UPF 50+

Sun protection clothing is specially treated garments designed to filter ultraviolet rays.

 While technically all clothing can provide some sun protection by covering up the skin, “sun protection clothing” carries a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating that indicates exactly how much UV can be blocked by the special fabric.

Just like SPF in sunscreen, the numbers for UPF clothing can be variable, usually from 15 to 50+. But the numbers don’t work in the same way as SPF. For instance, a UPF of 50 will allow only 1/50 (2%) of the UV rays to get through, while a regular white t-shirt only gives a UPF of 5 to 8. Some of the UV-protective clothing has a rating based on such factors as fiber density and structure.