Our Favorite Gear for Everyday Sun Protection
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The sun is shining and it's back for revenge, but we're ready. We've got sunblock, SPF lip balm, and we've got everyday clothes that will not only keep you cool but protect you from the sun's harmful rays. Each of our picks is SPF or UPF rated to provide protection from skin-damaging UVA and UVB radiation. Keep in mind, though, the best defense against sunburn is a multilayered approach, so be sure to wear sunscreen and cover up. Now get out there and take the fight back to the sun!
Updated August 2023: We've added the Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie, Coolibar Corbella Cardigan, Coolibar High Rise Asana Leggings, and adjusted prices throughout.
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Photograph: Getty ImagesCrunching the Numbers
How Is UPF Different From SPF?Much like the SPF numbers you see on sunscreens, sun-protection clothing has a numerical ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) listed on the product. This number indicates how much ultraviolet light passes through the fabric. A shirt with UPF 50, for instance, will absorb or scatter 98 percent of ultraviolet radiation, allowing only 1/50 of the original UV light to reach your skin. SPF differs in that it measures the amount of time it takes for skin to redden in the sun.
It's hard to gauge exactly how long a specific UPF will protect you, because the UV index changes with the weather and geography in your area. Regular clothing will also protect you; in general, densely woven or darker colors tend to absorb more UV light. The best thing about sun-protective clothing, however, is that unlike an SPF lotion, you never have to reapply a shirt.
- Photograph: REI
Soft, Lightweight Fabric
REI Co-op Sahara HoodieSynthetic sun-protection shirts can be plasticky, and if you happen to sweat at all, they stick to you like cling film. It’s not a great vibe. By comparison, REI’s Sahara Hoodie (which also comes in shirt and T-shirt form) is super soft to the touch and extremely breathable—you can absolutely feel a cool breeze through it when it’s warm and windy out.
I particularly like that the shirt has thumb holes in the sleeves, so the fabric can protect the backs of your hands. Wearing zero sunscreen (always wear sunscreen, kids), the UPF 50 fabric protected my arms and the backs of my hands from developing any uncomfortable rashes or sunburn.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, covers arms, and has fingerless glove built-in.
- Photograph: Solbari
A Breathable Full-Zip Hoodie
Solbari Luxe Hooded Full Zip HoodieSlathering yourself in sunscreen gets tiring during the hot summer months. That's where ultra-lightweight outer layers like the Solbari Full-Zip Hoodie come in handy. It's light and breathable enough that you can feel a nice breeze through it, and you won't get too hot when you're out in the sun, but it also offers enough coverage to keep you safe from those high-UV-index days. It's a lifesaver if you're sensitive to the feeling of sunscreen on your skin.
UPF 50+, synthetic fabric, sizes up to XXL.
- Photograph: Free Fly
Ready for Adventure
Free Fly Bamboo Shade HoodieThis summer, I tried five long-sleeve UPF shirts for running, hiking, climbing, and whitewater rafting, which included the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie, the REI Sahara Hoodie, and the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody. To be honest, I usually ended up ripping the shirts right off my body after about 15 minutes. Wearing a synthetic long-sleeve shirt in the summer to do highly aerobic activities feels a bit like trying to run wearing a sticky scuba suit.
Free Fly’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie is the only shirt that I found to be remotely wearable for long periods of time. This is the one that I ended up wearing on a three-day lake paddling and camping trip. It’s made from 68 percent bamboo cellulose, so the fabric feels a little less like plastic wrap than others I tried. It’s 180 gsm, which is lighter than our other picks, without any zippers or hardware that heats up in the sun to burn you unawares. The hood fits comfortably over my baseball cap, with enough give to paddle kids and one large, elderly dog across a lake. There’s one caveat—although it’s light and comfortable on land and dries quickly on the line, it does feel pretty terrible and soggy when wet. If you’re planning on falling off the paddleboard, you might want to consider a rash guard instead. —Adrienne So
- Photograph: Coolibar
Lightweight, Breathable Leggings
Coolibar High Rise Asana LeggingsUPF clothes, especially leggings, can feel stifling. Too tight, too thick, too warm. That's why Coolibar's Asana Leggings were such a pleasant surprise. They're thick and offer a snug fit, but when I was out and about wearing them in direct sunlight and in warm weather, they still felt breathable. I could still feel a nice breeze on my legs that kept me from overheating. On top of that, they easily pass the squat test—they're completely opaque, no matter how you move or bend.
