Favorite sun protection shirt?

[trecile]

I keep trying to wear a long sleeve sun protection shirt, but despite how "cooling" they are supposed to be I always feel hotter with one on.
I wish I could find one with looser sleeves, and maybe underarm venting.
I suppose it doesn't even have to specifically be a "sun protection" shirt. I don't mind putting on sunscreen too. Maybe a gauzy cotton shirt?

 

[Tui]

I got 2 lovely long sleeved shirts from Kathmandu NZ they have the sun protection you want and the fabric breathes really well.
The sizing was generous so I ordered a size smaller, hope they can ship to you.
Happy shopping

 

[GWNN]

I will be trialing some sun protection arm sleeves on my Camino brought of eBay for a few $ . The plan in to slip them on when it gets to hot.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I can't help you with a specific shirt to wear but here are some links on sun protection clothing that have a lot of information:
http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/clothing/protection
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sun-protection.html

 

[DkPond]

I just finished hiking the Sureste (with a few meanders on the Levante) and the Sanabres caminos, wearing a Solumbra (out of Seattle, Washington) Safari shirt. It isn't cheap, but it has a mesh panel on the back, mesh insets under and along the arms, extra loose cuffs, and offers very high-level protection against the sun. It held up unbelievably well -- I wore it almost everyday, handwashed it most days and it still looks pretty much the same as when I bought it. Another huge plus for me is the fact that they have tall sizes. Another plus is how fast it dries.

I also took their sun gloves to protect the backs of my hands, but quickly ditched those in favor of fingerless fishing guidewear gloves from Cabelas (which were lighter and not so hot to wear). They also had the added benefit of fitting easily in a backpack waistbelt pocket.

And finally, the Solumbra helmet drape was just plain all-out awesome during the shadeless, very hot days in the early portions of the Sureste. It was a very, very sad day when I accidentally left it behind in an albergue. The bandana draped under the hat technique worked okay after that but didn't afford nearly the protection the drape did.

Buen Camino!
DkPond

 

[trecile]

I just finished hiking the Sureste (with a few meanders on the Levante) and the Sanabres caminos, wearing a Solumbra (out of Seattle, Washington) Safari shirt. It isn't cheap, but it is has a mesh panel on the back, mesh insets under and along the arms, extra loose cuffs, and offers very high-level protection against the sun. It held up unbelievably well -- I wore it almost everyday, handwashed it most days and it still looks pretty much the same as when I bought it. Another huge plus for me is the fact that they have tall sizes. Another plus is how fast it dries.

I also took their sun gloves to protect the backs of my hands, but quickly ditched those in favor of fingerless fishing guidewear gloves from Cabelas (which were lighter and not so hot to wear). They also had the added benefit of fitting easily in a backpack waistbelt pocket.

And finally, the Solumbra helmet drape was just plain all-out awesome during the shadeless, very hot days in the early portions of the Sureste. It was a very, very sad day when I accidentally left it behind in an albergue. The bandana draped under the hat technique worked okay after that but didn't afford nearly the protection the drape did.

Buen Camino!
DkPond

Thanks. I was looking at the Solumbra site the other day, and I like the features of their shirts, especially the underarm venting.

 

[onwayhome]

I found Craghoppers Nosilife shirts work well for sun protection, there's a double collar to roll up over the neck and mesh vents front and back. It's super synthetic ( the last shirt wilted at the sight of a not very hot iron) which means quick drying- and, surprisingly, not too sticky when it's hot.
I'm not so keen on the 'permanent insect repellent fabric' next to skin, but mine's been washed many times so I like to think any chemical repellant has probably been well reduced.

 

[LakeMcD]

I wore the Patagonia Tropic comfort Hoody during my two previous summer caminos and will again this year. It really is like wearing shade. Beats wearing sunscreen. Wash it at the end of the day and it dries quickly.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-tropic-comfort-hoody-ii/52123.html

 

[trecile]

I wore the Patagonia Tropic comfort Hoody during my two previous summer caminos and will again this year. It really is like wearing shade. Beats wearing sunscreen. Wash it at the end of the day and it dries quickly.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-tropic-comfort-hoody-ii/52123.html

I wish that they made it in a zip front style.

