A rash vest is a lightweight swim top that shields your child's skin from sun, wind and sand. It's perfect for hot days at the beach, garden play and swimming lessons where warmth isn't a concern.
A UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit is a full body suit that combines 1 mm neoprene with soft stretch panels to offer sun protection and warmth in cooler water. It's the better pick for breezy beach days, chilly pools and longer sessions in the water.
The key difference? A rash vest protects from UV rays. A UV suit protects from UV rays and keeps your child warm too.
Strengths and Benefits of Each Product
Rash Vests
We make our rash vests in three styles: Premium Long Sleeve, Long Sleeve and Short Sleeve. All feature UPF 50+ fabric that blocks over 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
📌 Always apply sun cream to any skin not covered by the rash vest.
UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit
Our UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit takes sun protection a step further by adding warmth and full body coverage.
📌Always apply sun cream to any exposed skin. All swimming aids must be used under constant adult supervision.
So Which One Do You Need?
If your child mainly needs sun protection on warm days, grab a rash vest. If they need warmth as well as UV cover, go for the UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit. Plenty of families keep both in their swim bag. It's the easiest way to be ready for anything.
Rash Vest vs UV Suit: A Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | Rash Vest | UV Sun & Sea Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
| UV protection | ✓ UPF 50+ | ✓ UPF 50+ |
| Warmth in water | ✘ | ✓ (1 mm neoprene body) |
| Body coverage | Torso and arms (depending on sleeve length) | Full body: torso, arms and legs |
| Main fabric | Nylon/polyester/elastane blend | 1 mm neoprene body with polyester/elastane panels and sleeves |
| Wind and sand protection | ✓ (covered areas only) | ✓ (full body) |
| Quick drying | ✓ Very fast | ✓ (panels dry quickly; neoprene takes longer) |
| Weight and feel | Lightweight and breathable | Slightly thicker; cosy without being bulky |
| Zip closure | ✓ Front zip (Premium only) | ✓ Back zip |
| Lined for comfort | ✓ (Premium only) | ✘ |
| Age range | 0 months – 8 years | 1 – 6 years |
| Sleeve options | Short sleeve and long sleeve | Long sleeve only |
| Best for | Hot days, swimming lessons, beach play, garden fun | Cooler water, breezy beach days, all day water play |
| Pairs well with | Happy Nappy™, Splash Jammers™, swim shorts | Happy Nappy™ |
| Pool suitable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sea suitable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Care | Rinse in cool water; air dry flat | Rinse in cool water; air dry away from direct sunlight |
Both rash vests and UV suits do the same core job: they shield your child's skin from the sun. But the way they do it, and the extras they bring, can make a real difference to comfort. Children's skin is far more sensitive to UV radiation than ours. Too much exposure during childhood can cause lasting damage. Picking the right swimwear means your little one gets proper protection without overheating on a warm day or shivering in a chilly pool. It also means you can pack with confidence, whether you're heading to your local leisure centre or a week long holiday by the coast. And because we design both to coordinate with our Happy Nappy™ range, you can build a complete swim outfit that looks great and does its job properly.
Lesley Beach
Splash About has been developing ground breaking swimming products for babies and children for over 20 years. With its invention of the first float jacket through to the award winning Happy Nappy range of products, Splash About is now a world class supplier to thousands of swim schools, leisure complexes and parents in over 45 countries.
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