I was able to wear these out in direct sunlight all day without any sunscreen on my legs, and I had zero issues. No sunburn, no rashes, nothing. Plus, the sizing is very inclusive and it was easy to find a pair in my size.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, available in plus sizes.
- Photograph: Columbia
Leggings With Pockets!
Columbia Anytime Pull-on PantsFinding comfortable leggings as a plus-sized woman is pretty hard; finding them with pockets is like striking gold. My forearms and calfs are the parts of my body most affected by sun sensitivity, and if I’m not wearing jeans, I’m usually resigned to the fact that spending time outside will leave me with a few itchy bumps when I get home.
These leggings are affordable and have a wide size range. I can finally be outside without worrying about staying out of direct sunlight, like an athleisure-clad vampire. And did I mention they have pockets? Pockets!
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, available in plus sizes.
- Photograph: Patagonia
Light and Airy Joggers
Patagonia Men's Terrebonne UPF JoggersEven the lightest UPF leggings can feel oppressive after a while, especially when it's hot out. The nice thing about the Terrebonne UPF joggers is that they protect your legs but still feel airy and breezy when you're out and about. They also have an adjustable waistband and a PFC-free durable water repellent finish, in case your day suddenly turns dark.
- Photograph: Coolibar
An Everyday Cardigan
Coolibar Corbelle CardiganI hate having to slather my arms in sunscreen every time I pop outside for a short walk. So I've been looking for a good, throw-on-as-you-walk-out-the-door kind of solution for a long time, and Coolibar's Corbelle Cardigan fits the bill perfectly.
It's a long, lightweight cardigan that reaches down almost to my knees, it has huge pockets, and it protected my skin completely on a day at the beach. Like Coolibar's leggings, the cardigan is made from a thick, stretchy fabric, but it's surprisingly breathable. You can still enjoy a nice breeze, and you won't overheat wearing this thing even on a long walk on a hot day.
Since I got it, it's been something I wear almost every day. I just grab it on the way out the door in lieu of slathering up when I'm headed out for a short while.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, covers arms, and has fingerless glove built in.
- Photograph: Cornelia
Everyday Elegance
Cornelia James Audrey GlovesOne of the worst parts of having serious sun sensitivity is having to cover your hands everyday. It's annoying, and stretchy spandex gloves aren't very cute.
These are a luxury pick, but I was extremely stoked to check out UPF gloves from Cornelia James, a British glovemaker who brings much-needed fashion sense to the category. The Swiss cotton Audrey gloves feel super breathable and comfy on the hands, and I didn’t have any problems using my phone through them. On top of that, they look and feel luxurious and elegant. They look like part of an outfit rather than a medical necessity.
UPF 50, cotton fabric, full protection even without sunscreen.
- Photograph: Solbari
Hand Covers
Solbari Hand Covers for Sensitive SkinSometimes gloves are just too constraining and sleeves provide too much coverage. In such moments I've found myself turning to hand covers like these. Fingerless, with a little more wrist coverage than your average glove offers, these hand covers are great for anytime you're wearing sleeves, or if your hands are the most sensitive parts of your skin (like they are for me).
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, small and large sizes available.
- Photograph: Amazon
Plus One to Dexterity
Coolibar Backspin Arm SleevesFingerless gloves and sleeves are great for covering up your forearms and the backs of your hands. Unfortunately they also cover your palms, which can get uncomfortable after a while and makes playing hand-related sports nearly impossible. Thankfully, Coolibar's Backspin sleeves loop over your fingers but keep your palms totally free.
