What Is UPF50+ Swimwear and Do Kids Really Need It?

What Is UPF50+ Swimwear and Do Kids Really Need It?

If you’ve ever looked at kids swimwear and seen UPF50+ on the tag and thought, “Okay… but what does that actually mean?” — you’re not alone.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much UV radiation can pass through fabric.

  • UPF50+ blocks 98% of harmful UV rays

  • Regular cotton t-shirt? Around UPF 5–8 when wet

  • Wet swimwear without rating? Often much lower protection

For Australian families especially, this matters. We have some of the highest UV levels in the world.

UPF vs SPF — What’s the Difference?

This is one of the most searched questions in kids sun protection.

  • SPF (Sun Protection Factor) = sunscreen rating

  • UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) = clothing protection rating

Sunscreen rubs off.
Clothing doesn’t.

The best approach? Layer both.

Do Kids Really Need UPF50+ Swimwear?

Short answer: yes.

Children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive to UV damage. Just one bad sunburn in childhood can significantly increase future skin cancer risk.

UPF50+ swimwear helps protect:

  • Shoulders

  • Upper back

  • Chest

  • Neck

  • Upper thighs (with longer styles)

That’s why rash vests, long sleeve swimsuits and sun safe swim sets are so popular with Aussie mums.

What Makes Swimwear UPF50+?

High quality sun safe swimwear is made from:

  • Tightly woven fabric

  • Special UV-blocking fibres

  • Quality dyes that resist breakdown in chlorine & salt

Not all swimwear is equal — especially fast fashion styles without certified ratings.

Tic Tas Togs Swimwear has been tested and certified as UPF50+ by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)

What Styles Offer the Best Sun Protection?

For maximum coverage:

✔ Long sleeve rash vests
✔ Long sleeve swimsuits
✔ High neck swim tops and sunsuits
✔ Longer boardshort styles
✔ Two piece swim sets with coverage

Is Bright or Dark Better for Sun Protection?

Darker colours generally absorb more UV, but modern high-quality UPF50+ fabrics protect regardless of colour.

That means you can choose bright, high-visibility swimwear (great for beach safety) and still get full sun protection.

Final Thoughts

UPF50+ swimwear isn’t just a trend. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your child’s skin at the beach or pool.

When shopping for children’s swimwear, always check:

  • Certified UPF50+

  • Good coverage

  • Quality stitching

  • Chlorine resistant/lined fabric

Because sunscreen alone isn’t enough. Be sure to check out Cancer Council Sun Safety Info for more tips on protecting precious skin.

Shop our award-winning sun safe styles now.