Sunhats Help Center – Frequently Asked Questions

UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how well a fabric blocks ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. A UPF50+ rating is the highest standard in sun-protective clothing and accessories. It means that only 1/50th (2%) of UV rays can pass through the fabric, effectively blocking 98% of harmful UVA and UVB radiation.

This level of protection significantly reduces the risk of sunburn, skin aging, and long-term damage caused by sun exposure — especially to areas like the scalp, face, ears, and neck.

SPFapplies to sunscreens and measures protection againstUVB raysonly.UPF, on the other hand, refers to fabrics and coversboth UVA and UVB rays. Unlike sunscreen,UPF50+ protection doesn’t wear off, making it a reliable form of sun defense throughout the day.

UPF-rated fabrics are tested in independent laboratories using international standards such as EN 13758-2:2003+A1. These tests simulate natural sunlight to measure how much UV radiation penetrates the fabric.

A combination of factors determines a fabric’s UPF rating:

• Fiber density and weave
  
• Fabric color and weight
  
• UV-absorbing treatments
  

Only materials that consistently block at least 98% of UV radiation receive the UPF50+ label.

Wearing a UPF50+ sun hat offers passive, all-day protection without reapplication. It’s especially important during outdoor activities or when traveling in sunny or high-altitude environments.

For context: a typical cotton T-shirt may offer UPF 5, allowing up to 20% of UV rays to reach your skin — compared to just 2% with UPF50+ fabric.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) tells you how much longer protected skin can stay in the sun before beginning to redden compared with bare skin. For instance, if your unprotected skin would start to burn after 10 minutes, an SPF 30 sunscreen, when applied as directed, extends that window to roughly 300 minutes. UPF, by contrast, measures how much ultraviolet (both UV-A and UV-B) a fabric, or design, blocks at all times, so the protection doesn’t “wear off” the way sunscreen can. When worncorrectly, the UPF50+ rated sun hat will provide all day protection.

When worn correctly, the UPF50+ rated sun hat will provide all day protection. SPF needs to be re-applied to skin frequently to offer sun protection

Sun protection in all forms should ideally be practiced every day, and could include the wearing of long sleeve clothing, SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course your stylish UPF50+ sun hat.

When it comes to sun protection, brim width plays a supporting role — but it’s the UPF rating that matters most. A hat that’s been lab-tested and certified UPF50+ blocks at least 98% of UVA and UVB radiation, regardless of brim size.

That said, wider brims offer more physical shade, especially for areas often exposed to direct sunlight, such as the ears, neck, and upper shoulders. For extended outdoor exposure or travel in high-UV environments, a brim of 7 cm or more is generally recommended.

Popular wide-brim options typically range from 10 to 13 cm, providing extra coverage without compromising comfort or visibility. Styles like fedora and capeline hats often combine UPF50+ protection with generous brims, making them ideal for both everyday wear and more intensive sun exposure.

For best results, choose a hat that balances certified UV protection with a brim wide enough to cast effective shade across your face and neck.

Stylish UPF 50+ sun hats effortlessly merge protection with fashion, picture chic fedora or modern bucket silhouettes crafted from colour-fast fabrics and finished with eye-catching trims, so you never have to trade safety for style; Sunhats.eu hand-selects exactly these pieces to give UV-conscious shoppers the best of both worlds.

When you're traveling, whether to a sunny beach or a bustling city, a good sun hat can make a real difference. But not all hats are made equal when it comes to travel.

The best travel-friendly sun hats offer a mix of packability, comfort, and serious sun protection. You’ll want something that can handle being squished in a suitcase, bounced around in a backpack, and still look great when you put it on.

Key features to look for:

• UPF50+ sun protection: This is your top priority. A certified UPF50+ hat blocks over 97% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, helping protect your skin from sunburn and long-term damage.
  
• Packable or crushable design: Hats made from materials like Flexibraid or travel-grade polyester braid are designed to be folded, rolled, or packed flat. They spring back into shape easily and don’t wrinkle after a trip in your suitcase. A game changer when you're on the move.
  
