Have you suddenly found yourself in the market for a new rash vest? If this is the case, then there are definitely some factors you should carefully consider before purchasing one of these garments. The rash vest garment, although most commonly worn by water sports enthusiasts, is used by many to protect them from the sun. Before you make a purchase decision on one of these garments, however, there are a few things you should consider such as fabric type, degree of fit and comfort, and of course, price.
To make sure you purchase a rash vest that gives you the highest level of comfort possible, make sure the garment is made from a combination of Lycra and Nylon. These are the materials that the finest rash vests are usually made from. The materials ratio is usually 80% Nylon and 20% Lycra. There are cheaper rash vests available, of course, but these are usually made from either cotton, spandex, or a blend of the two fabrics. These cheaper rash vests usually do not provide as much UV protection and are not as durable and long lasting as the others.
Size and comfort is the next thing you want to consider while shopping for a rash vest. These garments are supposed to be form fitting. Nevertheless, a rash vest that is too tight could become uncomfortable very quickly and could make movement very difficult. In addition, you don’t want to purchase a rash vest that is too loose either since this would make the garment look baggy. Level of comfort is very important with these garments since most people wear them for several hours at a time. As such, be sure you try on any rash vest you intend to buy.
The level of sun protection the garment offers is another major factor to consider. Every rash vest comes with a SPF rating. This is an abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor, and tells you the degree to which the garment protects you from the sun’s rays. The highest SPF level you can purchase in a sunscreen is 50. This is also the lowest SPF rating that most rash vests have. Many of these garments have SPF ratings as high as 150 for maximum protection.
Don’t make the mistake of confusing a rash vest for a tri suit. The two garments are almost identical in appearance but were made for different missions. Tri suits were designed for those athletes who are participating in triathlons.
The last thing to consider before making a purchase is price. Fortunately, rash vests are very inexpensive. An affordable rash vest can be purchased for as little as $30. You can spend more, of course, but it really just depends on which brand and style you decide to go with. By purchasing a high quality rash vest, you can have a garment that can give you many years of sun protection.