UV/Sun Sleeves - Thoughts?

[OtayBW]

Hi Hello Howaya?

Thinking about looking into some arm sleeves for cooling in the upcoming season. I've been having trouble thermoregulating when the temps get over ~95°F and it's been getting steadily worse over time.
Do these things work at all for cooling? I'm not so much interested in UV protection - just cooling. Any thoughts, recommendations?

Thank-uns. :hello:

[joosttx]

Columbia makes some good ones. They do cool but not that much. And in 95F you will not feel the effect.

[Mzilliox]

I have found they only cool if you get em wet. otherwise its just sun protection

[bigbill]

I wear them in the summer here in AZ. I don't get a lot of cooling from them unless I squirt some water on them. I first tried them in TX two years ago but they'd saturate in the humidity and not really do anything for me. These days, it's as much about some cooling as it is not burning my arms.

[rnhood]

I have found they only cool if you get em wet. otherwise its just sun protection

Agree. This is main point to consider. When I'm in Florida in the summer, baking on the bike in the sun, I wear them and keep dousing them - and my head - with water from one water bottle, and drinking from the other. They run out at about the same time so I stop and refill both. That's about every 15 miles.

[Ken Robb]

I have had a few cancer excisions including from my arms so sleeves that wouldn't make me hotter sound like a good thing.

[Ralph]

As an old Florida cyclist who goes to the Dermatologist every 6 months....and always has stuff froze off or cut out about every visit......skin protection is a huge big deal. And black protects against UV better than light colors (contrary to popular belief). So I wear black arm coolers. Sometimes cover my ears. Exploring leg covers. And...IMHO.....in 95 degree heat....nothing really cools. So just go out early and try to avoid direct sunlight. If you don't care about sun protection now.....you will eventually. I have a friend with no ear from skin cancer surgery. But to answer your question...they help if you can keep them wet and keep moving.

[Tickdoc]

https://i.imgur.com/KdgVYgsl.jpg

Coulda used some yesterday.

[rnhood]

Everyone should have a pair. How much you use them is up to you. But its well worth having a pair at hand. Too much sun does a lot of damage.

[makoti]

Agree. This is main point to consider. When I'm in Florida in the summer, baking on the bike in the sun, I wear them and keep dousing them - and my head - with water from one water bottle, and drinking from the other. They run out at about the same time so I stop and refill both. That's about every 15 miles.

And...I'll disagree (sort of). In FLA, maybe your are right because I find in humid weather, they are not cooling at all. In drier places & times, my arms are noticeably cooler with arm sleeves than without. Sunny & dry, great things. Sunny and humid, I'll do sunscreen.

[OtayBW]

Welp - I'll give 'em a try. I wouldn't want to end up like that ^^^ guy....;)
I've just been having symptoms that border on heat exhaustion at temps and exertion way lower than what I would expect - even when in good shape. We'll see what happens.

Thanks.

[bcroslin]

They work great for keeping the sun off your arms. Get them wet and they’re sorta cool. This time of year they’re perfect but in July I can’t wear them because they’re too hot.

[Mark McM]

The concept of form-fitting clothing that improves body cooling is a myth invented by the sportswear industry. If it really worked, some sportswear company would have published a study that showed their products kept the body cooler. But no such studies or data exists (although there is some research indicating that wicking knits result in higher core temperatures).

[dbnm]

I'm starting to wear summer sleeves since getting this

[benb]

Good reminder to start dusting off the sunscreen. I got to bare some skin this week.

[19wisconsin64]

Pearl Izumi, Craft, Castelli, Bellweather, and more....have been using these for years. They cool your blood in the sunlight vs. no protection on your forearms which act as heat sinks for the sun...they work. Yes, they work.

These also come in some safety neon colors these days, so if you want to go truly hi-viz or truly 80's there are some options.

The only downside is that they get very dirty. Hopefully the larger manufactures of summer cycling jerseys will make more of the long sleeve versions. It's hard to find good ones!

