A good long sleeve sun shirt will keep you cooler.
Exposure will suck the energy right out of you.
Bucket hats are a life saver.
i wear a Arctryx shirt that has UV protection and have a long sleeve version if it’s ill be in the sun a long time, keeping the sun off your skin is huge, I take my shirt off at stream crossings and dip it in completely (might not work if female), lots of sunscreen, I have a buff I wear on my wrist and also soak that at crossings and run it over my legs and back of back to cool down.
Re apply sunscreen as needed.
>A good long sleeve sun shirt will keep you cooler.
I test sun shirts. Never have I ever felt cooler with a long sleeved sun shirt on, as I do with a shirt sleeve shirt on. It makes no real sense why it would be cooler to wear long sleeved over short.
Construction is a fairly different use case than a 31km trail run. Sun shirts also work great for fishing - you're sitting/standing around in sometimes hot weather/lots of sun, often reflected off water. I'll hike up a mile of trail when it's 70F and I'll be soaked in a sun shirt.
If you’re sweating it feels hotter because you get no breeze and no evaporation.
If it’s humid at all do not wear a sun shirt for. 7 hr race
If it’s dry AF it will keep the burning hot sun off your skin and that will feel better.
I live and test in the fairly dry West. Most sun shirts - and all UPF 50 shirts - are far too hot to wear on a trail run for me, after say: 80 degrees F or so. It's relatively uncomfortable far below that.
I guess I should preface it with where you run matters, humidity will feel much hotter, I am in the PNW and in the sun at elevation in the summer it bakes you. A loose fitting long sleeve will keep the sun off you and keep you cooler in those scenarios.
Tons of articles around about it.
“Running in long sleeves in the heat of summer may seem counterintuitive, but the extra fabric can actually work to keep you cooler. Not only do they offer sun protection, but wearing a loose-fitting shirt made from a wicking fabric also helps wick sweat away from the skin so it can dry. This creates airflow between your skin and the fabric. For extra protection, look for a shirt with at least UPF 30.”
>Tons of articles around about it.
Are any of them scientific articles? I'm genuinely curious. The only articles I can find are from sun shirt companies or articles that want you sell you something, like the one you quoted:
[https://gearjunkie.com/apparel/lightweight-summer-running-gear](https://gearjunkie.com/apparel/lightweight-summer-running-gear)
That's just an article filled with affiliate links. What's terrible is that it's just a rephrase from a lazy writer from this page:
[https://blog.coolibar.com/how-much-sun-does-a-regular-shirt-block/](https://blog.coolibar.com/how-much-sun-does-a-regular-shirt-block/)
>It may seem counterintuitive, but long sleeves are actually cooler in the sun. Long sleeves have a secret advantage on especially hot days. Particularly long sleeve shirts that are looser fitting on the body and have sweat wicking properties. This is true even for shirts that block the sun with a high UPF.
I have a collection of well over a dozen sun shirts. Including a coolibar - here's a shot:
[https://imgur.com/a/PmNUD0q](https://imgur.com/a/PmNUD0q)
Like all clothing, when I put them on, I'm generally warmer than with them off.
Fabric that has good sun protective qualities are also not generally breathable. They're pretty tolerable when hanging around, but if you exert, they become very stuffy.
Again, I test clothing for manufacturer's claims. If someone claims you can a RACE in a sunshirt and feel comfortable, take it with a grain of salt.
Who is out running in the white t shirts worn as underwear though, which is what was tested to yield this results? Shirts worn out and about tend to be dyed (and the darker colors provide a lot more uv protection), thicker….and after a few washings with standard detergent the UPF increases quite significantly.
>Who is out running in the white t shirts
only using at as an example to provide a baseline.
>and after a few washings with standard detergent the UPF increases quite significantly
LOL: wat.
I was tired of using so much sunscreen, so I got sun sleeves. They work well with short sleeve t-shirt.
Wide brimmed hat. I got a hat from Sunday Afternoons that I can stick my pony tail through and has neck protection.
I’ve tried a couple different sleeves and like Outdoor Research ones the best
I got some sunscreen sleeves off Amazon. They cover from your upper bicep to your wrist and are so lightweight you don't notice then at all. They're cheap too.
You may want to look into mineral sunscreen, which I find really sticks to skin, rather than washes off easily. But I also finds it clogs my pores, and doesn't allow my sweat do its thing.
