Dexter put Sun Ray to the test
Photography by Dexter Johnson
There's a particular kind of sun in Central Australia. It doesn't announce itself with humidity or haze — it just sits directly overhead, all day, with nothing between you and it but 450 million years of exposed geology. The Larapinta Trail runs 223km along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges out of Alice Springs, and it doesn't offer much in the way of shade. Ridge walks along quartzite escarpments, dry creek beds through Ghost Gum country, long exposed sections between Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm — you're out in it, for hours, every day.
Dexter Johnson spent several days out on the trail shooting in our UPF50+ Sun Shirt in Gumleaf, and the photos make the case better than we can: this is what take-anywhere sun protection for hiking actually looks like in practice, not on a spec sheet.
A trail that doesn't do you any favours
The Larapinta isn't a coastal stroll. Sections like Section 3 (Jay Creek to Standley Chasm) and Section 9 (Serpentine Chalet to Ormiston Gorge) put you on exposed ridgelines with full sun for hours at a stretch, often with only tussock grass and spinifex for company. Water is scarce, shade is scarcer, and the terrain does most of the heavy lifting for the sun — reflected light off pale quartzite and red sand means you're getting hit from above and below.
It's exactly the kind of environment where "I'll just reapply sunscreen at the next break" quietly falls apart. Sweat, sunscreen, dust and eight hours of hiking don't mix well. This is where UPF-rated hiking clothing is doing a job sunscreen alone can't — read more on why UPF clothing works and what actually makes a garment UPF-rated.
Why the Gumleaf UPF50+ Sun Shirt earns its place in the pack
We built the Sun Shirt for exactly this kind of day — long, hot, remote, no shortcuts. A few things about it that matter out on a trail like the Larapinta:
Certified UPF50+, not just claimed. The fabric is independently tested and certified by ARPANSA, the Australian government's radiation authority, to Australian Standard AS4399:2020 — the same independent testing standard behind every Sun Ray garment. That means it's lab-verified to block at least 98% of UV radiation — the highest rating available. For context, a standard white cotton tee sits at around UPF5. Out on an exposed ridge at midday, that gap is the whole point.
Breathable and quick-drying, because heat management is the real challenge. UV protection is only half the battle when you're carrying a pack through 30-plus-degree days. The performance fabric is moisture-wicking and built to dry fast, so it's doing double duty — keeping the sun off while keeping you from cooking inside your own shirt.
A relaxed unisex fit that moves with you. Long sleeves and full coverage only work if you'll actually wear the thing for eight hours without fighting it. The cut is loose enough for pack straps and stride length, with a back yoke and inverted box pleat built in for freedom of movement on the climbs.
Concealed button placket. Small detail, but it matters when you've got a pack strap sitting across your chest all day — nothing to catch, nothing digging in.
One chest pocket, sized for the essentials. Trail map, lip balm, a couple of scroggin nuts — wherever your hands need to go without stopping to dig through a pack.
Packs light, works everywhere. At 92% polyester, 8% spandex, it's light enough to barely register in a hiking pack, dries overnight if you need to rinse the trail dust out, and holds its UPF50+ rating for more than 50 washes. It's the same shirt whether you're four days into the Larapinta, fishing and boating, or walking the dog — which is really the whole idea behind Sun Ray. Pair it with one of our sun hats for full coverage on longer days out.
Who UPF50+ hiking clothing is really for
If you're planning any multi-day trail in Australia — the Larapinta, the Overland Track, the Bibbulmun — long sun exposure isn't an occasional risk, it's the default condition of the walk. Read more on who should wear UPF clothing and check out our guide to everyday sun-safe practices for building sun protection into your kit, not just your itinerary.
The bigger picture
Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat — the areas the Sun Shirt doesn't cover still need SPF, and a good hat is non-negotiable out here. But the shirt does the heavy lifting for the hours you can't reapply, can't find shade, and can't afford to think about it. That's what Dexter's shots capture better than any product description: a shirt that just gets out of the way and lets you focus on the ranges, the gorges, and the sheer scale of the Red Centre.
Shop the Gumleaf UPF50+ Sun Shirt and browse the full Sun Shirt range at Sun Ray.
Always use sunscreen on areas not covered by your protective clothing, and minimise your time in the sun wherever possible.
FAQ: UPF50+ Sun Protection for Hiking
What does UPF50+ mean? UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rates how much UV radiation a fabric blocks. UPF50+ is the highest rating under Australian Standard AS4399:2020 and blocks at least 98% of UV rays — compared to roughly UPF5 for a standard cotton tee.
Is a UPF50+ shirt better than sunscreen for hiking? They work together. Sunscreen needs reapplying every two hours and can sweat off fast on a long hike — a certified UPF50+ shirt gives constant, verified protection for the areas it covers, so sunscreen only needs to handle exposed skin like the hands, neck and face.
What should I wear hiking the Larapinta Trail? Long, exposed, multi-day sections make breathable, quick-dry, UPF-rated clothing essential. A long-sleeve UPF50+ sun shirt, a broad-brimmed hat, and mineral sunscreen on exposed skin is the standard setup for Central Australian conditions.