Sun protection (UPF) clothing quick picks
Editor-favorite sun hoodie for men: Kühl Eclipser Hoody
Editor-favorite sun hoodie for women: Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie II
UPF leggings: Athleta Salutation Stash High-Rise Legging
Sun protection hat: Tilley LTM6 Airflo Broad-Brim Hat
With the best sun protection clothing, you can stroll along the beach or hike up a mountain without getting a lobster-red sunburn. That’s worth mentioning because large bodies of research show the more time spent outdoors, the higher your chance of skin damage. And while a sunburn-turned-tan might create the illusion of a “healthy glow,” there’s really no such thing as safe tanning, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The first line of defense is (no surprise) quality, high SPF sunscreen. But if you want even more protection, then it makes sense to pair your sunscreen with UPF clothing. We realize that may be strange for some — UPF hasn’t been around that long — which is why we asked experts to explain the technology and offer a list of their favorite UPF clothes.
Best UPF clothing for men
When it comes to UPF clothing, REI Co-op's Sahara Shad Men's Hoodie is the retailer's most popular option — and we understand why. It's lightweight and comfy like a T-shirt, and yet it boasts a UPF 50+ rating. Take it hiking, boating or on your next cruise.
“Coolibar has options for kids and men, so it’s very popular for families,” says Hu of one of her all-time favorite UPF brands. This practical quarter-zip is a great way to get some impromptu ventilation with its quarter-zip closure and relaxed fit. It comes in 8 summer-friendly colors from Rich Plum to Pacific Blue Heather.
"I throw on this quick-drying hoodie featuring UPF 50+ sun protection when I don't feel like slathering on sunscreen every few hours when I'm paddling around on the lake," says Kai Burkhardt, CNN Underscored's outdoors editor. Apart from its lightweight construction, Burkhardt says that he loves how quickly it dries. "On my first day paddleboarding this season, I took an unexpected dip into a freezing cold lake. But with the sun and a light breeze, this hoodie was completely dry in under 30 minutes."
Burkhardt wore this on a day trip to Arapahoe Basin's Via Ferrata in Colorado, which climbs up to about 12,500 feet in elevation. On that trip and several hikes and runs since, it's kept him protected and comfy thanks to a UPF 50+ rating and a soft blend of nylon and polyester. Burkhardt has tested a lot of sun hoodies over the past few months, but says this is the one he reaches for most often, especially when he plans on working hard in intense heat.
This sun hoodie is made from a blend of Tencel, alpaca, nylon and spandex which creates an incredibly soft, comfortable hoodie. Burkhardt has been testing one for over a month and adores its scuba hood, thumb holes and odor regulation. The fabric isn't as lightweight as other nylon sun hoodies, so you might get a little hot if you're really working hard.
"This is probably one of the lightest and thinnest pieces of clothing I own, making it a great piece to cover up your skin in the harsh sun," Burkhardt says. However, there is one quirk: There's no official UPF rating, as the fabric is just too light and thin to test. That said, Outdoor Vitals claims that "the Altitude has been tested extensively in high elevation sunlight with no sign of UV ray penetration."
Made with a blend of merino wool, polyester and nylon, this hoodie has a UPF 36+ rating and is a great pick for beach days and thru-hikes alike. It's bacteria- and odor-resistant, meaning you can wear it multiple days in a row without it getting stinky. Burkhardt spent a couple of weeks testing this hoodie out too, and it was one of his favorites. It's lightweight enough to feel like you aren't wearing anything, making it perfect for any and every sun-filled activity. Its one downside? It doesn't have thumb holes.
Best UPF clothing for women
This incredibly soft sun hoodie has a UPF 50+ rating and is one of our all-time favorite pieces of sun protection clothing. It's ridiculously soft, so you'll want to wear it on the couch just as much as you will on hikes and bike rides. Its bamboo, polyester and spandex blend make it the perfect everyday layer for summer. If you want a thinner shirt for more intense sun, check out Free Fly's Elevate Hoodie.
We're so obsessed with this packable parka with UV protection. Not only available in a men's style as well, it's got UPF 40+ and is water-repellant. It's truly a must-have travel essential too.
