Top 10 Sun Protection Wear Manufacturing in The World

In recent years, with the improvement of global consumers' awareness of sun protection and the rise of outdoor lifestyles, the sun protection clothing market has experienced explosive growth. According to industry data, the global sun protection clothing market is expected to exceed US$15 billion in 2025. Driven by technological iteration and consumer demand, leading companies are accelerating the layout of functional fabric research and development and scenario-based design. However, with the intensification of market competition, some brands have gradually exposed problems such as technical shortcomings, product homogeneity, and durability. Based on authoritative lists and industry data, this article sorts out the competitiveness of the world's top ten sun protection clothing manufacturers and deeply analyzes their technical limitations and market challenges.

 

Content

1.Haining Zona Fashion Co., Ltd.

2. Bananain

3. UNIQLO

4. OhSunny

5. Decathlon

6. TOREAD

7. Columbia

8. The North Face

9. Bosideng

10. CAMEL

 

1.Haining Zona Fashion Co., Ltd.

Haining Zona Fashion Co., Ltd.was established in 2015. It is a clothing company integrating product manufacturing, research and development, and ready-to-wear sales services.
Its main products include seamless sports underwear, yoga wear sports T-shirts, and men's and women's corsets series. With a professional R&D and proofing team, it only takes 15-45 days to complete from development and design to finished samples to mass production.

 

Our UV protection shorts are ideal for various outdoor settings, delivering exceptional sun protection while keeping you comfortable and stylish under the sun. Suitable scenarios include, but are not limited to:

Dyes: Dark clothing is usually better to lighter clothes in terms of UV protection, but the type of dye used to colour the fabric affects how well it blocks UV rays. The higher the concentration of UV-blocking a dye has the more UV rays it blocks.

 

Treatments: During various stages of the manufacturing process, clothing manufacturers may include UV light-absorbing materials. Laundry additives, such as brighteners and UV-disrupting chemicals, can increase a garment's UPF rating.

 

Weave: Loosely woven materials provide less protection than densely woven ones. To determine how tightly woven an item of clothing is, hold it up to the light. If you can see light through the weave, it may be too loose to block the sun's rays.

 

Fabric: Without further chemical processing, some fabrics like cotton, flax, rayon, and hemp might not efficiently screen UV radiation. Wool, polyester, nylon, and silk are some materials that are better at blocking sun's radiation.

 

Stretch: It is possible that stretchable clothing offers less UV protection than non-stretchable clothing.

 

2. Bananain
Bananain's concept of "redesigning the basics" has led to the launch of sun protection clothing that is unique in terms of cut and function, such as using three-dimensional cuts to improve freedom of movement and adding antibacterial fabrics to enhance practicality. However, the brand's sun protection technology mainly relies on chemical coatings. Although it can achieve a high UPF value in the short term, the coating is easy to fall off after washing or friction, resulting in a decrease in the sun protection effect. In addition, some consumers reported that Bananain's sun protection clothing has poor breathability, especially during high-intensity exercise, the fabric cannot effectively wick away sweat, affecting wearing comfort. This problem highlights the brand's technical shortcomings between functionality and comfort.

 

3. UNIQLO
Uniqlo has long occupied the mass market with its cost-effective HEATTECH and AIRism series of sun protection clothing. Its products use polyester fiber and spandex blended fabrics, which take into account elasticity and sun protection performance. However, according to the sampling results of the "National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products", the UVA transmittance of a certain sun protection clothing of Uniqlo is as high as 8%, which exceeds the requirement of less than 5% stipulated in the national standard, which means that its actual sun protection effect does not meet the nominal value. In addition, the fabric thickness of Uniqlo's sun protection clothing is relatively thin. Although it improves breathability, it also reduces the physical shielding ability of ultraviolet rays, and the protection effect is limited in strong light environments.

4. OhSunny
OhSunny is positioned as "fashionable sun protection". Its sun protection clothing is fashionable and colorful, and is deeply loved by young consumers. The brand claims to use "nano-level sun protection fiber" and "ice-sensing technology", but according to analysis by a third-party testing agency, its fabric components are mainly ordinary nylon and spandex, and the so-called "nano technology" lacks scientific basis. A comparative test conducted by the Beijing Consumer Association in 2023 showed that the UPF value of a sun-protective clothing of OhSunny was only 32, far lower than the 50+ it advertised, and there was suspicion of false advertising. In addition, the seams of some products of this brand are rough, which is prone to open thread problems, affecting the durability of the product.

