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Compare Solumbra to Other Sun Protective Clothing
Solumbra by Sun Precautions is a superior choice to other sun protection clothing options
- Solumbra now offers 100+ SPF protection. This is all day sun protection even for the world’s most sun sensitive patients. Solumbra offers “Excellent” UPF protection, too.
- Solumbra has been subjected to 500 laundering and UV day durability cycles. U.S. test standards for UPF claims require only 40 cycles.
- Solumbra has received amazing accolades from leading magazines and newssources.
- Solumbra was reviewed under medical regulations in 1992 and successfully entered the marketplace. Dermatologists embraced the all day sun protection.
- Solumbra blocks more than 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Solumbra’s core fabric is patented. The sun protection is built in, not a coating that can wash off or wear out.
- Solumbra was invented by Shaun Hughes, a malignant melanoma skin cancer survivor, to protect himself and others from the dangers of overexposure to dangerous UV rays.
- Solumbra is exceptionally soft and comfortable. The fabrics are easy care and a dream to pack and use on a trip.
- Solumbra is carefully designed and engineered to promote airflow and warm weather comfort.
- Many of Solumbra’s products have specially located an engineered ventilation panels to allow air to enter and exit the garment to help you deal with peak summer heat. This is one of the reasons why Solumbra is the choice of serious athletes, including runners in the demanding Badwater Ultramarathon that starts in the bottom of Death Valley in the middle of summer, when temperatures hover over 120 degrees, and ends 135 miles later.
- Solumbra is made in a special factory in Seattle, WA.
- Solumbra has been reviewed for its sun protection in medical presentations and published medical journals. Other companies pay an annual fee to a skin cancer prevention organization to obtain the right to put a seal on their products that their fabrics are 30 UPF or higher and the hat brim is 3" or greater.
Solumbra Sun Protective Clothing Comparison
| Solumbra | Company C | Company M | Company MM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Protection Claim | 100+ SPF | 50+ UPF | 50+ UPF | 70+ SPF Tested at 3 SPF |
| Verification of Sun Protection | Government Agency | Paid endorsement that product is 30+ UPF | Paid endorsement that product is 30+ UPF | None |
| Country of Manufacturing | USA* | PR China | PR China | Unknown |
| Design focus | Ventilation and comfort Worn by world class athletes. |
Moderate Sportswear | High End NYC clothing | Maternity |
| Fabric Durability Cycle Testing: Laundering and UV Exposure |
500 Cycles | 40 Cycles | 40 Cycles | Unknown |
| Medical Research (published or presented) | Ten | None | None | None |
| Designs meet published medical guidelines | Yes | Many Don’t | No | No |
| Designed for sun sensitive patients | Yes | In some cases | No | No |
* Some Solumbra items are imported—parasols, gloves and straw hats
Learn more about Solumbra
- U.S. FDA 510(k)Premarket Notification. Device Classification: Sun Protective Clothing: 510(K) K920240. FDA Consumer
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. Patent 5503917.
- Keeling JH, Kraus EW, Pathak M, Sober AJ. Hats: design and protection from ultraviolet radiation. Mil Med, 1989 May;154(5):250-5.
- Sayre RM, Hughes SNG. Sun Protective Apparel: advancements in sun protection, Skin Cancer Journal, 1993, 8:41-47.
- Lowe NJ, Bourget T, Hughes S, Sayre RM. UV protection offered by clothing: An In Vitro and In Vivo Assestment of Summer Clothing Fabrics, Skin Cancer Journal, 1995; 10:89-96.
- Lowe NJ, Bourget T, Hughes S, Sayre RM. UV protection offered by clothing: An In Vitro and In Vivo Assetment of Summer Clothing Fabrics, in Sunscreens: Development, Evaluation, and Regulatory Aspects. Lowe NJ, Shaath NA Pathak MA (eds). 2nd ed Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1996, 619-629.
- Menter JM, Hollins TD, Sayre RM, Etemadi AA, Willis I, Hughes SNG. Protection against UV photocarcinegensis by fabric materials, J Am Acad Dermatology 1994; 31:711-716.
- Menter JM, Hollins TD, Sayre RM, Etemadi AA, Willis I, Hughes SNG. Protection against photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced photosensitivity by fabric material, Photoderm Photoimmunol Photomed 1998; 4:154-159.
- Brody, Jane E. Don’t get burned by a love for the sun, The New York Times 2006, June 13.
- Banning the Rays—Time Magazine
- Catching the Rays—People Magazine
- Ogilivie, Jessica P. Clothing that protects against the UV rays, The Los Angeles Times 2011 June 6.
- Martin M. Rays of Hope—Sun protection doesn’t come only in a bottle. The Seattle Times, 1993, June 20.
- Cronin, ME. Sun Precautions -- Skin Cancer Inspires Protective Clothing Line. The Seattle Times, 1995, May 24.
- McKinnon, L. Think you’re covered? Not all fabric offers full ‘shade.’ Deseret News 1996, July 4
- Ball, Aimee Lee. World’s Most Important Travel Innovation (#12 of 42), Travel and Leisure Magazine 2011, October.
