About Sun Protective & UPF Clothing
Whether you’re hiking the trails or fishing on the open water, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun. Applying sunscreen is essential, but people often forget that clothing is one of the most powerful defenses against UV radiation. Our Experts explain how sun protective clothing works and important features to look for so you can pick the perfect outdoor wardrobe. Remember, sun protective clothing is great for year-round wear because it doesn’t have to be hot for the sun to damage your skin.
UPF vs SPF: What is the Difference?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is used to measure the effectiveness of sunscreens. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics. Those are not the only differences—UPF provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays while SPF protects against only UVB rays, unless stated as ‘broad spectrum.’
The SPF number represents how long it will take your skin to redden when exposed to the sun’s radiation. For example, SPF 15 will keep your skin from getting red 15 times longer than without sunscreen. If it typically takes 10 minutes for your skin to redden, SPF 15 will protect you for 150 minutes.
The UPF number represents the amount of radiation a fabric lets through. For example, UPF 50 only allows 1/50th of UV radiation to reach your skin. In general, you should look for a UPF of 30+ with UPF 50+ being the best choice.
Can You Get Sunburn Through Clothes?
Yes! The sun is strong enough to expose your skin to radiation through your clothes. That’s why it’s so important to choose clothing with the proper construction and coverage.
How Does Sun Protective Clothing Work?
All clothing provides some level of protection from the sun, but not all fabrics and colors protect you the same. The most important factors to consider when choosing the most effective sun protective clothing are the color, fabric, fit, and coverage.
UPF Certified Clothing
If an item carries a UPF label, it has passed rigorous testing standards by a third-party organization. This guarantees the product will be 98% effective in blocking UV rays from the sun.
Important Note: Wetness, wear, and tear can reduce the effectiveness of UPF clothing. UPF clothing retains its protective properties for about 1-2 years or 30-40 washes, so it’s important to replace your gear often and combine sun protective clothing with sunscreen and sun accessories.
Care: Proper care can make your UPF clothing last longer. Treat UPF clothing like you would treat your athletic clothing. Wash cold, air dry, and never use fabric softener.
Sun Protective Clothing (Not-UPF Certified)
While clothing with a UPF label often comes with a higher price tag due to the cost of testing and certification, it's important to remember that all clothing offers some degree of sun protection. You don't necessarily need a UPF label to find effective sun-blocking garments. Many factors contribute to a fabric's ability to shield you from harmful UV rays, even without official certification.
Color: Choose clothing in dark or bright colors as they absorb more sunlight. Clothing in lighter shades is easier for UV radiation to penetrate.
Fabric: Look for densely woven fabrics—like denim and canvas—that let through as little light as possible. Shiny and satiny fabrics also provide some protection as they reflect radiation.
Expert Advice: Hold up the fabric up to a light source. If you can’t see any light coming through, you can be certain to get effective sun protection from this fabric.
Coverage: Covering your skin provides extra protection against UV radiation. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants may seem counterintuitive on sunny days, but with the right fabrics, clothing with extra coverage can help you stay cool and dry by wicking away sweat and keeping your skin shaded.
Choosing the proper sun protective clothing will let you enjoy your time in the sun without damaging your skin. Once you have the right rotation of UPF clothing, you can relax and spend more time outside. If you’re getting ready to spend some time outdoors this summer, check out our Expert guide on How to Dress for Hot & Humid Weather.
If you’re struggling to find sun protective clothing or understanding UPF labels, stop by your nearest SCHEELS and talk to one of our Experts.