We all know the importance of using sunscreen daily to protect ourselves from skin cancer, sunburn, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. But there’s another way to shield yourself that might not be on your radar: wearing UPF (or sunscreen) clothing—that is, clothing that blocks harmful UV rays. While you should definitely use sunscreen (especially in uncovered areas), UPF clothing can really come in handy as an extra layer of protection when you’re outside lounging, hanging on the beach, and hiking. It’s also a great choice if you’re playing sports or running a race—basically, any scenario where you might sweat out your SPF quickly or struggle to fit in that extra application. To help you find the best UPF clothing, we’ve reviewed highly rated and staff-tested options from our favorite sportswear brands. This list includes our top picks for all kinds of activities.
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Amazon
This is a great place to get basic t-shirts and long sleeves (as well as hiking pants and hats) made with UPF fabric. A SELF editor highly recommends picking up the UPF 50+-rated Helly-Hansen hoodie: “It’s super lightweight, and the fabric hangs comfortably around my body instead of clinging or clinging to it even when I’m sweating. The hood also doesn’t make my hair super static. I’ve worn this shirt to hike fourteeners in Colorado and hike in Great Sand Dunes National Park, and it’s saved me from being a hot, humid, sunburned mess at high elevations.”
REI
REI makes a SELF editor’s favorite hiking shorts—and they happen to have a UPF rating of 50+. “I love these shorts so much I had to buy a second pair (and will probably get a third for this summer),” he says of the Trailmade Shorts. “It’s long enough that I don’t have to worry about it bunching up, the pockets are super roomy and the adjustable waist ensures a great fit. They’re also very light — perfect for hot, humid days.” You can also grab a pair of convertible pants that’ll keep you cozy as the weather changes, or another SELF editor’s favorite stretchy hoodie.
Eddie Bauer
If you’re looking to follow the sporty skirt trend, check out Eddie Bauer’s Departure Performance Skort, which has a UPF 50 rating, wicks away sweat, and has slim side zippered pockets to hold your keys or phone. If your leggings could use an upgrade, a SELF editor recommends the Guide Trex pair, which have a UPF rating of 50+: “I wore them on an uncharacteristically warm and humid fall day during which I hiked all around the woods Chattanooga (and I set a new personal best for bouldering outside). Not only did they move with me while hiking and climbing, but they felt breathable and light — even when I was sweating profusely.”
Voori
Vuori excels when it comes to making cute UPF clothing that doubles as loungewear and great workout wear. One standout: the Pose Plyo Tank, which looks like an everyday ribbed top you might wear with jeans, but wicks away sweat, has a built-in shelf bra that offers moderate support, and is rated UPF 30+.
Solbari
All of Solbari’s clothing is sun-protective, so you can shop without double-checking items for the UPF rating—and the brand offers everything from swimwear and hats to dresses and leggings. However, we recommend paying close attention to the accessories, as the brand makes things we haven’t seen at other retailers, like sleeves that you can wear with t-shirts and palm-less gloves to protect the backs of your hands—a spot that’s often is overlooked.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is a general term for UVA and UVB protection. According to Skin Cancer FoundationUPF is different from SPF (sun protection factor) in that UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can pass through a fabric, while SPF is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to burn.
What should you pay attention to in sunscreen clothing?
When purchasing sun protection gear, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends looking for its recommendation, which indicates that the product has a UPF rating of at least 30. UPF 30 to 49 provides very good protection, while UPF 50+ provides excellent protection , shielding the skin from about 98 percent of the sun’s rays.
If you can’t put together an entire outfit of high UPF-rated clothing, the foundation suggests choosing items with these qualities in mind as an added shield (since all clothing offers some level of sun protection compared to bare skin):
- Dark or light colors, which absorb UV rays instead of letting them through (if you hold a shirt up and you can see through it, that means the sun is getting through easily too)
- Densely woven fabrics made with denim, canvas, wool or synthetic fibers
- Loose fit and high coverage silhouettes
- Fabrics such as unbleached cotton and high-tech activewear, which can absorb UV rays, and glossy/satin synthetic fibers, which can reflect light
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