Getting sunburnt under buff?

https://buffusa.com/buff-products/men/multifunctional-headwear/original/black/117818.999

Link didn’t work in original post.

I’ve gotten light sunburn under thin shirt sleeves.  I have a habit of wiping sweat off my face with my sleeve and that seems to be enough to reduce the UPF to let in some sun.  I’ve had it happen on 50 UPF fabric but very thin fabric.

Another factor is the stretch.  Too much stretch and you’re reducing the density of the fabric which will let in more sun.  But for me it’s happened where there’s very little stretch so I think the moisture is the main factor.

Depending on the thickness and weave density cotton can have very little or very high UPF.  Only your most ragged and see-through cotton shirt will be as low as 5 UPF.

The buff is new and was warn loose/bunched around my neck/face. My neck got a burned a bit. It offered much less protection than a regular t-shirt, cotton or polyester blend. FWIW-I have been out for multiple days in high uv locations and never got burned through any of my t-shirts.

That really is puzzling.  Loose/bunched should provide lots of protection, regardless of UPF rating…  Maybe a heat rash?  I find buffs around my neck are too warm on hot, sunny days so I only use mine in the shoulder/winter hikes for warmth.

I thought that might be the case but it’s not. I emailed Buff and they said their older material was not as UV protective as the new products and it’s possible I got a new old stock item. I wonder if these things are counterfeited?

Interesting……I don’t have a Buff, but I do have quite a few OR Echo shirts (very thin) and haven’t gotten burned, and if anyone is going to get burned, it’s me.

As Paul said, with it lose and bunched up, it should have had more protection from the sun.

Brad-It is strange. I wore a Columbia Silver Ridge long sleeve shirt at the same time as the buff. Same UPF rating-50, no burn under any area the shirt is covering including lower neck. I am not convinced the buffs are rated accurately. The other thing is the buff material is very thin-you can see through it slightly. Seems like if I can see light coming through sunlight is also coming through.

BUFF’s  are made of various materials and may explain the sun issue:

Multifunctional Headwear

Original

Original Reflective

CoolNet UV+™

CoolNet UV+™ Reflective

Insect Shield

XL Headwear

ThermoNet™

Lightweight Merino Wool

Midweight Merino Wool

Polar

Polar Reversible

Windproof

Sounds like it is not upf 50 or even close.

Well, of course you’re going to get sunburned in the buff!

Ken-All of the buffs with the exception of the Windproof and the two wool buffs are rated for UPF 50. I am not convinced they are actually rated that high.

Purely anecdotal but I have used an original Buff in Florida many times hiking, boating, kayaking, fishing, etc. It was essential while living down there and it always protected me from the sun – I never once got burned through it. I never got the impression that the rating was inaccurate.

Where did you buy from, perhaps possible that you received a fake, a lemon, or as Buff said an older model with a lower UPF rating (or possibly so old that the fabric has lost its integrity?).

Jameson-It was sold and shipped from Amazon and a rep from Buff said it appears to be authentic, but it’s possible.

That is very strange.  I have worn a Buff as my primary sun protection for head and neck for years and never been burned.  How long were you out in the Sun?

Randy-I was out from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Shaded trail in the morning, pretty exposed from 10-3:30.