Hu says she (and many of her more athletic patients) resorts to Athleta for its fashionable designs. This shirt is packed with UPF 40+ protection, perfect for the beach or boardwalk.
Recommended in our beginner's guide to backpacking, these affordable hiking and rock-climbing pants are packed with features. Highlights include the UPF 50+ rating, adjustable waistband and zippered thigh pocket. And if conditions change from sunny to stormy, you'll benefit from the pair's water-resistant, quick-drying nylon/spandex material.
With its UPF 20 protection, you won't want to rely on this tank top for full sun protection. But paired with sunscreen, it'll add an extra layer of protection for your outdoor yoga sessions.
Burkhardt tested the men's version of this hoodie on a three-day backpacking trip in Colorado, which included nearly a full day above the treeline. While this hoodie doesn't have an official UPF rating, it kept him completely sunburn-free. It gets bonus points for an ultra-protective hood (which features an opening for a pony tail) and thumb holes.
Another sun hoodie that Burkhardt tested the men's version of, this shirt is made from polyester and elastane and has a UPF 40+ rating. It's quite soft and performed just as well as other hoodies Burkhardt tried that cost $75 or $95. Its only issue is that it isn't quite as lightweight as some others, so you might overheat on super-sunny trail runs. But if you're just relaxing at the beach or going for a more casual hike, this hoodie is a great pick.
You can slip seamlessly between your yoga class and Sunday brunch with this breathable, lightweight dress. While it only features UPF 20 protection, that's plenty for short outings, especially if you're wearing sunscreen.
Bodysuits are the It fashion piece right now, and this sun-friendly version makes saluting the sun that much safer. “I love Athleta’s Transcend Bodysuit because it can be worn on its own or layered on breezier mornings (it can get chilly in South Florida — or at least it feels that way when you haven’t lived in New York for a few years),” says Marci Robin, a freelance writer and editor. “It has a UPF 50+ rating, and it’s made with wicking fabric, which makes me feel less sweaty than I actually am (which is very).”
For a dressier option that provides ample coverage and protection, look no further than this on-trend skort. “My favorite garment is the IBKUL skort,” says Alison Blackman, editor in chief of advicesisters.com, who lives on the beach. “This UPF 50+ skort looks like a skirt but has shorts underneath. It's great for golf or any activity, and I like it because you can go from the beach to the bar without looking sloppy.”
Best UPF hats
With its lifetime guarantee, you can trust Tilley to make a great hat. This breathable model comes with a UPF 50 rating and a fun hook-and-loop pocket hidden away in the crown. Should it get dirty — and over the years it will — you can throw it in the washing machine.
“This hat is made of a soft, lightweight fabric that is super-comfortable, quick-drying and durable,” says Geria. “It offers UPF 50+ protection for your head and face to help maintain healthy skin. This hat is adjustable to fit almost any head shape, and as a plus, it’s foldable for travel and storage purposes.”
It’s no secret our face is more susceptible to sun damage than any other part of our body. Layer up with this multifunctional hat complete with UPF 50 and an adjustable drawstring to keep it in place. “I also really like the Scala UPF 50 hats, which have a lot of colors and varieties,” says Blackman.
What is sun protection (UPF) clothing?
“UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, which measures a garment’s ability to block your skin from all UV rays,” says Dr. Aanand Geria, a board-certified dermatologist. He describes UPF as similar to sunscreen’s SPF, the sun protection factor, with the main difference being that the SPF rating is only based on UVB rays, while the UPF rating is determined using both UVA and UVB rays. (To find sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays, look for products that advertise “broad-spectrum” coverage).
A higher UPF rating means that the clothing provides more protection. Garments that have ratings of UPF 50+ block 98% of UV rays, while clothes rated UPF 15 block around 93% of UV rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends fabrics that have UPF ratings of 30 and up, though you’ll find clothes with ratings as low as UPF 15.
How does UPF clothing work?
The mechanism behind UPF clothing is simple. Dr. Shasa Hu, an associate professor of dermatology, says she is a “huge fan of UPF clothing” because it provides additional protection either through woven fabrics or fabrics that are impregnated with special chemicals that filter out UV rays.