Sun Protection Explained
Preparing for a long day outside means thinking about the sun just as much as the rain. While we are all used to grabbing a bottle of sun cream before heading out, relying solely on lotions can leave you caught out when you are moving for hours. The easiest way to stay comfortable on open trails or summer trips is to let your clothing do most of the heavy lifting.
That is where the letters UPF and SPF come in. SPF measures the defence provided by your sunscreen, whereas UPF rates how well your fabrics block ultraviolet rays. Knowing how they differ makes picking your summer gear much easier.
Understanding UPF for Outdoor Clothing
When shopping for sun protection, the most relevant label for clothing is UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). Unlike SPF, which measures the effectiveness of skincare products, a UPF rating tells you exactly how well a fabric shields your skin from the sun.
Clothing with a UPF 50+ rating is considered excellent for extended exposure because it blocks at least 98 per cent of harmful UV radiation. Because UPF 30 allows ~3% of UV rays through and UPF 50 allows only 2% through, UPF 30 is actually letting 50% more UV radiation hit your skin than UPF 50. This makes UPF-rated gear a highly dependable option for summer walking, trail running, or skiing, especially since standard, unrated clothing can leave you vulnerable on long days outside
Trusted outdoor brands like Columbia design lightweight, highly breathable UPF sun hoodies and hiking shirts that protect your skin without overheating.
Why hats matter on exposed routes
A good hat is a crucial piece of kit because your scalp, ears, and the back of your neck are high-burn areas that are notoriously difficult to protect with sun cream alone. Wide-brimmed hats with built-in UV protection offer constant, moving shade as you hike. Upgrading to a UPF-rated sun hat from technical brands like Patagonia or Tilley provides a reliable physical barrier against the sun during long, exposed hours on the trail.
Understanding SPF
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it is the standard used for sunscreen rather than clothing. Broad-spectrum SPF matters most where your layers stop, such as the face, lips, ears, neck, and hands.
Because you are working hard and sweating on the trail, standard beach sunscreens often run into your eyes and sting. Instead, you need an active, sweat-resistant formula like Lifesystems Mountain Sun Cream SPF50+, which is designed specifically for high-altitude and intense outdoor use.
The Best Sun Protection Strategy
While highly effective, UPF clothing does not replace sunscreen completely. The safest and most practical approach is to use both methods together: rely on UPF-rated layers to protect your covered areas, and apply a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen to any remaining exposed skin. Here is how that looks for different activities:
- Hiking and Walking: Build your defence with a UPF 50+ long-sleeve base layer and a wide-brimmed sun hat to protect your scalp and neck, paired with SPF 50 on your face and hands.
- Running: Choose lightweight, breathable UPF running tops to prevent overheating, and use a sweat-resistant sports SPF that stays put during high output.
- Winter Sports: High altitudes and reflective snow dramatically amplify UV rays. Always wear UPF 50+ base layers and apply an altitude-specific SPF 50+ face stick, even on freezing days.
Top Brands Leading in UPF Clothing
When it comes to built-in sun protection, several of our trusted outdoor brands have made UPF-rated clothing a core part of their ranges. The key is finding fabrics that are tightly woven enough to block UV rays, yet breathable enough for active use. Here are some of the standout brands you will find in our collection:
- Columbia: A longstanding leader in sun protection, Columbia features UPF 50+ protection combined with their proprietary sweat-wicking and anti-odour technologies. Their gear is perfect for those who want reliable, all-day defence during summer hikes.
- Rab: Known for technical excellence, Rab’s summer layers offer fantastic protection without sacrificing breathability. Their lightweight tops are specifically designed to keep you cool and shielded on exposed mountain routes.
- Patagonia: A staple for eco-conscious hikers, Patagonia offers excellent UPF-rated options, including sun hoodies and wide-brimmed hats. Their fabrics are built to endure the elements while keeping you comfortable on hot trails.
Top SPF Sunscreens for the Outdoors
A great outdoor sunscreen needs to be broad-spectrum, sweat-resistant, and comfortable to wear for hours. Our selection of high SPF sun cream is chosen specifically for performance during activity, ensuring it will not run into your eyes when you are working hard.
Lifesystems: Highly recommended for outdoor pursuits, the Lifesystems Mountain Sun Cream SPF50+ is a top-tier choice. It offers 5-Star UVA protection and is heavily sweat-resistant. Specifically designed for high altitude and intense sun exposure, a single application can last up to 8 hours, though reapplication is always recommended when sweating heavily.
UPF is the sun protection rating for clothing. SPF is the sun protection rating for sunscreen. UPF clothing helps block both UVA and UVB rays, while SPF mainly measures UVB protection unless the sunscreen is broad-spectrum. For outdoor activities, the best sun protection setup is UPF clothing on covered areas and SPF sunscreen on exposed skin.
FAQs
A standard white cotton t-shirt generally provides a UPF of around 5, meaning it allows a significant amount of UV radiation to reach your skin. When regular cotton gets wet from sweat or rain, that protection level drops even lower, making it unreliable for long days on the trail.
If a garment's UPF rating comes from the tightness of the fabric weave, the sun protection will last for the lifetime of the clothing. However, if the protection relies on an added chemical finish, it can gradually wash out after dozens of laundry cycles, which is why you should always follow the specific washing instructions on the care label.
No, you do not need to apply sunscreen underneath garments that have a high UPF rating. The fabric acts as a continuous physical barrier against the sun, meaning you only need to apply SPF sunscreen to the areas of your body that are left exposed.
Clothing rated UPF 30 is considered very good and blocks approximately 97 per cent of UV radiation, making it highly effective for standard runs and walks. However, if you are spending extended time at high altitude, on the water, or in snowy environments where UV rays are amplified, UPF 50+ is considered excellent because it blocks at least 98 per cent of harmful rays.
Yes, colour plays a surprisingly big role. Darker or more vividly dyed fabrics tend to absorb more UV rays than lighter shades, meaning less radiation actually reaches your skin. However, premium outdoor brands get around this by engineering their UPF 50+ summer clothing with highly specialised, tightly woven fabrics. This allows them to offer high sun protection even in light, heat-reflecting colours like white or pale blue.
It might feel counterintuitive to cover your arms on a hot day, but modern UPF clothing is specifically designed to keep your temperature down. Technical sun hoodies and running tops use highly breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from your body and dry quickly. Because they physically block the heat of the sun from hitting your skin directly, a lightweight UPF long-sleeve is often much cooler than a standard short-sleeve t-shirt.
Yes, because up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass right through light cloud cover. While you might not feel the physical heat of the sun on an overcast day in the Lake District or Eryri, the UV exposure still silently builds up over a four- or five-hour walk. Wearing a lightweight UPF layer takes the guesswork out of judging the weather.
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