{"id":3577,"date":"2026-10-23T10:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T02:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/?p=3577"},"modified":"2026-10-23T10:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T02:10:10","slug":"what-can-i-put-in-the-pockets-of-a-rash-guard-42a3-26758f","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/23\/what-can-i-put-in-the-pockets-of-a-rash-guard-42a3-26758f\/","title":{"rendered":"What can I put in the pockets of a rash guard?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey everyone, let\u2019s cut to the chase \u2013 as a rash guard supplier, I get asked this all the time from surfers, SUP riders, ocean athletes, even folks who just rock these tops for beach walks or yoga. What actually belongs in the pockets of your rash guard? It\u2019s not just shoving random stuff in there and calling it a day. It\u2019s about what\u2019ll stay put, not weigh you down, and not turn into a wet, soggy mess mid-sesh. I\u2019ve tested hundreds of pocket designs, field-tested with pro surfers, and even swapped gear with weekend warriors who\u2019ve left way too much stuff floating in the line-up. Let\u2019s break this down, no fancy jargon, just real stuff that works. Rash Guard<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s start with the basics: most rash guard pockets are tiny, right? They\u2019re not cargo pants pockets. They\u2019re built low on the torso, usually on the sides or a small chest pocket, meant to fit small, secure items that don\u2019t bounce when you\u2019re paddling or riding waves. If your pocket gapes when you bend over or paddle hard, whatever you put in there is gonna fly. So any item on this list needs to be streamlined, low-profile, and flexible. Forget clunky keychains with big metal fobs \u2013 those are a no-go. They\u2019ll dig into your ribs when you\u2019re paddling, scratch your board, and if you\u2019re not careful, they might ping right off mid-paddle and disappear into the blue.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the most essential stuff for ocean days, since that\u2019s what we make rash guards for. The number one item I recommend everyone keep in their pocket is a small, waterproof lip balm with SPF. Wait, hold up \u2013 not just any lip balm. Ocean wind and saltwater dry your lips out faster than a towel on a hot board, and regular chapstick melts in your bag or gets soggy in your pocket. We actually source lip balms in slim, tube-style packaging that fits perfectly in our small side pockets \u2013 no bulky tins, no twist-up ones that leak. And since SPF is non-negotiable for days when you\u2019re out for 4+ hours, this is the perfect pocket pick. I\u2019ve seen too many people skip this, end up with chapped, sunburned lips that hurt for days. Not cool, and it takes up zero space.<\/p>\n

Next, keys \u2013 but only if you get the right setup. I\u2019ve heard so many horror stories: someone\u2019s car keys fly out, sink to the bottom of the ocean, and they\u2019re stuck paying a $300 tow fee and a new set of keys. Total nightmare. So if you need to carry keys, don\u2019t just toss \u2018em in your pocket. Get a small, neoprene key clip (we actually sell these as add-ons, fyi) that clips to the inside of your pocket, so keys are secured, not floating. Slim, keyless entry fobs work best \u2013 they\u2019re small, not bulky, and don\u2019t have a big metal keyring that\u2019ll catch on fabric or scratch your board. We tested this with a pro surfer who used to lose keys every other month, and since he started using our neoprene key clips, he hasn\u2019t lost one. Game changer.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the tiny, emergency stuff that\u2019s way easier to keep in your pocket than buried in your beach bag. Like a mini first aid kit item \u2013 not a full kit, we\u2019re talking band-aids, specifically thin, waterproof ones. If you rub your feet raw from new board boots or get a tiny scrape from a reef, you don\u2019t wanna hike all the way back to the car to grab a band-aid. Our rash guard pockets fit those super slim, waterproof band-aids (the ones that come in plastic sleeves, not big fabric ones) perfectly. We even tested them during a surf trip in Costa Rica last year, and a few of the guys had small scrapes from coral, and having band-aids on hand saved us from wasting time looking for a pharmacy. No need for gauze or anything big \u2013 keep it tiny.<\/p>\n