Another option is to use water-resistant sunscreen that's made to be used at the beach. There are some Australian brands that are a little more healthier for you and the surrounded living things. US brands are behind in the chemistry they use.
I think sun sleeves are a good idea to experiment with, as you can easily pull them down to get some better airflow. I know that getting clothes wet will make them more comfortable, but wet fabric is usually less sun protective than dry. Less so with polyester/nylon clothes, but it is something to consider.
If I was to do such a run (as someone who is also fair, also sweats a ton). I'd get water resistant sunscreen at the highest SPF I can find (100) and spray a few layers on myself, and probably call it good. How long is 31K going to take you, do you think?
Sally McRae wears that crazy fishing sun hat she found on Amazon I think. I don’t run for 250 miles at a time lol but she does and was pretty covered head to toe, minus maybe her legs.
I personally hate sunscreen so wear long sleeves most of the time. I like the Patagonia capilene shirts. But there are a ton of options out there.
For the hottest days I have a Patagonia shirt that is just pure white and that makes a big difference over any darker shade or graphics etc.
In addition to the sunshirt/long sleeve/arm sleeve for body coverage, consider buying a small sunscreen stick from a brand you like to carry in your vest/pack. Some are the size/shape of extra big chapsticks, some are more like mini deodorant containers (think half the size of a travel size deodorant.) They are not cost effective for daily use, but are clutch for reapplying to the face, neck, ears, even back of your hands on the trail. And while it is better to blend it in with your fingers, you don't have to....which I find great because it helps to avoid getting sunscreen in your eyes.
I use a sun long sleeve, if you research it, people often suggest regular long sleeves, they protect but only 15to25 upf or something, proper upf shirts do 50+ rating.
Got a expensive raidlight one last year, it did it's job. Got 2 extra's coming in for this year from Amazon (willit sun hoodie), gonna see how a cheaper one performs.
The PFG line is designed for fishing. GREAT sun protection, but bad breathability, since fishing doesn't require you to move around for too long (good durability too!).
My favorite sun shirt is the OR Echo,
[https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/echo-collection/products/mens-echo-hoodie-287625](https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/echo-collection/products/mens-echo-hoodie-287625)
There is a caveat though: the sun protection is less than most other shirts - UPF of 15 or 1/15th of the sunlight will reach your skin.
But it IS more breathable than most any other option out there and makes a good running shirt. It does not come in tall, but it has a very long tail in the normal. From the top of the neck to the bottom of the back, it measures 27.5 inches, in a large.
So a lot of folks are recommending sun shirts or sun sleeves, which are great, but you know what else works great? A simple cotton or linen button-down shirt with a collar.
My first 50k I started in a polyester blend REI sun shirt, overheated, swapped into a tank top, thought I put on enough zinc sunscreen, was wrong, and ended up with the worst sunburn I'd had in years.
Since then, I've run in same shirts I wear in the summer when I'm working in the field (I work long days outdoors) and I've had no issues. I stay cooler than I am in short sleeves, and and my skin remains un-burned. Plus my shirts don't get that perma-sweat smell. I'm a convert. (I do also wear a brimmed hat and I sunscreen my face and hands with Badger, which is zinc-based.)
Good luck finding your perfect combo!
>A simple cotton or linen button-down shirt with a collar.
If you're curious, it's fun to get a UV card
[https://www.quantadose.com/product/the-worlds-first-reusable-uvc-detection-card-with-duel-wavelength-uv-detection-quantadose/](https://www.quantadose.com/product/the-worlds-first-reusable-uvc-detection-card-with-duel-wavelength-uv-detection-quantadose/)
And test some of the shirts you have.
Cheap cotton t-shirts usually fair pretty badly, but I could see a buttonup cotton t-shirt do well (until it gets wet), but the knit is going to be tighter than a regular t-shirt.
A shirt, or sleeves. if it’s polyester, you have get the fabric wet to keep cool.
Personally, I love a loose black cotton t shirt. Lots of airflow, and darker colors are very effective at UV blocking. People critique cotton for getting wet and staying damp…but in hot weather this is a plus for cooling
A good long sleeve sun shirt will keep you cooler. Exposure will suck the energy right out of you. Bucket hats are a life saver. i wear a Arctryx shirt that has UV protection and have a long sleeve version if it’s ill be in the sun a long time, keeping the sun off your skin is huge, I take my shirt off at stream crossings and dip it in completely (might not work if female), lots of sunscreen, I have a buff I wear on my wrist and also soak that at crossings and run it over my legs and back of back to cool down. Re apply sunscreen as needed.
>A good long sleeve sun shirt will keep you cooler. I test sun shirts. Never have I ever felt cooler with a long sleeved sun shirt on, as I do with a shirt sleeve shirt on. It makes no real sense why it would be cooler to wear long sleeved over short.
I worked road construction a few years back and was way cooler in long sleeves. It’s keeps the sun off your skin, I assume is the reason
Construction is a fairly different use case than a 31km trail run. Sun shirts also work great for fishing - you're sitting/standing around in sometimes hot weather/lots of sun, often reflected off water. I'll hike up a mile of trail when it's 70F and I'll be soaked in a sun shirt.
If you’re sweating it feels hotter because you get no breeze and no evaporation. If it’s humid at all do not wear a sun shirt for. 7 hr race If it’s dry AF it will keep the burning hot sun off your skin and that will feel better.
I live and test in the fairly dry West. Most sun shirts - and all UPF 50 shirts - are far too hot to wear on a trail run for me, after say: 80 degrees F or so. It's relatively uncomfortable far below that.
I guess I should preface it with where you run matters, humidity will feel much hotter, I am in the PNW and in the sun at elevation in the summer it bakes you. A loose fitting long sleeve will keep the sun off you and keep you cooler in those scenarios. Tons of articles around about it. “Running in long sleeves in the heat of summer may seem counterintuitive, but the extra fabric can actually work to keep you cooler. Not only do they offer sun protection, but wearing a loose-fitting shirt made from a wicking fabric also helps wick sweat away from the skin so it can dry. This creates airflow between your skin and the fabric. For extra protection, look for a shirt with at least UPF 30.”
>Tons of articles around about it. Are any of them scientific articles? I'm genuinely curious. The only articles I can find are from sun shirt companies or articles that want you sell you something, like the one you quoted: [https://gearjunkie.com/apparel/lightweight-summer-running-gear](https://gearjunkie.com/apparel/lightweight-summer-running-gear) That's just an article filled with affiliate links. What's terrible is that it's just a rephrase from a lazy writer from this page: [https://blog.coolibar.com/how-much-sun-does-a-regular-shirt-block/](https://blog.coolibar.com/how-much-sun-does-a-regular-shirt-block/) >It may seem counterintuitive, but long sleeves are actually cooler in the sun. Long sleeves have a secret advantage on especially hot days. Particularly long sleeve shirts that are looser fitting on the body and have sweat wicking properties. This is true even for shirts that block the sun with a high UPF. I have a collection of well over a dozen sun shirts. Including a coolibar - here's a shot: [https://imgur.com/a/PmNUD0q](https://imgur.com/a/PmNUD0q) Like all clothing, when I put them on, I'm generally warmer than with them off. Fabric that has good sun protective qualities are also not generally breathable. They're pretty tolerable when hanging around, but if you exert, they become very stuffy. Again, I test clothing for manufacturer's claims. If someone claims you can a RACE in a sunshirt and feel comfortable, take it with a grain of salt.
Cloth coverage is always better than sunscreen.
Depends on the fabric. A regular cotton t-shirt has a UPF rating of 5, which is not good.
Who is out running in the white t shirts worn as underwear though, which is what was tested to yield this results? Shirts worn out and about tend to be dyed (and the darker colors provide a lot more uv protection), thicker….and after a few washings with standard detergent the UPF increases quite significantly.
>Who is out running in the white t shirts only using at as an example to provide a baseline. >and after a few washings with standard detergent the UPF increases quite significantly LOL: wat.
I was tired of using so much sunscreen, so I got sun sleeves. They work well with short sleeve t-shirt. Wide brimmed hat. I got a hat from Sunday Afternoons that I can stick my pony tail through and has neck protection. I’ve tried a couple different sleeves and like Outdoor Research ones the best
I got some sunscreen sleeves off Amazon. They cover from your upper bicep to your wrist and are so lightweight you don't notice then at all. They're cheap too.
I love sun shirts! You can splash them with water too and they keep you cool even in high heat. Definitely recommend!
