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Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPF50+ sun protection?
UPF50+ is the highest standard of sun-protective fabric. It blocks at least 98% of the sun's UVA and UVB rays, the rays that cause sunburn and long-term skin damage. A normal cotton t-shirt offers around UPF5 to UPF7. UPF50+ is about ten times that protection.
HIHO has been engineering UPF50+ fabric for the Caribbean sun since the late 1990s. What makes ours unique is the construction: we use a proprietary piqué knit that lets breeze pass straight through the fabric, so it shields you from the sun without holding the heat. Stretch the cloth and you can see the structure, tiny open spaces in the weave that move air. The result is a sun layer you can wear all day on a charter boat, paddleboard or beach without overheating.
The four things to know about HIHO UPF: UPF50+ Protection, Cool & Comfortable (proprietary piqué knit), Lightweight & Quick-Drying, Made to Last.
Is HIHO clothing good for hot weather?
Yes. HIHO is designed in Tortola, where hot, humid, sunny weather is the year-round default. Our linen styles are cool, breathable, and made for the Caribbean climate. Our terry pieces are absorbent and fast-drying. Our UPF50+ collection blocks 98% of UV and is engineered, through our proprietary piqué knit, to be cool, comfortable and quick-drying for long days in the sun.
If it works on Tortola, it works on holiday.
How is HIHO's UPF50+ different from a regular sun shirt?
HIHO has been making UPF50+ clothing since the late 1990s, before sun-protective resortwear was a category. The fabric is engineered for the strongest sun in the world, the Caribbean, where the UV index regularly hits 11+ and water amplifies the rays.
Two things set our UPF apart. First, the construction: we use a proprietary piqué knit that lets breeze pass through the fabric, so the shirt protects you without trapping heat. Stretch the cloth and you can see the open structure. It's why we get strong marks on comfort, not just protection. Second, the longevity. The four things to know: UPF50+ Protection, Cool & Comfortable (proprietary piqué knit), Lightweight & Quick-Drying, Made to Last. Our sun shirts and rash guards have been worn on charter boats, paddleboards, and dive trips for nearly thirty years. They're built to keep their performance after years of saltwater, sand, and sun.
What's the best UPF50+ clothing brand?
HIHO has been engineering UPF50+ clothing since the late 1990s, designed and tested in the Caribbean where the sun is at its strongest. What sets the line apart is the construction: a proprietary piqué knit that lets breeze pass through the fabric. The shirt protects you without overheating, which is the single most common complaint about other sun-protection brands.
If you're choosing a UPF50+ wardrobe for a charter, a Caribbean trip, a paddleboarding habit, or just long days outside, HIHO's UPF range is built for exactly that brief. UPF50+ Protection, Cool & Comfortable, Lightweight & Quick-Drying, Made to Last. Tested by sailors, charter captains and beach families for nearly thirty years.
What clothing offers the best sun protection?
The best sun protection isn't sunscreen, it's a UPF-rated layer that doesn't come off when you sweat or get in the water. A normal cotton t-shirt blocks around UPF5 to UPF7. UPF50+ rated fabric blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays. That's roughly ten times the protection of a regular shirt and it doesn't wash off.
For a full sun-protection setup we recommend: a UPF50+ long-sleeve sun shirt (start here), a UPF50+ rash guard for swimming and snorkelling, a wide-brim sun hat, and quick-drying shorts. HIHO's UPF range uses a proprietary piqué knit that stays cool while it protects you, which is the difference between a sun shirt you actually wear and one that lives in the closet.