Best sun protection ?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 25
From: ALASKA , SoCal
Bikes: /Skye/ Torker mt, Sirrus flat bar
Best sun protection ?
I have enough wrinkles & dry skin,
no need for more from sunburn.
Using bike jersey, gloves & put sun screen 40 on forearms/back of
neck now.
What’s better, spf >40 sun screen
Or
The thin white arm cover?
On hot days , do you really cool
well enough with evaporation
through the cloth ?
What’s (do they make)a good long sleeve jersey that has good cooling
Features ?
no need for more from sunburn.
Using bike jersey, gloves & put sun screen 40 on forearms/back of
neck now.
What’s better, spf >40 sun screen
Or
The thin white arm cover?
On hot days , do you really cool
well enough with evaporation
through the cloth ?
What’s (do they make)a good long sleeve jersey that has good cooling
Features ?
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 664
From: Massachusetts
Advantages of fabric sleeves/knees/leg covers:
Disadvantages:
I've used sun sleeves and sun knees in near 100 degrees and was quite impressed that they are not at all warm. (Opposite problem actually, when it stops raining the rain evaporation can cool you very quickly.)
-mr. bill
- Reliable 50+ UPF.
- No need to reapply.
- They don't get in your eyes.
- Can be easily taken off when the sun is low.
Disadvantages:
- Yet more clothing to put on (and take off).
- Some people think they look funny. (Some people who think that may be people you love.)
- You really have to try them on to get a proper fit.
I've used sun sleeves and sun knees in near 100 degrees and was quite impressed that they are not at all warm. (Opposite problem actually, when it stops raining the rain evaporation can cool you very quickly.)
-mr. bill
#3
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Rain clouds work well most of the year, here.. rain gear ,, I got a long sleeve shirt.. cool marine climate.
But, still California driving with the widow open has caught up with me , a Basal cell Melanoma to deal with on my temple, (at 70)
But, still California driving with the widow open has caught up with me , a Basal cell Melanoma to deal with on my temple, (at 70)
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
Bikes: Two. One daily rider. One with detachment issues.
#6
Jedi Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 501
From: Lake Forest, IL
Bikes: https://stinkston.blogspot.com/p/my-bikes.html
I'm not quite 50 yet so I hope it's ok for me to answer anyway. I often wear a rash guard as a base layer and sun protection even in hot and humid weather. I have several different brands and don't notice that any are cooler than the others. If it's really hot I definitely prefer having a rash guard vs. not. I also have the Castelli sun legs that I wear sometimes and like quite a lot. They do however look a little more ridiculous than long sleeves under your jersey IMO.
#7
Seat Sniffer


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 3,046
From: SoCal
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Sunscreens do matter. The best are the mineral based sunscreens. I use this stuff. Yea ... you get a white sheen, but it is very effective and safe to use.
https://www.neutrogena.com/sun/sheer...Fd2OxQIdHysMgw
https://www.neutrogena.com/sun/sheer...Fd2OxQIdHysMgw
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Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#10
Me duelen las nalgas

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
A couple of friends wear arm and leg covers pretty much year round. One wears white -- he's been very cautious since a bout with skin cancer a few years ago. The other wears black, even in summer -- I call him Sherif Ali, the character played by Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia, who wore all black in the desert.
I got way too many sunburns as a kid growing up on the beaches, so I'm a little more careful now. I try to remember to use sunscreen, but it stings my eyes. So I wear a bandanna pulled as low as possible over my forehead under the helmet, and just use the sunscreen on the cheeks, ears, neck, etc. I have long hair that partially blocks the sun, and add a bandanna around the neck too.
Often I'll wear long sleeve jerseys or thin Champion t-shirts in summer. I just got a low priced Koraman long sleeve jersey with thumbholes in the sleeves to ensure they don't ride up and expose the wrists, but they're poorly placed and put too much pressure on the web of the hand between thumb and forefinger. I'd need to alter the stitching to suit my arm length.
So far I haven't seen any evidence of sun getting through even my thin Champion t-shirts, so it's likely that any fabric works about as well as sunscreen. Ideally I'd like a jersey made from the same thin, comfortable material with a pocket in the rear, but the fabric is so lightweight it can't support much weight without sagging. So I usually carry more stuff on the bike -- phone on the handlebar, wallet and keys in the saddle bag, etc. Sometimes I'll wear shorts with pockets rather than tight cycling shorts.
I got way too many sunburns as a kid growing up on the beaches, so I'm a little more careful now. I try to remember to use sunscreen, but it stings my eyes. So I wear a bandanna pulled as low as possible over my forehead under the helmet, and just use the sunscreen on the cheeks, ears, neck, etc. I have long hair that partially blocks the sun, and add a bandanna around the neck too.
Often I'll wear long sleeve jerseys or thin Champion t-shirts in summer. I just got a low priced Koraman long sleeve jersey with thumbholes in the sleeves to ensure they don't ride up and expose the wrists, but they're poorly placed and put too much pressure on the web of the hand between thumb and forefinger. I'd need to alter the stitching to suit my arm length.
So far I haven't seen any evidence of sun getting through even my thin Champion t-shirts, so it's likely that any fabric works about as well as sunscreen. Ideally I'd like a jersey made from the same thin, comfortable material with a pocket in the rear, but the fabric is so lightweight it can't support much weight without sagging. So I usually carry more stuff on the bike -- phone on the handlebar, wallet and keys in the saddle bag, etc. Sometimes I'll wear shorts with pockets rather than tight cycling shorts.
#11
Full Member

