What is UPF vs SPF
Compromise
Sun Protection
& Style
Designed for the life you actually live and love outside.
Measures how long before UVB rays cause redness and visible skin damage — on cream alone. Washes off. Wears off. Reapply every two hours.
Topical · DegradesMeasures how much UV radiation — UVA and UVB — a fabric physically blocks. No reapplication. No missed spots. Woven in permanently.
Structural · Always onSame number. Completely different protection. Here's why the UPF sun hat wins.
Blocks UVB only — UVA rays that cause aging and deeper damage still get through
Degrades within 2 hours — heat, sweat, and water strip it away
Easy to miss spots — ears, hairline, back of neck routinely under-applied
Lab results assume a thick even layer — real-world use delivers far less
Blocks both UVA and UVB — full spectrum protection from a single layer
Never degrades — protection is structural, not chemical. Works all day, every day
Zero missed spots — every inch the hat covers is fully protected, every time
Performance is guaranteed — tested and certified, not dependent on application
The real difference: SPF 40 sunscreen blocks about 97.5% of UVB rays under ideal lab conditions. UPF 40 fabric blocks 97.5% of all UV radiation — UVA and UVB — every single time you wear it, no reapplication required. Same number. Dramatically more reliable protection.
Why UPF 40 is our standard: At UPF 40, fabric blocks 97.5% of UV radiation — the same threshold major dermatology associations recommend for daily protection. Going to UPF 50+ only improves blocking by 0.5%, while UPF 40 allows for a softer, more breathable weave. Protection you'll actually wear is better than maximum protection you leave at home.
Responsible for sunburn and direct DNA damage to skin cells. The primary driver of most skin cancers. SPF addresses this ray only — UPF blocks it too.
Penetrates deeper, causing collagen breakdown and hyperpigmentation. Passes through glass. Present even on cloudy days. Sunscreen often misses it. UPF doesn't.
Never Compromise Sun Safety & Style
