Does all activewear have UPF protection?

All fabric blocks some UV, but only tested and rated fabric carries a UPF number. Ratings are most common in outdoor and running lines. It is the sort of difference you notice twenty minutes in, not on the hanger.

It can degrade over time with wear and washing, which is why ratings describe the fabric when new. Replace sun-protective pieces when they thin. Get that one thing right and most of the other decisions stop mattering.

Is UPF more important than sunscreen?

For covered areas, rated fabric is more reliable than sunscreen, which sweats off. Exposed skin still needs sunscreen. It is also the cheapest thing to fix — usually a size or a wash habit.

SEASONAL

UPF and Sun Protection in Activewear: What It Means

July 15, 2026 · Alo Editorial · 2 MIN READ

The brief for upf sun protection is narrow: getting the fit right before anything else. Get that right and the rest of the outfit stops mattering. Below: what to look for, what to skip, and the checks that catch a bad fit early.

UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor, measures how much ultraviolet radiation passes through a fabric to your skin. It is the clothing equivalent of SPF, and for outdoor training it is a genuine consideration rather than a marketing afterthought.

What the numbers mean

UPF 15: blocks roughly 93% of UV radiation, rated good.
UPF 30: blocks roughly 95%, rated very good.
UPF 50+: blocks roughly 98%, rated excellent.
No rating: the fabric still blocks some UV, but you cannot know how much.

The mechanism is mostly absorption and scattering. Tight weaves block more than open knits, dark colours block more than light, and thicker fabric blocks more than thin. A UPF rating formalises what fabric structure already does.

Ivory Sherpa Edge Shacket — Tight weaves and darker colours block more UV, which is what a UPF rating formalises.

What to check before you buy for upf sun protection

Two pieces can look identical on the hanger and behave differently in upf sun protection. The checks below are the ones that catch it early. Black Cropped Sway Crew Neck Pullover is the piece we would test them against first.

The body should clear the waistband of your leggings without bunching.
Check the neck opening: too wide drops off one shoulder.
Press the knit — pilling starts on the inside seam first.

What affects protection

01Weave density: tight weaves block more than open knits.
02Colour: dark shades block more than light ones.
03Weight: thicker fabric blocks more than thin.
04Condition: ratings describe new fabric, and protection drops as fabric thins.
05Stretch: fabric stretched thin transmits more UV than fabric at rest.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does all activewear have UPF protection?: All fabric blocks some UV, but only tested and rated fabric carries a UPF number. Ratings are most common in outdoor and running lines. It is the sort of difference you notice twenty minutes in, not on the hanger.
Does UPF wash out?: It can degrade over time with wear and washing, which is why ratings describe the fabric when new. Replace sun-protective pieces when they thin. Get that one thing right and most of the other decisions stop mattering.
Is UPF more important than sunscreen?: For covered areas, rated fabric is more reliable than sunscreen, which sweats off. Exposed skin still needs sunscreen. It is also the cheapest thing to fix — usually a size or a wash habit.

WORTH A LOOK

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Written by Alo Editorial. Every fit and fabric claim in this guide is checked against the pieces we actually sell — if something does not apply to your size, body or climate, our customer care team will say so. Corrections get published, not quietly deleted.

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