Men's Oryon Range

UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing is engineered through fabric construction, tight, dense weaves or knits that physically block UV radiation from reaching the skin, rather than a chemical additive alone. Some fabrics achieve UPF rating through fibre density and weave alone; others are enhanced with a treatment during manufacturing to boost protection further. The rating measures how much UV radiation actually passes through the fabric: a UPF 50 garment blocks around 98% of UV rays, letting through only a fraction of what unprotected skin would receive.

Yes, on any skin the clothing doesn't cover. UPF clothing protects exactly where it sits on the body, and nowhere else, so the face, neck, hands and any exposed skin still need sunscreen. In hot-climate or high-altitude conditions, where UV exposure is most intense, the two work as a system: UPF fabric for sustained coverage across the body, sunscreen for the areas that stay exposed. Relying on one without the other leaves a real gap.

It depends on how the rating was achieved. UPF built into the fabric's weave and fibre density is structural, not a coating, so it holds for the working life of the garment. A UPF rating added through a chemical treatment can fade gradually with repeated washing and general wear, so following the garment's specific care instructions matters. Always check the label rather than assuming a rating is permanent; if you don't have the exact fabric detail, ask before relying on it long-term.

UPF clothing works by physically absorbing or blocking UV radiation before it reaches the skin, through the density and construction of the fabric itself. Tighter weaves and knits leave less gap for UV rays to pass through, which is why a loosely woven cotton tee offers minimal protection compared to a purpose-built UPF fabric. The rating is a measured, tested figure, not an estimate, so a UPF 50 garment has been verified to block roughly 50 times more UV radiation than bare skin would absorb unprotected.

Keep it light and cover up. That sounds counterintuitive, but sun exposure is the biggest heat driver on summer hikes, not the weight of your clothing.

Top layer. A long-sleeved UPF 50 shirt is the most useful single item you can wear. It blocks UV, reduces radiant heat on your skin, and in a breathable fabric won't make you hotter than going bare-armed. Short sleeves work for shorter or shadier routes.

Legs. Lightweight trousers or convertibles for exposed terrain, high UV, or anywhere insects are a factor. Shorts are fine for lower-risk routes. In a technical wicking fabric, both options dry fast and move well.Head and neck. A wide-brim hat for anything in direct sun. A buff or neck gaiter in desert or high UV environments, where side and neck exposure adds up over a long day.

Mid layer. Even in summer, pack a light windshell. Summits and exposed ridgelines drop temperature fast, and a packable layer takes up almost no space in a bag.

Footwear. Trail runners for most summer terrain. More airflow, lighter, faster drying. Boots where the route demands ankle support or carries technical ground.

ThruDark's Oryon range covers the top and leg layers: DarkMatr™ UPF 50 fabric in breathable, sweat-wicking styles built for warm weather from desert hiking to alpine summer.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It's the fabric equivalent of SPF, measuring how much UV radiation a textile blocks before it reaches your skin. UPF 50 means 98% is blocked.

For outdoor activity, UV protective clothing is more reliable than sunscreen alone. Sunscreen degrades with sweat, friction, and time. Most people reapply far less often than they should. Fabric doesn't wear off. A UPF 50 rated garment gives consistent protection from the first step to the last.

Not all fabrics achieve it equally. Weave, colour, and weight all affect a fabric's UPF rating. Darker colours absorb UV more effectively, though well-engineered lighter fabrics can also hit UPF 50. Fabric softeners and heavy washing can reduce protection over time, which is why how you care for UPF clothing matters.

ThruDark's Oryon range uses DarkMatr™ fabric, rated UPF 50 across the range (except Lunar Grey Windguard, UPF 5), developed and tested in-house for sustained outdoor use in extreme conditions.

Three factors are key: breathability, sweat wicking, and sun protection.

Breathability keeps air moving through the fabric while you're pushing. Without it, heat builds fast and your body can't regulate temperature properly. If sweat then builds up it can have an adverse effect cooling you down too greatly and too.

Sweat wicking pulls moisture away from your skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This keeps you dry through sustained effort. Cotton does the opposite. It absorbs sweat, holds it against your skin, and turns heavy and cold when you stop. A proper wicking fabric makes a real difference over a long day out.

Sun protection is where most hikers cut corners. Sunscreen wears off with sweat. UV protective clothing doesn't. Look for a UPF 50 rating, which blocks 98% of UV radiation. No sunscreen maintains that reliably across a full day in the field. Coverage matters too: a long-sleeved UPF 50 shirt in the right fabric can actually keep you cooler in direct sun by blocking radiant heat, not just UV.

Oryon is ThruDark's hot weather clothing range, built for high-output activity in extreme heat. Every piece uses DarkMatr™ fabric, developed in-house by ThruDark's product team and co-founders. It delivers UPF 50 sun protection, blocking 98% of UV radiation, with sweat wicking and breathable construction to keep you moving without overheating.

The range covers desert hiking, jungle expeditions, thru-hiking, alpine summer routes, and everyday outdoor use. Lightweight and packable, it's designed to work across multiple environments without needing to swap kit. Oryon was designed and validated by ThruDark's co-founders, both former UK Special Forces operators with direct field experience in extreme heat, including the Middle East. It's also been worn and tested by Aldo Kane, former Royal Marine and explorer, during expeditions in the jungles of Gabon, Malaysia, and Indonesia.