How to Wash a Hat Without Ruining It
Most hat washing guides miss the one thing that matters most: brim construction. Here's how to wash any hat without ruining the shape, from a headwear-only brand that's been obsessing over this stuff for 25...
What UPF Actually Means
(and why your hat's rating matters)
You've seen UPF on hat tags and product pages. Maybe you've wondered what it actually means - or whether it means anything at all.
It means something. And if you spend real time outside, it's worth understanding before you buy your next hat.
Here's the plain-language version.
UPF and SPF are not the same thing
SPF is for sunscreen. It measures how long you can stay in the sun before UVB rays cause sunburn compared to unprotected skin. It's a time multiplier for liquid product applied to skin.
UPF - Ultraviolet Protection Factor - is for fabric. It measures how much UV radiation passes through a material to reach your skin. It accounts for both UVA and UVB rays, which SPF does not.
A fabric rated UPF 50 blocks 98% of UV radiation. Only 1/50th gets through. UPF 50+ is the highest standard rating, and it's what you want in any hat you're planning to actually wear outside for sustained periods.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends UPF 30 as the minimum for sun protective clothing, and UPF 50+ for maximum protection. They also note that a standard white cotton t-shirt carries roughly UPF 7. Most people assume their clothes are protecting them more than they are.
What determines a fabric's UPF rating
Four things affect how much UV a fabric blocks:
Construction. Tighter weaves and denser knits leave less space for UV to pass through. Loose or open weaves let more through regardless of what the fabric is made of.
Fiber type. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon tend to block UV more effectively than natural fibers. Certain treatments can add UV-blocking properties to any fabric.
Color. Darker colors and more saturated colors generally absorb more UV than light or white fabrics. The difference matters more in natural fibers than synthetics.
Condition. Wet fabric loses some of its UPF effectiveness. Worn or stretched fabric does too - the weave opens up slightly, letting more through.
Why mesh panels are a problem
A lot of running and outdoor caps use large mesh side panels for ventilation. It's a real design benefit - mesh moves heat off your head efficiently.
The tradeoff is UV protection. Mesh is an open structure. UV passes through it the same way air does.
A hat can carry a UPF rating on the label and still have significant gaps in coverage if that rating only applies to the solid crown panels. The mesh panels themselves may be rated separately, or not rated at all. Worth looking at where the mesh sits - if it's directly over your temples or the sides of your face, you're getting less protection in those areas than the tag implies.
The design question every hat brand faces is how to solve ventilation and protection at the same time. The answer isn't always mesh.
Laser-cut perforations do both
The approach we use in the Provo is laser-cut perforations across the crown. Small, precise openings engineered for airflow that don't compromise the UPF rating of the fabric.
The difference from mesh: the base material remains intact. The perforations are sized to move heat without creating the open structure that lets UV through. The Provo carries a UPF 50+ rating across the full cap - not partial coverage, not rated-except-for-mesh. Full protection.
Same approach in the Stillwater. UPF 50+ technical fabric, built for longer days outside where protection matters as much as ventilation.
Not all sun hats are equal
Here's a simple way to evaluate any hat's sun protection before you buy:
Check the UPF number. UPF 50+ is the ceiling. If a hat doesn't list a UPF rating, it hasn't been tested - which means you don't know what you're getting.
Look at where the mesh is. Mesh on the back panel above the closure affects your neck and upper head. Mesh on the sides sits over your temples. Large front-panel mesh means UV is reaching your forehead. Know what you're trading off.
Consider the brim. UPF ratings cover the fabric of the cap itself. The brim is what blocks direct sun from your face. A longer brim provides more shade regardless of the fabric rating. A short brim on a UPF 50+ hat still leaves your face in the sun.
Think about conditions. Midday sun at sea level is different from midday sun at altitude. Runners, hikers, and cyclists face cumulative UV exposure over hours. The higher the UPF, the lower the risk.
Where our hats land
Provo - UPF 50+ Full UPF 50+ coverage across the entire cap. Laser-cut perforations for ventilation without sacrificing protection. Built for year-round movement - running, hiking, commuting, whatever the day is.
Stillwater - UPF 50+ UPF 50+ with a relaxed fit and wider brim. More coverage, more shade. The choice for longer days in direct sun - fishing, hiking, travel. Protection without looking like you're trying. A customer wrote "Husband found this at a surf shop and ended up buying 3. Loves them for the light weight and coverage from the sun. I've now ordered more for our teens and myself. Light weight on the head, dries quick and great sun protection of face and neck. Brim is larger than most, which we wanted, but not too big."
Pontoon - UPF 40+ UPF 40+ with a performance-focused build for water and active use. A step down from 50+ but still well above the minimum recommendation. Engineered for days on the water where sun exposure is constant and reflected.
All three are part of our Spring/Summer collection - built specifically for the conditions where UV protection is the whole point.
The short version
UPF measures how much UV passes through fabric. UPF 50+ blocks 98% - the highest standard. Mesh panels reduce protection even on hats with a UPF label. Laser-cut ventilation solves airflow without compromising the rating. And a hat without a UPF number hasn't been tested.
If you're outside for real stretches of time, it matters what's on your head.
