SOLARSEALZ™ UV PROTECTION
What is UV Protective Clothing and does it Really Work?
BY AMELIA FIRTH
JULY 2026
Featured in this article
Shropham
Shropham
Lightweight Foldable Trail Cap
3 colors available
Matlask
Matlask
Quick Dry Perforated Cap
4 colors available
Broomhill
Broomhill
Kid's Foldable Cap with Neck Protector
2 colors available
Barford
Barford
Kid's Rash Vest
2 colors available
Illington
Illington
Men's Organic Cotton Graphic Tee
1 color available
Themelthorpe
Themelthorpe
Men's Organic Cotton Graphic Tee
1 color available
WHAT IS UV PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND DOES IT REALLY WORK?
UV clothing is designed to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can lead to sunburn, premature skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer. Both UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the outer and inner layers of the skin, which is why it is important to protect your skin whenever you're spending time outdoors.
Whether you're walking, hiking, running or enjoying everyday activities in the sun, wearing Sealskinz UV-protective clothing helps reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays without the need to constantly reapply sun cream.
UV-protective clothing offers benefits such as:
- Reliable sun protection for covered areas throughout the day.
- UPF-rated fabrics that help block harmful UVA and UVB rays.
- Comfortable, breathable materials designed for active outdoor use.
- Long-lasting protection that won't wear off like sunscreen during your adventure.
This makes UV-protective clothing a simple and effective way to stay protected while enjoying time outdoors, whether you're heading out for a short walk or a full day on the trail.
DON'T FORGET YOUR LITTLE ONES!
Our Oulton Foldable Cap offers lightweight protection for the face and scalp.
Its quick-drying design makes it ideal for active children moving between water and land activities.
PERFECT FOR:
- Beach trips
- Camping
- Family walks
- Everyday sun
For maximum all-around coverage, our Woodton Boonie Hat provides protection across the face, ears, and neck.
Its wider brim helps reduce direct sun exposure while the neck protector offers extra coverage during long days outdoors.
PERFECT FOR:
- Family holidays
- Hiking & camping
- Everyday sun
For increased coverage, Broomhill combines a practical cap design with an integrated neck protector. This additional coverage helps shield the back of the neck, your kids' ears and upper shoulders, some of the most commonly missed areas when applying cream.
PERFECT FOR:
- Summer holidays
- Building sandcastles
- Hiking & camping
PROTECTING YOUR KIDS
The effects of UV exposure are even more significant for children due to their thinner, more delicate skin, which is more vulnerable to UV damage as they grow. That's why Sealskinz developed a range of kids' UV-protective rash vests, swim shorts and caps with neck protectors, designed to help reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure while keeping children comfortable during outdoor adventures.
Why UV Protection Matters for Kids
- Children's skin is thinner and more sensitive to UV rays.
- Sun damage in childhood can have long-term effects.
- UPF clothing provides consistent protection for covered areas.
- Perfect for days at the beach, swimming, paddling and outdoor play.
FAQs
Yes. UV-protective clothing is a safe and effective way to help protect children's sensitive skin from harmful UV rays. It offers reliable coverage for areas that are often exposed to the sun, making it ideal for days at the beach, swimming, outdoor play and family holidays. Combined with sunscreen on exposed skin, a hat and sunglasses, UPF clothing helps keep children comfortable and better protected during time outside.
It depends on how the garment achieves its UV protection. High-quality UV clothing, like Sealskinz' Solarsealz™ range, is designed with tightly woven fabrics and durable materials that maintain their UPF rating through normal washing and wear when cared for according to the care instructions. However, excessive wear, fabric stretching or damage can reduce a garment's effectiveness over time.
UV-protective clothing and sunscreen work best when used together rather than as alternatives. UV clothing provides consistent, long-lasting protection for the areas it covers without needing to be reapplied, making it ideal for activities like hiking, running and cycling. Sunscreen should still be applied to any exposed skin, including the face, hands and legs, to ensure complete sun protection.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how effectively a fabric blocks the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching your skin. For example, UPF 50+ clothing blocks at least 98% of UVA and UVB rays, allowing less than 2% of UV radiation to pass through the fabric. The higher the UPF rating, the greater the level of protection, making it ideal for long days spent outdoors.
