Do Riding Shirts Protect You From the Sun? What New Research Says
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By Stacey Tull, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologic Surgeon
If you ride in a long-sleeved shirt, are your arms protected from the sun?
The answer is encouraging, but more complicated than you might think.
A new study published September 22, 2026, tested the sun-protective performance of 37 commercially available garments. Researchers found that many ordinary clothes provided surprisingly strong ultraviolet protection, even when they were not marketed as sun-protective.
But the difference between garments was enormous.
Protection ranged from an ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, of just 3 to greater than 100.
For riders, trainers, grooms and anyone spending long days outdoors at the barn or horse show, the research delivers an important message:
What you wear can be an extremely effective part of your sun-protection strategy, but simply covering your skin does not guarantee the same level of protection from every garment.
What is UPF?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.
Think of it as the clothing counterpart to the SPF number you see on sunscreen, although the two measurements are not identical.
UPF describes how effectively a fabric reduces ultraviolet radiation reaching the skin underneath it.
For example, a garment rated UPF 50 allows approximately 1/50th of the relevant UV radiation to pass through the fabric.
That means clothing can provide an extraordinarily useful layer of protection, especially for outdoor athletes who would otherwise need to repeatedly apply sunscreen over large areas of the body.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sun-protective clothing as part of a complete protection strategy and advises looking for garments with a UPF rating when more effective protection is desired.
What did the new clothing study find?
Researchers tested 37 garments purchased from mainstream retailers. The sample included T-shirts, shirts, trousers, leggings, tights, cycling shorts and a beach cover-up.
Only three of the 37 garments were actually marketed as UV-protective clothing.
Yet 26 of the 37 garments, or approximately 70%, achieved a UPF of at least 40, which the researchers classified as excellent UV protection under the European standard they used.
That is the good news.
The more surprising finding was just how much performance varied.
Trousers and leggings were among the strongest performers, with some exceeding UPF 100.
At the other end of the spectrum, tights measured only UPF 3 to 7, and one lightweight beach cover measured UPF 4.
Even within something as ordinary as a T-shirt, protection ranged from UPF 14 for one white shirt to greater than UPF 100 for some black shirts.
So the fact that a garment covers your skin tells only part of the story.
Dark riding shirts may have an advantage
This part of the research is especially interesting for equestrians.
Color was one of the characteristics significantly associated with UV protection.
Black garments generally performed best. Navy garments also performed well, and the researchers found no statistically significant difference in UPF between black and navy within their analysis.
Lighter-colored clothing generally provided less protection, particularly white garments.
That does not mean that every navy riding shirt is automatically highly protective or that every white show shirt provides poor protection.
Some white garments in the study provided strong UV protection, and some dark garments did not perform as well as expected.
But as a general pattern, darker colors tended to provide greater UV attenuation.
For a sport already dominated by navy, black and other dark performance apparel, that is interesting news.
Do not judge a riding shirt by color alone
Before we declare every navy schooling shirt a sun-protection garment, there is an important catch.
The researchers found substantial differences even among garments that looked similar.
In fact, one black T-shirt that was specifically marketed as UV protective measured only UPF 32, below the UPF 40 threshold the researchers used for excellent protection.
That is why a tested UPF rating is more informative than assumptions based on color, price, fabric appearance, brand or marketing language.
Interestingly, price was not associated with greater photoprotection in the study. Some inexpensive clothes provided excellent protection.
The lesson is simple: expensive does not necessarily mean more sun protective.
What should riders look for in a sun-protective riding shirt?
If sun protection is an important reason you are buying a riding shirt, look for an actual UPF rating on the garment or manufacturer’s product information.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends UPF-rated clothing when possible, and dermatologists commonly recommend a UPF of 30 or higher for meaningful protection.
A UPF 50 or 50+ riding shirt provides an especially straightforward way to know that the fabric has been evaluated for UV transmission rather than relying on appearance alone.
Other characteristics can help too. Densely constructed fabrics generally protect better than loose or open weaves. Darker and brighter colors frequently provide more UV protection than pale colors. And greater coverage means less exposed skin requiring sunscreen.
For equestrians, practical considerations matter just as much. A protective shirt still needs to be breathable, comfortable, mobile and wearable in hot weather or you are unlikely to choose it consistently.
What about white show shirts?
There is no reason to panic about your white show shirt.
The study did not find that all white clothing provided inadequate UV protection. Some white garments performed well. What it showed is that color by itself cannot reliably tell you how much protection a garment provides.
If a manufacturer publishes a tested UPF rating, use that information.
If your show shirt does not have a UPF rating, do not assume that long sleeves automatically provide the equivalent of UPF 50 protection.
This is particularly relevant when fabrics are thin, loosely woven, highly stretched, or contain large areas of mesh.
What happens when your shirt gets wet?