5. Decathlon
As a cost-effective outdoor sports brand, Decathlon's sun-protective clothing has won the market with its affordable prices. However, its products generally use basic polyester fiber fabrics, and the sun protection performance mainly relies on high-density weaving, lacking core technological innovation. The sampling results of the Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Bureau in 2024 showed that the UPF value of a sun-protective clothing of Decathlon was 38, which did not meet the national standard of 40+. In addition, the design of Decathlon's sun-protective clothing is relatively loose. Although it improves breathability, it is easy to be caught in the wheels in strong winds or riding scenes, posing a safety hazard. This issue was specifically mentioned in the report of "Global Network".

6. TOREAD
As a professional outdoor brand, TOREAD focuses on the combination of functionality and durability in its sun protection clothing, and often uses high-end fabrics such as GORE-TEX. However, the brand lacks breakthroughs in sun protection technology and mainly relies on physical shielding, resulting in thick fabrics and poor breathability. Consumers have reported that TOREAD sun protection clothing feels stuffy when worn in summer, especially during long outdoor activities, which greatly reduces comfort. In addition, the sun protection coating of some of its products is easy to fall off, and the sun protection performance decreases significantly after washing, exposing the problem of insufficient technical stability.

7. Columbia
Columbia uses "Omi heat reflection technology" and "Omi sun protection technology" as selling points, claiming that it can reflect ultraviolet rays and reduce heat absorption. However, third-party tests show that there is a gap between its actual sun protection effect and publicity. According to the test of Consumer Reports in 2024, the UVA transmittance of a certain sun protection clothing in Columbia is 6.5%, which exceeds the national standard, and the UPF value drops to 35 after 10 washes. In addition, some of the brand's products are lightweight and have insufficient fabric density, which weakens the UV protection ability and fails to give full play to the advantages of its "black technology".

8. The North Face: Sunscreen performance controversy in the high-end market
As a high-end outdoor brand, the North Face is known for its high quality and high price. However, its products are not impeccable in terms of sun protection performance. The sampling results of the Shaanxi Provincial Market Supervision Bureau in 2023 showed that the UPF value of a certain sunscreen clothing of the North Face was 36, which did not meet the national standard. In addition, the design of the North Face sunscreen clothing is more inclined to warmth rather than sun protection. The fabric is thicker and the breathability is average, and the wearing experience is not good in high temperature environments in summer. Although the brand emphasizes the durability and waterproofness of its products, the shortcomings of sunscreen function make it face challenges in the market segment.

9. Bosideng
As a leading company in the field of down jackets, Bosideng has accelerated its layout in the sunscreen market in recent years. Its sun-protective clothing continues the warmth-keeping design concept of down jackets, using thicker fabrics and multi-layer structures, resulting in poor breathability. Consumers generally reflect that Bosideng sun-protective clothing is easy to sweat when worn in hot weather, and the sun protection effect mainly relies on the physical shielding of dark fabrics, lacking technological innovation. In addition, the label information of its products is not standardized, and some styles do not clearly mark the UPF value, which violates the "Assessment of UV Protection Performance of Textiles" standard.

10. CAMEL
Camel is known for its outdoor leisure style, and its sun-protective clothing has quickly occupied the market with its fashionable design and diversified styles. However, the brand has frequent quality control problems. In 2024, the random inspection of the Shanxi Provincial Market Supervision Bureau showed that the UV protection performance of a certain Camel sun-protective clothing was unqualified, with a UPF value of only 30. In addition, the fiber content of some Camel products does not match the nominal content. For example, the actual cotton content of a sun-protective clothing with a nominal content of 50% cotton is less than 30%, which affects the breathability and comfort of the fabric. These problems reflect the brand's neglect of quality control during its rapid expansion.

Q: What does UPF stand for?

