This is pretty much a confused rant about how I don't understand the difference between a regular shirt and upf rated shirts they do the same thing and regular shirts are cheaper than the upf specialized shirts
Ok so I work at a sporting store that sells upf 30 - 50 clothing. People will come in and specifically ask for upf clothing. Most of the Columbia brand area is upf rated. There are upf t-shirts, button ups, shorts, pants and long sleeve shirts that all specifically block out the sun as if no other fabric can do that. What I don't understand is whats the difference between any other article of clothing. Litteraly a cotton shirt will do the same for less money. Like as long as your shirt isn't super thin and you can see light through it you most likely won't be sunburnt. Its not like because you have a upf shirt on you are automatically immue to the sun's rays on all of your body, your hands, neck and whatever part that you don't have covered will still get sunburnt. I have yet to figure out why people would pay extra for clothes that point out one of the very basic functions that any other shirt could do. The only benefit I can see from these shirts is that they are silky feeling and are breathable as opposed to non breathable fabric.
I don't get it, maybe I'm wrong? Maybe I'm missing something?
Today a guy came in wanting upf 50 shirts and not upf 30 any decent shirt will do that. It either blocks the sun or doesn't idk what the difference is.
/rant
I thought it would be fun to see blfs perspective on this