Wait, what about tech? Can you put a phone in your rash guard pocket? I get asked this all the time. The short answer is: only if it\u2019s a slim, waterproof case and a super small model. No big, plus-sized phones that bulge out and make your ride uncomfortable. We make a line of rash guards with a lined, sealed pocket (we call it the \u201cSurf Secure Pocket\u201d) that\u2019s designed for slim phones in waterproof cases. We tested this with a group of SUP instructors who needed to keep their phones handy for timing lessons, and none of them got their phones wet. Just make sure it\u2019s not a bulky case \u2013 if your phone with case is thicker than a credit card, it\u2019s too big. Also, skip carrying it on big wave days or when you\u2019re doing aerial tricks \u2013 that extra bounce can make it slip, even in the sealed pocket. I\u2019ve had a friend whose phone slipped out of a sealed pocket during a wipeout, and it took us 20 minutes to find it floating. Don\u2019t be that guy.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about what you should never put in your pocket, because I\u2019ve seen these mistakes way too often. First, any bulky items: full-sized wallets, big power bars, sunblock bottles. A standard wallet is way too big for a rash guard pocket, and it\u2019ll dig into your ribs every time you paddle. Plus, if it\u2019s not waterproof, saltwater will ruin your cards and ID. Big energy bars are soggy within 10 minutes, and they\u2019ll stick to your pocket lining, leaving a mess. Then, any metal stuff that\u2019s not clipped: loose change, big keychains, heavy jewelry. A quarter in your pocket will bounce around, hurt your sides, and if you drop it, it\u2019s gone forever. I once found a quarter at the bottom of a wave that someone lost from their rash guard pocket \u2013 sad story. Also, avoid anything that\u2019s not flexible: hard plastic items, large pens, flip flops. Flip flops are way too big, and hard pens will poke you when you bend over.<\/p>\n

Wait, there are some random, fun items for people who do other stuff with rash guards too, right? Like if you wear yours for beach yoga or a casual walk along the boardwalk. A small, slim lip gloss (waterproof, of course) works, or a tiny pack of breath mints \u2013 the slim, foil-wrapped ones, not the big cardboard boxes. Even a small music player, like an old iPod Nano, if you\u2019re into that \u2013 same rule as the phone: slim, waterproof case, sealed pocket. I\u2019ve had a few customers who wear our rash guards for beach runs, and they keep a breath mint pack and their AirPods (slim AirPods case, not the big Pro Max case) in their pockets. That works too \u2013 just make sure the AirPods case is secured, maybe with a tiny clip, so you don\u2019t lose them mid-run.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s also talk about pocket design, because that\u2019s something we\u2019ve perfected as a supplier. Not all rash guard pockets are created equal. Our top-selling style has a 5×3 inch side pocket with a snug elastic opening, so stuff doesn\u2019t fall out, and it\u2019s lined with a quick-dry neoprene, so even if your pocket gets a little wet, the stuff inside doesn\u2019t soak. We tested different fabrics for pocket lining, and the quick-dry neoprene is way better than cotton, which stays wet for hours. Also, our chest pockets are angled so they don\u2019t dig into your chest when you\u2019re paddling \u2013 that was a big complaint we got early on, so we adjusted the design, and now 9 out of 10 of our customers say they love the pocket placement.<\/p>\n

Another thing: seasonal stuff. In the summer, when days are long, you might want to keep a tiny pain reliever, like 2 ibuprofen (the slim, travel-sized packs). If you\u2019re out surfing for 6 hours, your shoulders might be sore, and having that in your pocket is way easier than going back to the car. Just make sure it\u2019s in a sealed, waterproof wrapper, so it doesn\u2019t get wet. In the winter, when it\u2019s colder, you can keep a tiny hand warmer \u2013 the slim, disposable ones that fit in a pocket, not the big bulky ones. Perfect for when you take a break between sets, your hands are cold, and you don\u2019t want to put them back in wet gloves.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s get real here. I know some people think rash guard pockets are just a gimmick, but when you\u2019re out on the water, having those tiny essentials handy makes a huge difference. I used to hate when I\u2019d drive to the beach, and I\u2019d have all my stuff in a big bag, and I\u2019d forget my lip balm, or my keys, and I\u2019d have to hike back to the car. Now, with our rash guards, I keep my keys, lip balm, and a mini band-aid in my pocket, and I\u2019m good to go for hours. No more juggling a bag, no more leaving stuff on the sand.<\/p>\n

