Merino(or other natural fibers) for sun protection?

I would guess cotton, although that has obvious disadvantages. Linen might be the way to go, as I’m pretty sure it is less absorbent. Hemp is another option, but I don’t know how it compares with the other materials.

Cotton.  If it’s warm wool will be too warm.  Cotton shirts are good in hot weather so long as you’re prepared if it turns cold.

my grey water now irritates my vegetables

Perhaps a lint filter for your washing machine discharge?

I have an interest in natural fibers as my grey water now irritates my vegetables :)

Sounds like you might need a GuppyFriend

What about alpaca? Supposed to be stink-resistant like merino but not absorb water.

Thanks for the filters link. It sounds a good idea for washing synthetics anyway, but even with a filter has highlighted the environmentally problematic nature of synthetics so I’m still interested in “natural” options.

I’ll check out alpaca wool. I thought it was meant to be even warmer than merino?

Warmth is a function of thickness/loft. Only we care about warmth/weight. I don’t know how alpaca and sheep wool densities compare.

For sun hoodies the durability of the yarns probably limits how thin/light/cool you can make a fabric.

i think they can make very breathable, very light yet high upf fabrics from poly or nylon cuz they can use very thin yarns to produce complex knits (porous to air but not photons) not possible with more fragile natural fibers.

I’d just try a cotton dress shirt, but not the kind pre-treated for wrinkles if you want to avoid synthetics. I’ve never tried one myself as a deliberate sun layer, but I don’t recall ever getting sun on my arms while walking around in one.

Old school was wool, wool cotton blend, linen and linen blends, rayon.

Problem is price and care. Most cost a lot, aren’t super durable and require hand wash or dry cleaning, maybe ironing.

They have been replaced by polyester which is a by product of the oil industry, so much cheaper, finding good natural fiber hot weather clothes other than cotton at a Thrift Shop has really dropped off.

If you have coin-

https://woolandprince.com/blogs/everyday-merino/merino-wool-shirt-guide

I have a couple of linen/cotton blend, long sleeve, dress shirts for warm weather desert hiking and they work wonderfully, not only for sun protection, but for keeping me cool. If you’re not too particular about colors, good deals can be had on the Amazon Goodthreads brand which goes on sale frequently.

Yeah, cotton isn’t good for UV protection. Sorry. This usually gets contentious, so I’ll just repeat dermatology protocols:

1.) you don’t have to get sunburned to be at risk for overexposure to potentially cancer producing sun rays

2) since the last never sinks in: not getting a sun burn doesn’t mean you can stay out in the sun for hours and years on end without possible bad consequences; i.e. death and or disfigurement

3. ) one more  time, lots of sun isn’t healthy despite what Granpa told you

4.) sun at altitude is far, far more strong than at sea level

5.) melonoma is the second most deadly cancer after lung cancer. There is no effective treatment

6.) melanoma is primarily caused by overexposure to sun

7.) backpackers are exposed to sun at high altitude for many hours in the course of a hike

AND:

8) by simply using UV protective clothing–which is synthetic if you don’t want to wrap yourself in layers of cotton–and especially a broad brimmed hat, you can hike safely for many decades.

oh yeah snow and water exacerbate sun exposure.

Cotton Kills! seriously, in this regard.

Jscott, do you have any recommendations for non synthetic options?

Jscott, do you have any recommendations for non synthetic options?

I don’t know. there may be. Maybe silk? something with a very tight weave.

I’m a bit passionate about this topic because I had a cancerous melanoma carved out of my face with a very sharp scalpel while awake. that wasn’t fun. (no, I’m not disfigured but there is a mild scar.) But really that’s nothing–I wasn’t really aware of it and it was only caught when I went in to see my doctor about something else. My doctors also said that the melanoma was 2o years in the making–swimming, skiing, backpacking without enough proper protection. I never got sun burn–doesn’t matter. Once the cancer spreads into the lymph system  it’s pretty much game over. Wear a good sun hat! Cotton baseball caps don’t work!

Thanks for the feedback. Indeed sun protection is a serious issue. I’m still young (under 30) but I’ve never really burnt (I tan easily) – which made me very complacent about sun protection as I loathe the feeling of sunscreen. Unfortunately, I’ve also most of that time in New Zealand, the islands under the big hole in the ozone layer and a sub-10 minute burn time for most people! Then I also work outdoors and hike.

So I’m pretty wary of the damage I’ve already done to myself, despite only burning a few times in my life. Hence the thread.

I have read that merino has a UPF rating of 50+, but I suspect the type of weave or knit makes a big difference. Unfortunately it seems merino clothing is very rarely marketed for sun protection so it’s a bit hard to know what to get..

Cotton – depends. — Wet white T-Shirt UPF of 3, denim 1700.

Several factors it seems.

“Color: Dark or bright colors keep UV rays from reaching your skin by absorbing them rather than allowing them to penetrate. That’s why these colors offer better protection than lighter shades.

Construction: Densely woven cloth, like denim, canvas, wool or synthetic fibers, are more protective than sheer, thin or loosely woven cloth. Check a fabric’s sun safety by holding it up to the light. If you can see through, UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin.

Content: The composition of your fabric really matters. Unbleached cotton contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers. Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satiny silks can be highly protective because they reflect radiation. High-tech fabrics treated with chemical UV absorbers or dyes prevent some penetration from UV rays.

Fit: Loose-fitting apparel is preferable. Tight clothing can stretch and reduce the level of protection offered, as the fibers pull away from each other and allow more UV light to pass through.

UPF: Some clothing makers provide UPF labels, which indicate exactly how much of the sun’s rays the garment can shield.”

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/

I just received two of these… https://www.ridgemerino.com/collections/merino-wool-hoodies-mens/products/mens-solstice-lightweight-pullover-hoodie?variant=32284518121581

What attracted me about this hoody was the fabric weight, merino composition and 30 SPF.

I am typically a size L but for sun protection I sometimes size up to XL for >100F weather. With regard to this shirt, for street wear the L is perfect, but the looser fit of the XL is a better choice for hot weather. Living in New England and without plans for trips to far off lands in the near future, it looks like I will have to wait until next summer to assess its true performance.

The fabric is very smooth, the sleeves are long and the hood is very large/loose.

They are currently having a 20% off, which applies to sale items.