UV Ultra Violet Protection clothing for cycling
08-06-25 | 10:01 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,773
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From: North Central Wisconsin
EXACTLY!!
I used to live in the Mojave Desert area of California, and never wore an advertised UV protection jersey, because it is a scam, and I wore all sorts of colors, but mostly white due to white being cooler, but never ever did I even get just a slight tinge of red on any part of my body covered in clothing, even after 5 hours in that brutal sun environment. The sun was so brutal that the paint and graphics on my 84 Trek 660 I used back then faded horribly even with using UV protection wax on the frame.
Granted, I have olive skin, but it's only tan where the clothing is not, the rest is white. I used to wear sun protection on my exposed parts, but not on the rest of me that was going to be covered with clothing.
Anyway, don't waste your money on smoke and mirrors, just buy whatever jersey that you would like to wear and don't worry about UV protection, or even special silver laced fabric that stops odor...no they do not, I know because I tried them, only merino wool will prevent odor for a while longer than other fabrics.
I used to live in the Mojave Desert area of California, and never wore an advertised UV protection jersey, because it is a scam, and I wore all sorts of colors, but mostly white due to white being cooler, but never ever did I even get just a slight tinge of red on any part of my body covered in clothing, even after 5 hours in that brutal sun environment. The sun was so brutal that the paint and graphics on my 84 Trek 660 I used back then faded horribly even with using UV protection wax on the frame.
Granted, I have olive skin, but it's only tan where the clothing is not, the rest is white. I used to wear sun protection on my exposed parts, but not on the rest of me that was going to be covered with clothing.
Anyway, don't waste your money on smoke and mirrors, just buy whatever jersey that you would like to wear and don't worry about UV protection, or even special silver laced fabric that stops odor...no they do not, I know because I tried them, only merino wool will prevent odor for a while longer than other fabrics.
But people will buy into it and lap it up like it's the real deal and just willingly pay extra for some perceived benefit that doesn't exist. I gotta hand it to the marketing folks. They are good at leveraging the psyche to influence consumer behaviors.
08-06-25 | 10:42 AM
#53
ignominious poltroon
Joined: Jan 2022
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I've used long-sleeve bicycle jerseys for 15 years and have never experienced a burn in the areas covered.
08-06-25 | 11:03 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,773
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From: North Central Wisconsin
Advertise a shirt as having a a UPF of 50+ then charge $40 more for it over a $10 shirt that will do the same = scam.
There is now a whole market out there profiting from this scam.
08-07-25 | 04:23 AM
#55
tinkerer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 87
Likes: 79
From: Horsham, pa
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Neuvo Racing, Raleigh Sports, Hercules Sports, Catrite Pocket, CatrikeTrail, Raleigh step tbrough, Kent motroized
I am old enough that I still have wool jerseys. Modern cycling jerseys made with synthetic fibers are just so much better. They are though somewhat expensive and have a limited use as a garment. I mentioned in a previous post that I have been using what are called sun block fishing jerseys which are long sleeved shirts made out of the same material as a cycling jerseys if not a bit thinner. They, unlike wool or cotton they (like a good cycling jersey) dry immediately. I have paid between $8.00 and $15.00 a piece for them on Amazon which is a lot less than I have ever paid for a cycling jersey. Now, I tend to wear them whenever I am out in the sun. At my age I do not need a heavy farmers tan.The point is not whether they block UV rays better than any other material. They do and are cool, comfortable and inexpensive.
08-07-25 | 05:09 AM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,923
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From: Turku, Finland, Europe
Bikes: 2011 Specialized crux comp, 2013 Specialized Rockhopper Pro
As has been mentioned before, a tighter knit, thinner thread, higher thread count fabric will also have a higher UPF-rating regardless of material. But incidentally, fabrics which are tighter knit and have thinner thread as well as higher thread count are also both higher in quality and more expensive. And with fabric quality the price goes up exponentially for some reason. Probably because they're exponentially more difficult to manufacture and also supply/demand.
Also, I've gotten sunburn through a shirt. But never through one of my UPF50 shirt. But I'm a northener so I burn easy.
08-07-25 | 07:01 AM
#57
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,699
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From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
EXACTLY!!
I used to live in the Mojave Desert area of California, and never wore an advertised UV protection jersey, because it is a scam, and I wore all sorts of colors, but mostly white due to white being cooler, but never ever did I even get just a slight tinge of red on any part of my body covered in clothing, even after 5 hours in that brutal sun environment.
...
Anyway, don't waste your money on smoke and mirrors, just buy whatever jersey that you would like to wear and don't worry about UV protection...
I used to live in the Mojave Desert area of California, and never wore an advertised UV protection jersey, because it is a scam, and I wore all sorts of colors, but mostly white due to white being cooler, but never ever did I even get just a slight tinge of red on any part of my body covered in clothing, even after 5 hours in that brutal sun environment.
