Sun Protecting Shirts, Pants and Hats

[Chas Tennis]

I hate gooping up with sunscreen but know that I have to do it.

I'm not young. My arms now have thinner skin that tears easier than when I was younger. And I now get purple bruises easily and not from much of a bump or rub. A dermatologist called it solar purpura.
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abq2816

I also notice that my arms have more wrinkles below my shirt's short sleeve line and my skin is still much more normal above the shirt's short sleeve line. Sun exposure. The skin on the lower arm looks older and is weakened. I played tennis for 4 decades without sunscreens on my arms or head, no hat.

I conclude also that my clothing has probably been sun protective. I never recall observing any redness from sun through my clothing.

I saw a shirt that claimed to be sun protective. But when I held it up and looked through it I could see objects on the other side. I believe that means there are complete openings through the cloth, similar to a window screen, and that the cloth could not be good as a sunscreen.

In addition, I just attended a talk on the effects of sunscreen lotions on the ocean's coral reefs. It has killed some coral reefs.
http://time.com/4080985/sunscreen-coral-reefs/
The active ingredients in parts per trillion cause nasty effects to the coral including DNA effects........

I checked my sunscreen and the active ingredients were the one of the talk. Ox.......

I have just started using sleeves for my arms and long sleeve white shirts.

It just occurred to me that the early tennis players that covered their bodies with white clothing may have been motivated more by sun protection than I ever imagined.

Any

hats
long sleeve shirts (? white for summer and dark for winter in CA?)
long pants (the tough piece of clothing)
other clothing
other ideas

that I might look into?

 

[hurworld]

The only tennis apparel brand that I am aware of who actively advertises UV protection is Babolat. For example:

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_Mens_Core_Long_Sleeve_Top/descpageMABAB-BMCLSLT.html

I haven't looked into other brands yet, but that's always been at the back of my mind. Thanks for raising this topic. Would like to know more too.

 

[graycrait]

other ideas

that I might look into?

Look to the fishing industry. Lots of neat hot weather skin covering clothes there.

However, after trying several options from the fishing industry I did not find much that works well/comfortable in 90+ degree heat running around a tennis court. Sitting in a fishing boat is one thing playing tennis is another. If it is sunny and cooler lots of options from the fishing industry. Plus I have some very good gear for just sitting in the stands watching a good match on a hot sunny day, although I do fish as well.

 

[Kimiko Yuuki]

I am the opposite, I look for tan through materials, which none I know of are tennis exclusive. But my situation is much different, I cant internally absorb Vitamin D and get extremely deficient, and must get it from the sun. Referring to trends from 80 and 90+ years ago, it was culture.. not science to wear clothes that covered skin. Nobody exposed skin back then due to social engineering, plus their rackets were strung at tensions not even comparable to Badminton rackets of today, a much slower paced game so they could get away with it wearing wool blends in summer. Oh and the destruction of Coral Reefs, is only if you swim in the oceans while wearing it, over application (very thin layer only) and applying it less than 1 hour before swimming are the main causes.. it just washes off. Thick applications do not help and are only wasteful and harm the environment if you swim as I have tested application UV reflection with a UV filter.

 

[Chas Tennis]

Among widely available sunscreens the Titanium oxide 'nano particle' sunscreen was tested and identified as best for the coral problem. But double check that information. I have asthma and seek to minimize my exposure to any particulate whenever possible. I don't like the idea of a layer of 'nano particles' drying up on my skin and becoming airborne. I have seen no science about the relative risks of those particles.

For watching tennis, I have worn a long sleeve shirt and jeans a few times and might do that. Carrying a large white towel might come in handy.

Once at the Stanford, CA WTA tournament I saw a couple with full sun protection suits. These included fitted face masks. The matching suits might have been a kacki color, but were not white. ??

At my club there are quite a few players that wear long sleeve shirts to play and one or two that wear long pants.

 

[Chas Tennis]

................ as I have tested application UV reflection with a UV filter.

I would first expect that UV sunscreens work by absorbing UV and not by reflecting it, but I don't know.

How did you test UV reflection with a UV filter?

 

[djNEiGht]

check out some cycling clothing skins. They used to just be arm warmers and leg warmers but over the past 15 years have moved over to arm/leg skins. They come in a different colors but most often they will be white. Even on the hottest days I have enjoyed wearing them as when you start to sweat the sleeve starts to act like a radiator as it evaporates

 

[djNEiGht]

from a previous thread

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/sun-protective-clothing-for-arms.387762/

 

[djNEiGht]

I've met a few number of players that wear long sleeve shirts even while warm out so that they don't get darker or sun-burned arms. Some just don't want to deal with putting on sun block every so often.

I think that these will fit the need where you have sun protection but not over heated with a long sleeve shirt.

Consider these arm sleeves. These are cycling arm skins that state have an SPF rating. You don't need to invest in a long sleeve athletic shirt and can still use your short sleeve shirts. I currently have 3 pairs all from different companies.

