Smart Skin Protection for Every Adventure

From alpine hikes to coastal trails, the outdoors is where we feel most alive. But the same sun that lights your path can take a toll on your skin-if you’re not prepared.

Your kit isn’t just about performance, it’s about protection:

• Lightweight long sleeves and technical fabrics help shield against UV
• Legionnaire-style caps or wide-brim hats keep sun off your face and neck
• Polarised sunglasses protect your eyes on bright terrain

Some garments, such as SolarShield+, are designed with built-in UPF50+ protection and are approved by the British Skin Foundation. This means the fabric helps block a high level of UVA and UVB radiation, reducing overall exposure. Because the protection is embedded within the fibres, it remains effective over time and with regular wear.

While this kind of clothing can play an important role, it works best as part of a broader approach to sun safety - supporting, rather than replacing, other protective measures.

Think of it as part of your essential gear list, right up there with boots and water.

No matter the season, sunscreen is a must:

• Go for at least SPF 30, but preferably SPF 50+
• Reapply during breaks on the trail
• Use lip balm with SPF- often overlooked!

Even on overcast days, UV rays are still in play.

Different environments = different exposure:

• Snow reflects sunlight, doubling your UV hit
• Higher altitude? Stronger UV, faster burn
• Water and sand bounce rays back at you

Adjust your protection as your environment changes.

If you’re planning a big day out, start early or go later. Midday sun is the harshest-perfect time to refuel, rest, and recharge in the shade.

The best protection is the one you actually stick to. Keep sunscreen in your pack, reapply when you snack, and make it part of your routine - not an afterthought.

When your skin is protected, you can focus on what really matters - pushing further, seeing more, and staying out there longer.

SolarShield+ offers a practical, considered approach to sun protection, supported by approval from the British Skin Foundation. Its UPF50+ fabric is designed to block a high percentage of UVA and UVB radiation, helping to reduce overall exposure to the sun - something the BSF consistently highlights as central to protecting long-term skin health.

A key benefit is that this protection is built into the fabric itself, rather than applied as a finish. This means it does not wash out or diminish with regular wear, allowing it to provide consistent coverage over time. For individuals who spend extended periods outdoors, having reliable protection in place can help support more consistent sun-safe behaviours.

The fabric also incorporates moisture-wicking properties, which can help keep the skin comfortable in warm conditions. While this is not a substitute for other protective measures, comfort can play an important role in whether people maintain good habits, particularly during prolonged sun exposure.

As with all forms of sun protection, clothing such as this should be used as part of a broader, layered approach. The BSF emphasises the importance of combining protective clothing with other measures, including the use of sunscreen on exposed skin and seeking shade during peak UV hours. Taken together, these small, consistent actions can make a meaningful difference in reducing the risk of sun damage over time.

The British Skin Foundation “More, More, More” campaign encourages people to improve sun safety habits by using more protection, more often. It promotes three simple actions: more clothing, more sunscreen, and more shade - to help reduce sun damage and lower the risk of skin cancer.