...
Anyway, don't waste your money on smoke and mirrors, just buy whatever jersey that you would like to wear and don't worry about UV protection...
Agreed it's a scam.
But people will buy into it and lap it up like it's the real deal and just willingly pay extra for some perceived benefit that doesn't exist. I gotta hand it to the marketing folks. They are good at leveraging the psyche to influence consumer behaviors.
But people will buy into it and lap it up like it's the real deal and just willingly pay extra for some perceived benefit that doesn't exist. I gotta hand it to the marketing folks. They are good at leveraging the psyche to influence consumer behaviors.
- expensive jerseys advertise UPF protection.
- inexpensive jerseys advertise UPF protection.
When a feature is mentioned as a product benefit for inexpensive options, it doesnt work to claim the feature costs extra or that money is being wasted on that feature.
08-07-25 | 07:46 AM
#58
Facts just confuse people
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,275
Likes: 7,026
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
I guess any specification listed for a product must be a scam. Maybe we shouldn't even know what colors a product will come in. As any of that might be a scam.
Many clothes list their UPF today. Even for T-shirts. The nay-sayers are probably unknowingly supporting the scam they are purporting.
Many clothes list their UPF today. Even for T-shirts. The nay-sayers are probably unknowingly supporting the scam they are purporting.
Last edited by Iride01; 08-07-25 at 07:50 AM.
08-07-25 | 08:35 AM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,773
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From: North Central Wisconsin
How does one get a sunburn with a shirt on?
08-07-25 | 08:45 AM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Turku, Finland, Europe
Bikes: 2011 Specialized crux comp, 2013 Specialized Rockhopper Pro
It's actually pretty easy to get sunburn with a shirt on.
A) put on shirt with low UPF-rating (for example linen)
B) go outside when it's sunny
C) stay outside in the sun for the duration of the peak UV-index hours
D) be bummed you need to use sunscreen under your clothes too.
08-07-25 | 08:46 AM
#61
Facts just confuse people
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,275
Likes: 7,026
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
It's about how much UVa and UVb you receive. Thinner clothing can mean more UV. Not necessarily enough to sunburn you. So UPF ratings give a way to tell which thinner clothing gives you better protection.
08-07-25 | 08:47 AM
#62
ignominious poltroon
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 6,027
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08-08-25 | 05:43 AM
#63
Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9,143
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From: Wherever I am
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
08-08-25 | 07:37 AM
#65
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,699
Likes: 10,236
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
How much more does it cost?
just willingly pay extra for some perceived benefit that doesn't exist.
08-08-25 | 07:44 AM
#66
With a mighty wind
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 1,482
I've seen bottled water with things on the label that says "zero carbohydrates" and "gluten free". No harm in advertising what you already have.
My concern is when it gets to tooth whitening territory. Every dental product can say it's whitening, and it is, when compared to doing absolutely nothing. It does make it difficult to determine which product is actually formulated for it and which is advertising an incidental benefit.
For cycling, I wear clothes. Seems like a solid choice.
My concern is when it gets to tooth whitening territory. Every dental product can say it's whitening, and it is, when compared to doing absolutely nothing. It does make it difficult to determine which product is actually formulated for it and which is advertising an incidental benefit.
For cycling, I wear clothes. Seems like a solid choice.
08-08-25 | 07:59 AM
#67
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,923
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From: Turku, Finland, Europe
Bikes: 2011 Specialized crux comp, 2013 Specialized Rockhopper Pro
I've seen bottled water with things on the label that says "zero carbohydrates" and "gluten free". No harm in advertising what you already have.
My concern is when it gets to tooth whitening territory. Every dental product can say it's whitening, and it is, when compared to doing absolutely nothing. It does make it difficult to determine which product is actually formulated for it and which is advertising an incidental benefit.
For cycling, I wear clothes. Seems like a solid choice.
My concern is when it gets to tooth whitening territory. Every dental product can say it's whitening, and it is, when compared to doing absolutely nothing. It does make it difficult to determine which product is actually formulated for it and which is advertising an incidental benefit.
For cycling, I wear clothes. Seems like a solid choice.
Firstly, high UPF rating in clothing doesn't necessarily require a specific formulation. It's entirely possible to have a high quality synthetic fabric that also incidentally doesn't let much UV through. If it gets a high rating, why not make a mention of it? I personally feel it's more than fair that a manufacturer informs the consumer of the high UV rating.
Secondly, it works both ways. I did some digging and for example some Pearl Izumi jerseys have a UPF of 25, which is relatively low. Knowing that, I can as a consumer make a more informed choice and either A) not buy said jersey B) use it only on overcast humid days or C) not use it in the middle of july.
UPF ratings are mostly informative and in the EU at least it's quite illegal to advertise a higher than reality values to consumers.
08-09-25 | 04:02 PM
#70
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Joined: Dec 2004
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There was a company in Australia that used fabric specifically for UVA/B.
