Sun Protective Clothing

Sun protective clothing uses fabric to protect your skin from the sun. The fabric is rated according to an Ultraviolet Protection Factor ("UPF"). UPF is like SPF except UPF rates protection against both UVA and UVB. A garment with a UPF of 50 only allows 1/50^th of the UV radiation falling on the surface of the garment to pass through it. In other words, it blocks 49/50^ths or 98% of the UV radiation. Sun protection clothing is an easy and reliable form of UV protection and so is becoming more and more popular.

Consumers should look for garments that have been tested according to American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method 183. The best brands also perform complete life cycle tests using American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 6544. This is a much more expensive form of testing but tells how garments protect as they age not just when they are brand new.