What is UPF 50+ Anyways? And Why Should I Care?

What is UPF 50+ Anyways? And Why Should I Care?

Doesn’t All Clothing Protect You from the Sun?

I get this question all the time—“Doesn’t all clothing protect you from the sun?” The short answer? Nope!

Let’s break it down.

What is UPF?

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It tells you how much UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) a fabric allows to reach your skin. Think of it like SPF (sunscreen) for clothing.

  • SPF (Sun Protection Factor) tells you how long it takes for your skin to start burning from UV exposure.

  • UPF tells you how much UV radiation is blocked by a fabric.

When you see UPF 50+, it means the fabric blocks 98% of UV rays, allowing only 2% to pass through. That’s the highest rating you’ll see, and honestly, you don’t want anything less for long days outdoors.

Why UPF Clothing Beats Regular Clothing

Here’s the thing—not all fabrics are created equal when it comes to sun protection.

Someone once told me, “But my white T-shirt protects me!” I hate to break it to you, but a plain white cotton T-shirt only has a UPF rating of about 5. And when it gets wet? Those stretched fibres let even more UV rays through. 

So, Why Should You Care?

We should be aware and care about sun safety and what we put on to protect ourselves because sun damage is cumulative. What does that mean? The more we are exposed the greater our risk of cell damage and the risk of skin cancer increases.

Why UPF Clothing is Worth It?

UPF-rated fabrics are designed and tested to consistently protect your skin from the sun. Unlike sunscreen, which needs to be reapplied after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying, UPF clothing keeps doing its job all day long.

Some key factors that make UPF clothing effective:

  • Tight weave – Less light gets through.

  • Darker or brighter colours – These absorb more UV rays instead of letting them pass.

  • Coverage – The more skin covered, the better your protection.

And here’s a pro tip: Choose UPF 50+ clothing that isn’t chemically treated, like Sun Safe! So the protection won’t wash out after 10 washes (yep, that’s a thing with some brands)!

Your Best Sun-Safe Combo

For the best protection:

  1. Start with UPF 50+ clothing to cover as much skin as possible.

  2. Add a wide-brim hat.

  3. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.

  4. Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen to any exposed skin.

Because when it comes to sun safety, it’s not about just one solution—it’s about layering your protection.

Check out Sun Safe Adult Activewear for your everyday outdoor activities and the Swimwear line to make sure you're protected in and on the water!