Voler Sol Skins - breaths really well and my arms actually feel cooler when the sweat starts to wick away. ($40)

Crisp white, lightweight, and superior sun protection are yours with our Sol Skin Arm UV Protectors made from Quantum DSX, the ultimate fabric in our sport. Made in Switzerland, Quantum DSX features a micro-waffle surface that is designed to reduce wind drag, is highly breathable, has great compression and is very durable. The sun protection of these Sol Skin Arm UV Protectors is hard to beat with a 50+ UPF rating. These lightweight UV Protectors are perfect for warm weather rides.

voler.com

Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeve - my favorite of the 3 that I have. Feels really comfortable...almost like you aren't wearing anything ($20)

The lightweight and cool Elite Sun Sleeve provides arm protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Features
UPF 50+ sun protection on top
Direct-Vent mesh on bottom
Anatomic right and left arm specific fit

Excel Sports

Pace - probably the cheapest that I've found (under $20) and I have no problems using them. I couldn't find a link or picture to it. Still recommended!

Louis Garneau - also under $20. Haven't used these but have worn some of their other pieces of clothing.


This thin, light Louis Garneau Matrix arm cooler is the perfect alternative to a long-sleeve jersey. Thoughtful, seamless construction strategically positions vent and compression zones for optimum moisture management and performance. Excellent stretch provides free-motion comfort. SPF/UPF 50 protection. Black or white. One size fits most.

Item Code: LOUXRQLJ

colorado cyclist

I've seen them mostly in white but as you can see with the LG ones they also have black.

You can probably find these at running specialty stores as well.

cheers.

 

[mscream]

I'm using Nike Solar golf sleeves in case I can't play after 5 pm. They are pretty good and actually work very well for cooling and sweat absorption

 

[djNEiGht]

I thought about getting some when my shoe warranty was up.

 

[Kimiko Yuuki]

I would first expect that UV sunscreens work by absorbing UV and not by reflecting it, but I don't know.

How did you test UV reflection with a UV filter?

Actually they work by absorbing and Reflecting UV, depending if they are a Organic or Inorganic sunscreen. They show up as Black, or White under a UV filter. A very thin layer of SPF 100 is like putting black paint on yourself under a UV lensed camera. The only Organic to get a decent reflection compared to modern inorganics was the old fashioned thick white non absorbing cremes like Life guards used to wear on their noses.

 

[Kimiko Yuuki]

Among widely available sunscreens the Titanium oxide 'nano particle' sunscreen was tested and identified as best for the coral problem. But double check that information. I have asthma and seek to minimize my exposure to any particulate whenever possible. I don't like the idea of a layer of 'nano particles' drying up on my skin and becoming airborne. I have seen no science about the relative risks of those particles.

For watching tennis, I have worn a long sleeve shirt and jeans a few times and might do that. Carrying a large white towel might come in handy.

Once at the Stanford, CA WTA tournament I saw a couple with full sun protection suits. These included fitted face masks. The matching suits might have been a kacki color, but were not white. ??

At my club there are quite a few players that wear long sleeve shirts to play and one or two that wear long pants.

Are you wearing it to swim or play tennis? just wondering.. because inorganic sunscreens are broken down chemically by water treatment plants when you shower and wash towels. Unless your swimming, if you buy the spray, you can spray a SPF 100 and it will be many times more effective than anything you can wear outside of aluminum foil. If sun is that major of a threat, I recommend people play indoors only.

 

[siata94]

I've also recently switched from chemical to physical sunscreens, Badger w/ 19% zinc oxide.

imo, any clothing is better than nothing. I always wear long sleeve shirts when biking or tennis. Seniors players point to the tip of noses and ears as evidence of sun damage.

 

[TW Staff]

I suggest checking out BloqUV, too. I have a couple of longsleeve tops that I like. We carry men's long sleeve crews and polos.

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/BloqUV_Mens_Tennis_Apparel/catpage-MABLOQUV.html

Calf sleeves are also an option if you don't want to wear pants.

Skins Essentials Compression Calf Sleeves - Black
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-SECCSB.html

Skins Essentials Compression Calf Sleeves - White
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-SECCSW.html

Thanks,
Tiffani, TW

 

[r2473]

Any

hats
long sleeve shirts (? white for summer and dark for winter in CA?)
long pants (the tough piece of clothing)
other clothing
other ideas

that I might look into?

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb

Are you concerned about UVA or UVB?

If UVB, how often do you get sunburned through your clothes? I'd imagine on the order of "never". I certainly have never worn a shirt or a pair of shorts that I got sunburned through to my knowledge. And if a bit gets through certain shirts, but not enough to redden the skin, I'm not sure how much you really need to worry about this. Unless you work on a road crew all summer in the Arizona desert, I'm sure you'll be fine wearing "a shirt".

If UVA, well, good luck. But first you need to understand what it is and if it is dangerous to you (again, unless you spend all summer working in the Arizona desert or swimming in the ocean, I don't know that it will really matter).