TimothyH

I'm intrigued by the idea of those white arms screens.

For those who use them, what is the benefit? How much do they help? Under what conditions do they help most?

What brand or model do you recommend?


-Tim-

Myosmith

A number of companies make arm and leg warmers for cycling and running. The idea is that you can wear them on cool mornings or if the weather changes, but stow them in a jersey pocket when they aren't needed. I bought some but find I rarely use them. Avoid the really cheap knock-offs and you'll be fine. Brand is a matter of fit, personal preference and brand loyalty. I have thought of trying the extremely lightweight white ones to reduce sun exposure on blistering days, but don't know if the wicking and SPF would outweigh the insulating properties.

Don't confuse these with compression garments which come in many forms for legs, calves, ankles, forearms, wrists, abs/back, as well as socks. There is a lot of debate about their value to athletic performance, but there are some medical conditions where they are beneficial to prevent blood stasis (pooling) in the lower extremities. Some use them during athletic endeavors, others use them during recovery, some both.

Cyclist0108

If you want to use them for sun protection in hot weather, you want to make sure they ride all the way up and under your jersey arm sleeves.

I came to the conclusion that a long-sleeve summer jersey is much more comfortable and less of a pain to deal with.

Elvo

I use the white Craft arm coolers. I think they are UPF 50. I've never been burned with them but they still recommend putting sun screen under them (maybe as a CYA measure)

floridamtb

I live in very hot and sunny south Florida and few people here use them, maybe they're just too hot or something, not sure. I just make sure to use a good SPF 50-70 dry/sport sunscreen and I've yet to get a burn

Bandera

One of the guys that I ride w/ who is >70 years old w/ lots of seat time/UV exposure uses "sun sleeves" even in TX heat per his dermatologist.
He recommends either the Pearl Izumi or Louis Garneau which I'll try on long rides myself.

Skin cancer is no joke.

-Bandera

t595

I ride a lot in the mountains of Colorado above 9000 feet and use the white sleeves for UV protection. Either that or greasy sunblock.

Shimagnolo

Same here.
I've been wearing only long-sleeved summer jerseys for years now.

KevinF

Well, there are arm coolers and there are arm warmers. I've seen white versions of each.

Arm warmers are for chilly mornings when you expect it to warm up enough to eventually remove them. Living in New England, I've made extensive use of arm warmers clear into June and I usually bring them back out by early September.

Arm coolers provide UV protection and (theoretically) help with wicking away the sweat, etc. I've soaked mine in water to help with the cooling effect... I'm not sure they work that great. Their effectiveness is (IMHO) related to the humidity; they might work better in drier environments?

Phugoid 

As a melanin-challenged (ok, just pale) individual with a history of skin cancer, I use sun sleeves to reduce UV exposure. I prefer these over sunblock on the arms because they don't sweat off, they don't feel greasy and they take less time to put on. I've gotten used to them and don't have a problem overheating in hot weather (it's dry in my area though).

I used the Pearl Izumi sleeves until they wore out and am now using the Voler version. Both work fine. The PIs breathed more, but the Volers stay in place better and might provide more protection since they are a more substantial fabric.

Marcus_Ti

Or even just a long-sleeved base layer is less annoying. "Arm coolers" as they're frequently called don't like to stay in place IRL near as well as arm warmers.


A million times more comfortable than SPF50, and less disgusting given early-morning clouds of gnats and other bugs.

TimothyH

Sorry I wasn't clear. Arm screens for summer, not warmers for winter.

@KevinF. Thanks for the response re cooling and water.

The rest of the responses seem to focus on UV protection. For you guys who have used them, my takeaway is that you did not notice a cooling effect?


-Tim-

Marcus_Ti

Whether you "cool" or not..varies on your climate. Here. High Summer? Sweat ceases evaporating entirely. Nothing will make you feel "cooler", only less baked.

They're certainly more comfortable than bare skin and sunscreen, and have none of the associated annoyances. They'll also prevent sunburn quite well. That said, odds are they're not that effective against UVB compared to UVA.

Heathpack 

I don't wear white arm screens, mine are patterned and are from an el cheapo company who is out of business. The key to these IMO is a slightly loose fit and very light fabric. These seem to be commonly worn in Asian countries so they are kind of a dime a dozen on Amazon or the like. I'd just buy something cheap, and see how it fits.

I also wear arm warmers but that's a different question.

I personally have no problem with either my screens or warmers sliding down. BTW in my mind I never really distinguished the two items with different lingo- i.e. Screens vs warmers. I just consider that I have 5 pairs of warmers- three heavy for winter, one medium for shoulder season and one light for summer. But whatever- call em screens and warmers if you like. Maybe the shoulder season ones should be called schwarmas?

Cyclist0108

Skin cancer has a way of focusing you on UV exposure.

I think they work as coolers primarily if you soak them with water and allow it to evaporate while you are riding at a good clip. I don't like riding with wet stuff on if I can help it.

TimothyH

Semantics.

I really like Craft summer base layers and headsweats. Less baked is good and they make me feel less baked.

Hence the question about screens.


-Tim-

OldTryGuy

Some guys I ride with have plenty of arm ink and wear them to shield from the rays.

gsa103

I did. Make sure you get white, it reflects more light. I think they're actually cooler than bare arms, but it's subtle and could easily be the placebo effect. The good/bad news is that they aren't really any different than without.

I have the PI ones, and use them on long rides when I don't feel like slathering on loads of sunscreen.

Ben I.

I've tried two different years of the Pearl Izumi sun sleeves and I couldn't ever make them stay up. A little more handy than sunscreen but really annoying when they keep sliding down. Now I just try to apply sunscreen regularly.

CasualInSoCal

I use the $20 Performance Bicycle UPF50 arm screens. They work well, don't slide down if put on correctly. They're easier to put on than actual sun screen.

I'm thinking about getting the leg screens too.

Carbonfiberboy 

I use them all the time when the weather is warm enough for a SS jersey. For cool starts, I put regular black arm warmers over them. I use them climbing in 100°+. Why? Because a few years ago I noticed that my arm skin was going to the devil, even using plenty of sunscreen. Crepe skin and little brown dots. They maybe are a little warmer than bare arms climbing, but hard to know for sure. Moving at any decent speed, they're not noticeable. My arm skin has actually gotten better.

Are they cooler? Hard to say. Not especially. My wife thinks they are hotter when climbing. I'm agnostic.

I use Pearl Izumi sunsleeves. Haven't tried anything else, but they work fine. the fabric is different on top and bottom, so there's a left and a right. They don't slide down on my arms. My biceps are smallish, 12-13". I use the small size.

bikecrate

I've used PI arm coolers. Can't say that I'm really wild about them. Sometimes I feel hotter wearing them. The most effective they have been is on super hot afternoons when I wet them down a bit.

mcours2006

Beats slathering sunscreen on your arms. Still gotta cover up exposed areas tho.

WhyFi

I might have to pick up a pair of the PIs and give 'em a whirl. Humidity often accompanies the heat in MN, but I still think they might be useful enough (and get used enough) to warrant the purchase.

SWorksRoubaix

I started a similar thread ... lots of useful info.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...rotection.html