What is UPF Fabric ?

Take a look at any Australian beach on a summer’s days and it’s not hard to see how important protecting our skin and sun protective clothing has become.

Our knowledge around the damage the sun can have on our skin gained significant traction during the 1980’s. We know that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, or 'UVR', from the sun can cause sunburn, skin damage and an increased risk of developing skin cancers.

These days the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) plays an important role in the clothing we decide to wear when outdoors.

Now all fabrics have some ability to block UVR but testing is needed to tell how useful different fabrics are for sun protection by measuring the Ultraviolet Protection Factor or 'UPF' rating of the fabric.

The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) shows how effective fabrics are at blocking out the sun’s rays and reducing a person’s UVR exposure through unstretched, dry material.

There are only four UPF ratings for clothing - UPF15, 30, 50 or 50+.

A UPF rating of 15 is considered to provide 'Minimum Protection'. This may be a basic loose weave cotton t-shirt. A rating of 30 provides 'Good Protection', and ratings of 50 and 50+ such as a tscudo top, provide 'Excellent Protection' due to the fabric structure and tension as well as long sleeve design.

The tighter the fabric structure, whether knitted or woven, the better the sun protection. As the fibres of tightly woven fabrics are closer together, less UV radiation is able to pass through to the skin.

tscudo uses one of the top sun protective fabrics on the planet. Yes, it's UPF50+ but is also 100% recycled polyester which is light weight, quick dry and chlorine proof so perfect in the ocean and pool. 

So when heading outside be sun safe and wear sun protective clothing.

Enjoy your summer!