TBMPOY’S 50+ UPF sun protective clothing blocks at least 97.5% of UV rays.
One of the great joys of being outdoors is basking in the soft, warm glow of the sun. But like so many of life’s pleasures, it’s best done in moderation. Sunlight includes rays of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and exposure to those rays can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer.
Sun-protective clothing is the simplest way to stay safe; unlike sunscreen, you never need to reapply!
Choosing clothing that has been designed for sun protection and tested to confirm its Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) will give you greater control over your total level of UV exposure.
This article will cover:
- UPF: What it is and why it matters?
- How does UPF differ from SPF?
- UPF Clothing Features
- Who Can Benefit from UPF Clothing?
- How to Choose Sun-Protection (UPF) Clothing
Keywords: sun protective clothing, UPF 50+, TBMPOY, go outdoors
Reading Time: 3 minutes
UPF: What it is and why it matters?
UPF is a measure of the percentage of UVA and UVB rays from the sun that can penetrate through a fabric to reach the skin. UPF is somewhat similar to SPF. However, it’s used to label clothing. The UPF of garments matters because of the increasing prevalence and incidence of skin cancer and skin problems. Also, common sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone, have themselves been associated with problems that can cause cancer. Although some organic and less toxic sunscreens exist, a high-UPF garment, like 50+, is a safer way to reduce sun exposure.
How does UPF differ from SPF?
UPF is the standard used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics. UPF stands for “Ultraviolet Protection Factor” and indicates how much of the sun’s UV radiation penetrates a fabric and reaches the skin. UPF is associated with fabric and you will see a UPF rating from 15-50 associated with products that claim that they are sun protective. A fabric with a rating of 50 will allow only 1/50th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through. This means the fabric will reduce your skin’s UV radiation exposure significantly because only 2 percent of the UV rays will get through. This also means that it blocks both UVA and UVB rays while SPF only takes the UVB rays into account.
SPF is a standard used to measure the effectiveness of sunscreen. SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”. It measures the amount of time it takes for sun-exposed skin to redden, while UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches the skin. Remember that SPF only accounts for UVB rays unless specifically stated as a broad-spectrum sunscreen.with problems that can cause cancer. Although some organic and less toxic sunscreens exist, a high-UPF garment, like 50+, is a safer way to reduce sun exposure.
UPF Clothing Features
- Extended coverage: Some shirts have flip-up sun collars; others might have cuffs that are shaped to extend coverage over the back of the hands. In hats, look for broad brims and neck capes.
- Vents: Tight weaves, thick fabrics and extended coverage also work to heat things up inside, so look for plenty of ventilation options like overlapping panels or mesh behind zippers that let air circulate without exposing too much skin.
- A looser cut: Steer clear of stretchy garments that fit too tightly, because a garment that’s stretched can become significantly less effective at blocking UV light. More loosely cut rigid fabrics also increase thermal comfort through air movement.
- Quick-drying fabrics: Wetness can cause a significant reduction in a fabric's UPF rating, so having a garment that dries quickly will get you back to your full UPF rating sooner. (Packing along dry UPF-rated clothing is another strategy.)
Who Can Benefit from UPF Clothing?
UPF clothing can be extremely beneficial for those that love the outdoors and are frequently exposed to UV rays. Broad-spectrum fabrics always provide broad-spectrum protection against both harmful types of UV rays – UVA and UVB. With UPF clothing you get consistent coverage; unlike sunscreen, you never need to reapply and you can’t miss a small spot on your back. You get 24/7 protection wherever the fabric covers your skin. If you buy from a quality brand it should last for years. For these reasons, UPF clothing can be extremely beneficial for those that love the outdoors and are frequently exposed to UV rays.
Children and older adults: Children have skin that is relatively thin and sensitive, and if it is damaged at a young age, there is an increased chance that it can cause serious problems later in life. Damage to the skin also accumulates with time, which increases the risk of illness for all individuals as they become older.
- Sun sensitive people:People who have skin that freckles or burns easily are more susceptible to the sun's UV radiation. One's susceptibility to sunburn may be increased by a number of different characteristics, such as having lighter skin color or a greater number of moles.
- People with darker skin color: A darker skin pigmentation suggests that there is a higher concentration of melanin, a chemical that provides protection against UV rays. However, deeper pigmentation makes it more difficult to detect UV damage, which may cause both you and your doctor to become less attentive as a result.
- People that are taking medications:A broad variety of medications, such as those used to treat acne, antihistamines, antibiotics, some anti-inflammatory medications, and even herbal supplements, might make a person more sensitive to the sun's rays. Please ensure that you have checked all of your prescriptions for any potential sun sensitivity warnings.
- People living at high altitudes, in tropical climates, or those living on snow or water:Where there is less air (higher elevations), where the sun is more directly overhead and UV rays have a shorter path to you through the atmosphere (tropical/equatorial regions), and where rays come both from overhead sunlight and underneath through reflective surfaces (like snow and water). The intensity of UV radiation is greater on these parts which may cause skin cancer and other unpleasant skin conditions.
How to Choose Sun-Protection (UPF) Clothing?
- Materials:Different fibers have different levels of protection. Fibers like nylon, polyester, and bamboo often have higher UPF values than standard cotton.
- Construction:The tighter the weave the better. If you can hold a shirt up to a light and see a lot of light pass through, UV radiation is also able to pass through.
- Fit:Loose-fitting apparel performs better than tight-fitting. A tight-fitting shirt often stretches the fibers, reducing their ability to protect your skin from UV rays.
- Style: The more coverage the better! It’s just common sense - a long sleeve hooded shirt will provide more overall skin protection than a tank top.
- Color:The darker the better. Dark shirts absorb more UV radiation than light shirts. However, color can be deceiving. It’s a combination of all these factors that makes UPF shirts so protective. Just because a shirt is black does not necessarily mean it’s providing ample protection.
Look for sun protective clothing with the following attributes:
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Odor-Resistant
- Anti-microbial
- Reflective
- UPF Rating
- Durability
Not all UPF shirts are created equal.
TBMPOY’S 50+ UPF sun protective clothing blocks at least 97.5% of UV rays.
TPMPOY has developed technical fabrics that have a tight weave but still allow the fabric to breathe, dry quickly, and provide antimicrobial properties. Explore our collection of UPF 50+ work apparel.
