UPF50 Sun Protection

Sun Damage

Invisible to the naked eye, ultraviolet (UV) rays are part of the electromagnetic energy received from the sun. UVA (longwave) and UVB (shortwave) rays penetrate the earth’s atmosphere and can cause damage to our skin. It is estimated that 95% of the radiation that reaches the earth’s surface comes from UVA rays. UVA rays are responsible for causing wrinkles, sun spots, and other signs of premature aging. UVB rays are the reason we get sunburns and skin cancer, as they affect the top layer of the skin. The UV Index measures the level of risk of damage from the sun’s UV rays for the average person. The Environmental Protection Agency has created a UV Index mobile app to make it easy for you to assess your risk. But how much damage can the sun actually cause? Here’s what you need to know:

Sunlight includes rays of UV radiation.
Exposure can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.
UV rays damage the DNA of skin cells, which can cause skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, sunlight is the main source of UV exposure.

STAY PROTECTED

When playing outside is how you get your fun, it’s important to know how to stay protected from the sun. Wearing a UPF sun protective hat is one of the best ways to play it safe. When choosing a hat, make sure that it is designed for sun protection and tested to confirm its Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). UPF is the system that rates a fabric’s effectiveness against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Ratings are accompanied by a number to indicate the level of protection. The higher the number, the greater the protection.

Most of our hats carry a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, which is the highest possible. A UPF of 50+ blocks out 98%+ of UV rays when worn, meaning less than 2% of UV rays are transmitted, allowing you to diminish the sun, not the fun. Hats with a high UPF rating and a broad brim are especially helpful in these cases:

Sun-sensitivity: People with fair skin tend to burn easily and are more vulnerable to UV rays. Be aware! Even if you have a darker skin tone and rarely burn, you can still develop skin cancer.
Children: Kids have thinner, more sensitive skin. Sun damage at an early age can also increase their risk later in life. And since 80% of skin damage happens before the age of 18, it’s good to get kids started with smart sun protection early.
High-elevations: People who spend lots of time outdoors at high elevations are exposed to more intense UV rays. With less atmosphere to absorb damaging rays, it’s important to stay protected at altitude. Snow and water also intensify the absorption of UV rays. Sunday Afternoons sun-protective hats feature dark underbrims that reduce glare and reflect UV rays.
Health conditions/medications: People with skin cancer and those recovering from serious burns are more vulnerable. Medications including acne treatments, antihistamines, antibiotics, certain anti-inflammatories, and even herbal supplements can increase your sensitivity to the sun. Check with a medical professional about your level of risk.

Thick, dense, and darker colored fabrics tend to do a better job reducing the transmission of UV rays. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon disrupt UV rays more effectively than natural fabrics such as cotton and hemp.

UPF TESTING

The fabrics we use are rigorously tested by independent third-party labs to ensure a UPF 50+ rating, and performance is measured using U.S. UPF rating standard AATCC183. UV rays react differently to weave, color, and pattern which is why we test every fabric we use every season.

BUT WHAT ABOUT SPF?

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a rating system used for sunscreen and sunblock products like lotions and creams. Sunscreen with a high SPF rating will help protect the skin against damage from UV rays.

TOTAL PROTECTION

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a rating system used for sunscreen and sunblock products like lotions and creams. Sunscreen with a high SPF rating will help protect the skin against damage from UV rays.

Wear a wide brim UPF 50+ hat.
When possible, wear UV-protective clothing.
Wear sunglasses that offer 100% UV ray protection.
Liberally apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating to all exposed areas of skin. Remember to reapply every 80 minutes to ensure proper coverage.
Monitor—and limit—the amount of time you expose yourself to UV radiation, especially during peak daylight hours— roughly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Remember that filtered sun can still damage your skin, so protect yourself on cloudy days, too.
Seek out shady trails or activities during peak daylight hours.

HAT BUYING GUIDE

Whether you’re hiking, running, gardening, fishing, sailing, skiing, or just hanging out, our hats offer 50+ UPF sun protection and innovative technical features. When seeking optimal UPF sun protection, use the following criteria to choose the hat that’s right for you:

EXTENDED COVERAGE

Our patented, iconic Original Adventure Hat and Ultra Adventure Hat styles have protective neck capes and brims.

VENTILATION

It goes without saying, no one likes a hot head. Look for styles that include excellent ventilation.

WIDE BRIM

Our Charter Hat features a 3¼" front brim and 3½" back brim, plus UPF 50+ protective crown mesh ventilation. The Latitude and Sun Guardian Hats are also great choices for an extra wide brim for added sun protection

FIT

Make sure the fit is right for you! Many of Sunday Afternoons’ hats incorporate internal or external adjustable sizing systems like our patented StretchBack Sizing™ system, to ensure a tailored fit.

DARK UNDERBRIM

A darker underbrim reduces glare, a huge plus when exercising in full sun.

QUICK-DRYING FABRICS

Many of our styles feature chemicalfree Coolcore® materials that wick moisture away, allowing you to stay cool and comfortable while you’re hiking, running, fishing or just hanging out.