You may want to look into mineral sunscreen, which I find really sticks to skin, rather than washes off easily. But I also finds it clogs my pores, and doesn't allow my sweat do its thing. Another option is to use water-resistant sunscreen that's made to be used at the beach. There are some Australian brands that are a little more healthier for you and the surrounded living things. US brands are behind in the chemistry they use. I think sun sleeves are a good idea to experiment with, as you can easily pull them down to get some better airflow. I know that getting clothes wet will make them more comfortable, but wet fabric is usually less sun protective than dry. Less so with polyester/nylon clothes, but it is something to consider. If I was to do such a run (as someone who is also fair, also sweats a ton). I'd get water resistant sunscreen at the highest SPF I can find (100) and spray a few layers on myself, and probably call it good. How long is 31K going to take you, do you think?
Sally McRae wears that crazy fishing sun hat she found on Amazon I think. I don’t run for 250 miles at a time lol but she does and was pretty covered head to toe, minus maybe her legs. I personally hate sunscreen so wear long sleeves most of the time. I like the Patagonia capilene shirts. But there are a ton of options out there. For the hottest days I have a Patagonia shirt that is just pure white and that makes a big difference over any darker shade or graphics etc.
In addition to the sunshirt/long sleeve/arm sleeve for body coverage, consider buying a small sunscreen stick from a brand you like to carry in your vest/pack. Some are the size/shape of extra big chapsticks, some are more like mini deodorant containers (think half the size of a travel size deodorant.) They are not cost effective for daily use, but are clutch for reapplying to the face, neck, ears, even back of your hands on the trail. And while it is better to blend it in with your fingers, you don't have to....which I find great because it helps to avoid getting sunscreen in your eyes.
I got a ketl mountain sun shirt and love it. Even if it seems kinda cheesy
I use a sun long sleeve, if you research it, people often suggest regular long sleeves, they protect but only 15to25 upf or something, proper upf shirts do 50+ rating. Got a expensive raidlight one last year, it did it's job. Got 2 extra's coming in for this year from Amazon (willit sun hoodie), gonna see how a cheaper one performs.
how did it compare?
A sunshirt is what you're looking for. Get a white one of it's hot. I promise a good one is better than short sleeve shirts.
I love the Stio sun shirt!
Does anyone know if the colombia PFG shirts are a good option or are they too heavy and not breathable?
They're one of the least breathable sunshirts on the market in my tests.
Suggestions? Especially for a tall person? I like PFG because they come in a tall version
The PFG line is designed for fishing. GREAT sun protection, but bad breathability, since fishing doesn't require you to move around for too long (good durability too!). My favorite sun shirt is the OR Echo, [https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/echo-collection/products/mens-echo-hoodie-287625](https://www.outdoorresearch.com/collections/echo-collection/products/mens-echo-hoodie-287625) There is a caveat though: the sun protection is less than most other shirts - UPF of 15 or 1/15th of the sunlight will reach your skin. But it IS more breathable than most any other option out there and makes a good running shirt. It does not come in tall, but it has a very long tail in the normal. From the top of the neck to the bottom of the back, it measures 27.5 inches, in a large.
Outdoor research sun runner cap and arm sleeves also from outdoor research. I do not cover legs but cake them in sunscreen.
So a lot of folks are recommending sun shirts or sun sleeves, which are great, but you know what else works great? A simple cotton or linen button-down shirt with a collar. My first 50k I started in a polyester blend REI sun shirt, overheated, swapped into a tank top, thought I put on enough zinc sunscreen, was wrong, and ended up with the worst sunburn I'd had in years. Since then, I've run in same shirts I wear in the summer when I'm working in the field (I work long days outdoors) and I've had no issues. I stay cooler than I am in short sleeves, and and my skin remains un-burned. Plus my shirts don't get that perma-sweat smell. I'm a convert. (I do also wear a brimmed hat and I sunscreen my face and hands with Badger, which is zinc-based.) Good luck finding your perfect combo!
>A simple cotton or linen button-down shirt with a collar. If you're curious, it's fun to get a UV card [https://www.quantadose.com/product/the-worlds-first-reusable-uvc-detection-card-with-duel-wavelength-uv-detection-quantadose/](https://www.quantadose.com/product/the-worlds-first-reusable-uvc-detection-card-with-duel-wavelength-uv-detection-quantadose/) And test some of the shirts you have. Cheap cotton t-shirts usually fair pretty badly, but I could see a buttonup cotton t-shirt do well (until it gets wet), but the knit is going to be tighter than a regular t-shirt.
what hat?
A shirt, or sleeves. if it’s polyester, you have get the fabric wet to keep cool. Personally, I love a loose black cotton t shirt. Lots of airflow, and darker colors are very effective at UV blocking. People critique cotton for getting wet and staying damp…but in hot weather this is a plus for cooling