A: UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor. The higher the UPF rating, the more UV radiation that material will block. So a UPF rating of 30+ is good, for example, but 50+ is better. More specifically, UPF 30 blocks all but 1/30th of the sun's rays, while UPF 50 blocks all but 1/50th (allowing just 2% of UV radiation to reach your skin).

Q: Is UPF better than SPF?

A: UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) and SPF (sun protection factor) are two different ratings. UPF is a measure of the amount of UV light that reaches your skin through any material. SPF is a similar rating, but only applies to cosmetic products like sunscreen.

Q: What is UPF clothing?

A: UPF clothing (or UPF-rated clothing) is any clothing that's constructed from materials that have been tested and assigned a UPF rating. These special fabrics are designed to absorb and scatter UV radiation, protecting the wearer from sunburn and skin damage. To help make it easier for consumers to shop for sun-protective clothing, the Skin Cancer Foundation grants a Seal of Recommendation for products that carry a minimum UPF rating of 30. A rating of UPF 50+ is considered "excellent" sun protection.

Q: How does UPF clothing work?

A: UPF clothing works by blocking the sun's harmful UV rays via the fabric itself rather than adding a coating to the top. That is accomplished by engineering material from fiber to yarn to fabric. Therefore, the sun protection is part of the fabric, creating a longer-lasting alternative to sunscreen.

Q: Does UPF clothing work in water?

A: Yes, UPF clothing works great in water. In fact, it works better in the water than sunscreen in many ways because it won't wash off, making it ideal for kayaking, rafting, fishing, or paddleboarding. This also makes it a more eco-friendly choice than sunscreen.

Q: What are the benefits of sun-protective clothing?

A: UPF clothing provides a physical barrier against UV rays, reducing the risk of sunburn, skin aging, and skin cancer by decreasing the amount of radiation reaching the skin and mitigating short- and long-term sun damage.

Q: Does UV protection clothing really work?

A: Your clothing doesn't just look great. It also absorbs or blocks harmful UV radiation and remains one of the most effective forms of protection against sun damage and skin cancer. What's more, sun-protective clothing is the simplest way to stay safe.

Q: Is sun protection clothing necessary?

A: If you're looking for protection against ultraviolet rays during your outdoor activities, sun protection clothing is an absolute must. Even if you rely on sunscreen to protect your skin, there's nothing to protect your skin beneath your clothing.
Sure, regular clothing does provide a bit of protection. But it's not specifically designed to block harmful rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that UPF clothing with a 50+ rating lets a scant 2% of UV rays reach your skin. Regular clothing, like cotton, lets about 20% of those rays get through.

Q: Does sun protection clothing work when wet?

A: Yes. The protection endures even when the fabric is wet. Do note, however, that UV rays transmit more readily through water than they do through air. That means dry garments still offer better protection than wet ones.

Q: How long does UV protection last in a shirt?

A: If you're sticking with high-quality UPF clothing, you can expect the UV protection in a shirt (or other article) to last a long time. We're talking years. Just make sure you follow instructions for washing and drying to get the most out of your sun protection clothes.

Q: How do you wash sun protection clothing?

A: Had a feeling that was the next question! Washing sun protection clothing varies depending on the manufacturer. Washing our sun protection clothing is about as easy as it can get. Machine wash. Colors won't fade or run. Our quick-drying fabric can be hung to dry or tumble-dried on low.

Q: What fabric is best for sun protection?

A: 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.

Q: How do you take care of sun protection clothes?

A: Rinse these items in cold water immediately after wearing them, then clean them as soon as possible in cold water either by hand or on a gentle/delicate cycle. Lay them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Avoid sitting on rough surfaces like cement pool edges as this can lead to fabric pilling.

Q: How Long Does UPF Clothing Last?

A: Typically, UPF clothing that is properly cared for will last 30 to 40 washes. This means most will last roughly one to two years under normal usage of a few times a month. However, poorly cared for items could see their UPF protection vanish far earlier.

Q: Are UPF shirts worth it?

A: Dermatologists recommend sun protective clothing with a UPF rating of 50+, the highest UPF rating available that blocks up to 98% of UVA + UVB rays. This means that a piece with that rating will allow merely 1/50th or less of the sun's UV rays to reach the skin.