Prevent Nasty Sunburns With the Best Sun Protection Clothing

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Summer has us planning camping weekends and patio barbecues, but before we shed those layers, we have to be mindful of the season’s risk and reward—the sun. While we’re all for getting outside and soaking up as much vitamin D as possible, we want you to do it safely, with ample sun protection for your entire body.

The sun’s UV rays can be harmful to the skin when exposed for long periods of time and—along with sunscreen—UPF clothing offers an extra bit of protection for the body’s largest organ. These clothes are designed and tested to filter out the sun’s rays to keep you from getting sunburnt and prevent long-lasting skin damage.

Sun protection clothing is often breathable and lightly colored to keep you comfortable and safe on the hottest and brightest days. High-tech fabrics treated with chemical UV absorbers or natural fibers using special dyes block penetration from UV rays better than untreated clothing does.

Here are our top picks for the best sun protection clothing, along with advice to consider before you buy.

Best Sun Protection Clothing

What to Consider

UPF Versus SPF

Sun protection clothing has a numerical UPF rating—or ultraviolet protection factor—like a sunscreen’s SPF. It measures the amount of UVA and UVB rays the fabric lets through, and penetrates your skin whereas SPF measures the amount of time it takes UV-exposed skin to redden.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a fabric UPF rating of 30 to 49 provides good protection and anything 50 or higher provides excellent protection. Any densely woven fabric can protect you against some sun rays, but UPF clothing is designed and tested so you know exactly how much protection you’re getting.

Activity and Fit

Sun protection clothing should fit loosely for both airflow and lasting protection. Tight clothing may stretch faster and, as fibers pull away from each other, more damaging UV rays can pass through and reach your skin.

Most UPF clothing has a generous cut unless it’s meant for running or fitness. Active tops often have an athletic cut—if you plan to use your UPF clothing for running or cycling, make sure it’s both moisture-wicking and quick-drying as wet clothing becomes more transparent and allows more UV rays to pass through. UPF clothing that is loose-fitting is best for fishing, boating, or even an easy day hike.

How We Selected

To start our search, we considered the things we’re most looking forward to this summer—hiking, camping, and hitting the river. We looked for tops that we could comfortably spend a day in while out fishing as well as bottoms we’d use while biking or hiking our favorite trails.

We included clothing in the Skin Care Foundation’s recommended range of 30 to 50 UPF (one of our picks even has a rating of 52 UPF) to offer a variety of sun protection and styles. Some tops are better suited for activewear and sport while others provide a comfortable option when you’re planning to just hang around outside with a beer.

Though these clothes will keep you protected, nothing can substitute for sunscreen and time in the shade—be sure to limit your exposure to the sun, especially during peak sunlight hours, to prevent serious skin damage.

PFG Fishing Shirt

Columbia’s PFG shirt is a great summer staple because of its breathability and outdoor-ready style. The tightly woven nylon provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, and its quick-drying capability makes it perfect for anything near or on the water.

A mesh vent at the back allows air flow on hot, humid days, and it has an oversized fit for a comfortable range of motion. Design details like self-draining pockets, a gear loop, and a rod holder make it ideal for fishing, but the versatile style works both on and off the boat.

The taffeta nylon is a durable fabric, so this shirt will hold up to multiple washes and years of wear. I’ve had one of these shirts for going on eight years now—it’s slightly faded but other than that, it shows little signs of wear.

Cool Dri Long Sleeve Performance T-Shirt

A simple long-sleeve tee that’ll give you UPF 40 protection, this performance tee weighs just four ounces and can be layered or worn alone. The double-needle stitched collar provides more durability and customers say it doesn’t lose its shape after multiple washes.

The polyester fabric is quick-drying and moisture-wicking, making it great for activewear, but some customers say it feels scratchy and isn’t the most comfortable. Still, this shirt provides great protection at a great price.

