When you’re at the beach or park, a sun or beach shelter is a good option for getting some shade and protecting your skin from harsh UV rays. They’re also a good choice for families with babies, as sunscreen isn’t recommended for babies under 6 months.
Why seek shade?
Exposure to UV rays contributes to skin ageing and is the main cause of skin cancer. One way to limit your risk is to seek shade.
The best shade is staying indoors, but other options include natural shade (from trees with a big canopy – the denser the foliage, the better), built shade (includes shade sails and awnings) and portable shade (includes tents, shelters and umbrellas).
Not all shade is created equal and UV radiation can get through lower-quality and smaller shade structures. Generally, the less blue sky you can see while under shade, the greater the protection. UV radiation can also reflect off surfaces such as concrete, sand and water.
It’s still important to be sun smart even in the shade. For the best protection, apply sunscreen to exposed skin, protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses and cover up with suitable clothing and a good hat.
What to consider when buying a sun shelter
Check for a standard. Look for a shelter that complies with the Australian standard AS 4174:2018 for knitted and woven shade fabrics.
Check the UVE rating. Some shelters claim to have an ultraviolet effectiveness (UVE) rating. UVE is a measure of the shade fabric’s ability to block UV radiation. A UVE of 80-90.9% is effective, 91-94.9% very effective, 95+% most effective.
Ignore UPF ratings. Some shelters make ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) claims. But these claims should only be used on clothing, and it isn’t appropriate for shade shelters to make them.
Size. Consider how many people you intend to fit under your shelter so you can buy the right size.
Weight and set up. Is it light enough to carry on your own? Is setting up and packing down a one-person job, or will you need extra help? You don’t want a struggle doing either while standing on scorching sand.
Built-in floor. These are good for families with younger children and help stop sand from getting everywhere.
We bought sun shelters from chain stores and online outdoor stores. Some products made UVE claims, but we also included shelters that didn’t make claims to see how well they’d protect you from the sun.
An accredited lab tested the shelters to the Australian Standard for knitted and woven shade fabrics – AS4174:2018.
Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ funded our testing.
What our sun shelter test found
Shelters that met UVE claims
Three of the four shelters that made UVE claims, met those claims in our test. They all measured “most effective”, which blocks 95+% of UV radiation.
Kmart Anko Hayden Beach Shelter, $55.
Kathmandu Retreat Beach Shelter V3-S, $120.
Hollie & Harrie Sombrilla Shade Tent, $195.
Shelters that didn’t meet UVE claims
The other Kmart product we tested only provided “effective” protection – not the “most effective” protection claimed.
Kmart Anko Pop Up Beach Shelter, $22.
A Kmart spokesperson told us this product has been tested by an accredited independent lab and found to meet its UVE95+% claim under both the relevant Australian and international standard.
Shelters that used the wrong claims
Four other shelters we tested provided effective or higher protection, but the packaging made ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) claims. UPF claims should only be used on clothing, and it isn’t appropriate for sun shelters to make these claims. According to the sun protection clothing standard, products such as shade structures provide less protection than clothing because they aren’t close to the skin.
Torpedo 7 Sol Express Family Sun Shelter, $200.
Kiwi Camping Lagoon Ezi-Up Beach Shelter, $130.
LiFE! Sumatra Sun Shelter, $170.
Marquee Medium Sun Shelter 0188068, $33.
We’ve contacted the companies about the use of these UPF claims.
The distributor of LiFE! Sumatra Sun Shelter told us the product we tested was imported in 2021. In 2022, the LiFE! brand started using UVE ratings on their sun shelters so all LiFE! beach shelters imported after 2022 will display the appropriate rating.