Another company out of Seattle or Portland made Jerseys with it.
(can't remember the names, and I think the jersey company went out of business.
UVA/B clothes do exist, but they are difficult to tell apart from the scam companies.
Better UV protection requires better material and tighter weave.
Getting better UV protections requires the sacrifice of more heat retention (although they still wick moisture pretty well)
So, on a hot day, you will feel REALLY hot until you get a good sweat going.
The ones I have work GREAT at protecting me (super pale) from the sun in the lower latitudes, all day MUCH better than sun screen.
Found the company, but it's only is OZ now.
and their product has changed drastically.
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/p...-cycling-shirt
Remembered another:
https://www.coolibar.com/
Another company out of Seattle or Portland made Jerseys with it.
(can't remember the names, and I think the jersey company went out of business.
UVA/B clothes do exist, but they are difficult to tell apart from the scam companies.
Better UV protection requires better material and tighter weave.
Getting better UV protections requires the sacrifice of more heat retention (although they still wick moisture pretty well)
So, on a hot day, you will feel REALLY hot until you get a good sweat going.
The ones I have work GREAT at protecting me (super pale) from the sun in the lower latitudes, all day MUCH better than sun screen.
Found the company, but it's only is OZ now.
and their product has changed drastically.
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/p...-cycling-shirt
Remembered another:
https://www.coolibar.com/
Last edited by bfuser5893539; 08-09-25 at 04:11 PM.
08-09-25 | 11:08 PM
#71
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,422
Likes: 11,647
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
There was a company in Australia that used fabric specifically for UVA/B.
Another company out of Seattle or Portland made Jerseys with it.
(can't remember the names, and I think the jersey company went out of business.
UVA/B clothes do exist, but they are difficult to tell apart from the scam companies.
Better UV protection requires better material and tighter weave.
Getting better UV protections requires the sacrifice of more heat retention (although they still wick moisture pretty well)
So, on a hot day, you will feel REALLY hot until you get a good sweat going.
The ones I have work GREAT at protecting me (super pale) from the sun in the lower latitudes, all day MUCH better than sun screen.
Found the company, but it's only is OZ now.
and their product has changed drastically.
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/p...-cycling-shirt
Remembered another:
https://www.coolibar.com/
Another company out of Seattle or Portland made Jerseys with it.
(can't remember the names, and I think the jersey company went out of business.
UVA/B clothes do exist, but they are difficult to tell apart from the scam companies.
Better UV protection requires better material and tighter weave.
Getting better UV protections requires the sacrifice of more heat retention (although they still wick moisture pretty well)
So, on a hot day, you will feel REALLY hot until you get a good sweat going.
The ones I have work GREAT at protecting me (super pale) from the sun in the lower latitudes, all day MUCH better than sun screen.
Found the company, but it's only is OZ now.
and their product has changed drastically.
https://sunprotectionaustralia.com/p...-cycling-shirt
Remembered another:
https://www.coolibar.com/
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08-10-25 | 10:44 AM
#72
Guest
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1,442
Loose fitting leaves an air gap that acts like an insulator.
The pit mesh and a few other tactics helps mitigate the lower cooling rate, but we just have to deal with it.
As with all engineering, compromise is required.
01-12-26 | 02:18 PM
#74
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 1,617
No. A layer of water the thickness of most garments isn't going to do squat....
I don't think SPF clothing is a gimmick, but I also think that most (nearly all) cycling clothes provide adequate sun protection, they just don't claim to.
I don't think SPF clothing is a gimmick, but I also think that most (nearly all) cycling clothes provide adequate sun protection, they just don't claim to.
01-12-26 | 04:26 PM
#75
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,730
Likes: 1,721
Haven't read the entire thread yet, but want to make a comment anyway.
To me, the missing piece of gear is a thin skull cap with material which drapes liberally down the back of the neck. I'm talking about the super thin cycling skull caps with the extra material being thin like the sun shirts you can buy.
I wear a skull cap every time I ride for two reasons: to get keep the pads clean-ish but mainly to keep my thinning scalp from being burnt through the vents of the helmet.
I can't think of anything that is more exposed at a direcct angle to the sun than the back of the neck. Why don't they make (or maybe they do?) a skull cap with back of the neck protection too? I've been thinking of cutting up an old hooded sun shirt for this.
To me, the missing piece of gear is a thin skull cap with material which drapes liberally down the back of the neck. I'm talking about the super thin cycling skull caps with the extra material being thin like the sun shirts you can buy.
I wear a skull cap every time I ride for two reasons: to get keep the pads clean-ish but mainly to keep my thinning scalp from being burnt through the vents of the helmet.
I can't think of anything that is more exposed at a direcct angle to the sun than the back of the neck. Why don't they make (or maybe they do?) a skull cap with back of the neck protection too? I've been thinking of cutting up an old hooded sun shirt for this.