What about people who do other water sports, like kayaking or snorkeling? For snorkelers, a small microfiber cloth fits perfectly in a rash guard pocket \u2013 to wipe your mask lens if it fogs up. No more digging in your snorkel bag for that tiny cloth. For kayakers, a small multi-tool (the slim, key-sized ones, not a big one) works for tightening screws on your paddle or fixing a little tear in your kayak. That\u2019s way more practical than carrying a big tool.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about common mistakes people make. I mentioned keys earlier, but another big one is overstuffing the pocket. Even if you have a big pocket, don\u2019t stuff it so full that it bulges out. That\u2019s uncomfortable, can affect your balance when you\u2019re on a board, and makes it easier for stuff to slip out. I recommend keeping only 1-2 small items max in the pocket \u2013 that\u2019s all you really need. More than that, and it\u2019s just weighing you down. And always check your pocket before you get out of the water. I\u2019ve seen so many people leave their phone or keys on the sand because they forgot they had them in their pocket. A quick check when you get out, and you\u2019re good.<\/p>\n

As a rash guard supplier, we spend a lot of time testing every little detail, because we know our customers use their rash guards for everything \u2013 from pro competitions to weekend trips to the beach. The pocket is one of those small details that makes a huge difference in how useful a rash guard is. We didn\u2019t just make a pocket that fits stuff \u2013 we made pockets that work with your body, that keep stuff secure, that don\u2019t get in the way when you\u2019re paddling, popping up, or doing whatever you do in the water.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s recap, keep this simple: the best stuff for your rash guard pocket is small, slim, flexible, waterproof (or water-resistant), and non-bulky. Stick to essentials: SPF lip balm, slim keys with a neoprene clip, tiny waterproof band-aids, a slim phone in a sealed waterproof case, or a mini pain reliever for long days. Skip the big stuff, the bulky stuff, the loose stuff. And if you\u2019re not sure what fits, check our product details \u2013 we list pocket size for every rash guard we make, so you know exactly what\u2019ll work.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re in the market for a new rash guard with pockets that actually work, hit us up. We can help you pick the right style for your sport, whether you\u2019re a surfer, SUP rider, snorkeler, or just someone who wants a comfortable, functional top for the beach. No matter what you need, we\u2019ve tested it, field-tested it, and we\u2019re here to help. Don\u2019t settle for rash guards with pockets that are just for show \u2013 get one that actually works for you.<\/p>\n

Soccer Shorts<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. (2022). "Gear Function and User Experience for Recreational and Competitive Surfers." Annual Surf Gear Report.<\/li>\n
  2. American Academy of Dermatology. (2023). "Sun Protection Tips for Water and Outdoor Sports." Sports Dermatology Guidelines.<\/li>\n
  3. International Surfing Association. (2021). "Athlete Gear and Safety Best Practices for Open Water Surfing." Competition Safety Manual.<\/li>\n
  4. Outdoor Industry Association. (2022). "Pocket Design and Function in Water Sports Apparel." Apparel Performance Research Series.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Tonton Sportswear (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    Tonton Sportswear (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is one of the leading China rash guard manufacturers and suppliers, with our professional factory, we are able to produce custom and rash guard at good price. If you are looking for cheap, or you want to wholesale products, please feel free to contact us.
    Address: 1-3\/F, No.1 Building, Jiewei Industrial Park, No.53, Pingxin North Rd, Pinghu, Longgang District, Shenzhen 518111, China
    E-mail: dean@sztonton.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.tontonsportswear.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hey everyone, let\u2019s cut to the chase \u2013 as a rash guard supplier, I get asked … What can I put in the pockets of a rash guard?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":3577,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3540],"class_list":["post-3577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-rash-guard-4385-26ad75"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3577"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3577\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.binfordhomes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}