Sun Protection

[Dianyla]

Does anyone have to ride with long sleeves in the summer due to skin cancer or the need for more sun protection than sunblocker/sunscreen can provide?

This is a topic I have been seriously pondering this summer. For short (<1hr) rides and commuting I don't mind just slathering on some sunscreen but for long all-day rides and hikes I've really changed my thinking to believing that covering up is always better. Especially if you are already sunburned and have to go out again a second day on a multi-day ride or hike, even if you have a very high (60+) factor sunscreen it's still miserable and very damaging to your skin. And the final straw for me has been researching product ingredients... if you are trying to find an all-natural sunscreen that uses only physical blockers (e.g. titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and does not contain parabens, there is a very short list of products I would be willing to use and none of them are cheap.

I know there are special sunwear companies that make jerseys but they are very expensive and I'm looking for a cheaper alternative that will allow me to buy two or three shirts.

I just ordered one of these jerseys online, on sale for $24:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1211

They weren't carried at the local Performance bike shop so I couldn't try them on, but they said I could return them locally if I don't like them. They haven't arrived yet so I don't know how well they fit and feel, but I'm very very hopeful... If it works out well I'll definitely buy 1-2 more of them.

[Technotart]

If you cant stand long sleeves, sunscreen with titanium oxide or zinc oxide is best - it should turn your skin several shades lighter than it is. Stay away from PABA sunscreens - they are very high on the sensitivity list, and they usually need reapplication.

I am EXTREMELY sensitive to the sun - I actually have an allergic reaction to UV light itself if it hits my arms. I break out in this bad bubbly weepy very itchy nasty rash that leaves white spots for years afterwards.

The stuff I use lets me stay out in the sun for 10 hours (on 2 applications or so) without sunburn, rash or any ill effects, Once it's on I never even notice it's there, and it seems that I sweat right through it. I have only very faint tan lines on my upper arms, I use this stuff religiously everytime I am out in the sun. I use the kid version because it's less likely to have irritants of any kind in it - something my rash prone skin does not need.

http://www.solsunguard.com/kindersport.html

[nuthatch]

I just ordered one of these jerseys online, on sale for $24:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1211

I saw this jersey online as well - I almost ordered it but was a little concerned that they didn't go into any detail about the SPF value. I know light fabrics and loose weaves are less protective and I wondered if they were calling it UV protection just because it had long sleeves. One article I read said if you hold the garment up to a light and you can see things through it, the SPF is probably 15 or less. Of course, combine that with sunscreen underneath and it's probably pretty effective!

Cali, thanks for the armskin link - I couldn't remember what they were called other than "arm coolers" which is another brand! They would allow me to keep wearing my regular jerseys (maybe a little color clashing going on!! )

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions.

[Irulan]

no need to go hi -tec; a light cotton men's dress shirt is very effective. You might have to tie up or tuck in the tails.

irulan

[caligurl]

i ordered one of those performance UV jerseys.. and returned it.. cuz with the exception of the reflective strip... it was identical to this one that i already have from them:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1211

and the one i have is a lot cheaper!

i just ordered a pair of the armskin lites... in addition to the UV protection.... i like that i'll be able to wear some of my short sleeve jerseys and these armskins without getting ugly farmer tan lines!

[Googlie Wooglie]

I find it's not that much warmer to ride with long sleeves, as long as there is a breeze or you're making your own breeze.

I have those cheapo Performance long sleeved jerseys in every color:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1211

and I wash them with this:
http://www.ritdye.com/sun_guard/default.asp

As a side note, I love the jerseys, they fit perfectly and they're a great weight. I only wear them for longer rides, over an hour or two-- I don't like being slimy from sunscreen and sweat -- or in the cool mornings instead of armskins.

[caligurl]

what a great idea (the rit dye!! and yes.. i love this jersey.. it's light and airy! i'm actually contemplating ordering more! wish they had more colors!

[caligurl]

no need to go hi -tec; a light cotton men's dress shirt is very effective. You might have to tie up or tuck in the tails.

irulan

cotton... in the desert... in the summer? no way! lol! it would be stuck to me almost immediately! it was and average 107 on my ride yesterday after work! at one point it was 114 according to my polar! and it's only june.. it WILL get warmer!

i'm not even crazy about the idea of the armskins when it's that hot...

[Irulan]

cotton... in the desert... in the summer? no way! lol! it would be stuck to me almost immediately! it was and average 107 on my ride yesterday after work! at one point it was 114 according to my polar! and it's only june.. it WILL get warmer!

i'm not even crazy about the idea of the armskins when it's that hot...

Light thin woven cotton, not t-shirt knit. Like a white dress shirt. Try it before you slam it. I've spent time in the desert, and in the equatorial hot tropics, and it works very well. Air circulates through the loose weave and fit, the sun is blocked, and there is evaporation. If you look at what people wear in areas where it's really hot, they wear...light woven cottons.... Not all cotton fabrics are equivilant, and you don't necessarily have to buy a hi tech engineered fabric to get the functional aspect of sun protection.

irulan