Sometimes products come along that really surprise me, and this SolarShield+ baselayer from Craghoppers is one of those. When I first laid hands on it I wondered just how different could it be to all the other baselayers I’ve tried? But all credit to Craghoppers, they’ve achieved a lot here.

What Is SolarShield+

As the name suggests, SolarShield+ is a fabric capable of blocking up to 98% of UVA and UVB rays, offering a UPF50+ rating. This is achieved through a titanium dioxide compound which absorbs UV rays that penetrate the surface, and also through a specially engineered yarn that increases surface area to reflect UV. It’s a technology used across a number of garments from Craghoppers, including short and long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies. Keep an eye out for the SolarShield+ logo across Craghoppers garments, which turns dark red when it’s exposed to the sun’s rays.

Performance

I recently wore a few SolarShield+ garments on a trip to Dubrovnik where I was exposed to long days in the sun. First of all, I could tell the garments were protecting me from the kind of sunshine that might cause my skin to turn visibly red and sore. We were definitely exposed to damaging rays, as the amount of suncream I had to put on my nose proved. It’s hard to give firm confirmation of the long-term protection they gave me, but the UPF50+ rating is reliable, along with the fact SolarShield+ is independently accredited by the British Skin Foundation.

The baselayer – called the Craghoppers NosiLife Solarshield+ Long Sleeved – particularly impressed me for some of its other qualities too. First of all, it feels light and airy, very fresh and comfortable. In hot conditions, you can tell that the weave allows cool air to pass through.

It also wicks moisture away well. I’ve run, cycled and worked out in this in some hot, sweaty conditions, and it helps to move dampness away from my body and quickly out into the atmosphere without holding onto any clamminess.

Where it’s also impressed me is in its odour control. Synthetic baselayers have a bit of a reputation for getting smelly quite quickly after exercise. We’ve all owned one of those running tops that honks after one wear. This SolarShield+ baselayer, on the other hand, has become my go-to choice for exercising because I know I can wear it for a couple of days, maybe even longer, without needing to wash it.

Washing machines are responsible for 62 million tonnes of CO2-eq greenhouse gases each year, so reducing how often we wash our kit matters. That’s why I like gear like this from Craghoppers, which uses technology to prevent odour-causing bacteria from multiplying.

Related: Craghoppers NosiLife adventure Shirt Review

Rounding all of these benefits off, the fabric also sits in Craghoppers’ NosiLife range, meaning it comes with an anti-insect defence using a renewable plant-based treatment that’s built into the fabric.

Fortunately, all of these technologies are designed to last as long as the garment, so they won’t wash out over time.