The Rash Guard I Wear Swimming 3 Times a Week (And Why I’d Buy It Again After a Year)

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If you’ve ever taken young kids swimming by yourself, you already know the routine. You’re slathering sunscreen on a bunch of squirmy distracted children (4 in my case) . Someone needs goggles. Someone needs a snack. Someone suddenly has to go to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, getting sunscreen on yourself takes backseat as you try to keep your excited kids alive and while when surrounded by taunting allure of water play.  

That was me. And my shoulders and back paid the price way too often when I forgot or decided to forgo sunscreen for myself all together. 

I needed a better solution when our community pool opened. 

I bought this rash guard over a year ago because I needed a quick and easy way to stay sunburn free during our frequent pool trips. Since then I’ve worn it to a chlorinated pool several times a week, to lakes, and regularly to the ocean (because living in North Carolina and my sister living 20 minutes from the ocean gives me a lot of access).

After more than a year of regular use, here’s my honest opinion.

Short version: After wearing this rash guard for over a year, I’d absolutely buy it again.

👉 See the current price on Amazon.

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Quick Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I would absolutely buy it again.

Pros

• Built-in bra (without removable pads!)
• UPF 50+ sun protection
• Comfortable for swimming
• Doesn’t ride up
• Dries fairly quickly
• Holds its shape well
• Hasn’t stretched out
• Saves me from constantly reapplying sunscreen to my shoulders and back

Cons

• It’s a little more expensive than some basic rash guards.
• After a year of heavy use, the colors may be just slightly less vibrant than brand new, but only if I’m really looking for it.

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Why I Bought It

We moved into a new neighborhood and it included a community pool.  We all love swimming, but swimming (and getting ready for the pool with kids is such a different beast).

I was constantly chasing kids, carrying towels, applying sunscreen, handing out snacks, and trying to get the excited kids water ready as fast as possibly, while making sure we stayed safe.

By the time they were edging toward the pool, ready to swim, I realized I was just about out of time, slapped sunscreen on me the best I could and popped in the water with them… only to pay for my shoddy job that evening. 

My back and shoulders cooked, I didn’t have time to sunscreen around the ties of my suit when I was the solo adult.  

A rash guard solved that problem almost instantly.

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The Built-In Bra Changed Everything

This is my favorite feature, hands down. 

I absolutely cannot stand removable bra cups. Every time I wash a swimsuit they somehow fold in half, disappear into the lining, or come out looking completely crooked. Then I spend five minutes trying to shove them back into place while running out the door.

This rash guard has a sewn-in bra. No cups. Full coverage.  The bra wraps all the way around the back of the rash guard for support, and nothing moves.  

No shifting, bunching or lost pieces in the washing machine, and I love that for me. 

Before buying this shirt, I owned another rash guard that didn’t have a built-in bra, and I always wore another swim top underneath it because I wanted a little more support and coverage. That meant putting on two tops every time we went swimming.

It was bulky, hotter, and honestly just enough extra work that I found myself leaving it at home more often.

This one is grab-and-go, and any time, effort or mental energy saved is a win in my book. 

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Does It Hold Up After a Year?

I’m happy to say that mine has held up remarkably well.

Over the past year I’ve worn it:

• several times each week in a chlorinated pool
• to lakes
• in the ocean
• through countless machine washes and dryer cycles

Even after all of that:

• it hasn’t stretched out
• it hasn’t become saggy
• it still fits comfortably
• it still feels supportive

The colors may not be quite as vibrant as the day it arrived, but honestly they still look great.

If I wasn’t thinking about it specifically for this review, I wouldn’t even notice.

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Does It Dry Quickly?

Yes. I wouldn’t call it instantly dry, but it dries reasonably fast.

Usually by the time we’ve packed up the kids, loaded the car, and driven home, it’s well on its way.

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Is It Comfortable?

Very. 

I’ve never noticed it riding up while swimming.

Because it’s loose instead of skin-tight, I also don’t feel self-conscious wearing it around the pool.

That was important to me.

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Does It Actually Reduce Sunscreen?

Absolutely. This is 100% the benefit of it.

I still use sunscreen on my face, legs, and anywhere else that’s exposed, but my shoulders, upper back, and chest are already covered.

Instead of trying to coat those hard-to-reach places while supervising the kids, I simply throw on my rash guard and know those areas are protected…. I also kind of hate the feeling of sunscreen, so having less of my body coated in it is a double win for me.

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Who I Think This Is Perfect For

I especially recommend this rash guard if you are:

• a busy mom
• frequently the only adult taking kids swimming
• tired of constantly reapplying sunscreen
• looking for more modest swimwear
• tired of removable bra pads
• spending long days at pools, splash pads, lakes, or the beach

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Would I Buy It Again?

Without hesitation.

There are very few products that I recommend over and over to other moms.

This is one of them.

After wearing it for more than a year in chlorinated pools several times a week, lakes, the ocean, and through countless trips through my washer and dryer, I’d happily buy the same one again.

If mine disappeared tomorrow, I’d order another one.

For me, it has been one of those small purchases that makes life easier every single summer, and that I don’t shut up about if the mom’s around me mention that could be taken as a segway to suggest they’d benefit from one of their own. 

(also, none of these photos were taken for this review. They’re simply family memories from the past year where I happened to be wearing this rash guard.)