Summertime brings endless days full of possibility, with likely a lot of time spent out there. Whether you’re an avid hiker, enjoy a sunny day at the park, or love to build sandcastles at the beach – time spent in the sun, especially in New Zealand and Australia, comes with some risk.
What can you do to be sun smart this summer?
Aside from planning shade-friendly activities, slapping on some sunscreen, or waiting all day for the sun to set, you can add UPF clothing to your wardrobe.
Wearing UPF clothing protects your skin against harmful UV radiation. It’s simple, really — the higher the number on the UPF clothing tag, the greater the protection. For example, a UPF 50 rating means only 1/50th, or 2%, of the sun’s UV radiation will pass through the fabric and reach the skin.
When should you wear UPF clothing?
If you’re planning to spend prolonged time in the sun, like at the beach or on an exposed hike, UPF clothing is a great choice. It’ll provide the protection you need, without needing to reapply sunscreen to the covered areas or asking your mates to cover your back properly.
UPF clothing is a quick option to cover up, providing a lightweight, moisture-wicking layer that won’t weigh you down when you hit the ridge line in the heat of the day. It’ll keep you going longer, too — no need to reapply sunscreen to the covered areas — or worry about your backpack straps or sweat wiping away your sunblock efforts.
Especially in New Zealand and Australia where the sun’s rays are particularly strong, these layers help us stay protected during the in-between seasons when we’re less likely to think about sunscreen. We’re also partial to bringing UPF clothing along on our water escapades — no worries about reapplying sunscreen after a quick dip!
Do I still need to apply sunscreen?
While UPF clothing provides protection to the areas it covers, you’ll still need to apply sunscreen to uncovered areas. We also recommend that you always wear a UPF hat — preferably one with neck protection! — and apply sunscreen to exposed areas, like hands and feet.
Will regular clothes do the job?
Based on its purposeful design and construction, plus sometimes treatment, UPF clothing provides more coverage than regular clothing. UPF clothing usually includes features such as higher necklines, long sleeves, looser fits, and hoods allowing for more areas to be covered. As always, though, there’ll be sections of your body not covered by clothing, so be sure to sunscreen up any exposed skin!
SUN-Stopper, SUN-Scout, WTR-Seeker - how do I choose?
First, it’s good to note that all of our UPF clothing is UPF 50+ — rated as excellent. All of our clothing also reaches this incredible standard through design & construction, not added chemicals. This is a huge achievement and means that the UPF protection won’t wash out in the wash — woo!
Now a breakdown of our offering.
Our SUN-Stopper range is made in a knit fabric. Our t-shirts and tops have a four-way stretch, Polygiene® anti-odour finish, wicking properties, and roomy fits. This makes the range a great choice for athletic pursuits, including hiking, active beach excursions, and anything else you might work up a sweat while doing.
The WTR-Seeker range is also made from a knit fabric and, as the name suggests, is made for active water (see what we did there? WTR.) based activities. Think hikes near rivers where you’ll be tempted to jump in, but still want sun protection. These are quick-drying and feature moisture-wicking properties, but no anti-odour element. We reckon a quick jump in a cool stream will help with that!
Our SUN-Scout range is perfect for those looking for sun protection in more casual settings — think backyard bbqs and neighbourhood dog walks. There’s no stretch in these shirts, but they do feature a peppermint-oil finish to help keep them feeling fresh and have moisture-wicking properties.
We love getting out there and want you to have the best time enjoying nature — which means helping you avoid sunburn and sun damage! Enjoying the sunshine while staying protected from dangerous UV radiation is just one way we can help you enjoy the outdoors a little bit more.