The Best Mens Sun Shirt

What Exactly Makes A Sun Shirt A Sun Shirt?
As we rapidly head from spring to summer and start thinking about a season spent out of doors, it's time to start thinking about a summer wardrobe for play, outdoor chores, and for many men, work. For decades, part of that uniform was a short sleeved shirt. And on very hot days and for water activities, many men dispensed with shirts altogether. The results were comfortable body temperatures and awesome suntans. Unfortunately, the wearing (or foregoing) of these standard shirts had a couple of other outcomes-premature aging of skin or skin cancer. As our skin is our largest and most exposed organ, you don't need to be sunbathing in a Speedo to be exposed to a healthy helping of ultra-violet rays. All humans run the risk of getting too much sunny goodness, but they're overexposed to it in different ways. In the case of women, it's on the legs, while fellas, it's on your faces, arms, chests, and torso areas.
So aside from a ball cap or other type of hat, why won't a plain white T suffice to cover you up?
Any clothing over exposed skin provides some sun-block protection. But different types of ultra-violet rays occur over the course of the day. That plain white T offers a level of protection of a gel or lotion rated at about SPF 7. That would certainly protect you from a nasty sunburn. But it would not protect you from the sun's most damaging ultra-violet rays (called UVA) which penetrate and break down skin cells at their deepest level and cause skin cancer. To avoid this, you would need to wear a garment equal to a SPF rating of 50+. Fortunately, shirts with this very level of protection are being produced today by a number of manufacturers. Aside from liquid gels and limiting direct exposure to the sun, experts say that this type of garment is the best way to protect your skin from dangerous UV rays. So what gives a designated sun shirt this special protection? "UPF" stands for ultraviolet protection factor, or the percentage of UV rays that can penetrate a substance. A UPF rating of 50 means that only 1/50th of these rays reach skin, which is very little, and for our skin's health very good. To achieve this effect in clothing, manufacturers producer fabrics with a fiber ratio that is denser per unit of surface area than other types of clothing.
Before Buying Sun Shirts..........

.....be aware that anyone can market a product as a sun shirt. But these products don't have to offer any UV ray protection. These manufacturers aren't being deceptive or misleading-the term "sun shirt" isn't patented, and it can refer to anything from a sleeveless garment to one with a picture of the sun on it. So when buying shirts that offer true UV protection either online or in a physical store, purchasers may have to do a little homework to make sure that they're getting the real deal. And what they should be looking for is a label that indicates a specific UPF rating. If the garment lacks this, then it's of very limited use as a true sun shirt. Manufacturers may add other labels to such garments such as "ultra-cool" and "anti-rash", but those are comfort claims, and have nothing to do with the garment's value as a sun blocker.

But What About Comfort? And Appearance?
It's highly unlikely that you'll be examining UPF sun shirts under a microscope, but if you did, you'd see that the fabric is quite dense and tightly woven. But the summer can be hot. Won't wearing a rated sun shirt be pretty uncomfortable?
It will depend on the type of activity that you're engaged in, but for the most part, these garments are made of very breathable and highly moisture "wicking" fabric. In other words, you'll be perfectly comfortable and sweating won't be an issue. Many manufacturers add added ventilation to these shirts as well, for even more comfort. As for appearance, sun shirts look just like any "normal" shirt. They come in a variety of colors and styles ranging from T-shirts to long sleeved dressier ones, so one's wardrobe certainly won't be limited with this type of shirt.

Do Sun Shirts Require Special Care And Laundering?
The short answer is yes. Because of material weaves, dyes, and special chemicals added to some of these fabrics, these shirts shouldn't be balled up and tossed in the washing machine with your socks and everyday shirts. Instructions for cleaning and storage should be followed carefully. Ironically, every time we do laundry we're shortening the lifespans of our clothing. In the case of some types of sun shirts, protective weaves could be loosened, and some UPF chemicals could be washed out. Pay special attention to laundry directions regarding detergent types and water temperatures. In some cases, laundry additives such as SunGuard can be added to the wash to protect fabrics.
Long And Short-Sleeved Sun Shirts

As you peruse your sun shirt choices, you'll notice not only a variety of colors and UPF options, but both short and long-sleeved choices. And despite the fact that most of us think of summer as a time of bare skin and "letting it all hang out", many of these long-sleeved choices are intended for warm weather. In a dermatologist's fantasy world, we'd all be wearing hats, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts every time we set foot out of doors. In reality, unless you have very fair skin, your need for long-sleeved protection may be limited only to occasions when you are exposed to sunlight under extreme circumstances. And don't forget the reflective properties of water. Cover up, long distance swimmers, water skiers, and surfer dudes! In other cases where you can limit time in direct sunlight, a short-sleeved sun shirt should suffice. Because of the tighter fit and weave of some of these styles, some wearers have developed "contact dermatitis" (rashes). Manufacturers have felt their pain, and as a result a number of these shirts offer "rash guard" fabrics and designs.
Cost

One of the major myths surrounding sun shirts aside from their discomfort (which again, they're not) is that they are cost prohibitive. The reality is that a UPF rated sun shirt is no more expensive than a "normal" one of good quality. Sun shirts range in price from $20-$100, and the factors that affect these prices are the same as those that affect any other type of clothing, which include:

• brand/manufacturer
• designer vs. non-designer
• materials used
• type of garment

Is it cheaper to buy these shirts online as opposed at a "physical" store? As with many other purchases, online shopping often offers greater variety and convenience. But don't forget to check out sporting goods and even big-box stores for UPF sun shirts as well. Sales, especially end of summer ones may offer some real bargains.

Conclusion
While summer is the time for sun worshipping, many men, especially those with fair complexions are doing both themselves and their loved ones huge favors by covering up. The good news is that there are more affordable, comfortable, and fashionable ways to do so than ever before, protecting one's skin for many summers to come.

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This page about Mens Sun Shirt was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-04-26 08:01:15 and has been viewed 3956 times.