So I am a red head and fair skinned, the past couple of years I have started getting what I would assume is sun poisoning in the form of a rash on my hands and wrists despite slathering with sun block before my long rides. I guess it is time that I start wearing long sleeves and probably gloves.
Does anyone have any suggestions on cool long sleeve shirts and gloves for hot humid summer riding?
Probably you would need some long sleeve shirts that easily wick away some moisture.
Maybe something like this:
http://www.tropicalrider.com/product_detail.asp?p=117
Try searching for moisture wicking tops.
Perhaps try L.L. Bean ~ they have some long sleeve shirts designed for the humid/ sticky weather with the moisture wicking properties. Google their web site ~ sorry computer idiot & do not know how to supply the link.
I get that rash on my hands and arms if I visit hot or sunny climates, or in the beginning of summer here when I am out in the sun for the first time. Sun screen doesn’t prevent it either. I make a point of wearing long sleeves and gloves when riding in the sun. I find the kind of shirts designed for sports like hiking, mountain climbing, etc are very light weight and not at all hot - the breeze goes right through them, but the sun stays out. Brands like Arcteryx, and choices from REI or EMS are often useful. They are made for moving, so although they are usually fitted (not baggy), they are cut to allow good range of motion and comfort, and don’t ride up around the waist, etc. Shirts for yoga, often made of cotton, can also be nice, as they are usually fitted but not tight, and they are stretchy and light weight.
I am fair skinned and live in AZ. I always wear a white cotton long sleeved shirt when out in the sun for protection. I tend to buy oversized ones, or mens, at thrift stored so I don’t worry about getting them dirty. The larger size means a loose fit to keep air circulating under the shirt. Also wear the coller up to protect my neck.I am cooler covered up than when the sun hits my skin.
Ditto with hats. I tend to wear a helmet when riding, but wide brimmed the rest of the time.
Are you on a medication such as tetracycline? Ask your pharmacist if any medication you take causes rash from the sun. I once got a VERY painful, blistered burn while on medication.
Under Armor shirts are great for wicking away moisture. You can buy those at sporting goods stores like Dick’s maybe REI or Padagonia. The Under Armor stuff comes in a range of styles. Light weight large white cotton tops are great to put over UA.
Just checked my closet. My favorite lightweight wicking long sleeve is a shirt from a brand called Sugoi - I think they aim at runners and bicyclists? I’ve had that shirt for at least four years and it still looks like new, and I wear it constantly.
I’m another one who just wears oversized cotton shirts in light colours. I have sensitive skin, and many of the technical fabrics bring me out in a rash. I’m very fair skinned, and the shirts work for me.
These look like what you may be looking for:
http://www.coolibar.com/01262.html
The shirts offer a 50 plus sunblock protection.
Thanks guys. 
UnderArmour “Hot Gear” shirts wick brilliantly, but you can still get quite a sunburn through them.
REI always has a selection of shirts that wick and have an SPF rating.
Good advice on some sunblocking fabrics, but can I ask…
What kind of sunblock are you using?
My dermatologist recommended Solbar - I use the liquid SPF 30 - and it works. It really, really works. It comes out of the bottle like a thickened liquid (think “snot” consistency) and it goes on very easily and dries quickly. It doesn’t wash off or sweat off but bear in mind I don’t ride endurance, either. Just barn chores and whatnot.
I wish I knew about it when I lived in Phoenix. It would have saved me from some serious sunburns.
The sun poisoning rash is different from sunburn. I get it even if I have enough sunblock on to prevent any sunburn, and even if I keep my sun exposure to a short amount that does not burn me. The only thing that’s worked for me (and in my case it’s mild - slightly itchy but hard to see if you don’t look closely) - is to use clothing to cover the skin, not sunblock.
I’ve used different kinds of sunblock, usually the highest spf that I can find and I slather it on my hands. I don’t ride endurance but ride between 15 and 20 mile trails. Heck I was out in the sun for a short time yesterday and I have the start of the stupid rash. sigh
It usually occurs the worst when I am on my week long camping/riding trip in August. My hands get all red and a little swollen and super itchy. That is why I am looking into alternate clothing. I hate the heat so that is why I want something that will cover me up but still be cool. I wither in the heat.
I found some long-sleeve sun blocking shirts at Marshall’s as well. Much cheaper than buying them at full price.
Swimmers who spend long periods of time in the sun and in the water usually use Bullfrog sunscreen, and wear suits with UV protection. Can’t say enough about the UV-treated fabrics. They are expensive, but so worth the money. I also use one half of an anti-histamine tablet to bring down the rash on my hands and arms. I never got the rash until I finished a round of treatment of doxy for Lyme. Now it comes around each June like clockwork.
Interesting on the Doxy. I’ve been on Doxy before and the timing sounds about right.
[QUOTE=twofatponies;4785221]
The sun poisoning rash is different from sunburn. I get it even if I have enough sunblock on to prevent any sunburn, and even if I keep my sun exposure to a short amount that does not burn me. The only thing that’s worked for me (and in my case it’s mild - slightly itchy but hard to see if you don’t look closely) - is to use clothing to cover the skin, not sunblock.[/QUOTE]
This. I’m also a heat rash sufferer. I find that sunblock actually makes it worse. So when I ride, even in the heat of summer, I wear long sleeves. Same when I mow :D. It’s worse with humidity.
We’re lucky enough to have an Eddie Bauer outlet near us. Every year they have some variation of this shirt at the outlet. I have it in about five colors…
http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/search.jsp?D=shirts&Ne=200000&Ntt=shirts&Nr=REG%3AY&Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&N=250082&Nty=1&initempl=MULTILINE&Ntk=IALL&D=shirts&Dx=mode matchpartialmax#ppl=%7Btype%3A%22transition%22%2CensembleId%3A%2236550%22%2CformatStr%3A%22product%22%2CpassedIdObj%3A%7B%22ensembleId%22%3A%2236550%22%7D%2CcategoryId%3A%22null%22%2CpathInfo%3A%22T382%22%2CcolorId%3A%22242%22%2CsizeIdSelected%3A%22-1%22%2CquantitySelected%3A%22-1%22%2CimageName%3A%22EB10IA_0087670_242C1%22%2CimageTypeCode%3A%22C%22%2CcatPath%3A%22null%22%2Ccs%3A%220%22%7D
rail riders ecomesh or adventure shirt.
they have WAAAYYY more mesh venting than any other shirt I’ve seen.
used in lots of adventure races in the desert.
Solumbra products!
Check out a brand called Solumbra at www.sunprecautions.com; all of their products are SPF rated. I wear a long sleeved hoodie when at the beach or on a boat (in the deep south no less) to prevent the REM rash associated with lupus and sunburn–it’s very comfortable even in 90+ heat. You may also want to consider sunscreen that is titanium dioxide based versus paba (hard to find, but good for sensitive skin). Good luck!
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