This matters at the barn.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dry clothing generally provides more UV protection than wet clothing. Sweat, water and the way a garment behaves when damp can therefore matter during long periods outdoors.
The new study tested textile samples under laboratory conditions. It did not reproduce an entire horse-show day involving sweat, stretching, repeated laundering, dust and friction.
That is another reason a tested UPF garment is useful when sun protection is a priority.
Clothing does something sunscreen cannot
There is a practical advantage to clothing that is easy to overlook:
You do not have to reapply your shirt every two hours.
For riders who may spend eight or ten hours outside, reducing the amount of exposed skin that depends entirely on sunscreen can make an effective protection strategy much easier.
Think of photoprotection as a system.
Your riding shirt can protect your torso and arms. Your breeches protect your legs. A hat can provide additional protection while you are unmounted. Shade can reduce exposure while you are waiting beside the ring. And sunscreen protects the areas that remain exposed.
None of those tools needs to do the entire job alone.
Clothing does not replace sunscreen
Even the best UPF riding shirt leaves plenty of skin uncovered.
For equestrians, commonly exposed areas include:
- Face
- Ears
- Neck
- Upper chest, depending on the neckline
- Hands
- Hairline and exposed scalp
- Lips
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing and reapplying approximately every two hours while outdoors, as well as after swimming or sweating.
For an early morning start, that means the sunscreen you applied before schooling should not automatically be expected to carry you through an entire afternoon at the ring.
Build a smarter horse-show protection system
Before leaving for the barn
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, ears, neck, chest, hands and other exposed skin.
While riding
Choose long sleeves and UPF-rated clothing whenever practical.
Between classes
Seek shade instead of standing in direct sun when you have the option.
During the day
Reapply sunscreen to exposed areas, particularly after heavy sweating or wiping your face.
When you are finished riding
A wide-brimmed hat can provide more face, ear and neck coverage than a baseball cap while you are walking around the showgrounds.
The goal is not to avoid being outdoors. It is to enjoy the sport while reducing unnecessary cumulative UV exposure.
Where Tull MD sunscreen fits
Clothing protects the skin it covers. Tull MD sunscreen is designed for the skin it does not.
For a long outdoor day, consider matching the sunscreen format to the moment.
Smooth Mineral Defense Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
A lightweight all-mineral zinc oxide fluid that works well as the final step in a morning skincare routine and can be worn alone or under makeup.
Tinted Matte Defense Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
An all-mineral tinted option with a soft-matte finish and 80-minute water resistance for riders who prefer tint and shine control.
Brush-On Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
A portable mineral powder format that makes sunscreen convenient to carry at the ring and use for touch-ups during long days outdoors.
The bigger lesson for equestrians
We talk a great deal about sunscreen, but effective photoprotection has never been about sunscreen alone.
The newest research reinforces something important: your clothes can do a remarkable amount of the work.
A well-protective riding shirt reduces the amount of skin exposed to UV radiation in the first place. Sunscreen then protects the areas clothing cannot cover. Shade and smart habits add another layer.
For a sport where many people spend thousands of hours outside over a lifetime, those layers matter.
We already think carefully about protecting our horses and protecting ourselves with helmets, boots and safety equipment. Protecting our skin deserves a place in that routine too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a long-sleeved riding shirt protect you from the sun?
Yes, clothing can provide substantial UV protection, but the amount varies considerably depending on the garment. A tested UPF rating provides better information than simply assuming that long sleeves offer a particular level of protection.
What UPF should I look for in a riding shirt?
Look for UPF-rated clothing when possible. Dermatologists recommend clothing with meaningful UV protection, and UPF 30 or greater is commonly recommended. UPF 50 or 50+ provides excellent UV attenuation.
Are dark riding shirts better for sun protection?
In the 2026 clothing study, black and navy garments generally provided greater UV protection than lighter-colored garments. However, color alone cannot determine a garment’s UPF. A tested UPF rating remains more reliable.
Does a white show shirt protect against UV?
It may. Protection among white garments varied in the study. Some provided strong UV protection while others were considerably lower. Look for a UPF rating rather than relying on color alone.
Do I still need sunscreen if I wear UPF clothing?
Yes. Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher to skin that remains exposed, including your face, ears, neck and hands. Clothing and sunscreen work best as complementary parts of a complete protection strategy.
The Research
Primary study:
Meehan R, Bajek D, Rendell R, et al. Photoprotection properties of clothing measured across ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences. Published September 22, 2026.
Key study limitation:
This was laboratory testing of 37 commercially available garments, not a clinical trial measuring sunburn, photoaging or skin-cancer outcomes. The results should not be used to predict the exact UPF of a riding shirt that was not included in the study.
Authoritative consumer guidance:
American Academy of Dermatology. What to wear to protect your skin from the sun.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist about your personal skin-cancer risk, concerning skin changes, or questions about sun protection.