UPF Clothing vs Sunscreen: Do You Need Both?

Short answer: yes.  

Slightly longer answer: sunscreen and UPF clothing do different jobs. Sunscreen protects exposed skin, while UPF clothing creates a layer of protection over the skin it covers. 

So, rather than choosing one over the other, think of them as your sun-protection double act. One covers what your clothes can't. The other means you don't have to rely on sunscreen for every inch of skin you're wearing. 

Here's what UPF 50+ actually means, how it compares with SPF and when sun-protective clothing makes sense. 

What is UPF 50+? 

UPF stands for Ultraviolet protection factor, a rating for how much UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) a fabric blocks. A UPF 50+ garment allows no more than around 2% of UV radiation through the fabric, meaning it blocks around 98%. That's why UPF 50+ clothing can be such a useful part of your sun-protection kit, especially when you're spending long periods outdoors.

But the UPF rating isn't the only thing that matters. Coverage, fit and how you wear the garment all play a part too. 

And unlike sunscreen, you don't need to stop what you're doing to reapply UPF protection to the skin covered by your clothing 

UPF vs SPF: what's the difference?

It's an easy mix-up, but UPF and SPF measure different things: 

Think of it simply: 

UPF = fabric 
SPF = sunscreen 

UPF measures how much UVA and UVB radiation passes through a fabric. SPF is a rating used for sunscreen that primarily measures protection against UVB, the main cause of sunburn. Broad-spectrum sunscreens also provide protection against UVA. 

The numbers aren't directly comparable, either. UPF 50+ doesn't mean it's "better" than SPF 50. They're measuring different types of protection in different ways. 

Worth remembering too: SPF is relative to your own skin. A number that's plenty for one person's skin tone and sun sensitivity might not stretch as far for someone else's, sunscreen isn't a one-size-fits-all shield. 

Do you need sunscreen under UPF clothing? 

For skin actually covered by a UPF 50+ garment, no, the fabric is already doing the job. That's the beauty of sun-protective clothing: the fabric is doing the protecting for the skin it covers. 

But sunscreen still matters for everything your clothing doesn't cover, think your face, ears, neck, hands and any other exposed skin. 

When should you reach for UPF 50+ clothing? 

Sunscreen still earns its place, for your face, hands, and anywhere skin is exposed. But UPF clothing pulls ahead on the days when reapplying sunscreen realistically isn't going to happen the way it should: 

Heading out for a hike, travelling, spending a day at the beach or simply knowing you'll be outside for hours? UPF clothing gives you another layer of protection without needing to think about reapplying sunscreen to covered skin. 

For lightweight coverage, the SUN-Stopper LT Long Sleeve Top combines UPF 50+ protection with breathable comfort, making it an easy layer to throw on when you're heading outside. 

Kathmandu's Men's Ridge Pants bring UPF 50+ protection into a four-way stretch hiking pant, giving you coverage through whatever the day throws at you, from rock scrambling to jumps across streams. 

A UPF 50+ hoodie can add coverage around areas that are otherwise easy to leave exposed, particularly your neck. 

The SUN-Stopper LT Hoodie features a three-panel hood and cowl-neck opening for extra coverage, with lightweight, breathable fabric designed for comfortable movement outdoors. 

Your face, ears and neck are some of the areas that can be easy to overlook when you're focused on sunscreen and getting out the door. 

A wide-brimmed UPF hat adds another layer of coverage while keeping things simple. The Trailhead UPF50+ Wide Brim Hat is made from lightweight recycled ripstop and features a wide brim plus a toggled chin strap to help keep it secure when you're on the move. 

How to choose UPF 50+ clothing 

Not all sun-protective clothing is created equal. If you're shopping for UPF clothing, there are a few things worth checking. 

From lightweight UPF 50+ tops and hiking pants to wide-brimmed hats and hoodies, each piece gives you another way to build protection into what you wear, without compromising on comfort or how you want to spend your day outside.

The takeaway 

UPF clothing and sunscreen aren't an either-or. 

Think of UPF 50+ clothing as your first layer of sun protection, covering the skin it's designed to cover. Sunscreen then takes care of the skin your clothing can't. 

Add a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade when you can, and you've got a more complete approach to staying protected outdoors. 

Because the less time you spend thinking about sun protection, the more time you have for the good stuff: getting outside.