Hiking

Important Solar Safety Ideas For Hikers – Bearfoot Principle

May 12, 2024

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As somebody who spends a variety of time exterior, particularly in the course of the summer time months, I’ve turn out to be adamant about defending my pores and skin from the solar.

I wasn’t at all times this fashion, although. In my 20s, I used to be somewhat careless about making use of sunscreen and masking my pores and skin up with UV-protective clothes. Consequently, I now have a variety of sunspots on my face that would have been prevented had I been extra vigilant about solar safety.

What’s extra, not that way back, my mother had some pores and skin most cancers on her nostril eliminated and I additionally had a buddy in her 30s who skilled a melanoma scare. Suffice to say, all of this has been a wake-up name for me to take higher care of my pores and skin as I age.

Now, every time I head out for a hike or spend a variety of time outdoor, I make certain to cowl up with a UV protecting solar shirt, a hat, and sunscreen and take different measures to guard my pores and skin from solar injury.

On this put up, I share all my greatest tips about solar safety for hikers together with our favourite UV-protective gear, clothes objects, and preserve your pores and skin secure whereas exterior

Put on a Mountaineering Shirt with UPF

When selecting the perfect solar safety shirts, go for t-shirts that cowl your chest, again, and shoulders quite than tank tops that expose extra of your pores and skin. As of late, I normally go for long-sleeves because it minimizes the quantity of sunscreen I’ve to put on. I at all times search for light-weight, breathable, moisture wicking supplies that can preserve me cool even on sizzling days. Listed below are a couple of of my favorites which have a excessive UPF score. For extra suggestions and particulars, take a look at my roundup on the Finest Solar Safety Shirts for Mountaineering.

Patagonia Capilene Cool Each day Hoody: This long-sleeved Patagonia tee (males’s model right here) is made out of fast-drying and moisture-wicking Capilene with built-in UPF 50+ solar safety. I can put on these for days once I’m on the highway with out them stinking and personal them in a bunch of various colours. It’s tremendous light-weight, so despite the fact that it’s lengthy sleeve it’ll preserve you cool in heat climate. It additionally is available in a non-hooded model.
Outside Analysis Astroman Shirt: This long-sleeve Outside Analysis Astroman shirt (males’s model right here) is ideal for a sunny day of climbing. It’s the lightest-weight solar shirt I personal and is rated for UPF 30-50 solar safety. With the button up, it doesn’t scream “climbing shirt” and might it’s moisture-wicking and light-weight, making it an important UV solar protecting choice for the path.
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie: The REI Sahara Shade Hoodie (males’s model right here) presents UPF 50, presents extra neck protection than the 2 above, and likewise has thumb holes so you possibly can cowl the tops of your fingers. I wore this nearly on a regular basis once I was on Maui, and I stayed snug even within the muggy local weather.

Female hiker standing on trail near Lake Louise, BC for photo with barren, rocky, and snow-covered peaks as backdrop — Sporting the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lengthy Sleeve Hoody on a hike throughout our BC Icefields Parkway highway journey

Woman smiles on Maui on the Kapalua Coastal Trail. She's wearing REI Sahara Shade Hoodie and Nani Swimwear Explorer Shorts — Sporting the REI Sahara Shade Hoody on Maui

Put on a Vast Brimmed Hat

Solar hats are a good way to guard your face and neck from the solar whereas holding your head cool. When selecting a solar hat, search for ones with a full brim that gives safety throughout together with the edges of your face and again of your neck.

The Wallaroo Sedona hat is my all-time favourite wide-brimmed hat. It gives a very good quantity of solar safety, and it’s cute too. I like that it’s not too floppy so it doesn’t get in the way in which of my imaginative and prescient, and it additionally has a drawstring within the brim that permits you to tighten the hat if it will get windy on the path. *DISCOUNT CODE: get 20% off Wallaroo hats with code BEARFOOT20

Portait photo of woman wearing sun hat and hiking apparel with setting sun in the background

In order for you one thing extra packable, a very good outdated bucket hat works nice. Alternatively, a baseball-style cap works in a pinch, and I particularly like them for backpacking since there’s no again brim to rub up towards your pack. Want extra suggestions? Take a look at our put up on Finest Mountaineering Hats for Girls.

Lather Up with Sunscreen

Along with defending your pores and skin with clothes and a hat whilst you hike, it’s additionally essential to use sunscreen everytime you go exterior. I at all times go along with a paraben-free sunscreen to keep away from dangerous chemical substances.

