Solbari Specialises in Sun-Protective Clothing. Is It Worth Buying?

Solbari’s strongest documented strength is its focus on certified UPF 50+ sun protection across clothing, hats and accessories. Some buyers are happy: a New Zealand customer said Solbari “made the return and exchange process really easy,” a UK buyer was “pleased with product,” and an Australian customer said she’d bought several items and “been happy with them.” Solbari is an Australian sun protection specialist based in Melbourne. What sets it apart is that it says all its UPF 50+ fabrics are independently tested and certified, including hat crowns, and it offers clothing, swimwear, hats, umbrellas and accessories built for sun-sensitive shoppers.

Solbari’s range includes long-sleeve UV shirts, broad-brimmed sun hats like the Traveller and Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat, UV umbrellas and swimwear. It ships internationally from Australia, and Solbari says it aims to dispatch orders within two business days, though shipping times are estimates. Returns aren’t free: a US buyer quoted Solbari’s policy of a fixed $10 return fee deducted from refunds, a UK buyer reported a £5.95 return fee, and buyers say exchanges are final. Solbari replies to every negative Trustpilot review and asks customers to email its team.

The honest caveat: Solbari has a 2.0 TrustScore from 109 reviews, with 53% one-star. Many complaints focus on hats and returns. One buyer said a hat was “overwhelmingly disappointing,” and another quoted the policy: “In the US, there is a fixed $10 return fee deducted from your refund.”

Quick Highlights

✅ Specialist UPF 50+ sun-protective brand from Melbourne
✅ UPF 50+ fabrics independently tested, per Solbari
✅ Clothing, swimwear, hats, umbrellas and accessories
✅ Easy exchanges for some: “made the return and exchange process really easy”
✅ Long-sleeve UV shirts praised by some buyers
✅ Repeat customers who’ve “been happy with them”
✅ Ships internationally
✅ Aims to dispatch within 2 business days, per Solbari
✅ Replies to 100% of negative reviews
✅ Refunds issued for lost orders, per Solbari’s replies
✅ Kind support staff for some
✅ Options for sun-sensitive shoppers

❌ 2.0 TrustScore, with 53% one-star reviews
❌ Hat quality, fit and breathability complaints
❌ Return fees ($10 US, £5.95 UK, per buyers)
❌ Exchanges are final, per buyers
❌ Ships from Australia, causing delays
❌ Colour accuracy issues, per buyers
❌ Email-only support, per a buyer

Why Trust This Review

We analyzed Solbari’s Trustpilot profile (109 reviews, a 2.0 TrustScore, 25% five-star and 53% one-star, with no recent review invitations and replies to 100% of negative reviews within two weeks), along with Solbari’s own company information and responses to customers. Solbari’s UK site has a separate Trustpilot profile with 21 reviews and a 3.1 score. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Solbari that affects this verdict. Health note: UPF clothing works best alongside sunscreen, shade and limiting midday sun. If you have a photosensitive condition or a history of skin cancer, follow your dermatologist’s advice and check UPF certification before relying on any garment.

Full Review Breakdown

Sun Protection Credentials

Solbari’s core promise is UPF 50+ protection. It says all fabrics are independently tested and certified, including the crown of its hats. One Australian buyer believed a hat’s mesh crown offered no protection, which Solbari disputed. Another questioned whether a thin white hat would keep its rating when wet. Check product details carefully, and choose dense fabrics if you need maximum protection.

Hat Quality and Fit

Hats draw the most criticism. Buyers describe flimsy fabric, poor brim wire, hats that run large, a non-breathable hat that trapped moisture, and a navy inner band that bled into a white Traveller hat. Some buyers also say website colours don’t match the real products. Measure your head carefully and read fabric descriptions before buying.

Delivery

International delivery can be slow because orders ship from Australia. Buyers describe parcels taking weeks, lost deliveries, address disputes, and expedited shipping that didn’t arrive in time for Christmas. Solbari says customs congestion and carriers cause some delays, and it has issued refunds for lost or late orders. A UK buyer asked Solbari to state more clearly that orders ship from Australia.

Returns and Customer Service

Returns are the second-biggest complaint. Buyers report return fees, deducted shipping costs and final exchanges with no refund option. One buyer received a T-shirt instead of hats and was initially asked to send it back herself. Solbari says return labels in such cases should be prepaid. Support is mainly by email, and some buyers praise kind, sincere staff once they reach someone.

Best Products Worth Buying

UPF 50+ shirts that one buyer said fit perfectly after an exchange. They’re best for daily sun protection. Check the size guide.

Wide-brim hats for face and neck coverage. Check head size and fabric weight, since hats draw mixed reviews.

Portable sun shade. One buyer said wind damaged an umbrella’s springs, so avoid gusty conditions.

Sun-protective swimwear for beach and pool. Rinse after use to protect fabric.

What Customers Actually Think

“The sun protection is only from the hat’s brim, not the head” — Marcus Dobinson, Trustpilot reviewer (Australia, 1 star, UPF 50+ hat)

“The navy inner band is not colourfast” — PB, Trustpilot reviewer (Australia, 1 star, White Traveller Broad Brimmed Sun Hat)

“The hat is not breathable” — Christine Crealy, Trustpilot reviewer (Australia, 1 star, Sun hat)

“They charged £5.95 return fee” — AH, Trustpilot reviewer (UK, 1 star, Ultra Wide Cotton Linen Hat UPF 50+)

“The person who helped was sincere and kind” — Kim Noreen Anderson, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 3 stars, Return)

Is It Worth It?

Solbari may be worth it for shoppers who want a specialist range of certified UPF 50+ clothing, especially shirts. Measure carefully, check fabric details, order well ahead of time, and factor in return fees. If you want a specific sun hat, compare better-reviewed alternatives first.

Competitors Table

Feature

Solbari

Coolibar

UV Skinz

Ker Sun

Uniqlo UV Protection

Focus

UPF 50+ clothing and hats

UPF clothing

UPF swimwear and clothing

Sun-protective clothing

Everyday UV wear

Base

Melbourne, Australia

US

US

Check site

Japan

Return fee

$10 US, £5.95 UK (per buyers)

Check site

Check site

Check site

Check site

Trustpilot score

2.0 (109 reviews)

3.3 (608 reviews)

4.8 (about 1,000 reviews)

4.2 (94 reviews)

Not checked

FAQs

Is Solbari UPF 50+ certified?

Solbari says all its UPF 50+ fabrics are independently tested and certified.

Where is Solbari based?

Melbourne, Australia.

Does Solbari charge for returns?

Buyers report a $10 return fee in the US and £5.95 in the UK

Can I exchange a Solbari item and then return it?

Buyers say exchanges are final.

Does Solbari ship internationally?

Yes, from Australia. Allow extra time for delivery.

Final Verdict

Solbari offers a dedicated range of UPF 50+ clothing and accessories, which is valuable for sun-sensitive shoppers, and some buyers are happy with its shirts and exchanges.

The trade-offs are significant: a 2.0 TrustScore, frequent hat complaints, return fees, final exchanges and slow international delivery. Measure carefully and order early. Solbari is a cautious recommendation, best for shirts rather than hats.

Scorecard

Category

Score

Sun Protection Credentials

8.0/10

Product Range

8.0/10

Comfort & Fit

5.5/10

Price & Value

5.5/10

Quality

5.0/10

Delivery

5.0/10

Customer Service

4.5/10

Returns

4.0/10

Overall

5.7/10