Wakeboarding - June 01, 2018

52 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2018

BOAT DOCTOR ///BOATINGLAB

By Randy Vance

BL

BOATINGLAB

PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) JON WHITTLE (4), COURTESY HUK (2), RANDY VANCE

HOW WE TESTED

We used a General Tools UV513AB UV

light meter to measure the UV light from

a black-light tube striking its sensor. We

measured the bare-light transmission,

then measured the light transmission

through the main garment fabric. While

this simple test doesn’t match American

Society for Testing and Materials pro-

tocol used in laboratories, it has proven

to be a reasonable gauge of the value

of protection. In the past, when our

tests showed defi ciency in UPF ratings,

the manufacturer was able to return

to the fabric or garment vendors and

get standards upgraded. You’ll notice

some shirts that fall short of blocking

U V light to meet their UPF rating as re-

quired by industry standards. We don’t

take that as proof they’ve failed their

sun-protection mission.

All the garments advertised some

sort of stain guard, be it Scotchgard or

a Tefl on product. We threw all the gar-

ments tested on the fl oor and poured cof-

fee and barbecue sauce on them. An hour

later, we ran them through the wash. Not

one stain remained on any garment.

NOTES

The thickness of the weave or fi bers, the

density of the fabric, and the color all

impact UV protection. Bluer or darker

colors tend to refl ect or absorb UV light

better than whiter colors. The whitest

shirts did not test well in our protocol,

and we omitted them from our report.

It’s also important to remember UPF

ratings are the result of a monetary part-

nership between the garment manufac-

turer and the rating organizations. Many

garments in our closet had high UPF

factors but were not rated. The big advan-

tage to these garments is the combina-

tion of UPF and designs made specifi cally

to enhance outdoor sports and boating.

T h e ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, is a rating

clothing manufacturers acquire by proving their

garments block ultraviolet light at certain levels. We

evaluated these popular brands of outdoor clothing so

boaters could choose models for their comfort and in-

dividual style — and do it with confi dence that they are

indeed get ing good sun protection.

SUN PROTECTION

WITH STYLE

From yacht club to fi shing cockpit, these shirts protect in comfort

and style.

SIMMS

Even the cool

mesh vents

in this garment

block UV

light to meet

UPF ratings.

HUK

Blues and dark

colors fi lter, block

and absorb UV

light better than

lighter colors

or whites.

AFTCO

The tightness

of a fabric’s

weave deter-

mines much of

a garment’s UV

protection.

HUK

PERFORMANCE VENTED

LONG SLEEVE

Only the Kryptec Fade T-shirt was as

comfortable as this one. The mesh un-

derarms and lower back prevent sweat

buildup and allow cooling ventilation.

If you’re not a camo fan, this popular

vented cut gives great UV protection and

cooling comfort while protecting from

the long-term effects of sun exposure.

FABRIC: 90% polyester/10% spandex

UPF RATED: 30

STAIN RESISTANCE: 100%

UV BLOCKED: 100%

UPS: Form-fi tting but not tight, the shirt

is cool and comfortable and doesn’t

restrict mobility.

DOWNS: The breathable mesh isn’t as

UV-resistant, but only in areas that don’t

normally get direct sun.

COST: $54.99

MESH vents

should be located

in normally shaded

areas of the gar-

ment to maximize

protection.

SHINE ON

There are few sun

worshipers today

who don’t seek

UV-light protection.