When you’re going for an extended hike, convey a small bottle of sunscreen with you so you possibly can reapply as wanted. It’s simple to search out that you simply’ve been out the entire day and solely put sunscreen on as soon as within the morning, so remind your self to reapply.

Don’t neglect your lips! There’s nothing worse than burnt, cracked, and bloody lips after a hike. My go-to is Jack Black Lip Balm with SPF 25. I’ve been utilizing it for years, and it lasts a lot longer than different lip balms I’ve tried.

Put on these Solar Safety Equipment

You must at all times put on sun shades whenever you hike to guard your eyes. Whereas I don’t at all times observe this recommendation, however sporting the wrap round shades covers the edges of your eyes.

I at all times put on a Buff to cowl my neck. It additionally can be utilized to cowl your mouth and nostril if it’s dusty out or may even double as a scarf.

a closeup of Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor on a desert hike — I exploit a Buff to covers up my neck

Keep Hydrated

Staying hydrated is at all times essential however particularly in case you’re out climbing within the warmth. Being out within the sizzling solar makes you extra liable to warmth exhaustion and dehydration. Deliver a lot of water, electrolytes, and a few salty climbing snacks so that you keep hydrated.

Kristen Bor hiking on Italy's Cinque Terre Trail wearing the Patagonia Cool Capilene daily hiking shirt — I at all times hike with a hydration reservoir in my backpack so I can drink from the hose with out taking my pack off

Extra Ideas to your Hike

To additional shield your pores and skin from the solar whereas climbing, listed below are a couple of extra suggestions:

Hike early within the day: Hike early within the morning or early within the night to keep away from peak solar depth and warmth. You’ll keep a lot cooler
Test the climate: For lengthy hikes, examine forward climate of time to see how sizzling it’s going to be so you possibly can cowl up appropriately. Additionally, analysis whether or not there’s shade alongside the path or whether or not you’ll be fully uncovered so that you may be ready.
Choose a shady path: If doable, decide a shady path in case you’re going to be climbing noon or if it’s going to be notably sizzling.
Take breaks within the shade: This solar safety tip is fairly apparent, however it actually is useful to take relaxation and water breaks within the shade. You’ll be stunned how a lot a couple of minutes within the shade will provide help to cool off.

Woman hiking down forested trail next to a river wearing sun protective clothing

Woman hiking away from camera on trail looking out over a lake and mountains

Perceive the environmental circumstances

Sure circumstances like excessive altitude or reflection off of snow can enhance the necessity for added solar safety. When you’ll be climbing at a excessive elevation, you’ll want to shield your pores and skin with lengthy sleeves and sunscreen.

When you’re climbing in snow, the solar displays off of the snow and might burn you in locations you by no means thought doable, like the underside of your nostrils. Put on wrap round shades so the solar doesn’t mirror off the snow into your eyes, and reapply sunscreen to your face all through your hike. Don’t miss the underside of your nostril

The solar is extra intense on excessive altitude hikes the place you’ll wish to take your solar safety significantly.

Often Requested Questions

Does UPF Clothes actually work?

Sure! UPF stands for Ultraviolet Safety Issue, and the score determines how a lot UV mild is ready to get by way of the material. All the solar safety shirts I like to recommend on this put up have a UPF score of fifty, which signifies that 1/fiftieth or 2% of the UV radiation can penetrate the shirt. As compared, cotton has a UPF between 5-15, which on the decrease finish permits 20% of the radiation to achieve your pores and skin.

What SPF sunscreen ought to I put on whereas climbing?

The Pores and skin Most cancers Basis recommends that you simply put on broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or greater whenever you’re doing outside actions. I sometimes put on SPF 30 and reapply at the very least as soon as throughout my hike. If I’m at excessive altitude, on the water, or on snow, the place the solar is mirrored, I’ll reapply extra steadily. If you’re sporting UPF clothes, you don’t want to use sunscreen beneath.

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Do you have got another strategies or questions on solar safety for climbing or an expertise you’d wish to share? Let me know within the feedback under!

Bearfoot Theory | Embarking on a hiking adventure? Sun protection is paramount! Dive into this latest blog post about Sun Protection for Hikers. Learn about the best sunscreens, protective clothing, and time-tested strategies to shield your skin. Plus, get the scoop on how altitude and reflection can intensify UV rays. Whether you're a novice hiker or a seasoned trekker, it's vital to understand the sun's impact during your day on the trail. Pin this guide now and prioritize your health while embracing the great outdoors!

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