I Was Running in a Sun Shirt and Wow, Y’all Are Missing Out on This.
I knew other people ran in sunshirts, but I never thought that running in a sunshirt would work for me. Long sleeves on a hot day? No thanks. Instead, I slathered sunscreen on my arms, neck, and back and cringed as it mixed with my sweat and turned into a rough, dripping goo as I ran. Sometimes I missed some points and enjoyed the sunburn on my shoulder blades. Just goes with the summer running territory, right? And then one day I received a sunny shirt.
It wasn’t even that unusual. Everyone on Reddit is saying I need to buy a Rabbit Hoodie, but when I went looking it was out of stock. Instead, I bought a UPF 50+ rash guard on Amazon for less than $30 and a second shirt that I didn’t like as much. And I started wearing them on runs.
What are sun shirts for and are they really useful for runners?
Sun shirts have one main purpose: they protect you from UV rays (performing the same function as sunscreen). Good running shoes also wick away sweat, keeping you cooler than if you were running shirtless.
When it comes to UV protection, they definitely work. Dermatologists, including those from the American Academy of Dermatological Association, recommend wearing sun-protective clothing , as well as seeking shade and using sunscreen. When you’re out for a run, shade may not be the best option. And you’ll still need sunscreen to cover your face and hands. But when it comes to the torso and arms, wearing a sunshirt offers some pretty significant benefits over applying sunscreen:
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You can’t miss anything, just like when you try to apply sunscreen to the backs of your arms and shoulders.
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You don’t have to reapply sunscreen during long runs, which can seem nearly impossible when you’re sweating.
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You won’t have to deal with sunscreen sweating or getting on your skin (which is the main reason we need to reapply anyway).
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If you use a spray sunscreen like I sometimes do, you won’t have to deal with the sticky feel and the fact that you have to rub it in anyway.
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You’ll use far less sunscreen each year—quite a significant savings if you have sunburn-prone skin like me.
Besides these objective points, the thing that sold me the most is that I hate the feeling of sunscreen slime and sweat running down my hands. It’s gross, it gets on everything, and I don’t want it.
What it’s like to run in a sunshirt: you sweat a lot less
I wore a sunshirt for the first time during the recent sweltering heat wave. I try to run in the evening or morning when it’s cooler, but no matter the time of day, the humidity was unbearable and the wet bulb temperature was oppressively high.
First, I put on a shirt for an evening run, applied sunscreen only to the exposed parts of my body (face, arms, shins) and went outside. Overall, I don’t think I was any hotter or cooler than I would have been without a shirt, but the mucus situation has improved significantly. The shirt also absorbed and (sort of) wicked away my sweat. On the one hand, this means that I run around in a wet shirt. On the other hand: it doesn’t drip .
Intrigued, I put the shirt back on for a sunny morning run and had a similar experience. To show how much I trust these things, I even wore a sun shirt at a time when I poorly planned and ended up having to take a midday run in 93 degree temperatures (don’t worry, I brought ice water with me and stayed safe); it worked well then too. During one of these runs, I noticed a slight breeze, so at the end of the run, I took off my shirt. The wind felt nice and cooling on my skin, but it felt more like a pleasant pleasure than a regret for wearing the shirt in the first place. It’s safe to say that I am now a convert.
I had another “aha” moment. During one of my runs, I noticed that my shirt was so long that it bunched up a little on my hips. This extra fabric didn’t do me any good, so I took out my scissors and trimmed the shirt just below the waist. Now I feel a gentle breeze on my torso, but at the same time I protect my skin from the sun.
What to look for when buying a sun protection shirt
Any clothing sold to runners tends to be expensive, although to be fair they are often lighter and better quality than the basement items. However, you don’t have to just look for a “sun sweatshirt.” Also consider looking for a “moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt,” “UPF shirt,” or even a “reckless shirt” (a rash shirt is a long-sleeved shirt worn for surfing).
The ideal running shirt will have most or all of these characteristics:
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UPF rating (like SPF, but for clothing) – the higher the number, the better.
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Absorbent or “cooling” fabric.
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A high collar or even a hood to protect the neck and/or head.
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Holes for thumbs, which means that the longer the sleeves, the better your hands are protected.
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Lightweight fabric – Beware of rash guards that are made of thicker fabric, like swimsuits.
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Moderately loose fit (although this is a matter of preference). If you usually buy things in the women’s department, pay attention to the “men’s” models – you may like the way they fit.
Sun protection experts typically recommend dark (black, blue) or bright (red, yellow) colors rather than white or pastels. This is because dark colors absorb more UV rays. Personally, I couldn’t convince myself to choose a dark color when the shirts are available in white. Perhaps black protects better from the sun, but I’m afraid it will be hotter. (This may be a “me” problem, so if you need good advice, listen to dermatologists.)
With that in mind, here are a few sun shirts in a variety of styles and price points that fit the bill. If you’re not completely sold out yet, start with the cheaper one and see if you like it. You could just join me in a less slippery running club.