• Lightweight and breathable: No one wants a heavy, sweaty head when exploring new places. Breathable synthetic blends or woven natural fibers (like paper braid or raffia) are ideal for staying cool.
  
• Comfortable, adjustable fit: Look for an internal drawstring or “Comfy-Fit” band to help the hat stay snug, especially useful on windy days or during outdoor activities.
  
• Wide brim: A brim of 7–10 cm or more offers real shade for your face, neck, and ears. Fedora styles are a popular travel choice for their shape, versatility, and coverage.

Real travel hat examples:

Some of the most travel-proof sun hats are fedora-style hats made with innovative crush-resistant materials. For example, hats using Flexibraid combine flexibility, shape retention, and UPF50+ protection, without feeling bulky. They’re lightweight, easy to clean by hand, and you can flatten them in your luggage without worries.

If you're unsure about the right size, many quality travel hats also include internal adjustment systems, no need to guess or settle for a loose fit.

Travel hats made using Flexibraid material shrug off light showers, while polyester microfibre and nylon hats are water repellant, offering more protection on rainy days. Never wear a straw or paper hat in the rain.

Organic raffia and paper straw are renewable, while recycled-poly Flexibraid® lasts longer and stays UPF 50+ even when wet, giving you two sustainable roads to choose from.

Sustainable Raffia and paper straw are renewable resources. However, synthetic fibres are a lot more durable, which means that hats could last longer, even withdaily wear. 

Modern sun hat fabrics clean up best when you follow a“least water, mild soap, low heat” rule.Spot-treat first, hand-wash only the fibres that can take a soak, always air-dry in the shade.

Absolutely. Modern “packable” or “crush-resistant” sun hats are designed to flatten into a suitcase and pop back to their original shape, no steaming or hat box needed. Travel-gear tests show that flexible polyester or polypropylene braids, memory-wire brims, and lightweight raffia blends spring back even after hours of compression, while still delivering full UPF protection.

A material to know: House of Ord’s unique Flexibraid material is a tightly woven, UV-stable polyester braid. It scores high on all three fronts: it packs flat, bounces back on arrival, and stays colour-fast after washing, all while carrying a certified UPF 50+ rating.

Not at all. The right sun hat can actually help you stay cooler. By blocking direct sunlight, it reduces the heat on your head and face, just like standing in the shade.

Our hats from 360FIVE and House of Ord are made with breathable materials like Flexibraid and woven polyester. These fabrics are lightweight, packable, and designed to allow air to flow through, so heat and sweat do not get trapped. Some styles even feature open weaves for extra ventilation. With UPF50 plus protection built in, you stay safe from UV rays and feel more comfortable on sunny days.

Lightweight synthetics breathe best and are perfect for sunny and humid trips. But not all fabrics combine lightweight and maximum uv protectionMost of our hats are designed using lightweight materials like our unique Flexibraid material, Polyester, or natural fibres like Paper or Raffia straw. Wool hats are thicker to offer extra warmth & insulation. All combining style with UPF50+ uv protection.

Wrap a flexible tape (or a piece of string you can measure later) around the part of your head where the hat will actually sit, about 1 cm above your ears and across the centre of your forehead, keeping the tape level and comfortably snug, never tight.

Note the centimetres shown; that number is your hat size. If you land between sizes, round up:

Every House of Ord hat comes with a discreet Comfy-Fit elastic band and clip that lets you fine-tune the inner band, giving a secure, personalised fit without distorting the hat’s shape.

Absolutely. If your head measurement falls between two sizes, round up to the larger size, then use the hat’s adjustability, such as a discreet elastic band with a clip, like our Comfy-Fit, or internal drawstring, to tighten the fit, giving a secure, comfortable fit that stays put even in windy conditions.

If you’re spending time outdoors in windy conditions, paddle-boarding or sailing,choose styles like the Explorer with a toggled chin cord / strap that secures the hat when the wind blows. Our unique internal Comfy-Fit elastic band adjustment also helps with wind resistance. Most of our House of Ord Cape Town hats are fitted with the Comfy-Fit Clip.