UPF 50+ clothing explained

2 min read

If you have seen a reference to UPF 50+ clothing but are not sure what it means, this blog should help demystify the term a bit.

Not many people are aware that whilst clothing is an effective form of sun protection, not all clothing protects the same from UV radiation.

UPF refers to ultraviolet protection factor and there is a formal testing process for determining how sun protective the fabric in question is.

The Australian Government tests and rates fabrics for their UPF rating. Fabrics which are considered to have sun protective properties are rated on a scale between UPF 15 to 50+.

The UPF rating depends on what proportion of UV radiation is able to penetrate the fabric. UPF 15 means that 1/15th or 6.7% of UV is able to penetrate the fabric. UPF 50+, the maximum UPF rating achievable, means that up to 1/50th or 2% of UV is able to penetrate the fabric. A regular cotton t-shirt may only have a UPF of 5 which means that 1/5th or 20% of UV can penetrate the fabric.

Excellent UPF 50+ clothing not only has the highest sun protection rating for clothing but will also incorporate functional design to provide better skin coverage and fabrics which are comfortable to wear in hot, sunny conditions.

It is known that over 90% of skin cancers are caused by the cumulative effects of sun exposure. Dermatologists agree that sun protective clothing is the best way to prevent sun burn, skin ageing and skin cancers.

Solbari Sun Protection is the leading Australian Sun Protective clothing brand with customers in over 70 countries.

Solbari offers an award winning range of UPF 50+ sun protection clothing, UV arm sleeves, sun umbrellas, sun protective gloves and other accessories.

You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the links below:
Women UPF50+
Men UPF50+
Sun hats UPF50+
Accessories UPF50+

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Content Disclaimer: All content on the Solbari website is for informational purposes only. It does not consitute and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions about your health or a medical condition.

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