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Sunscreen is a year-round necessity, but even if you’re no stranger to the best application techniques, you may still be missing a step in your sun-protection routine: UPF clothing. Thanks to specially woven fabric, these pieces act as an extra layer of defense when you’re spending time outside. (And some of them also happen to be really cute.)
So before you pack your carry-on or hit the trail, it’s worth looking into the best UPF clothing. Find everything you need to know from a dermatologist below, then shop a few of our favorites.
What does UPF mean?
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, which means that it measures a garment’s ability to block your skin from all UV rays. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s dermatology department in New York, it’s a close cousin of your sunscreen’s SPF, or sun protection factor, rating. But there’s one key difference: SPF only applies to UVB rays, while UPF applies to both UVA and UVB rays. (UVA is linked to skin aging, while UVB is associated with sunburns, per the Skin Cancer Foundation.)
Like SPF, UPF represents how much UV light reaches your skin using a numeric value, so a UPF rating of 50 means that only 2% (or 1/50th) of the sun’s rays make it through the fabric. Although only certain pieces of apparel are specifically tested and marketed for this ability, “all clothing gives some degree of physical protection from UV light,” Dr. Zeichner says. “Typically, tightly woven fabrics provide a greater level of protection. If you hold your fabric up to the sun and light passes through, it is unlikely that it will provide much protection. For example, white linen gives virtually no protection, especially if it is wet.”
Some fabrics, like denim, naturally offer excellent UPF protection but are rarely advertised as sun-protective clothing. (A dark, long-sleeve denim shirt has about UPF 1,700, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, meaning it offers “complete sun protection.”) Fabric must have at least UPF 30 to qualify for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation; a UPF of 30 to 49 is “very good,” while UPF 50+ is “excellent.”
What are the benefits of UPF clothing?
Because UPF clothing doesn’t cover your skin’s nooks and crannies in the way sunscreen can, it’s not an excuse to opt-out of it in your skincare routine. Still, anyone can benefit from wearing the best sun-protective clothing, Dr. Zeichner notes. And it’s not just a summer thing: “I recommend UPF-rated clothing to my patients year-round, but especially if they are spending time outdoors in the warmer months,” he says. Because it’s highly effective at stopping UV radiation from reaching the skin your clothes cover, you might want to reach for a long-sleeve rash guard or long pants even when it’s sizzling out.
UPF clothing can prove especially helpful for children (who are tough to keep slathered in sunscreen), athletes (who might sweat off their SPF and not get a chance to reapply in time), and anyone else who wants to improve on their sunscreen’s coverage. While dark, dense denim isn’t everyone’s idea of a warm-weather fabric, plenty of UPF clothing is breathable, moisture-wicking, and stretchy—in other words, perfect for hot days.
Ready to give your suncare a boost? Shop the best UPF clothing for every situation—from swimming to backpacking to running—below.
Best UPF Clothing
The fabric in leggings, sports bras, and other activewear can be tightly woven while maintaining its stretch, meaning these garments often have built-in UPF. Just be sure you check the description to see how much protection you’ll be getting: “If you buy a garment that has been evaluated, then you can be confident in its ability to give you protection against the sun,” Dr. Zeichner says. It’s not just athleisure—Prana’s breezy short-sleeve T-shirt and Madewell’s minimalist skirt are versatile pieces that you can wear in and out of the gym.
Best UPF Swimwear
Save for a cover-up, your swimsuit might be the only piece of clothing you wear during most of your vacation—so make it count. All of these comfy options offer 50+ UPF protection, meaning they’re pretty much unstoppable when it comes to blocking harmful rays. They won’t let you down on the looks front, either, whether you’re going for a classic bikini or getting in on the plunging trend.
Best UPF Outerwear
Dr. Zeichner recommends UPF clothing year-round. When it’s sunny and not quite chilly enough for a full-on coat, a UPF-rated jacket can come in handy. While these options lean sporty, they’re sleek enough to throw over pretty much any outfit. Plus, they have fun features: Uniqlo’s packs into a tiny pouch, and Nike’s is quick-drying and impressively breathable.
Best UPF Accessories
Sun hats are a great way to finish off any summer outfit, of course, but they also work in tandem with your face sunscreen. We recommend going for a wide-brim bucket hat moment or taking a foray into tenniscore with a visor. And if you’re not really a hat person, you can still shield yourself from above with a UPF 50+ umbrella.
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