 

[LakeMcD]

I wish that they made it in a zip front style.

For me it works well without a zipper and I don't think I would buy it with a zip. I normally start the day out with a short sleeve under the hoody and as it warms I strip to just the hoody. It's as thin as a technical shirt and I believe the zipper would just rub. I have never felt the need to ventilate it with a full zip. ymmv

 

[Suzanne Millar]

I keep trying to wear a long sleeve sun protection shirt, but despite how "cooling" they are supposed to be I always feel hotter with one on.
I wish I could find one with looser sleeves, and maybe underarm venting.
I suppose it doesn't even have to specifically be a "sun protection" shirt. I don't mind putting on sunscreen too. Maybe a gauzy cotton shirt?

I walked the Frances last summer an at the last minute threw in my pack a very fine linen shirt.......it was perfect......just slipped on around 11am each hot day...had a collar and long sleeve...weighed nothing. Would rinse it each night and it dried in 10 mins. Gave a good wash an soak after returning home. Came up a treat. As it worked so perfectly i have now stored it with hiking clothes.

 

[markmcilroy]

I walked last year in very hot temps ie 39C / 102F on the CF in a very thin long sleeve merino singlet. I have just bought a new one from Kathmandu NZ for this years CF as it worked well in hot and cooler temps.....and has a 50SPF.

 

[Jersey]

I try to slowly build up a base tan before we get into the hot beach part of summer so I don't have to wear too much sun screen.
Do any of us really understand the chemicals that are in sun screen lotion? There is lots of research out there saying it's not all that good for us. The vitamin D we get from the sun helps prevent other, worse cancers. Im not saying anyone should go out there and get burned.
That is not good either. I try & hit the happy medium.
What I have seen the past 40 years is the more sunscreen we use, the more skin cancer we get. It should at least give us pause to think

 

[hecate105]

I agree with Jersey...
I try and wear long sleeved thin 'hippy-type' tops. I have bought sun protection specialist clothes before and ended up with a 'bra' tan anyway! lightweight seersucker, cotton stuff seems to work better, easy wash and dry too...
I too prefer a zip-opener - probably because i seem to pull all my tops off instead of just the hoodie...!

 

[trecile]

Today I found a shirt that I think might work. It's a lightweight button up silk shirt, about 4 sizes too big for me, which means that it has nice big, long loose sleeves. And it only weighs 3.5 ounces. Plus it was super cheap!

 

[Jersey]

I agree with Jersey...
I try and wear long sleeved thin 'hippy-type' tops. I have bought sun protection specialist clothes before and ended up with a 'bra' tan anyway! lightweight seersucker, cotton stuff seems to work better, easy wash and dry too...
I too prefer a zip-opener - probably because i seem to pull all my tops off instead of just the hoodie...!

In Spain it doesn't seem to matter if a lady takes her top off LOL
Last year I was taking pictures of the beach in La Coruna, from a distance. When I got close enough I realized many women had no tops on.
I thought good God, the police are going to lock me up for being a pervert

 

[trecile]

In Spain it doesn't seem to matter if a lady takes her top off LOL
Last year I was taking pictures of the beach in La Coruna, from a distance. When I got close enough I realized many women had no tops on.
I thought good God, the police are going to lock me up for being a pervert

Topless sunbathing is definitely common place in Spain. A couple of years ago I took a language class in Barcelona. One day, one of my friends from class and I went up the coast a bit where where her friend was having a beach holiday. I felt a little awkward meeting her, as she jumped up, topless from her beach chair, and gave me a hug, complete with two kisses.

 

[Jersey]

Topless sunbathing is definitely common place in Spain. A couple of years ago I took a language class in Barcelona. One day, one of my friends from class and I went up the coast a bit where where her friend was having a beach holiday. I felt a little awkward meeting her, as she jumped up, topless from her beach chair, and gave me a hug, complete with two kisses.

Ha ha that's funny.
Yes, in Spain topless or not, always two kisses

 

[Sunbun]

I keep trying to wear a long sleeve sun protection shirt, but despite how "cooling" they are supposed to be I always feel hotter with one on.
I wish I could find one with looser sleeves, and maybe underarm venting.
I suppose it doesn't even have to specifically be a "sun protection" shirt. I don't mind putting on sunscreen too. Maybe a gauzy cotton shirt?

