Enjoying the outdoors would not be possible without protection from the sun. A good quality sunshirt can help you enjoy the outing without getting any damage to your skin. This guide will help you make the right choice while considering factors such as material, UV protection, fit, and many more.
Importance of Sun Protection Shirts for Women
Before discussing the main details, we need to understand why a sunshirt is a big deal. Sunshirts have an enormous benefit compared to regular clothing types. On a hot sunny day, your skin is vulnerable to UV radiation causing numerous problems like burning, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Sun shirts are specifically designed to protect you against such exposure and risks.
Moreover, these shirts have the UPF rating that normal clothes do not hold. The UPF level identifies how effective a sunshirt will be against ultraviolet radiation. In other words, sunshirts will keep you safe from sun impacts without a doubt.
The Main Factors Worth Considering
Understand the Fabric
When it comes to choosing a sunshirt for women, the material is key for both comfort and protection from the sun. Here is a brief guide:
- Polyester: Prominent for its features such as durability and the ability to repel moisture. Moreover, quality sunshirts with polyester fabric will help you avoid overly sweaty skin while keeping you comfortable and dry at all times.
- Nylon: Like Polyester, Nylon fabric is also very durable and has the ability to dry very fast making it suitable for performing wear.
- Cotton: Not surprisingly, cotton is one of the most breathable and comfortable ones. However, it should be noted that cotton is not ideal for drawing sweat away. Hence, many sunshirts are made of this material, but it is mixed with other fabrics to provide the moisture balance property.
UV Protection
One of the key purposes of a sun shirt is to safeguard your skin from the effects of the rays from the sun. The shirt you wear should be of high UPF. This value indicates what percentage of ultraviolet radiation can penetrate through the fabric and affect the skin. Hence, the higher the UPF rating on the shirt, the more protection it can offer. Ideally, the shirt you chose should come with UPF 30 and above if you have to get exposed to the sun.
Fit and Comfort
As important as the design of your sun shirt is, the issue of fit and comfort should not be over-looked:
- Mobility: When choosing your sunshirt do not neglect the prospect activities. During physical activities like hiking, swimming and volleyball, ensure your shirt does not restrict your movement.
- Ventilation: In addition, your shirt should have good and quite impressive ventilation so that there is enough airflow. Likewise, some brands and models of the shirt have mesh panels or strategically placed air vents to reduce the feel of the shirt.
- Seams and tags: Last but not least, inspect the garment for a flat seam and no tag as no one wants chafing and irritation while in the attire
Style and Design
Sun protective shirts are available in multiple styles. Your choice depends on the activity you are planning and your preferences. Here is a guide for these considerations:
- Long sleeve: Long sleeves mean that all your skin will be protected. Thus, this option is appropriate for long exposure to the sun.
- Short sleeve: When you do not need full arm protection, you may want to choose short sleeves for free movement.
- Hooded: With the hood option, your neck and head are fully protected. You need this type of clothing when you are going kayaking or angling in full sunshine.
Sun Protection Shirts for Women: Key features
Check out these key features to consider when shopping for sun protection shirts for women:
Moisture-wicking and quick-drying
As you might have noticed, most outdoor activities are associated with sweating. Moisture-wicking shirts made of ultra-light polyester wick the sweat away from your skin, making you completely comfortable. This also means no chafing.
Odor Resistance
Some sunshirts are treated with anti-microbial agents to control odor-generating bacteria. This can be especially useful for those who want to wear the same shirt for an extended period or on a multi-day trip.
Pockets
Pockets can be useful for quick storage of small items that you might want to keep at hand, such as your key, sunglasses, or a small snack. If you have anything that you are particularly worried about losing, look for shirts with zippered pockets.
Thumbholes
Thumbholes are a great way to help keep your sleeves from riding up and to add a bit of extra protection for the back of your hand.
Reflective Elements
If you are planning on running or hiking on portions of your trip in low-light conditions, consider getting a shirt with reflective elements. It will provide more visibility and safety.
Top Picks for Women’s Sun Shirts
Here are a few women’s sun shirts that will give you a good starting point:
Columbia Women’s Tamiami II Long Sleeve Shirt
- Material: 100% Polyester
- UPF Rating: 40
- Features: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, antimicrobial treatment, mesh-lined vent at the back
Baleaf Women’s UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard
- Material: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Features: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, flatlock seams, thumbholes
Hanes Sport Women’s Cool DRI Performance Long Sleeve Tee
- Material: 100% Polyester
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Features: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, odor-resistant, flatlock seams
Eddie Bauer Women’s Resolution Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
- Material: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Features: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, odor-resistant, zippered pocket
Outdoor Research Women’s Echo Hoodie
- Material: 100% Polyester
- UPF Rating: 15-20
- Features: Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, antimicrobial treatment, flatlock seams, thumbholes, hood
Care and Maintenance
To make sure your sun shirt stays durable for a long time, follow these care tips:
- Wash According to Instructions: Always refer to the care label and follow the manufacturer’s advice. In most cases, sunshirts can be machine-washed in cold water.
- Avoid Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners can reduce moisture-wicking and UV protection properties.
- Line Dry: If possible, hang your sunshirt outside to dry – it will help the garment keep its shape and fabric integrity. Finally, using high heat in the dryer is also not recommended.
Choosing the right sun protection shirts for women may be a challenging task, as many factors and features need to be considered, such as fabric, UV protection, fit, style, and additional options. Hopefully, now you know what you need to look at and how to choose a sun shirt that will be able to provide you with the highest level of protection during your outdoor activities. No matter if you are hiking, swimming, or just taking a walk because if the sun is shining, you need to be safe.
