Possible stupid question.... Sun protection

[thismonkeyhere]

Ok, looking at two products - both kids' beach tent things. One is listed as being 'UPF50' whereas the other is simply described as being waterproof polyester (T170).

Now, I don't blame her for it, but SWMBO is quite insistent that we should have the UPF50 one, for the safety of the children. (Won't somebody think of the children?).

However, I prefer the other, and my opinion is that it'll be plenty protective enough, based on the fact that, should I (and most people) go out in the sun in any kind of garment, the sun won't burn or tan me where the material is.

So, am I wrong? Will they be less safe from the sun in just 'a tent' as opposed to 'a UPF50 tent'?

[Engineer1]

With a 4 month old I would go for the UPF 50 one, 16 months or so ago I'd have said go with the cheapest or the coolest looking one, you don't want your holiday ruined by sunburnt kids. Or that feeling you could have purchased something that did the job properly.

[karona]

Is there a cost difference in the two products?
How much is "I told you so!" worth?
(any sunburn will now be blamed on the wrong choice of tent)

[Puggit]

50 years ago they didn't understand UPFs and I'm fairly sure a layer of fabric would have sufficed. Opaque materials block the sun!

[Bill]

Have you got links to the products?

We bought a small pop up effort first, but the door's small so it gets stiflingly hot inside. We now have one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Sundome-Beach-Shel... which is brilliant.

[thismonkeyhere]

Well, finally found some facts.

Apparently, polyester fabric has a high protection factor anyway, and the denser the better. 170T is quite a dense weave so will give very good protection.

Good stuff