According to a recent report by Consumer Reports, the Beefy-T T-shirt by Hanes, Winston-Salem, N.C., provides impressive sun protection benefits when compared to other shirts in the market.
The report, which discussed the importance of wearing sun-protective clothing in addition to sunscreen, featured the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) numbers for three white shirts. Overall, Consumer Reports found that the shirts tested offered more than adequate protection, particularly the Hanes Beefy-T.
The cotton Hanes Beefy-T ($13), which does not claim to provide any UV protection, delivered a UPF of 115. UPF represents the fraction of ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate fabric, meaning that this particular garment allows 1/115th of UVA and UVB rays to reach the wearer’s skin. Even when wet, the Hanes Beefy-T, which is thicker than a regular T-shirt, offered a UPF of 39, which is still a respectable level of protection, according to the report.
Other shirts tested included the Coolibar Girl’s Rash Guard UPF 50+ ($32), a blend of 84 percent polyester and 16 percent spandex embedded with titanium dioxide delivered, which delivered a UPF of 174. The Eastbay Evapor long-sleeve compression crew ($18) made of the same polyester/spandex blend as the Coolibar top delivered a UPF of 392.
“We were delighted to read the Consumer Reports story,” says John Spivey, marketing manager for Hanes Branded Printwear. “We’ve always known the Hanes Beefy-T T-shirt stood shoulders above for its durability and softness. Everybody is concerned about sun exposure, so it’s important to know when you and your kids are protected.”
For more information, visit hanes.com. — L.M.