- Photograph: Coolibar
A Multi-Purpose Blanket
Coolibar Savannah Sun BlanketThis should be in everyone's hiking/beach trip/road trip kit. The Coolibar Savannah Blanket is super lightweight, about as heavy as a microfiber cloth, breathable, and it provides UPF 50 sun protection. I swear I'm never going on another picnic without one. With this blanket handy, you can feel comfortable just lying in the shade on a sunny day without watching the clock to make sure you're reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. It's great for just draping over your legs or shoulders to protect you from the worst of the sun's rays.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, 40 inches by 30 inches. Keep in mind it's a blanket, not a towel—it's not very absorbent, and the instructions say to avoid too much salt water or chlorine.
- Photograph: REI
Head Gear
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure HatI don't usually wear a hat—I'm more of a sunglasses and hoody girl. But my colleague Adrienne So loves hats from Sunday Afternoons for both herself and her kids. The hat comes in two adjustable sizes, and it has a long tail to cover the backs of big or little necks. It has mesh panels for breathability, and it's collapsible, so you can shove it into a bag on your way out the door. There's even a sunglass sleeve for keeping track of your eyewear while you're out and about.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, available in two sizes.
- Photograph: Duluth Trading
Yard Guard
Duluth Trading Heirloom Gardening ShirtThe Duluth Gardening Shirt is like any other button-down, but it has a bunch of super convenient pockets and killer UPF 50 sun protection. It wears just like a lightweight outdoor shirt—breezy and breathable—but it has a few features you won’t find in other shirts. First up, it has deep vertical pockets, perfect for carrying gardening tools, a phone, gloves, or peanuts for neighborhood crows. You’ll find two of these pockets on the front of the shirt and two on the back. It’s basically like a pair of cargo shorts but for your torso. The sun protection is top-notch; I never blistered anywhere I was covered by the shirt’s fabric.
UPF 50, synthetic fabric, with long sleeves and deep pockets.
- Photograph: Coolibar
Parasols Are Back!
Coolibar 48-Inch Calotta Travel ParasolIf you're feeling the need to reenact your favorite period film, investing in a parasol is a great idea. You might feel a little weird at first using a giant umbrella on a bright sunny day, but they provide amazing sun protection and coverage. It's a little much for a jaunt to the local café, but for a beach trip, having a big sun-repellent umbrella handy will keep you cool and protected from direct sunlight.
As much as I adore the look of those gothic lace parasols, they don't actually provide much, if any, protection from the sun. The Coolibar Sodalis might not be as stylish and dark academia-chic, but it will do a much better job of shielding your skin from the sun.
UPF 50+, synthetic fabric, 48-inch diameter.
- Photograph: Sun Bum
Don’t Forget Your Lips!
Sun Bum SPF Lip Balm
- Photograph: Dermatone
No-Touch Sunscreen
Dermatone No Touch Stick SunscreenSometimes you just don't want sticky sunscreen all over your hands. That’s where Dermatone’s no-touch stick sunscreen comes in. It’s the pick of the US Olympic Ski and Snowboard Team (for applying with thick gloves on), and for good reason. It provides broad-spectrum protection up to 50 SPF, it’s reef-safe, and you can apply it while keeping your hands nice and clean.
Adrienne So also likes Vertra's skin tone sunscreen stick ($20), which applies super smoothly and doesn't run off her face and into her eyes when she runs.
- Photograph: Buff
Face and Nose Protection
Buff OriginalThe Buff Original is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a flexible neck gaiter that can be easily worn as a face mask, headband, wrist band, or a million different ways. This one boasts UPF 50 sun protection and will help keep your face and nose protected from sunburn when you're out on the beach or on the trail.
- Photograph: Julbo USA
Everyday Eye Protection
Julbo USA Explorer 2.0 Glacier GlassesEven if you're in the shade, that sunlight beaming down from a couple million miles away isn’t just getting absorbed and scattered by the concrete or trees around you. It’s getting reflected right back into your soft, tender eyeballs. These glasses from Julbo USA have UV-protective lenses and side coverings to protect your eyes from every direction. Don't forget to check out our Best Sunglasses guide for other picks.
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