UV Skinz vs Coolibar: both make UPF 50+ sun shirts, and both appear on The Skin Cancer Foundation’s recommended-products list. UV Skinz is usually cheaper and has a 90-day return window, and its range leans toward family and kids’ swimwear. Coolibar costs a bit more at full price. It offers more technical fabrics, tall sizing on some styles, and says its UPF holds through 40 washes.
We haven’t worn or lab-tested these shirts. This comparison uses each brand’s product pages, fabric labels, help-center answers and return policies, plus guidance from The Skin Cancer Foundation, all checked on October 21, 2026. Prices change with seasonal sales, so confirm on the brand site before you buy.
Quick verdict
- Choose UV Skinz if you’re outfitting a family for the pool or beach, want kids’ sizes from 2T to 14 (plus baby styles), want adult sizes up to 4XL on core swim shirts, or value a longer 90-day return window.
- Choose Coolibar if you want a wider range of technical and everyday UPF fabrics, tall lengths on some men’s swim shirts, or a brand that publishes a wash-durability figure (UPF 50+ through 40 washes).
- On protection alone: both rate their shirts UPF 50+, which blocks about 98% of UV rays. The fit, fabric feel and return terms matter more than the label.
UV Skinz vs Coolibar at a glance
To keep this fair, we compared each brand’s core men’s long-sleeve swim shirt, plus the women’s and kids’ equivalents where they’re listed.
| Feature | UV Skinz | Coolibar |
|---|---|---|
| Example shirt | Men’s Long Sleeve Crew Sun & Swim Shirt | Hightide Men’s Long Sleeve Swim Shirt |
| UPF rating | UPF 50+ (blocks over 98% of UVA/UVB) | UPF 50+ (blocks 98% of UVA/UVB) |
| Fabric | 85% recycled polyester / 15% elastane | 84% recycled polyester / 16% elastane (Aqua Classic) |
| Chlorine and saltwater resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Regular price | $68 | $72 |
| Sale price seen Oct. 21, 2026 | $57.90 | $39.99 (select color) |
| Men’s sizes | S to 4XL | S to XXL, plus Tall length |
| Body length (size L) | 29″ | 28.5″ regular, 30″ tall |
| Skin Cancer Foundation listing | Listed (Clothing) | Listed (Clothing) |
| Return window | 90 days, unused with tags | 30 days, unworn with tags |
| Return fee (U.S.) | $7.95 deducted from refunds (waived for store credit) | $8.98, or $0 with $3.98 Smart Return Protection at checkout |
| Free shipping threshold | $49+ | $125+ (or 3+ items) |
What UPF 50+ means
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation, both UVA and UVB, gets through a fabric to your skin. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays and lets about 2% (1/50th) through. A fabric must be at least UPF 50 to qualify for the Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. UPF 30 to 49 is rated “very good,” and UPF 50+ is rated “excellent.”
The Foundation also points out a few things that matter in real life:
- Clothing that gets stretched or wet loses some of its protective ability.
- Tight clothing can stretch and let more UV through.
- More coverage, such as long sleeves, means better protection.
For context, the Foundation says a plain white T-shirt has a UPF of only about 7, and about 3 when wet. That’s the main reason a dedicated sun shirt is worth having for long days outdoors.
Fabric and feel
UV Skinz says its fabrics are mostly polyester/elastane or nylon/elastane blends, while its “Everyday” line uses bamboo viscose. The brand says its UPF 50+ comes from “the very tight weave” of the fabric. Its men’s crew swim shirt uses a “Swim Knit Sun Fabric” that UV Skinz describes as buttery soft, quick-drying, 4-way stretch, and “specially treated” to resist chlorine and saltwater. The cut is a relaxed fit with raglan sleeves and flatlock seams.
Coolibar says it has more than 14 trademarked fabrics. Its Hightide swim shirt uses Aqua Classic, which Coolibar describes as silky on the inside with a matte outer finish, lightweight, quick-drying and chlorine- and saltwater-resistant, with modest 4-way stretch. Other details include flatlock seams, gripper elastic at the back hem, a swim-short connecting loop and a back pocket. Coolibar also says some of its fabrics use “ZnO” zinc oxide mineral protection “built in” to the fiber so it “never washes off.” That’s Coolibar’s own description, and it applies to specific fabrics rather than every product.
The two flagship swim shirts are nearly identical on paper: about 85% recycled polyester with 15 to 16% elastane. The bigger differences are fit and extras. UV Skinz is relaxed with sizes up to 4XL, while Coolibar has a more tailored swim cut and offers Tall lengths.
Kids and swim range
For families, this is UV Skinz’s clearest edge. When we browsed both catalogs on October 21, 2026, UV Skinz listed a deep kids’ and baby range. That included long-sleeve kids’ sun and swim shirts in sizes 2T to 14, baby zip rash guards, swim rompers and more. Its kids’ long-sleeve sun and swim shirt had a regular price of $34.
Coolibar also sells kids’ UPF swimwear. One example is the Mini Kelly girls’ long-sleeve one-piece in sizes 2T to 12, with a regular price of $64. In our browse, though, its range leaned more toward adult swim, golf, fishing and everyday styles.
If you’re heading somewhere sunny, a UPF shirt is one of the easiest things to pack. It’s on our list of travel essentials you shouldn’t leave without.
Durability after washing
This is where Coolibar publishes more detail. It says every Coolibar fabric is tested to verify UPF 50+, with protection that holds “through 40 washes and 100 hours of sun exposure.” UV Skinz says its fabrics are tested by third-party labs (it names SGS and Intertek) under AATCC 183 and ASTM test standards. It also says its UPF comes from the weave, not a wash-off treatment, but it doesn’t publish a wash-count figure on the pages we read.
