Why Linen Clothing Doesn’t Provide Adequate Sun Protection
Linen is a popular choice for warm weather because of its lightweight, breathable nature. However, when it comes to sun protection, linen falls short in several key areas:
1. Loose Weave Structure
Linen’s loose weave allows UV rays to penetrate the fabric easily. Unlike tightly woven fabrics like denim or polyester, linen doesn’t effectively block UV radiation from reaching the skin.
2. Low Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)
UPF is the rating that indicates how much UV protection a fabric provides. Linen typically has a low UPF, often below 10, which is inadequate for prolonged sun exposure. For perspective, clothing with UPF 50+ blocks around 98% of UV rays, while linen provides far less protection.
3. Light Color Impact
Linen is often worn in light colors like white or beige, which tend to reflect less UV light than darker colors. This can allow even more UV radiation to reach the skin through the fabric.
4. Fabric Durability Issues
Linen is known for losing strength when it’s exposed to sunlight over time, which can reduce its UV-blocking capability even further. The fibers may break down, making it less effective for sun protection as it ages.
5. Lack of Treatments
While some fabrics are specially treated to enhance their UV-blocking ability, most linen lacks these treatments. Many sun-protective clothing brands focus on synthetics or specially engineered blends, which are designed to block UV rays. At Some Sun, we don't use chemical washes on our clothing. Our UPF factors are achieved through weave, fabric type and weight.
How to Stay Protected
If you’re looking for sun protection, consider clothing with UPF ratings, which are woven and developed specifically to block UV rays and scientifically tested and verified.
For a comfortable, breathable feel similar to linen but with added sun protection, look for fabrics specifically designed to block UV rays while still offering comfort in hot weather, like our Bestseller, The Maro -- developed to look and feel just like cotton, but has a UPF 50+ rating, the highest level of UV protection.
