Summertime is officially here! The warm, lazy afternoons might bring to mind time spent lounging by the pool or traveling to exciting new destinations. But it might also remind you of some not-so-fun things like swatting away hordes of bugs and of course, getting sunburned. The summer sun can be brutal, with more than one out of every three Americans getting sunburned each year.
When shopping for sun protective gear, you’re bound to see all sorts of confusing acronyms. We’re here to help! Let’s break down what some of these mean.
UV stands for ultraviolet rays. These invisible light beams from the sun are what cause damage to our skin. There are two types of ultraviolet rays: UVA rays and UVB rays. Knowing the difference between them can help you shop for the best sun protective gear!
UVA, or ultraviolet A, rays do not directly cause sunburns. They are mostly associated with skin-aging effects such as tanning and wrinkling.
UVB, or ultraviolet B, rays do cause sunburns. While UVB only makes up about 5 percent of the UV radiation that reaches the earth, they can penetrate and damage the outermost layers of the skin in as little as 15 minutes. You might be familiar with SPF, or the Sun Protection Factor. This is a rating system that measures how effective a sunscreen product is at protecting against UVB rays. But while these troublesome rays are the most harmful, it is important to avoid prolonged unprotected exposure to all UV rays. For extra protection, fabric and articles of clothing use the UPF rating system.
UPF stands for the Ultraviolet Protection Factor, which measures the effectiveness at filtering all UV rays. A UPF rating of 30 means that only 1/30th, or 3 percent, of UV radiation can pass through that fabric. A higher rating of 50 brings the amount passing through down to 1/50th, or 2 percent. The higher the UPF rating, the lower the levels of UV rays that can get through, causing you to be better protected.
Now that you know the lingo, here are some of our favorite sun protective gear options.
1. Mirrored Malibu Sunglasses 
All eyes will be on you and your brand with these sunglasses! Choose between several colored lenses and customize the black frames with your logo or event. With UV400 lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, you’ll be able to stay cool, calm and protected. See Product
2. 6 Panel UPF 50+ Cool Comfort Performance Diamond Knit Cap
This cool hat will help you cap-tivate any audience. With a flexible fit and a variety of vibrant colors to choose from, you can proudly display your brand’s logo, message or team name. The hat is made of a polyester and spandex blend and offers great sun protection with a UPF rating of 50+. See Product
3. Columbia Men’s Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt 
Seas the day in this quick-dry long-sleeve shirt! With a button-down collar, vented roll-up sleeves and a UPF rating of 40, you can be ready for anything the summer might throw your way. For an extra stylish touch, add an imprint of your brand or event’s logo. See Product
4. Cooling Headband
Keep cool and carry on this summer with a cooling headband. Wearers simply need to soak the headband in water, ring out the excess and give it a few shakes to activate the cooling technology. The polyester and spandex material offers UPF 30 sun protection, is lightweight, moisture-wicking and easily washable. See Product
5. Ladies Callaway Diamond Jacquard Polo 
This diamond jacquard polo is made with UV Repel technology for a UPF rating of 50+. A V-neck polo with a fold-over collar and Opti-Dri material, staying protected from the sun has never been more stylish. See Product
Are you ready to soak up the fun – and not the harmful sun – this summer? Contact us or give us a call at (850) 222-1003 to request a quote today.
