What is UPF Protective Clothing and How Does It Keep Us Safe?

Keeping kids safe under the sun is crucial for our children's long-term health and well-being. While sunscreen is a common choice for shielding the skin from harmful UV rays, there's another powerful tool in the sun protection arsenal: UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing.  

In our quest for sun safety, UPF clothing emerges as a formidable ally against the sun's harmful rays. Unlike traditional garments, UPF clothing is purposefully engineered to provide robust defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Our Drift sun protective, long sleeve hoodies protect a child's delicate skin so they can play all day.  

Let's dive into what UPF protective clothing is, how UPF clothing works, and why UPF clothing is essential for safeguarding skin.  

What is UPF Clothing? 

UPF clothing is specially designed to offer protection against the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Unlike SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which measures the effectiveness of sunscreen, UPF indicates the fabric's ability to block UV radiation. Higher UPF ratings offer greater protection, but anything above UPF 30 is recommended. For example, UPF 40 clothing allows only 1/40th of the sun's UV radiation to pass through the fabric. This means UPF 40 clothing blocks 97.5% of the sun's rays, only allowing 2.5% to penetrate.  

Difference Between UPF and SPF 

While both UPF and SPF are measures of sun protection, they serve different purposes. SPF is used to rate the effectiveness of sunscreen in protecting the skin from sunburn, while UPF measures the UV-blocking capabilities of fabric. UPF clothing works by incorporating tightly woven fibers, special dyes, or chemical treatments that absorb, reflect, or scatter UV radiation, thereby reducing its penetration to the skin. 

Our Drift Sun Protective Hoodies utilize the natural, tightly woven fibers of bamboo to reflect and reduce the sun's rays hitting your skin by 97.5%!  

Longevity of UPF Clothing 

One of the remarkable aspects of UPF clothing is its longevity and durability. Unlike sunscreen, which requires reapplication every few hours, UPF clothing maintains its sun protection properties wash after wash. The specialized fabrics and treatments used in UPF clothing are designed to withstand repeated laundering without compromising their UV-blocking capabilities, when washed according to the recommendations.  This means that UPF clothing offers reliable sun protection throughout its lifespan, making it a wise investment for outdoor enthusiasts. With proper care and maintenance, UPF clothing can provide years of dependable sun protection, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite outdoor activities without worrying about sun damage to your skin.  

Importance of UPF Clothing 

UPF clothing plays a vital role in sun protection, especially during outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or spending a day at the beach. Unlike sunscreen, which requires reapplication, UPF clothing provides constant protection without the need for reapplication. Additionally, the color of the fabric matters—darker or brighter colors tend to absorb more UV radiation than lighter ones, offering better protection. This is why we offer our Drift Sun Protective Hoodies in bright colors that also cool.  

UPF Clothing and Sunscreen 

While UPF clothing offers excellent sun protection, it's important to recognize that a layered approach to sun protection is key to staying completely sun safe.  By combining UPF clothing with sunscreen and other protective measures, you can create a comprehensive sun safety strategy to minimize the risk of sunburn and skin damage during outdoor activities. UPF clothing primarily covers the areas of the body it directly shields, leaving areas like the face, neck,  and hands exposed to UV radiation. Additionally, UPF clothing may lose some of its effectiveness when stretched or wet, so it's essential to choose the right fit and consider additional protection for areas not covered by UPF clothing. Moreover, UPF clothing does not provide protection against incidental sun exposure or UV reflection from surfaces like water or sand. Therefore, it's advisable to complement UPF clothing with other sun protection measures, such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and applying sunscreen to exposed skin. While UPF clothing reduces the need for frequent sunscreen application, it's still necessary to apply sunscreen to any exposed areas for comprehensive sun protection.  

Activities for Using UPF Clothing 

UPF clothing is versatile and suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities. Whether you're hiking in the mountains, fishing on the bay or lake, or playing catch on the beach, UPF clothing offers reliable sun protection. Our bamboo fabric also offers quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties that make it ideal for water-based activities, while its breathable fabric ensures comfort during long, hot hours of wear. 

Outdoor activities where UPF clothing is recommended:

• Playgrounds on sunny or cloudy days
• Hiking and fishing
• Bike and scooter rides
• Gardening or playing outside

Who is UPF Clothing for?  

UPF clothing is suitable for anyone who spends time outdoors, regardless of age or skin type. Whether your kids are playing in the sandbox, hiking with the family, running laps on the playground, or helping you tend the garden, UPF clothing provides valuable sun protection for all outdoor lovers. UPF clothing is particularly beneficial for individuals with fair or sensitive skin, as well as those with a history of sunburn or skin cancer. Additionally, UPF clothing is ideal for children who may be more susceptible to sun damage. Our kids who spend lengthy hours outdoors need all the protection we can give them. Even one bad sunburn as a kid can increase likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life.    

Introducing Drift UPF Sun Shirts 

Drift UPF sun shirts are a fantastic option for those seeking effective and stylish sun protection. Crafted from high-quality UPF bamboo fabric, Drift shirts offer UPF 40+ protection, blocking over 97.5% of harmful UV rays. Our shirts are perfect for any outdoor adventure, from hiking trails, to fishing, to beach days. The bamboo fabric offers moisture-wicking capabilities in addition to being breathable, keeping kids cool on those hot, sunny days! 

UPF protective clothing is an essential tool for safeguarding your skin against the sun's harmful UV rays. With its ability to provide constant protection and the convenience of not needing reapplication like sunscreen, UPF clothing is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're hiking, swimming, or simply enjoying a day outside, investing in UPF clothing ensures you can have fun under the sun safely.