Patagonia RØ Surf Top - Women's Review

The Patagonia RØ Surf Top is a reasonably priced rash guard design that features a slim performance fit along with 40+ UPF sun protection. This is not a do-it-all sunshirt; it's not super breathable, and it is missing some coverage features that are nice to have on dry land. But what it lacks in versatility, the RØ makes up for with a compressive fit designed to provide immoveable coverage when the waves get rough and the water tugs at your clothing.

Comfort and Fit

For those not familiar with a typical rash guard fit, this style is essentially meant to fit like a long-sleeved swimsuit, tight enough to skin so it won't slip off when you dive into the water, while also avoiding the annoying tug of loose fabric trailing behind you as you swim. The Patagonia RØ Surf Top fits super slim, as it should for those who plan to wear it primarily in the water. Those with longer torsos don't shy away either, as this shirt provides plenty of coverage in the torso, and the sleeves hit just at the wrist on our lead tester, and are tight enough to keep the layer in place when wet. We love that the 85% recycled polyester and 15% spandex jersey fabric includes four-way stretch that allows our bodies to move well, whether we're out on the paddleboard, hanging at the pool, or in between ocean dips. It is also Fair Trade certified and Bluesign approved.

The sizing receives a little shade from some wearers for the slim fit; however, the cut is more a function of performance rather than looks, and if you want a water shirt, you'll be hard-pressed to avoid the skin-tight look. Still, not everyone will feel comfortable in this style, and if you don't plan to wear it in the water, it isn't a bad idea to go up one size (or even look at a different shirt altogether).

That said, if you are ok with the fit, the comfort is supreme. The thoughtful seams prioritize comfort during movement thanks to flatlock construction and a seamless underarm construction that moves and flexes with you to avoid chafing and resist abrasions from repetitive motions against your skin, like paddling.

The Surf Top features a slim fit that's great for use in the water.   Credit: Trish Matheny

The slim fit is ideal for moving in the water without having to drag a ton of extra fabric behind you.   Credit: Trish Matheny

The sleeves offer great length for better coverage.   Credit: Trish Matheny

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Sun Protection

Compared to other sun protective layers in the review, the RØ Surf Top isn't the most protective; it doesn't have a hood, thumb loops, and has a 40 UPF rating, which is slightly lower than the 50+ UPF that many of our top choices offer. But again, if these features were present, they would take away from the water performance of the shirt, and when you consider it as a long-sleeved swimsuit, it offers way more coverage than a bikini. It has an extra high crew neck (that's snug but not constricting), and the sleeves and hem do. not. budge. When used in the water, the shirt stays put way better, even without the thumb loops, and ends up keeping more of your skin covered than if you were wearing a loose-fitting garment with a hood and pockets, yada, yada.

Unique to this rash guard is a small connection point in the center of the shirt that's meant to attach to your favorite board shorts to prevent any sun from reaching your midsection when you're getting after it in the water. Anyone who has tried their hand at surfing can relate to the awkward tan stripe across the lower back that you get when your rash guard doesn't quite meet your bottoms. Overall, the coverage of this shirt isn't stellar, but it is what it needs to be to stay stellar in the water. If in-water performance is your main priority, the trade might be worth it. Just be sure to sunscreen the areas left exposed, like the face, ears, neck, and hands.

Breathability

The RØ Surf Top is a lightweight and fast-drying polyester and stretch jersey construction that's perfect for extra sun protection in and out of the water. Average rash guard designs aren't typically breathable; sometimes, they are even insulating if you're swimming in colder waters. Still, we found the R0 Surf Top breathes rather well, being a thinner, summer-weight fabric that weighs less than 5 ounces for a women's small.

The four-way stretch included in the design makes it more comfortable to wear, in addition to creating a more flexible design that allows for better airflow than most rash guards. The only tradeoff to this better breathability is that you lose a little warmth in the water as well as a protective thickness should you brush up against some sharp coral.

Versatility

The RØ Surf Top is not what we would consider versatile; it is purpose-built. The slim fit, long sleeve crew provides the best performance for activities in the water; take it out of the water, and it doesn't look so at home. That said, the recycled polyester and spandex stretch jersey construction is great for extra sun protection during a variety of water sports.

We wanted to see how far we could expand our use of the shirt, and tried rock climbing in it. To be honest, we hated. The tight fit contributed to extra buildup of lactic acid, or “pump,” in our forearms. Even if it wasn't as compressive, there are still much better options to keep you covered when running around on dry land. Ones that offer better coverage for the neck, hands, and that feature a higher UPF rating, and can be worn around town as well as on a hike. But if you live near a beach and time in the sun = time in the water, the RØ Surf Top does well at what it was made to do.

Durability

The RØ Surf Top features high-quality construction, raglan sleeves, flat-seamed construction for longevity and comfort, and great recycled polyester and four-way jersey stretch. Despite its thin makeup, this material does a great job resisting wear and tear, and we love how the seams are embedded into the fabric to better resist snags and tears.

After months of testing, we haven't noticed anything beyond a little stretch in the synthetic construction. In fact, the slim fit is even helpful during approaches to more remote beaches that take us through thick brush, as it sits next to our skin and isn't prone to snagging on bushes or low branches.

Features

The RØ Surf Top isn't the design for those seeking lots of 'bells and whistles,' as some of the other fancy sun shirt designs that we tested for this review. While we love the slim performance fit and full coverage for the arms and torso, that is basically the extent of the features found in this basic rash guard construction.

It includes a unique boardshorts connector at the center of the hemline, which is great for extra security when you're getting after it in the water. That said, we found that the slim and compressive fit provided plenty of coverage for our midsection without attaching it. It may come in handy for more aggressive wipeouts. And while it does actually include a small security pocket, the pocket is only fabric folded inside itself, and does not have a zipper closure. The only thing we really wanted to stash in the pocket was a car key, which we could attach to the small piece of webbing inside. Overall, this is a pretty basic long-sleeve rash guard construction with thoughtful seams and more coverage than your typical swimsuit for days spent near the water.

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Should You Buy the Patagonia RØ Surf Top?

If you're looking for the perfect crew to provide ample sun protection in and out of the water, the Patagonia RØ Surf Top is a rash guard worth considering. So long as you are comfortable with the skin-tight fit of a rash guard, we think you'll love the compressive, yet breathable performance this UPF 40+ crew provides. It's available for a reasonable price and designed to maximize sun protection without limiting the full range of motion in the water.

What Other Women's Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

The Patagonia RØ Surf Top is definitely our favorite rash guard design, but it certainly doesn't provide the maximum amount of sun protection, and is not your one-and-done option for coverage. If you find yourself seeking a more feature-rich design with a hood that covers the neck and thumb holes that cover the hands, check out the Patagonia Capilene Cool Sun Hoody. It even has a button to secure the hood during high winds. If you like wearing a crew as your sun shirt, check out the Baleaf UPF 50 Crew for a higher UPF rating at a more affordable price.