5 Reasons to Wear a Men’s Swim Shirt

Sun Protection, Anti-Chafing, & More

Did you know that about 1 out of every 3 Americans report getting sunburned every year? Yep—according to the Office of the Surgeon General, this statistic is true, and this alarming over exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer (maybe no surprise there). When it comes to staying safe and healthy in the heat of the summer, it’s important to protect yourself as best you can with sunscreen, hats, and of course, men’s swim shirts. Whether you opt for something short-sleeve or long-sleeve, the benefits of swim shirts can’t be overstated. Check out the top 5 reasons why you should be adding one to your closet this season.

1. UV Protection

Again, this point can’t be stressed enough. UV shirts or men’s swim shirts help protect your skin from harmful rays. Plus, who wants to walk around feeling burnt, anyway? Even if you wear sunscreen, there’s still added benefit to wearing these shirts—unless you plan on getting out of the water every 30 minutes to re-lather. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are serious side effects to sun damage including swelling, blisters, headache, fever, nausea and even fatigue. When it comes down to it, the more layers you can put between you and the sun, the better.

2. Prevent Rashing & Chafe

Guys are prone to chafing and rash on the chest, in the underarms, and around the nipples—especially when staying active by the pool or at the beach. We recommend grabbing a moisture-wicking, quality rash guard to protect yourself. Plus, you don’t have to wear anything under men’s swim shirts. They provide maximum protection and the utmost comfort.

3. Shield Skin From Scratches & Scrapes

Why do surfers wear swim shirts? We think the better question is, have you ever surfed or boogie boarded and got thrown off into a scratchy pile of sand and rocks? Yikes. If you answered yes, you’re probably familiar with the scrapes you find all of over your arms, back, sides, and chest. Wearing a men’s swim shirt, particularly a long-sleeve one in this instance, is your best bet at fending off those battle wounds.

4. Enhance Compression Effects

If you’re an active guy, wearing a swim shirt can be beneficial because of their compression qualities, too. Compression gear can actually apply controlled pressure to your body and prevent muscle strain, sprains, and fatigue—check out our blog on the benefits of compression gear to learn more.

5. Practice Good Hygiene

Don’t get us wrong, going in the water without a UV shirt isn’t gross or dirty, but this one may apply if you suffer from various skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Even if you’re not contagious to others, it might be best for you to cover up any open wounds or itchy areas so as not to make the condition worse. Men’s swim shirts typically also offer great moisture control which will help your condition stay clean when hopping in and out of the water all day.

Whether you’re someone whose prone to a bad sunburn, or you’re a surfer trying to prevent chafing and irritation, there are several undeniable benefits of swim shirts. If you want to keep yourself comfortable below the belt, too, check out our full suite of men’s and boys’ trunks. Or, head to our blog to learn more about how you can get rid of chafing if your efforts fell short of foolproof.