Stuff to Protect Your Fragile Flesh
Protecting the skin from ultraviolet exposure during outdoor workouts is crucial to reducing skin cancer risk. Fortunately, there are more and more options for covering up.
A Little Ventilation, Please
Meant to be worn while running, climbing or walking, Solumbra Ventilated Sport Pants from Sun Precautions in Everett, Wash., are made of a fabric that provides an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30-plus. To keep air circulating, mesh panels run down the outside seams, overlaid with the Solumbra fabric.
To order or for store information, call (800) 882-7860.
Our try-on test: comfortable, cool, with roomy side pockets and a handy zippered rear pocket for keys and things. In white, stone or bright admiral blue, the synthetic pants ($69.95) are unisex styled in sizes XS through XL and machine washable and dryable. To order or for store information, call (800) 882-7860.
Also sun protective and stylish is Solumbra’s Super Active Shirt, which might be the least geeky-looking SPF fashion around. In white, blue and yellow, it’s sharply styled, with mesh panels overlaid with SPF 30 fabric to keep the air circulating. When you zip down the front, an insert panel keeps the sun off your chest. It’s $79.95.
Stay Dry, Get Fit?
Nike’s Dri-F.I.T. long-sleeved crew shirt is 100% polyester but cool because it’s designed to wick away sweat. The long sleeves are meant to deflect rays, although Nike makes no SPF claims for the fabric.
Our try-on test: silky smooth and nice styling details, such as a notched and banded neckline. But take note: It’s as see-through as a fine silk blouse, at least in the white version. It’s available in sage, charcoal and assorted other colors and made in men’s and women’s styles. About $34 at major sporting goods stores. For store information, call (800) 344-6453.
For Baseball and Other Nuts
One of the newest offerings from the North Face is its Sun Protection Cap. Made of lightweight, breathable broadcloth, there are fold-down flaps for neck and ear protection.
Our try-on test: Comfortable and cool, though the flaps (which can be tucked up inside the cap) are not for the self-conscious. The back flap would be better if it were a bit longer.
About $28, the cap can be special-ordered at sporting goods stores. For dealers, call (800) 719-NORTH, Ext. 155.
Sunscreen to Go
Forget that excuse that your sports garb allows no carrying space for sunscreen. Bodywipes are 8-by-11-inch cotton towelettes saturated with SPF 15 sun block. The packet of about 3 by 4 inches can be tucked into a pocket or beach bag. There’s enough sun block on each wipe to cover the face, neck and arms of a large adult, says a spokesman for Sunguard, the Miami maker of the wipes. Sunguard says Bodywipes are greaseless, waterproof and sweat-proof.
Our smear test: This is much less messy than traditional bottled sunscreens. The smell isn’t bad, either.
Suggested retail is 99 cents per wipe. They’re expected to be available by June in discount drugstores. Call (305) 442-2255 for store information.
For the Sunscreen-Squeamish:
Hate that gooey feel on your hands? Consider Handsfree Sunscreen, just out in drugstores. The manufacturer promises “You’ll never have to touch sunscreen again!” The container has a built-in pad, similar to a makeup applicator, so you squeeze the tube until sunscreen comes to the top, then dab away. A 2-ounce tube is about $8, comes in gel and cream formulas, and SPFs range from 15 to 45. The scent is kiwi. For information, call (800) 398-9856.
