Protect yourself on the water with four things: a UV-rated top, a hat or cap with a secure strap, a neck cover, and a retainer for your sunglasses. This guide lists example products from Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik and Rooster, shows the UV rating each maker states, and helps you pick the size.
Sun protection at a glance
| Piece | Job | Brands in our range |
|---|---|---|
| UV top | Covers arms and torso with UV-rated fabric | Musto, Zhik, Rooster, Helly Hansen |
| UV trousers and shorts | Covers legs on deck | Musto |
| Brimmed hat | Shades the face and neck | Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik, Rooster |
| Cap and visor | Shades the eyes | Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik, Rooster, Harken |
| Neck sleeve | Covers the neck and face | Rooster |
| Sunglasses retainer | Keeps sunglasses on your head | Musto, Rooster |
What does the UPF rating mean?
UPF is the ultraviolet protection factor the maker states for a fabric. A higher number blocks more UV. The table shows what each brand states for its ranges, so check the product page for the exact figure on the piece you choose.
| Brand | Range | Rating stated by the maker |
|---|---|---|
| Musto | Sunblock Long-sleeve Rash Guard and EVO Sunblock Short-sleeve Tee 2.0 | UPF 50 |
| Musto | EVO Deck Fast-dry UV Trousers and EVO Fast-dry Brimmed Hat | UPF 40 |
| Zhik | UVActive tops and polos | UPF 50+ |
| Rooster | Quick Dry UVF T-Shirt | UVF50+ |
| Rooster | Wide Brimmed UV Hat and UV Neck Sleeve | UV protection; check the product page for the rating |
| Helly Hansen | Waterwear Rashguard | UPF stated on the product page |
Which UV tops should I choose?
Long sleeves cover the most skin. Short sleeves and polos suit hot days. A rash guard fits close and works under other layers.
Zhik states that its UVActive fabric goes beyond the Australian UPF 50+ requirement, with a performance fit and tapered arms. Rooster describes its UVF T-shirt as quick-drying polyester with anti-bacterial fabric.
Are there UV trousers and shorts?
| Piece | Examples from our range |
|---|---|
| Trousers and pants |
Musto EVO Deck Fast-dry UV Trousers - Unisex (True Navy) Musto Sunblock Dynamic Pant - Unisex (Light Grey / Sky Diver) |
| Shorts | Musto EVO Deck UV Fast-dry Short - Unisex (True Navy) |
Which hat or cap should I wear?
A brimmed hat shades your face, ears and neck. A cap or visor shades your eyes and is easier to wear under a hood. Look for a chin strap on a brimmed hat, since wind on the water takes hats overboard.
| Type | Examples from our range | Maker's notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brimmed hat |
Musto EVO Fast-dry Brimmed Hat - Unisex (Black) Helly Hansen Crew Sun Hat - Unisex (Navy) Zhik Hat - Broad Brim - White Rooster Wide Brimmed UV Hat - Unisex (Light Grey) |
Musto: UPF 40, brim popper, chin strap. Helly Hansen: wide brim, snaps to stow the brim, adjustable chin strap. Zhik: hard-peaked brim, dual chin straps, laser-cut ventilation. Rooster: high UV rating, quick-drying. |
| Cap |
Musto Essential Fast-dry Crew Cap - Unisex (True Navy) Helly Hansen Crew Cap 2.0 - Unisex (Navy) Zhik Cap - Sports - Navy Rooster Structured Cap - Unisex (Black) Harken - The "Mitch" Cap - Unisex (Charcoal Grey) |
Fast-dry and structured options from five brands. |
| Visor |
Helly Hansen Crew Visor 2.0 - Unisex (Navy) Zhik Visor - Sports - Navy Rooster Aeromesh Visor - Unisex (Black) |
Open top for airflow. |
| Cap leash | Rooster Cap Leash - Unisex | Clips the cap to your collar. |
What covers my neck and face?
| Piece | Examples from our range |
|---|---|
| Neck sleeve | Rooster UV Neck Sleeve - Unisex (Graphite) |
Rooster describes the sleeve as lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and usable as a face covering.
How do I keep my sunglasses on?
| Piece | Examples from our range | Maker's notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunglasses retainer |
Musto Neoprene Sunnies Retainer X 10 Sunglasses - Unisex (Black) Rooster Sunglasses Sports Strap - Unisex |
Musto: stretch neoprene, pack of 10. Rooster: elastic strap with grippy rubber inserts and an adjustable toggle, universal fit. |
Which brand offers what?
| Brand | Sun protection in our range |
|---|---|
| Musto | Sunblock tees, polos and rash guards, UV trousers and shorts, brimmed hat, caps, sunglasses retainers. |
| Helly Hansen | Waterwear rash guard, sun hat, caps and visors. |
| Zhik | UVActive tops and polos, broad brim hat, caps and visors. |
| Rooster | Quick Dry UVF T-Shirt, wide brimmed UV hat, caps, visors, UV neck sleeve, cap leash and sunglasses strap. |
Which size should I order?
UV tops work best when they fit close to the body without restricting you. For reference, here is the chest measurement of a medium in each brand, in centimeters and inches.
Men and unisex
| Brand | Size | Chest (cm / in) |
|---|---|---|
| Musto | M | 99 / 39 |
| Helly Hansen | M | 103 / 40.5 |
| Zhik | M | 99 / 39.0 |
| Rooster | Medium | 97–102 / 38.2–40.2 |
Women
| Brand | Size | Chest (cm / in) |
|---|---|---|
| Musto | UK 12 (M) | 94 / 37 |
| Helly Hansen | M | 94 / 37 |
| Zhik | M | 97 / 38.2 |
| Rooster | M/12 | 96.5 / 38 |
Full charts for every garment type are in the size guides for Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik, Rooster and Henri-Lloyd.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best clothing for sun protection while sailing?
A long-sleeve UV top, a brimmed hat with a chin strap, and a neck cover give the most coverage. Add UV trousers if your legs are exposed all day.
What does UPF 50 mean?
It is the ultraviolet protection factor the maker states for the fabric. A higher number means more UV is blocked.
Is a long-sleeve top too hot in summer?
Zhik describes its UVActive tops as breathable and fast drying, and Rooster describes its UVF T-shirt as quick-drying, which helps on hot days.
Do UV tops work under a jacket?
Yes. A close-fitting UV top or rash guard works as a base layer under other clothing.
Should I wear a hat or a cap?
A brimmed hat shades the face, ears and neck. A cap or visor shades the eyes and fits better under a hood.
How do I stop my hat blowing off?
Choose a hat with a chin strap, or use a cap leash that clips to your collar.
Do I need a sunglasses retainer?
It keeps sunglasses on your head if they slip, and Musto and Rooster both make one.
How should I wash UV clothing?
Follow the care label on each piece. Helly Hansen advises against fabric softener for its rash guard.
Which sizes are available for UV tops?
Sizes depend on the brand, and the charts above compare a medium chest across Musto, Helly Hansen, Zhik and Rooster.
Which brand should I pick?
Musto and Zhik state UPF 50 or higher on their UV tops. Rooster adds a neck sleeve and a wide brimmed UV hat, and Helly Hansen offers a rash guard and sun hat.
If you have additional inquiries or need help with anything sailing related, don't hesitate to contact our experts! We'll be glad to help.
You may also be interested in
- What to Wear Sailing: Clothing Guide by Boat Type
- Sailing Layering Guide: Base Layers, Fleece and Mid Layers
- Women's Sailing Clothing Guide: Sizes, Fit and What to Wear
- Clothing Guides
Last updated: November 11, 2026.