Sun Protective Clothing - UPF shirts are the new sunscreen.

The Sun is Our Friend(And Our Enemy)

Living in Minnesota brings a ton of summer days.  Ok not really.  We get a short repreave from the cold to suck up some Vitamin D and a few warm rays before it's back to layering season.  But one thing to remember when baring your skin for our 4 short months is to make sure we get protection from harmful UV rays.  Like all things in life moderation is the key.  Thankfully we have a full gamut of UPF rated clothing available to us now that are rated as high as 100 UPF(Ultraviolet Protection Factor).  These clothes are designed to keep you cool, dry, and covered while you're enjoying the outdoors.

How UPF Clothes are Rated

UPF is the rating system used for apparel. It’s similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the rating system used for sunscreen products. SPF pertains only to a sunscreen's effectiveness against UVB rays, considered to be the more damaging type of light. UPF, though, gauges a fabric's effectiveness against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

When you shop, things are relatively simple: Look for a higher UPF rating number in order to get better sun protection.

A UPF rating of 25 indicates the fabric of a garment will allow 1/25^th (roughly 4 percent) of available UV radiation to pass through it. A garment rated UPF 50 permits only 1/50^th (roughly 2 percent) UV transmission. Any fabric that allows less than 2 percent UV transmission is labeled UPF 50+.

Why you don’t see ratings below UPF 15: Fabrics rated below UPF 15 are not considered UV-protective. A typical white cotton T-shirt, for example, offers about a UPF 5 rating, which means that 20 percent (1/5) of available UV radiation passes through it.

Factors that enhance UPF ratings: As a shopper, you only need to look at the UPF spec on a garment. Clothing makers will already have considered the following factors in trying to achieve that level of sun protection:

• Construction: Dense, tight construction minimizes the amount of UV light that can pass through. Thicker fabrics also reduce UV transmission.
• Color: Generally, darker colors absorb more rays overall, including UV rays. Within the same color, more vibrant hues outperform paler ones.
• Treatments: Chemicals and dyes that are effective at absorbing UV light can be added to enhance UPF.
• Fiber type: Polyester does an excellent job at disrupting UV light, as does nylon. Wool and silk are moderately effective. Cotton, rayon, flax and hemp fabrics often score low without added treatments.

New Fabrics Can Cool

In addition to being UPF rated, new garments are coming out with cooling technology built into them in order to provide a true summer shirt.  After all what good is wearing long sleeves if you're going to sweat.  Some of the manufacturers use chemical additives that activate with moisture to bring your body temperature down as you sweat.  Others, like Coolcore fabric featured on Blackfish UPF shirts, will lower your body surface temperature up to 30% while wicking away moisture and regulating it's evaporation.   

Staff Picks for 2019

Drake Shield-4 Mesh Back Performance Crew - $54.99

Built to handle all-day expeditions, the Shield 4™ Mesh Back Crew Neck L/S provides optimal protection and comfort when the sun threatens to cut your time on the water short. The four-way stretch construction allows flexibility and unhindered mobility, while the snug-fit forearms keep the sleeves from riding up during casts. Breathable mesh on the back and underarms works to keep you cool all day long. The Shield 4™ Mesh Back Crew Neck L/S is engineered with our Shield 4™ technology to guarantee all-around protection from the elements.

Blackfish Gear Guide Long Sleeve Shirt - $49.99

The UPF Guide Shirt series has one of the highest sun protection ratings in an outdoor garment. Designed with two-tone, chemical free CoolCore fabric, the Guide long sleeve shirt provides maximum cooling comfort for hot days. This unique fabric is unlike any other and is designed for avid outdoors enthusiasts that need protection from the sun as well as the ability to stay cool. And without chemical additives, it never loses its sun protection or cooling properties even after repeat use and washing.

Columbia PFG Terminal Deflector ZERO Long Sleeve Shirt - $65.00

DON’T SWEAT IT
This PFG shirt provides next-to-skin comfort thanks to our sweat-activated, super cooling technology.

SUN DEFLECTING
In addition to UPF 50, this shirt deflects sunlight away from you, so you feel cooler and stay protected.

SERIOUS DETAIL
A higher neckline and cuffs that cover the top of your hand add that extra mile of sun protection you’ll appreciate.