[mikemowbz]

Just started experimenting with sun sleeves this past summer - picked up a pair of white Pearl Izumi. I definitely notice the absence of intense sun warming on my forearms with the skin no longer exposed - I wouldn't say a cooling effect, per se, but I feel they make riding in relatively high heat and intense sunshine more tolerable. I like 'em, and the potential benefit to health is compelling. I hate sunscreen, and so appreciate these as an alternative to slathering it on my arms.

Keep in mind, I live in Vancouver, BC, so it might be 30ºC at worst on our hottest days - folks in Texas, Arizona, SoCal, etc., obviously have more rigorous testing conditions in terms of their usefulness or effect in more extreme heat. The pretty obvious advice to roll out early (or late) when it's ridiculously hot pertains to all of us...but those of us on the NW coast here get away with neglecting to follow that advice more easily than many would elsewhere.

[mmfs]

So far so good with sun protection with these:

UV Protection Cooling Arm Sleeves... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KYMX28Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I haven’t tried wetting them for cooling action.


I have a similar helmet liner that when wet on hot days does a great job at cooling. Even in the humid northeast.

Mission Enduracool Cooling Helmet Liner, Digi Camo Grey, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UR4HPEI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gwaRCbGQJHSJY

[Clancy]

To those that say sunsleeves do not cool....

Ride one day in boiling sun allowing the sun to beat down on the bare arms.
Ride the next day in same conditions with sunsleeves.

There is a huge difference.

Not to mention the protection from skin damage.

In South Texas I consider them as part of my kit as I do my shoes, helmet, etc.

[deechee]

I've never used the other brands, but the Desotos (https://www.desotosport.com/products/arm-coolers-made-of-skin-cooler-90) I have are amazing.

I have these (https://www.desotosport.com/collections/skin-cooler/products/cool-wings-made-of-skin-cooler-90), which I find force you to keep them on. I've never been disappointed with Desoto products, and you'll see the slowtwitch folk are very loyal. The material is also really soft; they feel really nice on the skin.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1135/1552/products/CWSC_Color_Fade_Front_02_1024x1024.jpg?v=155233979 7

[Safepants]

I bought a set of white ones at REI a few years ago, still using them.
When i first put them on they feel cool, but i think my skin just sweats and that evaporation feeling kicks right in. They aren't too bad in the heat for me, the inside downward facing has a nice mesh to let air in.

[Safepants]

I've never used the other brands, but the Desotos (https://www.desotosport.com/products/arm-coolers-made-of-skin-cooler-90) I have are amazing.

I have these (https://www.desotosport.com/collections/skin-cooler/products/cool-wings-made-of-skin-cooler-90), which I find force you to keep them on. I've never been disappointed with Desoto products, and you'll see the slowtwitch folk are very loyal. The material is also really soft; they feel really nice on the skin.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1135/1552/products/CWSC_Color_Fade_Front_02_1024x1024.jpg?v=155233979 7

I actually want to try these. That will solve the issue of my sleeves falling down on me when the elastic isn't just right.

[djdj]

from School of Rock

[makoti]

I have these (https://www.desotosport.com/collections/skin-cooler/products/cool-wings-made-of-skin-cooler-90), which I find force you to keep them on.


Stupid question, probably. Over/under jersey?

[charliedid]

No

[OtayBW]

I've never used the other brands, but the Desotos (https://www.desotosport.com/products/arm-coolers-made-of-skin-cooler-90) I have are amazing.

I have these (https://www.desotosport.com/collections/skin-cooler/products/cool-wings-made-of-skin-cooler-90), which I find force you to keep them on. I've never been disappointed with Desoto products, and you'll see the slowtwitch folk are very loyal. The material is also really soft; they feel really nice on the skin.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1135/1552/products/CWSC_Color_Fade_Front_02_1024x1024.jpg?v=155233979 7
Can you cross your arms and tie the sleeves in the back? :eek: