This topic doesn’t seem to get much attention, but we spend a lot of time exposed to the sun while riding. I’m sure I’m not the only one who ought to be a lot more careful about skin damage and sun burn. I thought a wiki thread might be a useful resource for us all. Calling all Aussies, Southern Statesmen/women and Heavy Sweaters of Escape:
What products do we all recommend for sun protection? Sweat-proof protection, favourite casquettes, lightweight jerseys… what are the best ways to avoid becoming a lobster when it gets hot?
Feel free to add categories as you go along.
The Sun Protection Wiki
Sunscreen/Sun Cream
Does anyone make one that doesn’t run straight into your eyes as soon as you start to sweat?
Badger sunscreen. Most or all zinc-based. Quite expensive and maybe only available in the USA. I’ve found it runs about as much as anything else but stings much, much less.
Austrailian Gold Sunscreen. No idea how this ranks on performance but works for me and it’s easy to apply
Coles Sunscreen (AUS only), available in 1L pump bottle
Caps and Headgear
Any recommendations?
Walz caps are great, and come in different materials for different seasons. No neck protection, though.
Head sweats skull caps. Reasonably lightweight and cheap
GripGrab casquettes - multiple size options to suit large heads
Da Brim helmet brims. A strong look, you could say. Good touring/bikepacking option.
Protective Clothing
Q36.5 Dottore Pro UV arm warmers: They’re expensive, but very thin, very lightweight, and fairly breathable. I don’t know if they’ve been tested as a sun protection product, but they seem to prevent sunburn without being too warm.
https://www.gripgrab.com/collections/hats-caps GripGrab summer skull cap and brimmed summer cap are great for me. Large melon here and the one-size only skull cap is the first cap I’ve been able to wear for hours without feeling like my head’s in a vice after 20min. The brimmed cap actually comes in 2 sizes, the M/L is perfect.
The Black Bibs people (Starlight? maybe?) used to make a summer weight long-sleeved jersey. I have one. It’s many years old, worn heavily, and still in pretty good shape. Not adding to Wiki because I couldn’t find one they still make. Overall not as comfortable as a short-sleeved jersey, but tolerable for me into the upper 80s F / low 30s C even on humid days — and if not impervious to sun, damn near. My forearms are often among the first things to burn in short sleeves, and this just totally obliterates that risk. I’d be curious if others have had good experiences covering necks or legs in hot weather as well. I’ve never tried summer-weight bib tights or knickers, and have Not Loved neck gaiters or buffs in the heat (too hot, too many gaps to work anyway — at least the ones I tried in the ways I wore them).
I live in Western Australia, as some might know we get plenty of sun here and it’s bloody hot in summer (although the heat has nothing to do with the prevalence of UV radiation.)
Not too long ago I came across a Choice (consumer/industry independent products & service testing company that is subscription based) article that tested commonly sold sunscreens here. It’s well worth a read:
Maybe not pertenant information for members outside of Oz but I have been using Coles branded sunscreen for ages and have had great results. For context, a common ride would be road in practically full sun for up to 4 hours without burning, and I’m a very sweaty dude.
I added input on headwear and sunscreen above but the big thing for me (as a fair skinned person in central Texas) is avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. For riding in peak sun months this means riding early ( as soon as it gets light) and getting back early. I very infrequently am out riding after noon and if out after that doing yard work I wear long pants, long sleeve heavy work shirt and wide brim hat … no fun in the summer heat but have had a couple basal cell carcinomas removed and not looking for more of that.
I’m in Brisbane, Aus and I have a few of the Pearl Izumi sun sleeves, which seem to work for day-to-day riding.
Regarding sunscreen, I usually wear a Buff cap, and don’t apply sunscreen above my eyebrows. I hope my forehead is shaded enough by my sunglasses and helmet/cap. I’ve never been burnt there yet.
I’ll also add that when going for longer rides - bike packing or off road usually - I wear a long sleeve sun hoodie Men's SUN-Stopper LT Hoodie - Mid Navy – Kathmandu AU . They’re not aero, but much cooler than usually cycling clothing and, in the middle of the day, I pop the hood over my helmet for more relief from the backing sun! I’m yet to find anything else that is better for riding in the baking heat!
Agreed with this recommendation for Australians. Coles (and Woolies) sunscreen is easy to apply, doesn’t streak into your eyes or anywhere else and does a great job at preventing sunburn.
I’m past the age where I need to worry about sun exposure but I’ve worn long sleeve jerseys for years for other reasons, to the extent that Lyrebird kit was all long sleeved. Before that I used to wear Netti’s totally dorky long sleeve fluoro jerseys, sadly no longer offered. IMO having that extra amount of cloth on the arms makes little difference to cooling if the fabric wicks reasonably well.
Neopro make a summer weight long sleeve jersey, UPF40 but it only comes in beige for the ultimate boring look: NeoPro Canyon Long Sleeve Jersey .
Been using the ThinkSun range the last couple of years and been really happy. We ride in a lot of sun in South Africa and Thailand upwards of 3-4 hours a few times a week. Cancer Council Sport is probably next but only just got a bottle so still testing. South African brand IslandTribe is also pretty good but only really available here. If it works for surfers being submerged a lot it will work for cyclists.
I’m in Melbourne and probably spend more hours hiking than cycling. Have used a variety of brands’ sun hoodys for summer hiking/cycling and those made from polartec power dry fabric are the ones I always reach for first. The macpac trail series have been very comfortable (& reasonably priced if on sale). They are a bit thinner/lighter than the kathmandu.
I use the PI sun sleeves a lot in the summer, as well as summer-weight long-sleeve jerseys. I also use the sun knees Sun Knee Sleeves – PEARL iZUMi, both as sun protection and as knee warmers on cool summer mornings. My old knees are happier warm, and even that thin fabric makes a difference.
A lot of my sun protection is in route selection and ride timing. Shade is your friend. I’m not doing exposed road rides midday if I can possibly help it.
,) cheap and less plastic waste too.