Sundancer Hat
Wonderfully feminine with its pleated waterfall neck veil and wide 4 1/2" brim, the Sundancer Hat offers beautiful and effective sun protection that's perfect for travel, gardening, outdoor activities and the spa. Features adjustable sizing, chin strap and interior wicking sweatband for added comfort. Grace your sun protection program with this elegant sun hat and you'll bask in compliments received, and not the sun's rays.
- 7 1/2" pleated waterfall veil protects neck and upper back
- UPF 50+ certified sun rating
- Water repellent / stain resistant
- Ponytail friendly opening at back of crown
- Interior wicking sweatband
- Packs for travel
- Chinstrap with cord lock
- External sizing band for custom fit
- Lightweight: 3 ounces
- Size: Women's M - One size fits most (see hat sizing chart)
Fabric content: 100% nylon
Washing and care instructions: Hand wash cold with mild soap. Line dry. Do not iron.
Packing Instructions: Packs flat or rolls into a cone for travel. Do not fold or crease brim.
What is the difference between UPF and SPF?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It is measure of the UV protection provided by fabric. A UPF rating is granted to apparel or gear that has been tested and proven to block a certain amount of ultraviolet radiation. UPF is similar to SPF, except that UPF means UV testing was conducted with equipment rather than on people's skin. SPF measures the length and time of protection against sunburn from UVB compared to unprotected skin. SPF rating only applies to lotions applied directly to the skin, not fabrics.
What makes fabric sun protective, or UPF rated?
Tightness of knit or weave: basically the tighter the weave, the higher the UPF. When a fabric is stretched, the tightness of the weave diminishes, resulting in increased UVL (ultra violet light) transmission. If a fabrics' weave is not as tight as desired resulting in a low UPF rating, the fabric can be treated with a Tinosorb finish to raise the UPF. Thicker fabrics generally have higher UPF ratings than thinner fabrics.
When fabric gets wet, its UPF protection can decrease dramatically. Wet cotton can lose up to 50% of its SPF/UPF. This is because water reduces the scattering of UVL, therefore increasing its transmission of harmful ultraviolet rays.
Dark colors are more protective than white. In a study of identical fabrics, which were either white or dyed, it was found that white cotton fabrics had an UPF of 12, whereas a similarly constructed black fabric had UPF of 32. In testing polyester, the studies showed that a white polyester was a 16 UPF and black polyester was a 34 UPF. UPF ratings in this study do not reflect the ratings of all cottons or polyester fabrics.
If I wear a sun protective hat and clothing do I still need to wear sunscreen?
The UPF ratings of our hats and clothing measure how well the fabric protects against UV rays, not necessarily how much protection the person under it receives. Sun protection received when wearing our sun protective hats and clothing is relative to where the sun is positioned in the sky (the time of day), as well as how much sun is being reflected from the surface of water, sand, snow, pavement and so forth. Wearing our hats and apparel will greatly reduce your sun exposure however we still recommend the use of sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 15 in places where you may still be exposed or getting reflective UV (such as the face and backs of hands). We also recommend sunglasses with UV filters to help protect your eyes.