Our outdoor adventures keep us underneath the sun for hours at a time, but those harmful rays shouldn't stop you from getting out there and doing what you love. Sun protection clothing comes in all shapes and materials but we're particularly fond of our bamboo UPF clothing that keeps comfort AND protection at the forefront. Research and shop womens and mens bamboo clothing for the best sun protection. Read on to learn a little more before you pick out your next piece of sun protective gear.

Who Should Use Sun Protective Clothing?

Anyone and everyone should wear some type of sun protection when planning on being out in the elements for any period of time. Skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes when exposed to the sun and is continually damaged throughout your lifetime! It's always nice to get a little tan in the summer but as with all things, done in moderation. Limit your sun exposure and always wear sunscreen even when you do wish to "get some sun". Even if you are one of those skin types that doesn't burn easily, that still doesn't mean you shouldn't always have a layer of protective clothing on hand - it could be a life saver. Learn more about tips about sun safety. 

What Fabrics Support Sun Protection?

Typically, fabrics that block UV rays are those that are so densely constructed that little to no sunlight can penetrate them. While that makes plenty of sense, the practical application of these fabrics does not translate well into comfortable sun protective clothing. Because of this common problem, companies began looking to create composite fabric blends that would be lightweight but could still fend off the sun’s damaging rays. While some of these products perform as intended by blocking the sun, they fall uncomfortably short when it comes to every other aspect of creating a garment that you actually want to wear all day. Some of these products only offer sun protection due to a chemical treatment that can wash off of the garment over time. 

These less-effective fabrics include:

  • Cotton
  • Rayon
  • Flax
  • Hemp

Additionally, most of these materials create products that suffer from poor fit and range of motion, material that is scratchy and uncomfortable, and some even have properties that retain odors and can start to stink even after washing. What’s our solution to this age-old problem? Create a better fabric - and that's exactly what we did!

Bamboo Fabric in Sun Protection Clothing

Bamboo fibers make our fabric blends more breathable than cotton, hemp, wool, or synthetic fabrics. Bamboo also stands out amongst the crowd for being naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and renewable. All of these properties are what initially attracted us to exploring it as a viable natural fiber for our UPF clothing. You’ll find our products range from UPF 20 to UPF 50+ so we have something for all levels of protection based on your exposure. 

As a source, bamboo is known for how rapidly it is able to grow with minimal water and requires no pesticides or fertilizers! Our bamboo fiber clothing is cut and sewn in Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certified facilities. We ensure that our products are created ethically with people and the environment at the forefront.

The next time you are planning on picking up some UPF gear, consider purchasing from Free Fly and check out our full line of offerings for men, women and children. Comfort On, Adventure Out!

Some of Our Favorite Products

Free Fly offers clothing that’s suited for each person’s perfect day in the sun and sometimes it’s hard to pick your favorite piece! For our anglers and boaters, we recommend the Men’s Bamboo Lightweight Long Sleeve for more coverage or one of our casual tees for a more relaxed, comfortable day trip. For women on-the-go, we recommend the Women’s Bamboo Channel Pocket tee paired with our Women’s Breeze Cropped Pant for a stylish, out-the-door look. To make matters even more simple, check out our top picks to keep you covered and protected for any outing.