Will LTT ever make UPF50+ clothing?

[Brian McKee]

I live in Florida and am a professional sun hater. Working during the summer months it's basically required to have some UPF clothing so I was wondering if LTT will eventually get some? I know you guys live in the cold and have lower sun up there, but your fans at lower latitudes would adore you for it!

[LinusTech]

I wanted to do a UV-blocking hoodie, but the materials didn't work out. We're researching other stuff.

[Brian McKee]

3 minutes ago, LinusTech said:

I wanted to do a UV-blocking hoodie, but the materials didn't work out. We're researching other stuff.

I appreciate the response, I'll look out for updates.

[saintlouisbagels]

I like to keep an eye out for "Cormac" on reseller websites like Grailed, Depop, and Poshmark. It's Arc'teryx's model name for their UPF shirts and hoodies.

 

When I did a price comparison between Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, and Arc'teryx the cheapest option was from Mountain Hardwear, but it was still $60. When you go cheaper, it's a bunch of $20-$30 stuff on Amazon... which makes me wonder if they're just falsely claiming to be UPF rated if they're half the price of the cheapest brand name option.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mens-crater-lake-long-sleeve-crew-1982421.html?dwvar_1982421_color=004&dwvar_1982421_size=S

 

Otherwise you could just be like the Asian countries and wear loose-fitting pants and jackets. I'm Vietnamese and when I visit Vietnam I feel like such a foreigner because I feel like I'm the only person wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts while everyone is wearing pants and denim jackets.

[TempestCatto]

45 minutes ago, LinusTech said:

I wanted to do a UV-blocking hoodie, but the materials didn't work out. We're researching other stuff.

UV blocking hat (like baseball style) that is breathable but also doesn't sit so low on my head it crushes my ears down? I have found one hat that sits high, works great with headphones! But it's very thick material and I sweat like crazy with it.

[saintlouisbagels]

10 minutes ago, TempestCatto said:

UV blocking hat (like baseball style) that is breathable but also doesn't sit so low on my head it crushes my ears down? I have found one hat that sits high, works great with headphones! But it's very thick material and I sweat like crazy with it.

You really don't need to look for a UPF rating for clothing unless you're trying to be lightweight as possible AKA athletic activity outside on a sunny day where every gram counts. Or in OP's case, he's trying to work.

If you're wearing something thick, then it's not going to have a UPF rating because it is inherently far beyond UPF50.

[BiotechBen]

22 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

You really don't need to look for a UPF rating for clothing unless you're trying to be lightweight as possible AKA athletic activity outside on a sunny day where every gram counts. Or in OP's case, he's trying to work.

If you're wearing something thick, then it's not going to have a UPF rating because it is inherently far beyond UPF50.

As someone who got sun poisoning because I had a "bless your heart" friend applying sunblock: I used a lightweight cotton shirt at the beach the next time (light-medium grey) and managed to stop from getting any sunburn in covered areas.

 

 

Also tried a surfer, "rash guard" type top another time, and it was super lightweight and fairly comfy, but didn't like the "second skin" feeling of it. 

[TempestCatto]

28 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

You really don't need to look for a UPF rating for clothing unless you're trying to be lightweight as possible AKA athletic activity outside on a sunny day where every gram counts. Or in OP's case, he's trying to work.

If you're wearing something thick, then it's not going to have a UPF rating because it is inherently far beyond UPF50.

I burn very easily so it's a nice to have. If I need to be outside for any amount of time I need to liberally apply sunscreen. Even cutting the grass (which takes of all 20 mins for me) I will burn - and I burn bad too. I just figured it could be another thing to add to the store. Thin and lightweight hat would be super helpful because it does get heavy after awhile and you really feel it on your head. When you take it off it feels like removing a weight.

 

But most of all if LTT made a hat that sat much higher I'd be just as happy. No hat I've tried sits right, they all smush your ears down and I don't get why manufactures get away with that!

[Brian McKee]

21 minutes ago, BiotechBen said:

As someone who got sun poisoning because I had a "bless your heart" friend applying sunblock: I used a lightweight cotton shirt at the beach the next time (light-medium grey) and managed to stop from getting any sunburn in covered areas.

A thin cotton shirt like this will help with sun burns but won't completely help with UV damage over longer periods. If not using thicker clothing or UPF rated material then you should really sunblock even in covered areas.

 

Of course angle of sun, where you live, etc... all matter too.

[BiotechBen]

1 hour ago, Brian McKee said:

A thin cotton shirt like this will help with sun burns but won't completely help with UV damage over longer periods. If not using thicker clothing or UPF rated material then you should really sunblock even in covered areas.

 

Of course angle of sun, where you live, etc... all matter too.

Oh absolutely, if I lived in Florida or Hawaii: would ABSOLUTELY invest in good UPF gear, but the annual Mid-Atlantic beach trip is unlikely to have that same kind of effect.  Same with if I was working in an environment with extreme UV like Denver or the Tropics, good UPF gear for working would be a MUST. 

 

Medium weight cotton has about a 20 UPF if a good weave. Polyester beyond the weight of a shirt from lttstore.com can have up to a UPF rating of 1000, blocking 99.99% of UV radiation (weave and weight dependant, but still very effective with comfortable weight). 

 

 

 

I admire the effort to keep the healthiest skin possible, but with all the UV exposure and Sunscreen with Benzyllic compounds I've lathered in over the years: I'll take my imperfect skin so long as it doesn't have melanoma or aged leather appearance. 

[Brian McKee]

30 minutes ago, BiotechBen said:

I admire the effort to keep the healthiest skin possible, but with all the UV exposure and Sunscreen with Benzyllic compounds I've lathered in over the years: I'll take my imperfect skin so long as it doesn't have melanoma or aged leather appearance. 

I mean there are other reasons. Sun/UV sensitivity from certain autoimmune diseases and skin conditions can make the UV lights from food store florescent too much to handle. A few people in my immediate family suffer from this.

[BiotechBen]

12 hours ago, Brian McKee said:

I mean there are other reasons. Sun/UV sensitivity from certain autoimmune diseases and skin conditions can make the UV lights from food store florescent too much to handle. A few people in my immediate family suffer from this.

Can't relate for fluorescent lights in stores, the past few years have had every store around me do a 1:1 replacement with LED at the same Wattage, but due to being more efficient are about 4x brighter, and now every store (GIANT especially) is BLINDINGLY bright. And while I do have some Autoimmune difficulties, I find the temperature to affect me much greater than UV level; severe heat sensitivity is no joke

[IkeaGnome]

On 10/16/2024 at 6:58 AM, Brian McKee said:

I mean there are other reasons. Sun/UV sensitivity from certain autoimmune diseases and skin conditions can make the UV lights from food store florescent too much to handle. A few people in my immediate family suffer from this.

I don’t know what they cost there, and I’m sure you know this but check out fishing shops. 
At least where I live the prices on fishing clothing with UPF ratings is much cheaper than going with a Patagonia or Columbia. 
Personally, I like Huk. 

[glaser209]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:22 PM, LinusTech said:

I wanted to do a UV-blocking hoodie, but the materials didn't work out. We're researching other stuff.

I remember on a WAN that the issue was around ethical sourcing concerns around using bamboo. With it in use on some of the other garments does that mean we can see the long sleeve beach shirt