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 356
Likes: 75
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Specialized Crosstrail
My wife is a skin geek and she makes me use this(I have had multiple skin cancers, age 65):
https://www.shiseido.com/ultimate-su...l?cgid=suncare
She says the Japanese know what they are doing in sunscreens. My dermatologist thinks I am wasting my money and just says to go with Walmart's Equate sunscreen. I do use that on my legs. But my face/ears/neck gets the Shiseido. 100ml has lasted two years, just purchased my second bottle last month. My wife gets 20 percent off at Sephora during the friends and family sale period. I ride during the Spring/Summer/Fall around 3 times a week. I wear a Headsweats under my helmet. Always wear a long sleeve 50+ shirt. Finger less gloves for the top of the hand.
Shorty | Cycling | Headsweats
https://www.shiseido.com/ultimate-su...l?cgid=suncare
She says the Japanese know what they are doing in sunscreens. My dermatologist thinks I am wasting my money and just says to go with Walmart's Equate sunscreen. I do use that on my legs. But my face/ears/neck gets the Shiseido. 100ml has lasted two years, just purchased my second bottle last month. My wife gets 20 percent off at Sephora during the friends and family sale period. I ride during the Spring/Summer/Fall around 3 times a week. I wear a Headsweats under my helmet. Always wear a long sleeve 50+ shirt. Finger less gloves for the top of the hand.
Shorty | Cycling | Headsweats
Last edited by themp; 03-01-18 at 08:15 PM.
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,686
Likes: 2,605
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
It really depends what temperatures and humidities you're riding in. I start to get uncomfortably warm in sleeves at 80F and about 60-70% RH, or 95F and 5%. Over that, I pull out the Bullfrog gel sunscreen.
#13
just another gosling


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 2,673
From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
White sunsleeves on the arms, Aloe Gator SPF 40 on other exposed skin. I've worn the sleeves climbing in 105°.
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Results matter
Results matter
#14
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 25
From: ALASKA , SoCal
Bikes: /Skye/ Torker mt, Sirrus flat bar
Think I'm
Gonna try some sun sleeves.
Will work for golf too
Have some thin under armor long sleeves that are working
for under 70°, under bike jersey
Gonna look at some light colored long sleeve bike jerseys too.
Gonna try some sun sleeves.
Will work for golf too
Have some thin under armor long sleeves that are working
for under 70°, under bike jersey
Gonna look at some light colored long sleeve bike jerseys too.
#15
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 365
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I've worn arm coolers (spf rated) the last few summers. In some situations they feel hotter than no sleeves but overall like them much better than sunscreen. Still have to slather on the sun screen on legs, face, neck, etc.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,171
Likes: 5,299
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
I have a routine where I start with the Aloe Gator and clean hands. Put it on my forehead, around my eyes and even over my eyelids. Then I go on to my regular sunscreen. (Drawbacks to the Aloe Gator - it doesn't apply as fast, is a lot harder to wash off, stays "greasy" and the black flies you run into never get out.)
You can get it at REI.
Ben
#17
Me duelen las nalgas

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,519
Likes: 2,832
From: Texas
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
#18
Broom Wagon Fodder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 64
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick
I find that the places the sun gets me the most are the back & sides of the neck, the back of the arms, knee & above the knee, around the ankle, and the nose.
So... I wear:
Knickers most of the time and 50 Sunblock on the knee and above when I wear shorts
Socks that come up over the ankles
Long sleeves until it is just too hot then 50 sunblock
50 sunblock on the back & sides of the neck and nose.
I usually hit the top of my chest with the 50 as well -- where the jersey is open.
So... I wear:
Knickers most of the time and 50 Sunblock on the knee and above when I wear shorts
Socks that come up over the ankles
Long sleeves until it is just too hot then 50 sunblock
50 sunblock on the back & sides of the neck and nose.
I usually hit the top of my chest with the 50 as well -- where the jersey is open.
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