Any UPF 50+ rash guard works – skip the brand markup.

Yes, but don’t overthink brands. The sun protection comes from the fabric’s weave and the UPF rating, not the logo. A $15 rash guard from Target or Amazon does the same job as a $45 one from a surf brand.

Look for UPF 50+, long sleeves, and a zipper if your kid hates pulling things over their head. That’s it. The extra features (flatlock seams, anti-stink treatment, whatever) don’t matter much for a toddler who will have it covered in sand and sunscreen after 20 minutes.

Brands like Coolibar or Roxy are fine but not necessary. Buy a few cheap ones, rotate, and replace when they fade or get holes. Kids grow fast – you aren’t passing this down to future generations.