It’s an essential Australian pastime to head out and spend time in the sunshine! Whilst being one of the most favoured pastimes there are plenty of risks associated with spending time in the Australian sunshine.

According to the statistics, approximately two in three Aussies will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer by the time they are 70. These statistics are astounding and unacceptable, so at Adventure Kings we are dedicated to changing these numbers!

Growing up in the lucky country, we have all heard Slip, slop, slap. But there is more to the story than just using a good quality sunscreen, one of the best protections from the harsh beating Australian sun is a UPF rated shelter.

UPF, SPF and UV plus all the other ratings out there seem a bit confusing but we’re going to break down what UPF means and what methods are used in testing and exactly what you’ll be protected from.

What does UPF mean?

UPF is thrown around a lot when referring to shelter and clothing. The UPF rating issued by organisations such as ARPANSA rate the fabric’s qualities of protecting you from harmful sunburn causing Ultraviolet rays, this is where the name UPF comes from, standing for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

In Australia there are few organisations that offer a reliable UPF rating, the most important thing to look for in a ratings laboratory is NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accreditation.

How do you test for UPF ratings?

At a Nata accredited laboratory they can test a fabric according to AS 4174. To get a UPF rating, a sample of fabric (1 m x 1 m) is sent in to be tested, and bright UV lamps are shone through the fabric in a testing rig. The result is calculated by the percentage of harmful light transmission that passes through.

With a UPF rating of 15 – 20 a fabric offers what is considered to be “good” Ultraviolet protection from the sun, this rating blocks out 93.3 – 95.9% of harmful UV rays, the next tier of protection is from 25 – 35 is considered ‘very good’ and blocks out up to 97.4% of harmful rays, and then finally 40 – 50+, which is considered Excellent and protects users from up to 97.5% or more of the sun’s harmful UV rays.

What does this information mean to you?

Knowing what factors offer the best protection and understanding that tighter knit fabrics often prevent more UV light transmission from passing through. We produced both our Adventure Kings Gazebo range and the Adventure Kings Awning range to implement some of the toughest fabrics with the tightest knit fabrics that we could offering not just a UPF50+ rating which allows less than 2.5% of harmful  rays through, but is also fully waterproof and will protect you and your family from nearly anything Australia’s harsh environment could throw at them.

Which one should I choose?

With plenty of options to choose from, you can pretty much choose anything from within the Adventure Kings range and confidently relax in the shade, with the UPF50+ rating without fear of harsh sun damage to your skin or to the younger ones!

Adventure Kings Awning Range
With a size suitable for any vehicle an Adventure Kings awning offers handy shelter no matter where you pull up. With 1.4m x 2m, 2m x 2.5m, 2.5m x 2.5m and 2m x 3m on offer, you will be sure to find an awning that will fit your vehicle.

Whatever size you choose the Adventure Kings Awnings all employ a tough a rip-resistant 170gsm fabric rated to UPF50+ (The highest rating available) to ward away the suns harsh rays, and keep your campsite dry no matter how the weather turns!

Protected by a tough 1000D waterproof PVC zip up cover, the toughest tracks won’t affect your awning when it’s not in use. Built with a hard anodized alloy frame system and heavy duty metal knuckles, an Adventure Kings Awning is sure to withstand years of use on the side of your vehicle.

Adventure Kings awnings are tough and practical, but are also cost effective enough that you’ll be proud of the price you’ll pay!

But what if you cannot get your vehicle into where your family is relaxing…… have no fear there is still a solution for you!

Adventure Kings Gazebo Range

The Adventure Kings Gazebo Range offers many of the same conveniences as an Adventure Kings Awning however the biggest difference being that an Adventure Kings Gazebo is free-standing.

Available in a standard 3m x 3m size and a massive 6m x 3m size the Adventure Kings Gazebos offer plenty of shelter for most sizes of camping or beach setups!

Built with a tough hammer-tone steel frame with a high peaked roof, the Adventure Kings gazebo range provides spacious shelter for any remote setup. Covered with 100% Waterproof heavy duty 420D Oxford PU coated polyester with a rating of  UPF50+ (The highest rating available) to protect your family and friends on the hottest, sunniest days.

The versatility of being able to establish a base camp and even ‘reserve’ a campsite whilst you are off running errands, getting supplies or even exploring the greater area are all very appealing to many 4WDers and campers, plus the competitive cost and hard wearing are both hard to look past for nearly any campsite, market stall, or picnic setup!

Whatever setup you choose Adventure Kings has your back, and offers the best sun protection for the buck on the Aussie market!