What are rashgars - types, materials, care

Most Australian surfers know the term "rashie". It's a diminutive form of "rash", which means "rash". But we're not talking about the skin rash you get when you have a virus or an allergic reaction. When Australians say "rashie," they mean "rash guard," a type of long-sleeved T-shirt called a rashguard.

One of the stories tells that the first rashguard was invented on Brazilian beaches by fans of jiu-jitsu and surfing. Temperamental guys after a successful swim often had fights right on the beach in surfing clothes. This became the "progenitor" of the rashguard. Later, surfing T-shirts began to be used in the gym, where they were noticed by a representative of Bad Boy (a brand widely known in the world of combat sports). In a short time, the tight-fitting T-shirt was adapted for mixed martial arts: vapor permeability was increased, compression was strengthened, and the impregnation against salt and moisture was replaced with an antibacterial one. This made rashguards incredibly popular all over the world.

There are other interesting stories about the appearance of the compression T-shirt. But in general, it is not so important who first created the rashguard. The main thing is that the world has perfect training outerwear. We will talk about it in more detail in this publication today. Let's consider the following questions:

• What is a rashguard?
• Advantages of a rashguard.
• Where are rashguards used?
• Types and features of clothing.
• What are rashguards made of?
• Care recommendations.

1. WHAT IS A RASHGUARD?

So, a rashguard is a tight-fitting protective T-shirt (also called a shirt), with long sleeves and a round neckline, made of innovative types of textiles. And it is no coincidence that we remembered surfers at the beginning of the publication. They were the first to use compression T-shirts - fans of taming the sea waves on boards, suffering from sunburn, sand, cold ocean water and abrasions received during riding. Later, the compression novelty was appreciated by mixed martial artists and representatives of other sports.

The rashguard is designed for both wet and dry wear. The tightening effect makes the training T-shirt essentially a second skin. Therefore, it is very convenient to use on the water, tatami, in the gym and during active recreation.

At sea.

• One of the main advantages of wearing a rashguard for a surfer is protecting the skin from excessive friction on the board.
• Another advantage is that it protects the skin from sunburn.
• The rashguard protects the body from the constant friction of waves with sand particles.
• Protects from burns from jellyfish and aquatic vegetation.
• It is often used as a separate outerwear on the beach or by the pool.
• It is worn under a wetsuit to avoid skin irritation from neoprene.

In wrestling and fitness gyms, a rashguard literally helps to maintain health.

• It eliminates direct contact of the body with mats, the opponent's body, and the surfaces of the training equipment.
• Accordingly, it protects against bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and insects.
• Protects the skin from microtraumas, abrasions, scratches, and cuts (the latter is typical for reinforced rashguards).

And the advantages do not end there, they are just beginning.

2. ADVANTAGES OF A RASHGUARD

Rashguards are especially popular among sports professionals and amateurs. The main purpose of a rashguard is protection from external factors and muscle compression.

Correctly selected clothing creates the same tightening (compression) effect, which gives the athlete the following advantages:

• During training, muscles warm up much faster, and during breaks they do not have time to cool down.
• After a good warm-up, the athlete is better protected from injuries and strains. Even after a short break, he can safely continue strength training without risking his ligaments and muscles.
• Compression quickly removes muscle acidification. The pumping effect literally drives oxidized blood back to the heart, where it is renewed and saturates the muscles with a new portion of oxygen.
• Veins do not bulge, you train without pain and discomfort, you can more easily endure increased loads, and accordingly, you get a higher athletic result.

In addition to good compression properties and reliable mechanical protection, the rashguard has a number of other important advantages.

