O'Neill Basic Skins L/S Crew - Women's Review

This shirt is a rash guard. If you're not familiar with what that means, it means it's tight-fitting, the seams are sewn in places designed to rub less, and it will add an extra little bit of warmth to your water activities. It also means it's meant to withstand all the laps you want to swim, waves you want to surf, or sea turtles you want to snorkel with. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the other sun shirts we reviewed, it's great for what it's meant for.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Fit

The Basic Skins is made of soft, stretchy fabric that will contour to every line of your upper body. To do its job, though, it has to be tight, so don't be duped into buying a bigger size for a looser fit. Though some may not enjoy just how form-fitted this shirt is, it sure doesn't constrict your range of motion as you're cutting through the water or waves. The sleeves are long enough and snug enough to provide total arm protection against the sun even while you surf the whole tide. Impressively, the wrists are tight enough to keep this shirt snug in place while you swim or windsurf through the waves, which makes a huge difference to comfort level in the water.

The seams are well-placed to avoid the parts of your body that may be in constant motion, especially when paddling down that chilly river or through those large waves. While some other rash guards we tested also have strategically placed seams, they're not as well-done or comfortable as the Basic Skins. This rash guard has soft seams that move and flex rather than scratch against the skin. Not only have these seams been relocated out of high-movement areas like armpits and sides, but they're also conducive for paddle sports while wearing a life jacket. While some of the competition's arm seams rub uncomfortably against a PFD, this one does not have that issue. If you're a paddler, this is an important difference and one where the Basic Skins clearly excels.

Sun Protection

The Basic Skins has a wonderfully high UPF rating of 50+, meaning you don't have to remember to reapply that reef-safe sunscreen every 90 minutes while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.

Though this shirt has no hood for neck protection or thumb holes to cover the backs of the hands, the crew neck is snug, and the sleeves come to a comfortable length to keep you moving freely. It's designed smartly; the neck is snug without constricting, and there's no hood to get in the way when you're super active. And most importantly, it stays where you put it when you swim, avoiding that lower back burn that can ruin an otherwise great day of snorkeling. We are glad to have no extra frills on this shirt to keep us streamlined.

Breathability

This category is less of a concern with a rash guard, as it's really not meant to be worn out of the water. This tight layer acts as an additional barrier for your skin, giving you just a tad bit of extra warmth so you can play in the water longer. Once removed and wrung out, it dries quickly in the sun.

We like this rash guard best of all the ones we tested, as it's softer, more flexible, and more breathable to wear. The Basic Skins allows better breathability through more supple material as well as increased warmth from the snug fit. As much as we love taking a refreshing dip in the ocean on a hot day, we also appreciate an extra layer of warmth to be able to enjoy the waves for longer.

Versatility

This shirt is sleek and form-fitting. For a rash guard, this top is straightforward and functional. We think it's a reasonably cute option and available in solid colors, but it isn't quite as stylish as some of the ones we tested that feature bold patterns and designs. But what it lacks in snappy designs and splashy pizazz, it makes up for with a great design that fits very well and makes everyone else on the beach think you really know what you're doing.

Unfortunately, as the Basic Skins is so specialized to water function, it's not the most versatile shirt. Our reviewers wouldn't recommend wearing it to the office or for a nice dinner after your beach day, but it's definitely worth rocking in the water. We also like it for paddling, especially if you like to interrupt your paddles with extra splashing or a refreshing dip in the water.

Durability

If you're already familiar with the O'Neill method of making water-wear, you've probably come across their polyester/spandex four-way stretch fabric before. This material stands up to a lot of wear and tear, even when set on the scratchy surface next to a pool or laid in the sand after exiting the waves. It even does a pretty good job of protecting you against an accidental coral bump or getting painfully tossed against sharp rocks in the surf — though that protection only goes so far.

The seams are stitched flat, which not only adds to their comfort but increases their durability. Compared to many others we tested, the seams on the Basic Skins are more embedded into the fabric and less likely to snag. Overall, this rashguard proves itself to be well-equipped for the intensity of repeated saltwater and sunshine.

Features

The O'Neill has no 'bells and whistles' like some other types of sun shirts, but it's well-formed for a rash guard. The flat-stitched seams are a great asset to your active lifestyle.

Should You Buy the O'Neill Basic Skins L/S Crew?

Compared to the rest of the shirts in our review, this is one of the least expensive we tested. Considering how long it will last you and how much money you'll save from all the sunscreen you won't be applying, this shirt is a great value for folks who need sun protection in the water. If in-water sports are your jam, or even if you're spending a week on a tropical beach in the middle of a dark and snowy winter, you'd be hard-pressed to find a reason not to pick up this sun shirt — your skin will thank you.

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