USVI-On-Line

I've seen a few mentions of using a rash guard for snorkeling but I am having trouble finding them in my size. Obviously i could snorkel without a shirt and wear plenty of sunscreen, or i could wear a standard t-shirt, but it would be nice to have something I can wear that will dry quickly. Do you think that the wicking fabrics, like Russell Dri Power would work?

Rash guards are the way to go if possible. I live in mine while in dailons. The waterproof sunblock tends to clog my pores and asking others to help you reapply constantly to all areas of your back during a mega snorkel day becomes a chore.

The rash guards from LLBean are a little looser fitting than those you find in surf shop, but if you are more than say 25 lbs overweight, even those might be snug.

I want to say we found an XXL at the Surf shop on St. John; the one by the Fish trap; I think it's Love City.

For most brands (e.g. Body Glove) we recommend getting a rash guard shirt that is a size or two bigger then you normally wear since they fit very snug. Sounds like the LL Bean brand that JMQ mentioned are better designed for us middled aged people.

Bob & Anita wrote:For most brands (e.g. Body Glove) we recommend getting a rash guard shirt that is a size or two bigger then you normally wear since they fit very snug.

and there's the problem! I've found rashguards in my normal shirt size (3xl or 4xl depending on the shirt manufacturer. Yeah, I'm a big guy ). BUT... Those rashguards are recommended for people who normally wear an XL shirt. LL Bean doesn't go above XXL, but I've found an O'Neill loose fit in 3XL but the sizing chart shows that it fits men with a chest size of 46 inches, which isn't 3XL in anyone's book! I did find a 4XL on eBay but I tracked down the manufacturer (Dolsey) and they recommend the 4XL size for men who normally wear an XL shirt! I could probably squeeze into on, but it wouldn't be a pretty sight!

I may not be as big a guy as you, but I'm also no pretty sight, in fact I'm quite hideous in my form fitting rash guard. As another mentioned, I lived in the thing while on island. I didn't just wear it when snorkeling, but also while out at the beach, at the pool, etc. I like it much better than constantly applying sun screen. Regular t-shirts just stretch out and weigh you down too much in my opinion.

I don't know if this would help but Coolibar.com has what they call loose fit swim shirts SPF 50 and their XXL is for chest size 50-52. Unfortunately they don't have a 3XL. My husband and I wore their shirts in the Bahamas last June and really liked them (and we never got burned). Sharon

Thanks, Sharon! That may work based on the measurements.

Well I found a rash guard.

Aleeda Rash Guard

I called them and they recommended the 5XL so i ordered one in royal Blue. It is tight, but comfortable, and my daughter said that it didn't look bad. For an 18 year old to say that, it must be OK. If it was bad she wouldn't let me wear it out of the house!

I think I'm going to order one for each of the girls as well.

There is a large woman's catalog that offers rashguards that fit up to a chest size of 64-66.
http://www.junonia.com/detail-231051-Po ... +Shirt.htm
It does not look feminine and comes in black and royal blue.

Today our paper had a story in the business section about a company that makes rashguard type clothing marketed towards Muslim women, so they can surf and swim while still maintaining their standard of modest dress. Among other items, the company makes shirts that look like rashguards but the fit is looser and the fabric is designed especially not to cling. I found their website here:

http://www.splashgearusa.com/