• Very durable. You will "kill" a dozen regular T-shirts before you wear out one rashguard. It is almost impossible to tear it. The innovative textile is very tear-resistant. Its surface is smooth, so it easily withstands friction on mats, sports benches, rugs.
• Very elastic. Stretches perfectly in four directions at once, repeats every movement of the body and instantly restores its original shape. Any sparring, long amplitude and strength training easily tolerates.
• Vapor-permeable. The special structure of the fabric allows sweat to be instantly wicked away and quickly dried, providing the body with proper thermoregulation. This means that you will always be dry and you will not feel cold or hot.
• Light. The rashguard is practically weightless. You hardly feel it on your skin. Even in a dense model it is always comfortable.
• It has an anatomical cut. The compression T-shirt fits like a glove, well, tightly hugging the body, without squeezing it and without causing discomfort under the arms and elbow bends. You don't feel the seams, they are made using Flatlock or Overlock technology (hemmed or flat seams).
• Has antibacterial impregnation. Almost all models have a special antibacterial impregnation that prevents the spread of pathogenic microflora.

3. WHERE IS A RASHGUARD USED?

Due to their advantages, rashguards are popular among many sports and active lifestyle enthusiasts. They are worn with pleasure by men, women and children. The protection remains light and comfortable both in dry and wet conditions.

A compression shirt is so durable that you don't have to worry about damaging it. It's so thin and lightweight that it lives up to its name, "second skin." It's so stretchy that you don't have to fight your rashgard to get it to stretch when you're swimming, training, or doing fitness. This makes the clothing ideal for absolutely any kind of sport, be it: surfing, martial arts, hockey, football, basketball, running, cycling, bodybuilding, crossfit.

4. TYPES AND FEATURES OF RASHGUARDS

4.1. Classification by gender.

Manufacturers produce men's, women's and children's rashguards. The cut of compression T-shirts for women takes into account anatomical features - chest volume. Since this parameter is individual, rashguards are produced for different figures. Some models have sewn-in cups for greater convenience, so you can do without a sports bra.

4.2. Classification by sleeve and product length.

The men's and women's line includes compression T-shirts with long and short sleeves, as well as 3/4 models. As a rule, all rashguards have the same type of neck - "funnel", that is, the cutout is as close as possible to the beginning of the neck.

Additionally, in the women's version there are 2 more models by product length: standard (long) and shortened rashguard. Shortened women's rashguard can be afforded by owners of sports press. It looks like a crop top, and the top can be either long or short sleeved. Both options go well with sweatpants, leggings, tights, capris, and swimsuit bottoms.

• Men's and women's rashguards with long sleeves are well suited for strength sports, contact martial arts and outdoor training in cool weather, such as: running, crossfit, workout, cycling.
• Short-sleeved rashguards are convenient for training in the gym (crossfit, weightlifting, fitness, boxing) and outdoor sports in warm weather.
• Rashguard tops are ideal for any type of aerobic exercise: cycling, aerobics, tennis, stretching, bodyflex, shaping and other activities without working with weights.

4.3. Classification by purpose.

You can often find classification by type of purpose:

• Surfing rashguards - are distinguished by their high material density and are more like a turtleneck. They provide good protection from UV rays and hypothermia. They come with short and long sleeves.
• Martial arts rashguards - stretch well, very durable, wear-resistant, with reinforced seams, strong compression and necessarily antibacterial impregnation.
• Rashguards for running, cycling, football, basketball - these are extremely lightweight clothes with good thermoregulation: they breathe, instantly wick away sweat, and dry quickly.

5. WHAT ARE RASHGUARDS MADE OF?

High-quality compression clothing is made from high-tech synthetics. Rashguard manufacturers in most cases use the same materials as raw materials, only in different proportions. Most often, on the product label you will see: spandex, nylon, polyester, bamboo.

Spandex.
Spandex (aka elastane or lycra) is a polymer created on the basis of polyurethane. It can stretch 5-7 times and return to its original state without compromising the strength of the fabric. Therefore, rashguards fit perfectly, do not pull or wrinkle. The high elasticity of spandex will not force you to update your wardrobe after a slight change in weight in one direction or another.

• Advantages: strength, durability, smoothness, UV resistance, wrinkle resistance, beautiful appearance, quick drying.
• Disadvantages: prone to snagging, does not retain heat, low vapor permeability (which can be corrected by the structure of the fabric), does not absorb sweat, although it is resistant to its effects.

