For example, in Australia on a fine summers’ day, a fair-skinned person outside and unprotected would receive enough solar UVR in about 15 minutes to cause sunburn. If they wear a hat with a PF of 2 or 3, they would need to be outside for two to three times as long to get sunburned. Take extra care to protect babies and children. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life.

Designed with water sports and hiking in mind, this sun hat is superb for use in direct sun or light rain. Thanks to the dark lining under the large 3-inch brim, you can be assured that your eyes and face will be protected from any solar glare or exposure. overexposure to UV can cause eye irritation, damage to the tissues and temporary blindness (snow blindness) - it is now known to cause the development of cataracts Lead tester and GearJunkie contributor Meghan LaHatte is certainly no stranger to the sun hat market. As an avid climber, hiker, dog walker, and gardener, she greatly understands the importance of protecting yourself from harsh UV rays. You might point out that Great-Uncle Albert rode his bike for two hours a day his whole life without even thinking about protecting himself from the sun, and he lived to be 150. Cool, but many cyclists do get serious problems and you can take action to help ensure you're not one of them.

Analysis and Test Results

The Kids' Play Hat is close to perfect, but it's not quite. It has a very rigid brim, which is great for protection. However, that rigidness in the brim carries inside to where the hat meets the head. This is less comfortable than some hats with a softer brim. Also, this doesn't have a liner, which would have made it even more comfortable than it already is. Overall, this is a great hat and a favorite among all our testers, both kids and adults. Some sun hats are designed with dark underbrims that help stop any light from reflecting onto your face. This added level of sun protection can be crucial if you’re hiking in the alpine or on snow. The Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat has an extra long brim and added cape making it super protective from UV rays; (photo/Meghan LaHatte) Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts and pants. It’s important to cover up as much of your skin as possible when spending time outdoors. When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace. In addition, dark colors offer more protection than light colors. For example, a long-sleeved denim shirt provides an SPF of about 1,700, while a white t-shirt provides an SPF of about 7. In addition, if you’re at the beach or pool, keep in mind that dry clothing offers more sun protection than wet clothing. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.

Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or those who can't look after themselves.The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better. Sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory. They protect the eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes from the sun. In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.