If you're looking for the best sun protection hats, you've probably heard of both SPF and UPF. But what's the difference between them? And which one should you be using?In this blog post, we'll break it down for you and help you decide which one is the best sun protection hats available for you!What are SPF and UPF?SPF stands for "sun protection factor." It's a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from the sun's UV rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection you'll get.On the other side, UPF stands for "ultraviolet protection factor." Like SPF, it's a measure of how well a clothing item will protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.However, while SPF measures the amount of UV radiation that gets through sunscreen, UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that gets through clothing.In other words, UPF is a measure of how well clothing protects your skin from the sun, while SPF is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects your skin from the sun.The Difference Between Sun Protection Factor and Ultraviolet Protection FactorNow that we know what SPF and UPF are, let's take a closer look at the difference between them:UsabilitySPF works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun's UV rays. On the other hand, UPF clothing works by physically blocking the sun's UV rays from reaching your skin.ProtectionThe amount of protection offered by SPF and UPF can vary depending on a few factors. But in general, clothing with a UPF rating of 50 will block about 98% of UV radiation, while a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 50 will block about 97% of UV radiation. So if you're looking for the best sun protection possible, you might want to consider using both!CostAnother big difference between SPF and UPF is cost. Sunscreen can be expensive, especially if you're using a high SPF. But clothing with a UPF rating is often more affordable, making it a great option for those on a budget.SPF vs UPF: The Technical DifferenceThe final difference between SPF and UPF is the way they're measured.SPF is typically measured by applying sunscreen to a person's skin and then measuring how long it takes for that person to develop sunburn. The higher the SPF, the longer it will take for sunburn to occur.UPF, on the other hand, is typically measured by using a UV light meter to measure how much UV radiation is getting through a piece of clothing. The higher the UPF, the less UV radiation will get through.SPF and UPF Rating SystemNow that we've gone over the basics of SPF and UPF, let's take a closer look at the rating system for each.SPF is rated on a scale from 0 to 50+. The higher the number, the more protection it offers. However, it's important to note that there is no such thing as "100% sunblock." No matter how high the SPF is, some UV rays will always get through.UPF is also rated on a scale from 0 to 50+, with the higher numbers offering more protection. But unlike SPF, clothing can actually achieve a UPF rating of 100+, meaning it will block all UV radiation.How to Choose Between SPF and UPFNow that you know the difference between SPF and UPF, how do you choose between them?How Much Time Will You Be Spending in the Sun?If you're only going to be in the sun for a short amount of time, SPF might be all you need. But if you're going to be in the sun for an extended period of time, you might want to consider using both SPF and UPF.What's Your Budget?As we mentioned before, sunscreen can be expensive. So if you're on a budget, UPF clothing is a great option. It's more affordable and just as effective as sunscreen!What's Your Personal Preference?Some people prefer to use sunscreen because it's easier to apply and reapply throughout the day. Others prefer clothing because it doesn't need to be reapplied and can be worn even when you're not in the sun.Ultimately, the choice between SPF and UPF is up to you! Just make sure you're using one or the other (or both) to protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV radiation.Does The Color of UPF Clothing Important?You might be wondering if the colour of your clothing makes a difference when it comes to UPF.The answer is yes! Darker colours tend to have a higher UPF rating than lighter colours. That's because they absorb more UV radiation than light colours.So, if you're looking for the best sun protection possible, you should opt for dark-coloured clothing with a high UPF rating.The rationale behind this is that UPF-rated clothing, like sunscreen, can degrade over time. The sun's UV rays can break down the fibres in the sun protective fabrics, which reduces their UPF rating.However, sun protection hats with darker colours are less likely to show signs of wear and tear than those with lighter colours. That means they'll last longer and provide better sun protection for your skin.How to Choose the Best Sun ProtectionNow that we've gone over the difference between SPF and UPF, let's talk about how to choose the best sun protection for you.If you're looking for the best sun protection hat or clothes, you should use both SPF sunscreen and UPF clothing. By using both, you'll be protecting your skin from 98% of UV radiation and developing skin cancer.But if you're on a budget, sun protective clothing is a great option. It's more affordable than sunscreen and it can last longer, too.No matter what you choose, make sure to reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours and wash your UPF clothing after every use. By following these simple steps, you'll be sure to stay protected from the sun's harmful UV rays all summer long!Which One Should You Use?Now that we've looked at the difference between SPF and UPF, you might be wondering which one you should use. And unfortunately, there's no easy answer.The best sun hats depend on a variety of factors, including your skin type, the amount of time you'll be outside, and the activity you'll be doing.If you're going to be outside for an extended period of time, or if you're doing a strenuous activity like hiking or swimming, you might want to consider using both sunscreen and UPF clothing.But if you're only going to be outside for a short amount of time, or if you're not doing anything too strenuous, sunscreen might be all you need against UVA rays and UVB rays.No matter what option you choose, make sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and clothing with UPF every four hours to make sure you're getting the best UV protection possible!Bottom LineSo, which one should you be using? The answer depends on your needs and preferences. If you're looking for the best sun protection possible, we recommend using both SPF sunscreen and UPF clothing. But if you're on a budget or don't like wearing sunscreen, UPF clothing is a great option! Whichever way you choose to protect yourself from the sun, make sure to stay safe and have fun in the sun!Find the Best Sun Hat at Koala Outdoor!Now that you know the difference between SPF and UPF, it's time to find the best sun protection for you! And there's no better place to start than Koala Outdoor.We have a wide selection of UPF-rated clothing, including sun protection hats, different types of ultra adventure hat, shirts, outdoor equipment, camping essentials, survival gear, and many more to give you very good protection. Reach out today to our team of experts to help you find the perfect sun hat for your needs!So what are you waiting for? Visit our website today and get started on finding the best sun protection for you against the sun's harmful rays!