Nylon.
Nylon is a synthetic fabric made from polyamide fibers, which are obtained from organic natural resources: oil, gas, coal. Lightweight, pleasant to the touch, smooth and very durable. Withstands enormous loads and does not tear.

• Advantages: wear-resistant, dries quickly, does not let wind through, repels water well, is easy to paint, looks beautiful, stretches well, increasing its strength
• Disadvantages: does not withstand high temperatures, does not absorb moisture and does not allow air to pass through well, becomes electrified, and may cause an allergic reaction if in prolonged contact with sensitive skin.

Polyester.
Polyester is a synthetic material based on polyester fibers. It looks and feels like wool, and its properties resemble cotton. At the same time, the appearance, properties and characteristics of the fabric are highly dependent on the chemical composition of the raw material, the shape of the fiber and their additional processing.

• Advantages: soft, warm, durable, lightweight, wear-resistant, dries quickly, produces a cooling effect, does not become electrified.
• Disadvantages: low elasticity, afraid of high temperatures, low air permeability.

Bamboo.
Bamboo is a natural fabric made from bamboo fiber. Its qualities are not inferior to natural silk.

• Advantages: hypoallergenic, antibacterial, pleasant to the touch, stretchable, shape-stable, breathable, easy to care for, does not electrify, hygroscopic.
• Disadvantages: low strength.

In practice, compression T-shirts are sewn from knitwear of mixed composition, combining the advantages of the above-mentioned artificial and natural fibers.

6. PROPER CARE OF A RASHGUARD

Sportswear made of high-tech textiles requires proper care, and then it will delight you with its beautiful appearance and maintain its performance characteristics for a long time. Rashguard is not demanding in care, but there are some rules that must be followed. And the most important of them is that before washing compression underwear, carefully read the manufacturer's recommendations. All compression products do not like exposure to high temperatures. Preserving their smoothness, shine and elasticity depends on the mode and frequency of washing.

Now about the washing itself.
There is daily care - after each workout, and full washing - 1-2 times a week, depending on the number and intensity of workouts.

Daily care - after each workout.

• You don't need to wash your compression shirt after every workout.
• It's enough to rinse the item in several waters, observing the temperature conditions recommended by the manufacturer.
• You don't need to wring it out - just squeeze it a little and let the water drain on its own.
• Dry on a horizontal surface or vertically, on wide hangers, away from heating devices and direct sunlight.
• Ironing is prohibited.

Full wash - 1-2 times a week.

• Can be hand washed or in a washing machine if the manufacturer recommends it.
• Water temperature - no higher than 40 degrees (check the product label).
• When hand washing, do not rub the rashguard too vigorously. For best results, we recommend pre-soaking.
• Machine wash in the "Delicate wash without spinning" mode
• Use only mild detergents, without bleaches, conditioners and stain removers.
• Compression underwear should be washed only inside out, then the front side will not be damaged by friction.
• Gently squeeze the product and let the water drain.
• Dry on a horizontal surface or vertically, on wide hangers, away from heating devices and direct sunlight.
• Do not iron!

CONCLUSION

Rashguard is the best solution for modern training. It is used for any kind of sports. The comfort of the compression T-shirt will be appreciated by professionals, sports enthusiasts and active recreation enthusiasts. The rashguard feels like you're training shirtless, it's so comfortable. You can swim, do martial arts, do aerobic and strength training, or use the rashguard as a stand-alone outerwear for the beach or pool.

There are two ways to wear a rashguard. The main criterion is the effect you want to achieve. In the right size, the T-shirt fits tightly to the body, retaining heat, providing the necessary compression and vapor permeability. Compression creates constant and good blood circulation, even in small vessels. Accordingly, your muscles are always toned, get tired less, recover faster, and you do not experience chronic fatigue syndrome. The surface of the rashguard is smooth and beautiful. It favorably emphasizes the relief torso of its owner.

In a looser size, the rashguard can be used to create spectacular everyday looks in a sporty style. The T-shirt goes well with many sports and non-sporty wardrobe items, including: tights, capri pants, short and long shorts, sports pants, leggings, tights, jeans.