I’m after recommendations for sun protection clothing, specifically shirts.
I’m out working in the sun for 8+ hours a day on a SW facing site with very little shade. I’d like something quite lightweight, long sleeved, high neck/collar, breathable, hard wearing and not afraid of dirt, I also want to avoid anything that relies on chemicals for its protection.
Yep quite a difficult list of requirements! Relying just on factor 50+ sunscreen isn’t good enough (as I’ve been finding out 😣 )
Americans have got this solved with fishing gear for hot places lightweight long sleeve Tees and hoodies, and UPF 50+ shirts by Columbia et al. You can get some of through Amazon, but not much makes it over here.
see what I mean at www.basspro.com
The solution that worked for me which had similar requirements was Mountain Hardwear Canyon Long Sleeve Shirt, which is lightweight and durable as it is designed for rock climbing
Currently size small and medium available for £20 from Sports Pursuit Link
Here is Paramo Shirt which is also 50+ upf
Chris Townsend spends his days hiking and reviewing outdoor kit, here’s his take on Hiking Shirts
Rab do some good ones, craghoppers do button shirts as do patagonia
All Australian workwear will meet this… not sure if you can get it there but the brands King Gee, Hard Yakka are good. You’ll look a bit like Steve Irwin (before he died) but you won’t burn.
Uniqlo do a good range. Not sure I'd go down the American fishing gear route unless you want to look like an American on a fishing holiday.
Thanks for the pointers all. Some good options there, sadly those Aussies don’t ship internationally
There are a good few hiking shirts that are SPF50, plus of course a wide brimmed light hat.
Snickers do some UPF rated workwear - wicking and ventilated long sleeve shirts, sun protection hats (foreign legion style) - they also do pull on sleeves a bit like cycling arm warmers - but not warm- for wearing with tshirts
they have a range of stuff called 37.5 deg that whilst not necessarily UPF rated are designed not to get overly warm while providing full coverage too
Found some great stuff by TrueWerk, but US based
Sounds like the sort of thing Rohan do, possibly even a store near you (assuming UK)?
Alpkit do UPF 50 shirts