a wetsuit but still has a bite to it.

NRS HydroSkin 0.5mm
NRS HydroSkin
Tom Kilpatrick
Former Contributor

A London-born outdoor enthusiast, Tom took the first ticket out of suburban life. What followed was a twelve-year career as an adventure sports guide. This took Tom on cross-Scotland canoe trips, white water adventures in Nepal, sea kayaking in Norwegian fjords, mountain running in the Alps, and many more adventures. Tom is currently living back in the Scottish Highlands, spending as much time as possible exploring the endless rivers and ridgelines that make the country so special to him.

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