My 4 year old white Columbia long sleeved sun shirt, and I usually hate synthetic fabrics.

 

[trecile]

My 4 year old white Columbia long sleeved sun shirt, and I usually hate synthetic fabrics.

Which style of Columbia shirt do you have? I have noticed different styles are made of different fabrics.

 

[gerardcarey]

Which style of Columbia shirt do you have? I have noticed different styles are made of different fabrics.

I have Columbia Tamiami 11 long sleeved. I love them. The new fabric is strong yet very lightweight, the feel loose and blousy. Available in mens, womens, and short sleeved. Be careful with sizing as they are large fitting.
Regards
Gerard

 

[Saranger]

I used a couple of shirts by Eddie Bauer and Columbia, long and short-sleeved. I have a pair of "cooling sun protection arm sleeves" I bought in Seoul two years ago and they are great with a short sleeve dress shirt. Arms stay cool and unburned and there's still the benefit of vented sleeves.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I wish I could find one with looser sleeves, and maybe underarm venting.

Here is me in a cotton pajama shirt I found in a FREE box in 2006.
I vented it myself - slit the underneath seam!
Worked great!

 

[Sunbun]

Which style of Columbia shirt do you have? I have noticed different styles are made of different fabrics.

It doesn't say - sorry. But I'm fairly certain it's the 'Sun Goddess' (of course).

 

[Sunbun]

Here is me in a cotton pajama shirt I found in a FREE box in 2006.
I vented it myself - slit the underneath seam!View attachment 34226
Worked great!

And that is the Camino photo that never gets posted! OK, I consider myself warned. And I'm booking my ticket right now anyway.

 

[trecile]

Here is me in a cotton pajama shirt I found in a FREE box in 2006.
I vented it myself - slit the underneath seam!View attachment 34226
Worked great!

I was thinking about adding mesh panels to the underarm seams.

 

[Mike Savage]

Here is me in a cotton pajama shirt I found in a FREE box in 2006.
I vented it myself - slit the underneath seam!View attachment 34226
Worked great!

That's not quite how I had pictured you Annie, I thought you would be more . . . upright!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

That's not quite how I had pictured you Annie, I thought you would be more . . . upright!

It looks like she was mugged with a cudgel for her boots.

 

[Mike Savage]

They got away clean; they took her socks too!

 

[Anniesantiago]

As you can see, this was my FIRST Camino.

That's Joe's red pack.
See those rolled up sleeping pads?
I was going to dump mine in the free box, but he insisted on carrying them home.

I was sooooo tired!
It was hotter than HELL out there!

See that walking stick?
I had a meltdown and it now lives somewhere on the Meseta as far as I could throw it!

Learned a lot on this first walk... yup!

(I still carry two oranges every day)

 

[Lmsundaze]

I have one by Coolibar, very thin and actually cool, and SPF 50, www.coolibar.com With respect to people suggesting developing a base to avoid burns, this isn't a good plan for the very fair skinned. Everyone in my family has had skin cancer, including melanoma. It is better to cover up. Also, very important to wear a hat, cancer on the scalp is very possible.

 

[Glenn Rowe]

Thank goodness for my Native American genes (and my incredible good fortune)!

When exposed to sunlight I tan quickly and darkly. The only problem I've ever had is with the part in my hair - which never got much sun anyway. As a lifeguard I spent most of my adolescent and young-adult life near-naked in the sun, sunrise to sunset, without a single problem. Now, in my early 70's, I still have no skin problems -- zero, zip, nada, acun, nichts.

I do wear a hat to cover my scalp. I wear short-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers, but that's it.

=================================

My lovely wife of 42 years, who self-describes as "the world's original white-woman" (she's Spanish, French and Irish), uses all manner of sun-defeating hats, clothing, creams, potions and what-have-yous. I know she is correct when she says that she doesn't tan; she just burns-and-peels. If she's in the sun too long, she tends toward spontaneous combustion.

To those of you who are more like my lovely wife than you are like me, my sincerest condolences.