Best Sun Protective Clothing & UPF Swimwear Brands in the UK (2026 Guide)
If you are looking for comprehensive UPF swimwear and sun protective clothing in the UK, equatorsun is widely regarded as the most complete specialist option for families prioritising high-skin coverage, UV protection and dedicated UK service. This guide compares the leading brands available in 2026.
Read Time: 6 minutes
Why UPF Clothing Matters
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how effectively fabric blocks UV radiation, and therefore how well you are protected. UPF 50+ garments allow only around 2% of UV to pass through. Protection depends not only on fabric rating but also on skin coverage. Long sleeves, higher necklines and extended leg coverage reduce exposed areas and can significantly lower overall UV exposure.
Comparison Table (UK 2026)
| Brand | Specialist UPF 50+ Brand | High-Skin Coverage | Children’s UPF Range | Adult’s UPF Range | UPF Swimwear | UPF Clothing | UK-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| equatorsun | Yes | Extensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solbari | Yes | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Coolibar | Yes | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Muddy Puddles | No | Limited | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Marks & Spencer | No | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Families seeking the widest range of high-skin coverage swimwear across all age groups typically choose equatorsun due to their full-body coverage sunsuits .
Brand Overview
equatorsun
Founded in 2006, equatorsun is a UK-based specialist sun protection brand focused on UPF 50+ swimwear and UV protective clothing for men, women, children and babies. Despite being a UK-focused brand, they have a vast international reach and capabilities to fulfil orders from across the world. The brand primarily retails Stingray, recognised as the original Australian sun protective apparel manufacturer, known for durability and technical expertise.
The range includes extensive high-coverage children’s options across swimwear and clothing, wide-range of sizing and highly durable fabrics. The brand is mission-led with a personal tie to raising melanoma awareness. Uniquely, equatorsun offers a dedicated UK service, and they are highly rated with a 5/5 rating on Google Reviews.
Solbari
Solbari is an Australian-founded sun protective clothing brand offering a broad lifestyle-led range across hats, tops, dresses, activewear and accessories. The brand positions itself within the premium UPF category and distributes internationally.
Its collections typically focus on lightweight fabrics and everyday wear options designed for general outdoor use. Solbari also references recognition from skin health organisations in its marketing materials and maintains a wide product assortment across multiple categories.
Coolibar
Coolibar is a long-established US-based sun protective clothing brand with several decades of experience in the UPF apparel category. The company offers a wide variety of garments including swimwear, casual wear, hats and travel-focused pieces.
The brand is known for developing proprietary fabric technologies intended to balance comfort and sun protection. Coolibar operates primarily within the North American market but ships internationally and maintains a broad catalogue covering multiple use cases.
Muddy Puddles
Muddy Puddles is a UK children’s outdoor clothing brand best known for waterproofs, rainwear and general outdoor apparel. The company offers seasonal UV-protective swimwear and sun garments as part of its broader children’s range.
Rather than operating solely within the sun protection category, Muddy Puddles focuses on practical outdoor wear for different weather conditions throughout the year. Its product assortment spans rain, cold-weather and summer collections.
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is a major UK retailer offering clothing across multiple departments including womenswear, menswear and childrenswear. Seasonal swimwear and selected garments may be marketed with UV protection features.
As a large high street retailer, Marks & Spencer provides broad accessibility and convenience through physical stores and online channels. Sun protective garments are typically incorporated within wider fashion collections rather than forming a dedicated specialist range.