Waterwear Tops

Waterwear tops are one of those categories that looks straightforward until you start riding in conditions that test them. Rashguards, thermal layers, and neoprene tops for kiteboarding and wing foiling each serve a specific purpose — and knowing which one you need for a given day on the water makes a real difference in how comfortable and protected you are through a full session. Sun protection, wind chill, water temperature, and how hard you're working all factor into which top belongs in your gear bag. Get it right and you stop thinking about what you're wearing. Get it wrong and it's all you think about.

Rashguards: The Foundation

A rashguard is the starting point for most riders and the piece that earns its place in your bag year-round. The primary job is sun protection — UPF-rated fabric blocks UV exposure during long sessions on the water where reflection amplifies the effect. Beyond sun protection, rashguards reduce chafing from harnesses, wetsuits, and board contact, which adds up over the course of a season in ways that are easy to underestimate until you've experienced a long session without one.

Fit matters more in a rashguard than most riders expect. A loose fit catches wind and water drag, which becomes noticeable fast in kiteboarding and wing foiling where you're moving through the water and air simultaneously. A snug fit stays in place, moves with you, and layers cleanly under a wetsuit or neoprene top when the temperature calls for it. Short sleeve and long sleeve options both have their place — long sleeves are worth the mild restriction for full sun and wind protection, especially on the Great Lakes where sessions can run several hours without natural shade.

Thermal Tops and Neoprene: When a Rashguard Isn't Enough

When air and water temperatures start dropping, a rashguard alone stops being sufficient and a thermal or neoprene top picks up where it leaves off. Thermal rashguards and hydroskin tops use fleece-lined or insulated materials to add warmth without the bulk of a full wetsuit — a useful middle ground for days when the water is cool but not cold enough to justify suiting up completely. They work well as standalone tops in mild conditions and as a base layer under a wetsuit when temperatures drop further.

Neoprene tops take insulation a step further and come in a range of thicknesses that mirror wetsuit construction logic. A 1mm or 2mm neoprene top adds meaningful warmth while staying flexible enough for active riding, while thicker options in the 3mm range approach the warmth of a shorty wetsuit through the core. For Great Lakes riders in spring and fall, a good neoprene top paired with wetsuit bottoms is a versatile combination that handles a wide range of shoulder season conditions without committing to a full suit. It's a combination our team reaches for regularly when the water hasn't made up its mind about what season it is.

Wind Protection and Layering: Thinking Beyond Water Temperature

Water temperature gets most of the attention when riders think about waterwear, but wind chill on the water is a real factor that deserves its own consideration. A dry rashguard or thermal top on a windy day pulls heat away from your body faster than the air temperature alone suggests, which is why layering strategy matters as much as individual piece selection. On cold and windy days, a wind-resistant outer layer over a thermal base makes a more meaningful difference than simply upgrading to a thicker single layer.

Layering for kiteboarding and wing foiling works best when each piece has a clear job. A rashguard manages sun and chafe. A thermal mid-layer adds warmth without bulk. A neoprene or wind-resistant outer layer handles the conditions. Keeping those roles distinct makes it easier to add or remove layers between sessions as conditions change throughout the day — which on the Great Lakes can mean a significant temperature swing between your morning and afternoon session.

How We Look at Waterwear Tops

We've ridden enough Michigan sessions in the wrong top to have genuine opinions about what works. The waterwear tops we carry cover the full spectrum from warm weather sun protection to serious shoulder season layering, and our team has firsthand experience with the conditions that test each one. Whether you're building your first waterwear kit or filling a gap in what you already own, we can help you figure out what actually belongs in your bag for the riding you do.

Sun, wind, and cold water have a way of finding the gaps in gear that looked sufficient on paper. The right top closes those gaps before they become a problem on the water.

Ready to Build Your Kit?

Browse our full selection of rashguards, thermal tops, and neoprene layers and find what your season calls for. If you want a recommendation based on your local conditions and how you ride, reach out — we're happy to help you put together a setup that works from your first session to your last one of the year.