Bikewolf

What are your thoughts on UPF50+ arm sleeves? Experience?

Are they useful, do they work or make a real difference (effectiveness)? Arm sleeves vs. sun protection spray? How long do they offer protection? White or black?

Thin and cool enough? (which brand or product)
I mean, are summer sleeves only for early morning rides or can you wear them throughout the day? Maybe they’re too warm for that, dunno ...

trainsktg

I wear my white ones through the day but they are noticeably warm as the heat/humidity climbs. I switched from sun lotion to sleeves because my arms are noticeably ‘sun-worn’ and I don’t like the inconvenience of taking a small tube of lotion on long rides and reapplying throughout the day.

They definitely work. I didn’t apply lotion to the little bare spot between my gloves and sleeve ends the first day I wore them, and after the sleeves hiked up when I started the ride, those two little strips of skin got burned.

Bellweather brand.

Keith

WhyFi

I wear white PI sunsleeves. Everyone is going to have different comfort levels, but I haven't found them uncomfortable, at speed, even on hot (for MN), humid days. If you're moving slowly and there's not much evaporative cooling, yeah, bare arms feel better, but then you're dealing with smearing sunscreen and having bugs stick in your arm hairs. And yes, they're effective - I'm not a glove wearer and the backs of my hands are darker than my arms in the summer, even with sunscreen on them.

Also, I don't wear the sleeves for early morning/evening rides - if I'm not going to be in high-angle sunshine, I'm not wearing them.

Sy Reene

I'll be interested to hear what gets recommended. However, I'd typically prefer to find or be made aware of summer lightweight jersey brands that have a decent UPF rating (30+). Removable sleeves generally means the benefit is you can remove them... meaning you need to pack suntan lotion and lather up, or alternatively apply it anyway under the sleeves. I prefer just to ride and keep the sleeves on.

My favorite summer LS jersey (ok to the mid 80s anyway) with longsleeves is this Capo.. Anyone know of stuff like this being made any more?

https://www.amazon.com/Capo-Blockhau...ot_top?ie=UTF8

WhyFi

For me, the benefit is versatility - I can wear them with any of the SS jerseys that I own or will own. I still prefer SS jerseys because I ride at times when the sleeves/UPF isn't wanted/needed.

And I would never take them off mid-ride to apply sunscreen, though I might take them off when the sun gets low or pack them in a jersey pocket for a morning ride and put them on when the sun's getting high.

Greiselman

I'll endorse the Pearl Izumi sleeves as well. I feel like I always run hot, but I have no problem wearing them at 2pm on all but the hottest of days. Much more comfortable than sunscreen, though I still lather up my hands for the reasons listed above.

Sy Reene

I'll have to give the sunsleeves a try. What would be neat though, since I also wear a mesh base even in summer, is if some enterprising company (Craft?) could marry a mesh chest area to a spf rated sleeve as a one-piece.

Seattle Forrest

When I need sun protection I wear a silk weight base layer. Looks good, helps with evaporative cooling, probably more slippery than skin, and again, looks good.

cybirr 

AEGEND sleeves inexpensive, $10 for a pair of two (four total pieces), claimed UPF 50 (probably). You can play their game and do a review on Amazon then get another set. I bought white, it gets a little dingy after a few wears and washes but not a big deal. All that road dust. They're almost unnaturally white out of the box. Multiple colors. I dislike sunscreen so covering up appeals and this fits the bill.

justonwo

I have used them on every road ride since about 2014, including in very hot weather. I just get tired of putting sunscreen on every exposed inch of my body, but I need the protection because my dad had melanoma. I don’t really find them uncomfortable at all. In many ways they are more comfortable than bare arms covered in sunscreen. One trick I’ve used in really hot weather is to cover the sleeves in water when it gets hot. You can get some nice evaporative cooling for a little while. If it’s really hot and dry out, the effect won’t last long, but on warms days it’s very pleasant.

I have both TYR and Specialized sleeves. I prefer the TYR. The protection seems to be more or less 100% even for very long rides. I would absolutely get white and not black.

justonwo

What do you use, out or curiosity?

mstateglfr 

Yup- these. Just tore some off my arms an hour ago.
I've used sun sleeves from PI, REI, Garneau, and some other brand I don't remember. All were 2-3x more expensive and didnt last any longer.
They all get dirty from road dust, especially if you ride gravel.

The Agend sleeves stay put and (seem to)block sun.
I hate sunscreen, it slides off me regardless of how early I apply or how frequently I apply. I just need a sunsleeve body condom.

Iride01 

If you normally average 16 mph or better, I'd think you'd like sun sleeves. Irregardless of the SPF rating.

If you normally average 12 mph or less, you'll probably hate them.

If you average in between 12 and 16 mph, then it's a toss up whether or not you will like them.

I've started rinsing mine with water and squeezing them out just before my ride, and for the next 15 or so minutes, it's like my arms are in a refrigerator when I'm at a decent speed. We've been mid 80's lately. Do the same with the sweat vac under my helmet.

If you stop for a long period of time then consider pulling them down so you don't overheat. When they are sweat soaked and there is no air moving, they seem to hold the heat a little more.

Bikewolf

Thanks for all feedback thus far. Great tips too. Now I’m wondering if I could incorporate cold packs ;-)

Seattle Forrest

These guys are expensive, so I wait for them to go on sale. I've got a ten year old base layer I still hike in, they do a great job, and they took good, so it helps justify the price.

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens...-neck-shirt-ls

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens...-neck-shirt-ls

https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/velox-shirt-ls

That's from least to most breathable, the top is my favorite, bottom for very hot, middle for cold (I use one as a ski base layer).

PoorInRichfield

Being a pasty white guy that isn't fond of slathering-on sun screen, I experimented with Columbia arm sleeves that used "Omni-Freeze" technology. I was skeptical of the proposed claims that this fabric actually made you cooler than if you didn't wear it. However, I think it actually works pretty well. Once I start sweating, I can actually feel a bit of cooling as the moisture is evaporated off the sleeves. Unfortunately, the current version of the sleeves only seem to be available in a goofy blue color instead of solid white like I have. Perhaps one could still find normal colors online somewhere from old stock...

https://www.columbia.com/freezer-zer...es-SU9090.html



It looks like their "Deflector" arm sleeves are their latest invention which I have not tried.

oris

I've used the same exact sleeves and they work remarkably well. I originally got them for golf in the summer instead of having to slather up with sunscreen as much. These work great if you can find them. My only issue is that the tend to roll down on the upper arm if you're quite active.

Iride01 

Of the many mentioned in this thread, which "same exact" sleeves did you get?

oris

​​​​Columbia Omnifreeze sleeves. I found them at a Columbia store by chance a few years ago.