You may love the sun, but does it love you? Not to put a bummer on your summer, but too much sunlight can wrinkle your skin, cause skin cancer, dehydrate you, and even lead to cataracts. Many other mammals have fur to protect them from the sun’s rays. But not us. Fortunately, we have sun-protective clothing.
Not all clothes offer equal protection from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that garments with the highest Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) are densely woven, loose, and cover as much skin as possible. Dark colors absorb more UV rays than light colors. Unbleached cotton absorbs UV, and some synthetics protect you by reflecting radiation. Unfortunately, any garment will lose some protective ability if it gets wet or stretched. Here is some of the best UPF-rated, sun-protective clothing on the market to protect you during your summer adventures.