GANGA, the making of an anti-UV t-shirt that ticks all the boxes
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When we came up with the idea for the GANGA, we had a fairly clear idea of what we wanted: a T-shirt we could wear on its own, in summer, on exposed trails, without having to think about reapplying sunscreen every two hours. A UV-protection baselayer designed to be the main garment, not a layer worn underneath another one. What seemed simple at first raised some genuine design questions. Here's how it unfolded.
Making the UV-protection T-shirt: the material comes first
The GANGA would not have existed without a material. It was the material that sparked the project, not the other way around.
We've been working for some time with a supplier we know well, whose yarns and performance in use we understand thoroughly. Looking into what they could offer us in the lightweight UV-protection materials range, we came across an ECONYL fabric: recycled nylon made from recovered waste, abandoned fishing nets, and production scraps, given a second life as yarn.
UPF 50+ certified material, ultra-lightweight, with a very soft feel against the skin and remarkably fast drying.
We knew the supplier, we knew the material, and we drew inspiration from our already-developed models. That's a solid foundation for moving quickly and avoiding unpleasant surprises along the way.
The connection with the TEETREK, our benchmark technical T-shirt, is direct: it uses the same material concept, but is 35 grams per square metre lighter. That's no minor detail. On a T-shirt worn all day while hiking under the sun, you can really feel the difference.
A first prototype, almost perfect right from the start
The GANGA's development was fast. Just one prototype, and it was already very close to what we were looking for. It doesn't always happen that way.
Two reasons explain this smooth process. First, the GANGA was largely inspired by the ROKA, our existing technical baselayer: the same cut logic, the same approach to the first layer—the foundations were already well established. Second, working with a partner we've known for some time makes communication easier: we don't need to explain everything from scratch at every iteration.
"Working with a partner we've been working with for some time makes communication easier"
The adjustments focused on a single point: the hood. It was too wide compared with what we'd envisioned. We wanted it to sit properly and provide enough coverage to protect the nape and top of the head, while remaining compatible with a cap or helmet. An anti-UV T-shirt hood that can't be worn under a climbing or cycling helmet misses half its potential users.
The hood: the real development challenge
Julien, one of Lagoped's founders and a high-mountain guide, guided the decisions on this point. Someone who spends his days leading groups in the mountains, often in the sun and often wearing a helmet, knows exactly what he expects from a T-shirt hood.
We were looking for a system that lets air circulate, because an airtight hood quickly becomes unbearable during intense exertion. At the same time, we wanted enough coverage for the UV protection to be real, not symbolic. This isn't a small decorative hood: it's fitted, high-cut, and designed to stay in place while you move.
The result: a hood with an active fit that follows your movements without slipping backward as soon as you raise your head, with enough volume for ventilation but enough structure to provide coverage.
Thumb loops: a detail that changes how you use it
GANGA is designed for situations where UV protection really matters. Not just a T-shirt you pull on out of habit: a garment chosen because you know you'll be exposed for hours.
With this in mind, we incorporated thumb loops. Only the fingers remain exposed, while the hand is covered. It's a simple feature that solves a real problem: the wrist and hand area is often overlooked when it comes to sun protection, difficult to coat with sunscreen while moving, and constantly exposed when holding trekking poles or handlebars.
Combined with the hood, the thumb loops make GANGA a garment that covers a significantly greater range of the body than a classic T-shirt, including UV protection.
The question of colors: we nearly made just one
Choosing colors for a UV-protective T-shirt raises a real physical question: in direct sunlight, a dark color absorbs more heat than a light color. We hesitated for a long time. A white T-shirt is objectively more comfortable to wear as temperatures rise. A dark T-shirt may seem counterintuitive for a product designed to keep you cool.
We nearly released just one color to keep things simple. In the end, we kept a color range that reflects our usual choices: core shades that won't be discontinued the following season.
This has a direct environmental consequence. The supplier already has existing stock in these core colors: we take exactly what we ordered, with no overproduction on our side. No end-of-line products, no fabric specially dyed for one season and then abandoned. It's a logistical advantage and an environmental advantage.
Express development: from February to July
The initial brief was set at the end of February. The launch is scheduled for the end of July. That's fast for technical clothing.
This deadline was met for several reasons that came together. The fabric had already been identified, the supplier was known, and the cut was based on an existing model. Manufacturing also took place nearby—not far from our usual production chain in the European Union—which avoids the logistical uncertainties of sourcing from far away.
The initial feedback, even before the official launch, was positive. That makes us want to continue in this direction: products that address a real need, developed with people who use them, and made with partners we know.
To discover the GANGA T-shirt, visit: GANGA technical T-shirt. And to understand how UPF 50+ protection works in the fabric, our complete guide to UV-protective clothing explains the four manufacturing techniques and what the certification really guarantees.
