This UV-protective clothing keeps you safe from the sun whether you're an outdoor sports enthusiast or at-home gardener
10 UV-Protective Clothing and Accessories to Stylishly Block Harmful Rays
Updated Jan. 18, 2024
If you’re looking for UV-protective clothing for outdoor activities, you need to look for UPF or Ultraviolet Protection Factor on the label. Like a broad-spectrum SPF in sunscreen, UPF indicates the fabric’s protection against both skin-burning UVB rays and insidious UVA rays, which age skin and can cause dangerous skin cancers.
The highest UPF you’ll find is 50+, which means that the fabric will block 98 percent of the sun’s rays, but anything over 30 is considered very good protection and is eligible for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation.
Good UV protective clothing may also have cool-wicking technology and antimicrobial properties to keep it from getting smelly.
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Jane Shine Bucket Hat
With UPF 50+ protection, this women’s bucket hat comes with handy features, including a drawstring chin strap with a toggle for windy conditions and boat or bike rides. Furthermore, the mesh insert around the top cuts down on sweat, and the wide brim covers the ears and neck. It’s foldable for packing and the material is quick-drying, should you get caught in the rain. Bonus: Some designs even include a ponytail opening in the back.
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Mission Cooling Bucket Hat
With a 3-inch-wide brim and side snaps, this cooling bucket hat has a UPF 50 rating. It’s designed to feel cooling if you soak it in water and wring it out before wearing. The brim is wide enough to shade your eyes and it has an adjustable cord to keep it in place. It comes in nine colors and patterns.
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Baby Sun Hat
Don’t leave out your littlest family members when it comes to head and face protection. Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to sunburn—and as sunscreen shouldn’t be used on infants younger than 6 months, UV protective clothing is the way to go. A good sunhat is easy to put on (and hard for them to pull off) and provides coverage for ears and the back of the neck. This cotton and spandex UPF 50+ hat not only includes a back flap and a front that can be flipped up, but it has a drawstring in the front and another in the back to adjust the fit—very handy for growing children.
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Columbia Bahama Long Sleeve Shirt
This UV-protective clothing is aimed at fishermen, but with so many great features, it’s a shame to limit it to one type of wearer. This quick-drying nylon long sleeve shirt in men’s sizes has a UPF 30 rating, a back vent, two chest pockets with Velcro closures and roll-up sleeves. These features are ideal whether you’re on the water or working outdoors. Many buyers note that it tends to run large, so choose your size and color options accordingly.
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Jessie Kidden Quick-Dry UV Protection Shirt
Stay cool with wicking technology and all the other wonderful features of this convertible sleeve shirt in women’s sizes. Made of UPF 50 fabric, this shirt includes two chest pockets with closures, a sunglasses loop, a flip-up collar to protect your neck, roll-up sleeves with a button loop and a mesh-lined vented back.
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Baleaf Long Sleeve Rash Guard
Baleaf’s long-sleeve pullovers are UPF 50+ and quick-drying to wick away moisture when you’re running, working or hanging out in the sun. The tagless collar and flat seams reduce chafing, and the raglan-style sleeves give a wider range of motion in the shoulders. It’s a great sun shirt option to protect against those harmful rays. It comes in men’s sizes in 24 colors.
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Sun Protection Hoodie Jacket
Whether you’re running, hiking or beach-strolling, the soft fabric of this hoodie jacket remains lightweight and breathable. Like other great outdoor jackets, this hoodie style offers neck protection from the sun, while the sleeves have thumb loops to completely cover your arms. Other features include a full-length zipper, zippered side pockets and a phone-friendly interior pocket. It comes in women’s sizes in 18 colors.
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Kanu Surf Platinum Rashguard
Rashguard shirts have a tight fit to avoid chafing or rubbing, whether jumping in the surf or playing in the water. Kanu Surf’s boy’s swim shirts are available in short and long sleeves with UPF 50 sun protection. Made with nylon and spandex for a good fit, the raglan sleeves offer flexible movement as well. This style comes in boys’ sizes from 2T to 14-16 and 10 colors. Kanu makes UV-protective clothing for men and women, too, in case you want to keep it all in the family.
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Cover-Up Beach Dress
You’ve got to come out of the water sometime, and when you do, pull this cover-up dress over your swimsuit for UV protection with UPF 50+. This cover-up shields from the sun with its long sleeves and a hood in a casual T-shirt style. The polyester/spandex blend fabric is soft and stretchy with a flattering V-neck, pockets and an above-the-knee length that works alone or paired with leggings or yoga pants.
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Baleaf Sports Dress
It’s game, set and match with this tennis dress with built-in shorts. Featuring a streamlined design and a polyester and spandex mix, the UPF 50 fabric adds comfort to your next outdoor game, whether that be golf or pickleball. The separated shorts are an added bonus of this quick-dry piece that’s available in various colors and sizes.
Originally Published: June 23, 2023