Care instructions also differ a little:
- UV Skinz: machine wash, hang dry.
- Coolibar (Aqua Classic): cold rinse after use, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, no fabric softener, no bleach, line dry, and avoid rough surfaces and direct contact with sunscreen.
With either brand, rinsing out chlorine or salt after a swim and skipping the dryer is the simplest way to keep a swim shirt in shape. We haven’t done our own long-term wash testing, so we can’t say which one pills or fades first.
Seals and certifications (Skin Cancer Foundation)
Both brands appear in the Clothing category of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s online Recommended Products finder (last updated June 2026). Each brand words its seal claims differently:
- UV Skinz says “all our products carry the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.” It also cites approval by the AIM Foundation and the Melanoma International Foundation.
- Coolibar says it was the first clothing company to earn the Seal and that its “entire line” is certified. It also calls itself a Melanoma Research Foundation partner. Coolibar’s own comparison chart suggests other brands lack the Seal, but the Foundation’s list includes UV Skinz too.
The Seal of Recommendation is awarded to individual products, not to brands. To apply, companies must be members of the Foundation’s Corporate Council, which costs $15,000 a year, and their submitted test data is reviewed by the Foundation’s volunteer Photobiology Committee. The Seal is a useful signal, but it’s worth knowing how the program works.
Price and sizing
At regular prices, UV Skinz is a little cheaper on comparable adult swim shirts: $68 vs $72 for the men’s long-sleeve, and $66 vs $72 for the women’s long-sleeve crew (UV Skinz) vs the Hightide Lite (Coolibar). Both brands run frequent sales. On October 21, 2026, one Coolibar Hightide colorway was marked down to $39.99, while the UV Skinz shirt was $57.90. Sale prices vary by color and size, so compare the exact item you want.
- UV Skinz: men’s and women’s long-sleeve crew swim shirts in S to 4XL, kids’ sizes 2T to 14. Some unisex styles, like its Performance Sun Hoodie, are “generously sized,” and UV Skinz recommends women size down.
- Coolibar: Hightide men’s in S to XXL with Tall options, and the women’s Hightide Lite in XS to XXL.
Returns can decide it for many shoppers. UV Skinz accepts unused, tagged items within 90 days of delivery, and final-sale and clearance items are excluded. Its product page also promises a “100% Money Back Guarantee,” so check the current terms when you order. Coolibar accepts unworn, tagged items within 30 days of delivery, with a $8.98 domestic return fee unless you add Smart Return Protection at checkout. Coolibar says processing can take up to 15 business days after your return arrives.
Already leaning toward UV Skinz? Our UV Skinz review covers the brand in more depth.
Frequently asked questions
Is UV Skinz or Coolibar better?
Neither wins on protection, since both rate their shirts UPF 50+ and both appear on The Skin Cancer Foundation’s recommended list. UV Skinz is better for families and longer returns (90 days). Coolibar is better if you want technical fabrics, tall sizes or a published wash-durability figure (40 washes).
Are UV Skinz and Coolibar really UPF 50+?
Both brands rate their sun shirts UPF 50+, meaning they block about 98% of UVA and UVB rays. UV Skinz says its fabrics are tested by third-party labs under AATCC 183 and ASTM standards. Coolibar says every fabric is tested and holds UPF 50+ through 40 washes and 100 hours of sun.
Do UPF shirts lose protection when wet?
They can. The Skin Cancer Foundation says clothing that gets wet or stretched loses some of its protective ability. A plain white T-shirt drops from about UPF 7 to UPF 3 when wet. Swim-specific UPF shirts are designed for water, but a good fit that isn’t overly stretched helps.
Which is cheaper, UV Skinz or Coolibar?
At regular prices, UV Skinz is slightly cheaper: $68 vs $72 for comparable men’s long-sleeve swim shirts on October 21, 2026. Both brands run deep seasonal sales, and individual Coolibar colors were marked down further, so compare the exact item and size you want.
Do UV Skinz and Coolibar make kids’ sun shirts?
Yes. UV Skinz has the larger kids’ and baby range, including long-sleeve sun and swim shirts in sizes 2T to 14 and baby rash guards and rompers. Coolibar sells kids’ UPF swimwear too, such as a girls’ long-sleeve swimsuit in sizes 2T to 12.
Sources
All pages accessed October 21, 2026 (PKT).
- The Skin Cancer Foundation, “Sun-Protective Clothing” (UPF definition, wet/stretched fabric, T-shirt UPF): skincancer.org
- The Skin Cancer Foundation, Recommended Products finder and program eligibility (last updated June 2026): skincancer.org
- UV Skinz, Men’s Long Sleeve Crew Sun & Swim Shirt (price, fabric, fit, shipping, returns): uvskinz.com
- UV Skinz product catalog (women’s and kids’ prices and sizes): uvskinz.com
- UV Skinz Help Center: material composition, Skin Cancer Foundation Seal, testing standards and labs
- Coolibar, Hightide Men’s Long Sleeve Swim Shirt (price, fabric, sizes, care, shipping): coolibar.com
- Coolibar, “Why Coolibar” (Seal claims, ZnO, 40-wash testing, 14+ fabrics): coolibar.com
- Coolibar, Returns: coolibar.com/pages/returns
- Coolibar product catalog (Hightide Lite women’s sizes, Mini Kelly girls’ swimsuit): coolibar.com
Image credits: Featured image based on a photo by Jan van der Wolf (Pexels); in-article photo by Olga Sömek (Pexels). Both used under the Pexels License. Generic photos, not UV Skinz or Coolibar products.
Disclosure: SaveMoreBrands may earn a commission if you buy through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change how we compare products.
