The Ultimate Guide to the Best UPF Swimwear for Men
Keep yourself or the men you love protected all year round with sun-protective swimwear. Sun protective swimwear blocks UV rays and is one of the most effective ways to protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer, per The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Today, we go over the ultimate guide to the best UPF swimwear for men. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your dad, or your partner, take some notes!
Why Should You Buy UPF Swimwear?
UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, indicates how much UV exposure a fabric blocks. So, it’s no surprise that the higher UPF rating, the better! You want to find swimsuits and clothing that offers a UPF rating of 50+, or the best UPF rating on the market.
Here are the main reasons you should purchase UPF swimwear:
- Protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
- Keeps sunburns at bay.
- Reduces your risk of skin cancer, sun spots, and premature wrinkles.
- Mitigates short term and long term sun damage.
What Should Men Look for When Searching for UPF Swimwear?
When looking for UPF swimwear, there are certain factors to keep in mind. After all, not all sun protective swimwear is the same. Keep these factors in consideration when purchasing men's UV protective swimwear:
High UPF Rating
As mentioned earlier, the higher the UPF rating, the better. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF of at least 30, but opt for a UPF rating of 50+ whenever possible. This is the rating The Skin Cancer Foundation deems "excellent."
The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation
UPF swimwear products that have been given The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation are considered to have swimwear that is both safe and effective at protecting your skin from UV rays.
To receive this recommendation, companies must submit scientific data showcasing the effectiveness of their UPF swimwear to the foundation. Then, a panel of experts in the dermatologic and photobiology fields further analyze each garment.
Densely Woven Fabric
Fabric that is denser with a tighter weave will provide more sun protection. As Elisabeth G. Richard, MD, a longtime member of The Skin Cancer Foundation's Photobiology Committee, shares, if you hold fabric up to the light and you can see through it, then UV rays can penetrate through it as well.
Although, it should be noted that you should opt for swimwear that doesn't fit too tightly as this means the fabric will stretch over time and allow UV light to pass through.
Dark or Bright Colored Fabric
Dark or brightly colored fabrics absorb UV rays instead of allowing them to pass through to your skin.
Comprehensive Coverage
Whenever possible, opt for more coverage, so choose long-sleeve swim shirts, wide-brim sun hats, and long swim shorts or swim pants with sun protection.
Lightweight and Comfortable
Make sure you choose UPF swim tops and swim bottoms that are comfortable and easy to move around in when being active. While there are many UPF swimwear companies, it's nice to find one that offers lightweight, breathable, and even odor-resistant UPF swimwear that's easy to wear all day long.
Best UPF Swim Trunks for Men
When it comes time to choose swim trunks with sun protection for men, UV Skinz has you covered with a variety of options, lengths, and styles. Whether you need men's swim shorts to keep up with your active lifestyle or classic swim trunks for a nice, relaxing day on the beach, browse our collection.
Why We Love Them:
- Lightweight and breathable UPF 50+ fabric.
- Built-in liner.
- Quick-drying, 4-way stretch fabric.
- Stylish.
- Given The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
Best UPF Swim Shirts for Men
Browse our collection of long-sleeve and short-sleeve swim shirts for men all rated UPF 50+. Choose from a variety of styles, colors, and lengths, to keep yourself prtoected from UV rays whether you're out snorkeling, swimming, sailing, or playing in the ocean with your kids.
Why We Love Them:
- Lightweight and breathable UPF 50+ fabric.
- Odor-resistant, quick-drying, 4-way stretch fabric.
- Lots of options and lengths, so easy to pair each with your favorite activity.
- Given The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
Best Sun Hats with UPF for Men
Imagine sun hats that offer sun protection and are stylish and comfortable too! We have a wide variety of UPF 50+ rated sun hats you can trust, including sun hats for avid hikers, beachgoers, backpackers, and, yes, those of you who absolutely need their fedora to match the rest of their outfit.
Why We Love Them:
- Wide-brim and neck flap (available on some of these sun hats) provides more sun protection.
- UPF 50+ rating.
- Given The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
- Stylish and easy to pair with an outfit.
- Wide variety to suit your needs/favorite activity, including running, sailing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, gardening, snorkeling, paddle boarding, lounging, and more!
Be sure to browse our entire collection of men's UPF swimwear online today for more inspiration.