Renegade Convertible Pants

A two-in-one combo, these durable hiking pants zip off and turn into hiking shorts. The nylon-Spandex blend feels like cotton but breathes better and doesn’t retain moisture if you’re sweating it out on a day hike. It’s also abrasion-resistant so it won’t snag on brambles while on the trails.

They’re relaxed in the seat and thigh and have a straight leg fit. The spandex adds a hint of stretch for mobility and the gusseted crotch allows for even more movement. Customers love the amount of pockets on these pants and say they’re perfect to stash everything you need for a day outside.

They report the zippers on the leg are durable and don’t snag and love the versatility of the two-in-one design. Some customers found the hip pockets to be too shallow, but the amount of pockets makes up for the storage you need.

Tahoe Sun Henley Shirt

This lightweight tee has a mesh texture and henley placket for a casual style that gives you UPF 50 protection. The snap closure neckline lets you decide how much sunblock and airflow you want, and the sleeves are cut shorter for hot summer days.

It’s great for hiking, fishing, or kayaking, but transitions easily to everyday casual wear. Plus, it comes in three earthy colors.

Long Sleeve Sun Protection Shirt

This shirt offers full-sleeve coverage using a vented material that’s similar to mesh for breathability. The button chest pockets secure belongings and there’s a sunglasses loop under the top button so you don’t have to worry about them falling off your shirt.

Button tabs at the bicep will keep your sleeves in-place if you want to keep them rolled up, or you can undo the button cuffs to push up the sleeve.

Customers like that this shirt has the outdoorsy features of the Columbia PFG but it has a subdued style that makes it more versatile for hiking and boating as well as travel and casual wear. It has a relaxed fit for mobility and to allow more airflow.

Solarfoil Pro Hoodie

This lightweight hoodie can cover the majority of your top half in UPF 50+ protection. The polyester fabric is moisture-wicking and quick-drying for days out on the water, and the extended sleeves give you coverage past the wrists. It has a relaxed fit for added airflow and the casual hoodie style is preferred for some who don’t want to hassle with any buttons.

Some customers sized down a whole size to use this as a base layer or an exercise top. Customers particularly like the moisture-wicking property of this hoodie, but some wish there was added Spandex in the fabric.

Still, this is a great hoodie for a decent price, and it comes in a range of bright colors.

Cormac Crew SS Sun Protection Shirt

This tee is great for trail running, hiking, and general fitness. It weighs just under four ounces and is moisture-wicking so it won’t weigh you down on even the sweatiest summer days. It’s treated for odor resistance and reviews report it doesn’t stink up after a run.

The reflective logo and bright color options mean it can transition into the evening and ensure you’re visible in low light. The flat seams are designed to be comfortable against the skin and reduce any chafing.

Customers like the synthetic material and say it doesn’t have that same sticky feel other synthetic active tops sometimes have.

Global Shirt

The fabric blend of this shirt gives you a best of all worlds with sun protection, stretch, and moisture-wicking capability. The snap-button front is easier to pull on and off than traditional buttons, and the single chest pocket gives you storage. There’s also a hidden zip-pocket at the right hip for anything you want to keep secured.

Customers love how light the fabric is and say they stay comfortable even on the hottest and most humid days of summer. There’s a small strap on the back yoke to make it easier to roll and pack, and the locker loop lets you hang it out to dry.

Ferrosi 7-inch Short

These shorts can take you from hiking and biking all the way to city tours. The seven-inch inseam hits above the knee, giving you free-range motion without risking the upper thighs getting sunburnt.

They can double as a pair of trunks thanks to the quick-dry fabric and are abrasion-resistant so there’s no need to worry about snags on the trails. Drop-in pockets at the front and back can hold a phone, keys, or your wallet, and a zip-pocket at the thigh can secure other small items.

Customers like the versatility of these shorts, using them for outdoor activities, fitness, and casual wear. These do run a bit small, so some customers size up and cinch the belt for a better fit.

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