jaxgtr

I tried some once and found they made me feel warmer, but a lightweight long sleeve jersey worked better and was cooler. Ultimately, I just decided to stick with short sleeves.

downtube42

I wore them when I lived and rode in west Texas - arms and legs. Along with a drape off the back of my helmet. I felt they were cooler than direct sun, which was brutal. Also wore a baseball cap under my helmet to provide some face protection. I still used sunscreen on all exposed skin, of course.

I have a bit of scarring on my neck from one full day of west Texas sun, where I missed a sliver of skin with the sunscreen.

sknhgy 

I've started wearing sun sleeves this year and like them better than anything I've tried so far. They are cooler than any long sleeve shirt or jersey. I got some cheap compression sleeves from Walmart.

Kat12

I wore them often when I lived in Bangkok (not for biking specifically-- just for being out and about). There you can buy them in any 7-11 or similar, in several colors. I found they didn't make me that much hotter (and trust me, I'm not one of those people who finds it cooler to cover up-- if my skin isn't bare, I'm hotter) but I felt more protected from the sun. Wetting them down made me feel cooler. And they were lightweight, so when I didn't want them, I just pushed them down to my wrists.

Calsun

Why not wear a long sleeve bike jersey? For years I wore a lightweight cotton long sleeve men's workshirt on long tours and it worked very well. I would roll the sleeves down in the flats or on downhill sections and roll them up when grinding up a long grade.

Be aware that the darker fabrics provide a great deal more UV protection and best to avoid white fabrics in particular. UV also is greatest when the sun is highest so riding earlier or later in the day will reduce the amount of radiation you receive. Also the stated SPF on clothing is rubbish and not to be relied upon.

Protect your eyes as well with sunglasses that block UV A and UV B rays. Prolonged UV exposure can lead to cataracts as many sailors have learned too late.

Branko D

I mostly just slather sunscreen on and that works perfectly, but sun sleeves are only marginally hotter than bare skin for me and work well. If you get them wet the cooling effect is quite good.

CAT7RDR

Yep! I wet down my buff and sun sleeves to cool down.
I have to make an appt with a dermatologist soon for what looks like a basal cell growth on my left leg above the sock line.
I need to investigate lightweight UPF leg sleeves or longer socks as well.

Speedway2

Just chiming in to report that my sun sleeves have been awesome in the sun and overcast days.
I won't ride anywhere without them now.......

Calsun

SPF sunscreens are far less effective in blockintg UV rays than cloth. A SPF lotion is rated for two hours of protection and no sweating. I prefer clothing that allows perspiration to pass through the fabric and is a tight enough weave to block as much UV as possible. It is also prudent to avoid as much as possible the peak UV hours during the middle of the day.

The only bad sunburns I have experienced from long rides was on the tops of my hands where the gloves did not cover them and on the top of my head with a scalp burn in the days before bike helmets became available. In bright sun on long rides I now wear cheap cotton gardening gloves over my bike gloves in the spring before my skin has tanned.

Bare forearms allow my body core to cool but so does pulling down the bike jersey zipper and in hot weather I wear jersies with full length zippers. My lightweight bike jackets have removable sleeves so when it warms up it can be quickly turned into a vest.

bbbean 

The should cool better when wet. In point of fact, I spray mine down when I get hot, and get 10-15 minutes of extra cooling.

Rick J R

I spray them with cold water when I start the ride and one of my bottles has iced water so I squirt some cold water on them when I get hot. I do not sweat much so can’t depend on cooling effect from evaporating sweat. Currently trying to figure out how to carry a small spray bottle with partially frozen water to spray my sun sleeves and neck during the rides in temps above 90 degrees. Would be great to put a spray top on my insulated bottle

Wildwood 

How about some specific product recommendations!

tFUnK

I've tried a few over the years and find that they tend to stretch or wear out over time so I just buy whatever is cheap every now and then.

jlaw

Beister Arm Sleeves - good elastic at top and several sizes available - bought 2 pairs last summer and they have held up to frequent wearing and about 20 wash cycles - ignore the dopey 'BIKE' graphic! Pay attention to the sizing guide - snug fit - about $11 per pair.

https://www.amazon.com/Protection-Co...s%2C321&sr=8-3

jlaw

I recently purchased these LEG sleeves - qood quality fabric and elastic at the top - with knee length summer shorts they will cover thigh to ankle while riding - BUT these only come in one size - will fit slim to medium build - camo colors are fun. 4 pairs for $20!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09QR...b_b_asin_title

Wildwood 

Hard to ignore openly fugly.

Carbonfiberboy 

Bright white is the only thing and PI make very good ones. There ya go.

GamblerGORD53

I looked at the LBS ones and they were so dumb. Like slimy silk tube socks with a strap on top. And over $30 I think. Pffft
My first highway ride this year was a too long 92 sunny miles, so I fried my arms by the bend. Took 2 weeks to get better. I did try to minimize exposure by putting one arm around my back a few miles. Used to do that anyway to grind out the miles.

So all the hwy rides since I pulled a pair of fleecy cotton socks on, that I purposely bought an extra large size. Cut off the toe part. So the heel snuggs my elbow perfectly.
Temps went from 60 to 82. Didn't bother my arms at all really. I've done the same for warmth on cold days with or without a light summer jacket. Those wool socks made my arms hot and sweaty in no time. Done the same with my legs in the winter.