Research shows hemp is the best fabric to protect from the sun’s rays
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When purchasing a new item of clothing, the material you choose can have an impact on the level of sun protection you receive. Thought Clothing put together some research that shows how some sustainable clothing materials can impact the level of sun exposure you receive. Hemp came out as the best material you could choose for sun protection!
This can be measured through the UPF rating, which stands for UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection factor, which indicates how much UV radiation (UVB and UVA), is allowed to.
reach your skin. A higher UPF rating of 40 and greater is considered excellent protection, whereas lower numbers suggest less protection.
Below, you can see the statistics for some of the materials used in the research, including hemp, polyester, flax and linen.
What do the results show?
The results show Hemp coming in with a UPF rating of 50+, meaning it has excellent protection from the sun. The rating is also significantly higher than Polyester in second place, which has a UPF rating of 30+.
This research will come in useful for those who are planning on updating their wardrobe ready for the summer period and may have an increased level of sun exposure.
Facts surrounding hemp as a material for clothing
There are several myths out there about hemp, however they are simply not true. hemp is one of the most comfortable materials out there for your wardrobe and is very durable too.
Not only this, but wearing hemp is beneficial for the planet, with a low environmental impact in terms of water and pesticide requirements.
Hemp is uncomfortable to wear
One of the myths surrounding hemp includes how it is uncomfortable and scratchy. However, it’s one of the softer materials available, with the fibres becoming softer with wear and washing.
You are more likely to see hemp items mixed with other materials like cotton, which will also lead it to feeling softer overall.
Hemp clothing is illegal
Hemp can often be associated with marijuana, because it comes from the same plant. However, hemp plants are legal to grow in many countries, with 0.3% or less THC. This level will not bring the psychotic feelings associated with marijuana.
The perfect material for summer!
With the weather in Bath and Somerset getting warmer, we hope this research has given you a better understanding surrounding hemp and its sun protection benefits! If you would like to try it out for yourself, take a look at some of Thought Clothing’s hemp range.
