The hooded rash vest has had a complicated reputation. For a long time it was considered unconventional — the kind of thing that raised eyebrows in the lineup. Even some of the world's best surfers admitted they never expected to love it.
What changed minds wasn't aesthetics. It was time in the water.
Sun protection for surfers who don't stop at the water's edge.
The Lunasurf Long Sleeve Hooded Rash Vest is crafted for surfers who demand performance, comfort, and sustainability — in and out of the water. Made from recycled polyester and handcrafted individually, this is a vest built with intention.
Designed for extreme tropical conditions — whether you're surfing, hanging out on the boat, paddling back to the lineup, fishing, riding your bike or trekking for waves. UV 50+ rated, 4-way stretch, and built to go everywhere you go.
What's a Rash Vest Actually For?
Two things, and both matter more than most people realise.
Sun protection. Water reflects UV rays. That means when you're in the ocean, you're not just getting hit from above — you're getting it from below too. The damage adds up fast, especially in the tropics, and reapplying sun cream every time you paddle back out is nobody's idea of a good session. A UV 50+ rated rash vest covers your back, shoulders, stomach and arms — the parts most exposed during surfing — and lets you stop thinking about it entirely.
Rash prevention. It's in the name. The original purpose was to protect surfers from the friction caused by surf wax rubbing against their torso during long sessions.
And it's not just surfing. Snorkelling, dinghy sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking — any watersport where you're exposed to sun or wearing kit that rubs benefits from a good rash vest. Snorkellers in particular are notorious for forgetting their backs are completely unprotected while they're distracted by the reef below.
The Hood: Functional Breakthrough, Not Fashion Statement
The hood does something a standard rash vest can't: it protects your neck and scalp — two areas that take a relentless beating during long sessions — and keeps you cooler between sets by shading your head when you're sitting out the back. That might sound like a small thing. It isn't. The difference between arriving at tomorrow's session feeling fresh versus torched is often exactly that small.
The sturdy peak hood is just as comfortable worn up as it is down — giving you full protection when you need it and staying completely out of the way when you don't. A good hood earns its keep without you having to think about it. That's the design brief. That's what it should do.
How It Started
The Lunasurf hooded rash vest wasn't designed in a boardroom. It was born out of months spent camping and surfing across Indonesia — the kind of trips where you're in the water at first light, trekking to another break by afternoon, and doing it all again the next day. Ian Battrick has spent more time on those trips than most — weeks and months at a stretch, deep in the Indonesian archipelago, chasing swells from the Mentawai Islands to remote breaks that don't appear on any map.
The Mentawais in particular are one of the most sought-after surf destinations on the planet — world-class waves, equatorial sun, and zero shade. The kind of place where sun protection isn't optional. It was exactly this environment that shaped the original design: a vest that could handle full days in and out of the water, on boats, on bikes, and everywhere in between.
Here's an early look at where it all began — the same core idea, now evolved into something even better.
The fundamentals haven't changed. The execution has. Every iteration has made it lighter, more refined, and better suited to the conditions surfers actually face.
So Why This One?
The Lunasurf Long Sleeve Hooded Rash Vest was built around a simple question: what does a surfer actually need when they're deep in the tropics, far from anything resembling a surf shop, chasing waves in conditions that don't forgive poor kit choices?
Every detail has an answer.
Large Back Pouch with Horizontal Zip
A generously sized back pouch with a horizontal zip along the top edge — big enough for a water bottle, sun block, snacks, or whatever you need to keep with you. A genuine game changer for remote surf trips, fishing, long treks, rides, and paddles.
Hooded with Sturdy Peak
The hood features a sturdy peak that's just as comfortable worn up as it is down — giving you sun protection when you need it and freedom when you don't.
Waist Pull Tie
An adjustable waist pull tie for a secure, personalised fit — keeping everything in place through wipeouts and long sessions.
UV 50+ Sun Protection
Blocks harmful UV rays during long sessions in and out of the water — whether you're surfing, paddling, or anywhere else the sun finds you.
4-Way Stretch Fabric
A snug, comfortable fit with full flexibility of movement. Feels great in the water and on land. Light enough to forget you're wearing it.
Recycled Polyester Construction
Made from recycled polyester — durable, comfortable, and great-feeling against the skin, whilst being genuinely eco-friendly. Performance without compromise.
100% Handmade
Not on a production line. Every vest is crafted individually, to a standard that shows.
Tested by Two Indo Veterans
Ian Battrick and Phil Goodrich are Lunasurf ambassadors who between them have spent more time camped in the Indonesian archipelago than most surfers spend in the water in a lifetime. Here's what they had to say.
“When you are camped out for weeks or months at a time, being cooked in just one day when the waves are firing can in turn end up making you miss out on the rest of the swell, or days after. I needed something that would protect me from sun exposure both in and out of the surf. From the extensive water time and long paddles, to being on bikes, boats, treks to the waves, and all the other moments you are being caught by the sun. The back pocket is a great addition — to bring along some water, sunblock, keys, a snack or whatever you need with you.”
— Ian Battrick
“The rash vest fits incredibly well! The alien logo printed in 3 colors completely spins people out — the first two times I wore it, people commented on the hypnotic effect it had. I felt stealth, like I had liquid armor on. Bonus points for covering half of my ugly face, all whilst protecting me from the sun.”
— Phil Goodrich
Ian Battrick, deep in the Indonesian archipelago. The vest that started it all.
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