Yes! CoolCabanas provide UPF 50+ sun protection. Learn everything you need to know, straight from the source.
Quick Takeaways
- CoolCabanas are rated UPF 50+, blocking over 98% of harmful UV rays
- Our fabric is independently tested every year by SGS and TUV laboratories
- View our latest test reports: SGS October 2025 and TUV June 2025
- A CoolCabana, as part of the five sun-safe habits recommended by Melanoma Institute Australia, provides comprehensive protection.
Do CoolCabanas provide UPF sun protection?
Yes, they absolutely do. Every CoolCabana is rated UPF 50+, which means the fabric blocks over 98% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
We take this seriously. We have our fabric independently tested every year by two separate laboratories, SGS and TUV, to verify that the UPF 50+ rating holds up. You can view our most recent test reports from October 2025 here:
Why does this matter? Because seeking shade is one of the five sun-safe habits recommended by Melanoma Institute Australia. But not all shade is created equal. A regular beach umbrella might block the glare, but it could still be letting through a significant amount of UV radiation. With a CoolCabana, you know exactly what protection you're getting.
What does UPF 50+ actually mean?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much UV radiation a fabric blocks.
Here's the simple breakdown:
- UPF 50+ means less than 2% of UV radiation passes through (98%+ blocked)
- UPF 30 means about 3.3% passes through
- UPF 15 means about 6.7% passes through
So when we say CoolCabanas are UPF 50+, we're saying that out of 50 units of UV radiation hitting the fabric, less than 1 unit makes it through. That's the highest rating available under the Australian/New Zealand Standard.
How is CoolCabanas' UPF rating tested?
We use two independent laboratories, SGS and TUV. Both are internationally recognised testing facilities.
The process involves exposing the fabric to UV light and measuring how much passes through. This isn't something we do once and forget about. We run these tests annually to make sure our fabric continues to meet UPF 50+ standards year after year.
Is shade enough to protect my family from the sun?
Shade is your first line of defence, but it works best as part of a complete approach.
The Melanoma Institute Australia recommends five sun-safe habits:
- Seek shade (especially during peak UV hours)
- Wear sun-protective clothing
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen
A CoolCabana covers the first one beautifully. But you should still slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Think of it as layers of protection. The more layers, the better protected you are.
How does UPF compare to SPF?
They measure different things.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is for sunscreen. An SPF 50 sunscreen allows you to stay in the sun 50 times longer than bare skin before burning, assuming you apply it properly.
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is for fabrics and materials. It measures the percentage of UV radiation blocked by the fabric itself.
Both UPF 50+ and SPF 50 block about 98% of UV radiation. The difference is that sunscreen needs reapplication every two hours and after swimming, while a UPF 50+ shade provides consistent protection all day without any effort on your part.
Why should I trust your UPF claims?
Fair question. Anyone can claim their product is sun protective.
Here's why you can trust ours:
- Independent testing: We don't test our own products. We send samples to SGS and TUV, two internationally recognised laboratories that have no stake in our success.
- Annual verification: We don't rely on a single test from years ago. We test every year to confirm our fabric maintains its UPF 50+ rating.
- Publicly available reports: We share our test results openly. You can view them yourself: SGS Report and TUV Report.
- Two labs, same result: If one lab said UPF 50+, that would be good. Two independent labs confirming it gives you certainty.
We could make vague claims about sun protection like some competitors do. Instead, we invest in proper testing and share the results. That's the kind of brand we want to be.
The Bottom Line
CoolCabanas provide genuine, verified UPF 50+ sun protection. We test annually with two independent laboratories and share the results publicly because we believe you deserve to know exactly what you're getting.
But remember, shade is just one part of staying sun safe. Combine your CoolCabana with sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. Follow the five sun-safe habits recommended by the Melanoma Institute Australia, and you'll be well protected for a day at the beach.