Rash Guard Season: Sun Protection Before Summer Officially Starts
June is when sun exposure on the water goes from something you think about occasionally to something that requires a plan. The days are at their longest. The UV index is at its summer peak. The water reflects the sun back at you from below while the sky delivers it from above, meaning you're getting hit from two directions simultaneously. A rash guard is the plan.
Why a Rash Guard Over Sunscreen Alone
Sunscreen works. Sunscreen that's been washed off by two hours of swimming works significantly less well. Rash guards provide UPF 50+ protection that doesn't sweat off, wash off, or miss the spot on your shoulder blade that you can never quite reach. For anyone spending extended time in or on the water in June, July, and August, a rash guard isn't a backup to sunscreen — it's the primary strategy, with sunscreen covering what the rash guard doesn't.
The other advantage: you don't have to think about it. It's on. The protection is there. You can be in the water for four hours without calculating your reapplication schedule.
The Dockhead Rash Guard Lineup
Buoy Call Women's Rash Guard — $44.95
The Buoy Call Women's Rash Guard is the women's flagship sun protection piece. Long-sleeve, UPF 50+, with the Buoy Call graphic in a placement that works both in and out of the water. Available in navy and other colorways — the navy pairs naturally with any of the Dockhead swimwear patterns and makes the dock-to-boat transition look intentional rather than accidental.
This is the rash guard for the woman who wants sun protection without giving up the visual statement. The Buoy Call phrase reads perfectly in water content — it's the kind of thing that earns comments on social media from people who aren't even sure why they're commenting.
Drunk On Waves Men's Rash Guard — $44.95
The Drunk On Waves Men's Rash Guard is the men's equivalent — long-sleeve, UPF 50+, Drunk On Waves graphic in the same water-appropriate placement. This is the rash guard that goes over any of the Dockhead swim trunks and turns a swimwear situation into a complete water outfit. Navy colorway.
For anyone who surfs, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkels, or simply spends extended time in the water during summer — this is the piece that means you can do all of that without calculating sun exposure risk.
How to Wear a Rash Guard
On the water, over the swimwear, from the time you arrive until the sun is low enough that UV exposure drops. Off the water, over a bikini or swim trunks on the dock or at a beach bar — the rash guard works as a casual top in contexts where going shirtless or in just a bikini would feel like too much or too little.
Pairing the Buoy Call Rash Guard with the Floral High-Waisted Bikini (made from recycled materials, $49.95) is a complete water outfit that photographs well and performs as well as it looks. Pairing the Drunk On Waves Rash Guard with the Coral Reef Swim Trunks ($49.95) is the equivalent on the men's side.
Made to Order, Built for the Water
Both Dockhead rash guards are made to order through Printful — no pre-manufactured stock, consistent quality, produced fresh when you order. The women's swimwear they pair with is made from recycled materials. The whole system is designed to work on the water and be made responsibly.
That's a better choice than fast fashion sun protection gear that's mass-produced, often sized poorly, and contributing to the overproduction problem that the fashion industry is still largely ignoring.
Shop both rash guards and the full swimwear lineup at TotalDockhead.com.
Water and outdoor lifestyle content creators — the rash guard is one of the most content-friendly pieces in the Dockhead catalog. The Dockhead Collabs program is open and June is exactly the right time to connect. Apply and tell us where you're headed this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rash guards does Dockhead sell?
Dockhead sells two rash guards: the Buoy Call Women's Rash Guard and the Drunk On Waves Men's Rash Guard. Both are long-sleeve, UPF 50+ protection, and priced at $44.95. Made to order through Printful and available at TotalDockhead.com.
Do I still need sunscreen if I wear a rash guard?
Yes — for exposed areas the rash guard doesn't cover, sunscreen is still needed. But a UPF 50+ rash guard is significantly more reliable than sunscreen for the areas it covers, as it doesn't wash off, sweat off, or fade with reapplication gaps. Use both for comprehensive sun protection.
What is UPF 50+?
UPF 50+ (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) means the fabric blocks 98% or more of UV radiation. For reference, a standard white cotton t-shirt provides approximately UPF 5 protection. A UPF 50+ rash guard is substantially more effective sun protection than regular clothing or swimwear.
When is rash guard season?
In the US, rash guard season runs from roughly May through September for most coastal and lake regions — whenever UV index levels and extended water exposure make consistent sun protection a priority. June through August is peak rash guard season.
Is Dockhead rash guard sustainable?
Dockhead rash guards are made to order through Printful — no pre-manufactured inventory, no overproduction waste. The women's swimwear that pairs with the rash guards is made from recycled materials. Made-to-order production is a meaningfully more sustainable approach than mass-manufactured sun protection alternatives.
What swimwear pairs best with the Dockhead Buoy Call Women's Rash Guard?
The Floral High-Waisted Bikini ($49.95) and Coral Reef String Bikini ($49.95) pair particularly well with the navy Buoy Call Rash Guard. All women's swimwear is made from recycled materials. The full swimwear lineup is available at TotalDockhead.com.
What swimwear pairs best with the Dockhead Drunk On Waves Men's Rash Guard?
Any of the six Dockhead men's swim trunk patterns work — the Coral Reef and Floral patterns complement the navy rash guard especially well. All men's swim trunks start at $49.95 at TotalDockhead.com.
