Outdoor clothing that provides UV protection can act as a physical barrier between yourself and the sun, decreasing sunburn and long-term skin damage. Furthermore, it protects areas like ears and eyes which are difficult to cover with sunscreen products such as these.

Effective UV protective clothing typically consists of densely woven fabrics or garments treated with a special finish to block UV rays, often boasting an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating to indicate how much of UV light they can block.

Color

Fabric used for UV protection outdoor clothing tends to be tightly woven with smaller holes to reduce sunlight’s harmful rays from penetrating your skin and creating damage. Some fabrics are also treated with chemicals for an additional layer of defense from sunrays.

Dark colors like black absorb sunlight and prevent it from reaching your skin while lighter colors reflect it back off of surfaces, although not all darker-hued shirts provide sufficient sun protection.

Tighter weaves offer more natural protection, as their fibers are closer together and don’t permit as many UVR rays through. One effective way of testing fabric’s sun safety is holding it up to the light: If any UV radiation passes easily through, that indicates its danger and could potentially reach your skin.

Fabric

At hiking, gardening or playing outdoor sports activities, wearing UV protection clothing is key in protecting yourself against sunburn and long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, sagging or even cancer. Fabrics specially treated with chemicals or dyes ensure maximum protection from UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Composition and weave tightness determines a fabric’s UPF rating as well as its ability to reflect and absorb UV rays, with unbleached cotton being one of the best absorbers; shiny polyesters may contain chemical absorbers or be coated with special reflective finishes for increased protection.

Additionally, clothing that fits too tightly can limit its ability to protect you from the sun; looser fitting and frequent rewearing are crucial for optimal UV protection. Furthermore, following care instructions carefully is also key as harsh detergents, heat or humidity may compromise its protective qualities and diminish its protective capabilities.

Fit

When purchasing UV protection clothing, look for its Ultraviolet Protection Factor rating (UPF). The higher its UPF is, the more protection a garment offers against harmful UV rays that cause sunburn and long term skin damage; those rated UPF 50+ allow only approximately 2 percent of UV radiation through.

Fabric color, weave density and the use of UV-blocking enhancers all factor into clothing’s UPF rating. Darker fabrics tend to offer greater UV protection than lighter hues; tighter weaves reduce UV ray penetration, while chemical treatments like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Tinosorb FD may further boost UPF performance.

Outdoor clothing that provides UPF protection offers all-day sunburn prevention and signs of premature aging reduction, including wrinkle reduction. UPF clothing is an ideal solution for hikers, golfers, gardeners and athletes who spend long days outside or those suffering from skin conditions that exacerbated by sunlight.

UPF Rating

No matter where your day takes you – beach, hiking trail or wilderness area – wearing clothing with UV filters can protect your skin from premature aging and possible skin cancer. A UPF rating provides an easy way to assess how effective the shirt is at protecting against UV radiation.

UPF numbers measure fabric’s ability to reduce UV light that passes through in laboratory testing. Higher UPF ratings are better; UPF 15 allows 7 percent of harmful UVB rays through while UPF 50 only permits 2 percent through.

Construction details such as tight weaves and darker colors help minimize UV transmission while treatments and dyes may help increase UPF ratings. Physical properties of fabric may affect its UPF rating – for instance when wet or stretched out it may absorb more or less UV rays from UV radiation than expected. Clothing designed with UPF ratings can add an extra layer of sun protection when worn alongside broad-spectrum sunscreen and hats with UV filter technology.