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The Best Sun Protection Clothes for Everyday Wear (2021) | WIRED

 3 years ago
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The Best Sun Protection Clothes for Everyday Wear (2021)

The sun is a death laser and it’s trying to destroy your skin. This is a condition of living on planet Earth, and most of us don’t do enough to protect ourselves. Yes, you should wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s overcast. And yes, you should seek shade whenever you can. But cowering under an umbrella isn’t a fun way to spend time at the park with friends or hanging out at the beach.

This is where sun-protective clothing comes in handy. Most people only think about sun protection during the spring and summer months, but I have a congenital allergy to UV light. If a glove, sleeve, or shirt advertises a higher protection level than it actually has, my skin tells me in the form of an itchy rash. I have to wear UPF clothing every day, so it’s safe to say that I have opinions when it comes to the fit, finish, and feel of protective clothing. After weeks of testing this summer (and so, so, so many rashes), these are my favorite sun-protective clothes for everyday wear.

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  • bottle of sunscreen
    Photograph: Getty Images

    Crunching the Numbers

    How Is UPF Different From SPF?

    Much like the SPF numbers you see on sunscreens, sun protection clothing also has a numerical “ultraviolet protection factor” (UPF) listed on the product. This number signifies how much ultraviolet light passes through the fabric. A shirt with UPF 50 for instance, means it will absorb or scatter 98 percent of ultraviolet light, allowing only 1/50th of the original UV light to reach your skin. 

    UPF differs from SPF in that SPF measures the amount of time it takes for skin to redden in the sun. It's hard to gauge exactly how long a specific UPF will protect you, because the UV index changes with the weather and geography in your area. Regular clothing will also protect you; in general, densely woven or darker colors tend to absorb more UV light. The most important factor in choosing sun protection clothing, however, is that unlike an SPF lotion, you never have to reapply a shirt. 

  • Photograph: Columbia

    A Stretchy Shirt

    Columbia PFG Super Tamiami

    Fishermen know about sun, and Columbia's performance fishing gear (PFG) button-down shirts are excellent for hot days when you know you’re going to be outside for a long time.

    It’s discreetly vented, so it’s more breathable than a standard button-down, and with Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology, it provides UPF 50 protection to all the areas it covers. I used it as a lightweight outer layer, but you could also wear it against the skin. 

    UPF 50, synthetic fabric.

  • Photograph: REI

    Soft, Lightweight Fabric

    REI Co-op Sahara Hoodie

    Synthetic sun protection shirts can be plasticky, and if you happen to sweat at all they stick to you like cling film. It’s not a great vibe. By comparison, REI’s Sahara hoodie (which also comes in shirt and T-shirt form) is super soft to the touch and extremely breathable—you can absolutely feel a cool breeze through it when it’s warm and windy out. 

    I particularly like that the shirt has little thumb holes in the sleeves, so the fabric can protect the backs of your hands. Wearing zero sunscreen (always wear sunscreen, kids), the UPF 50 fabric protected my arms and the backs of my hands from developing any uncomfortable rashes or sunburn. We also like the Duluth Armachillo hoodie ($60), if you'd prefer a shirt with a kangaroo pocket to protect your hands. 

    UPF 50, synthetic fabric, covers arms and has fingerless glove built in.


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