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Sun Protection For Hikers

Discover essential tips on sun protection for hiking. Equip yourself with knowledge to enjoy trails safely while shielding your skin from harmful rays.

Protecting your skin from the sun is especially important if you spend lots of time outdoors. Learn all about sun protection for hiking.

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As someone who spends a lot of time outside, especially during the summer months, I have become adamant about protecting my skin from the sun.

I wasn’t always this way, though. In my 20s, I was a little careless about applying sunscreen and covering my skin up with UV-protective clothing. As a result, I now have a lot of sunspots on my face that could have been prevented had I been more vigilant about sun protection.

What’s more, not that long ago, my mom had some skin cancer on her nose removed and I also had a friend in her 30s who experienced a melanoma scare. Suffice to say, all of this has been a wake-up call for me to take better care of my skin as I age.

Now, whenever I head out for a hike or spend a lot of time outdoors, I make sure to cover up with a UV protective shirt, a hat, and sunscreen and take other measures to protect my skin from sun damage.

In this post, I share all my best tips on sun protection for hikers including our favorite UV-protective gear, clothing items, and how to keep your skin safe while outside

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    Hiking Shirts with Sun Protection


    When choosing the best hiking sun shirt, opt for t-shirts that cover your chest, back, and shoulders rather than tank tops that expose more of your skin.

    Even better, a long sleeve shirt that protects your arms will provide even more UV protection.

    Look for lightweight materials that will keep the sun off of you while still keeping you relatively cool.

    Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie

    This long-sleeved Patagonia tee is made out of fast-drying and moisture-wicking Capilene with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s super lightweight, so even though it’s long sleeve it will keep you cool in warm weather. This tee comes in both a hooded and non-hooded version.

    Shop Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie at:

    Female hiker standing on trail near Lake Louise, BC for photo with barren, rocky, and snow-covered peaks as backdrop
    Wearing the Patagonia Capilene Cool Long Sleeve Hoody on a hike during our BC Icefields road trip

    REI Co-op Sahara Solid Long-Sleeve Shirt

    This long-sleeve REI button-up Sahara sun shirt is perfect for a sunny day of hiking. With convertible sleeves that roll up to the elbows and UPF 50 sun protection, it is moisture-wicking and lightweight, making it a great UV sun protective option for the trail.

    Shop the REI Sahara Shirt at:

    Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Shirt

    The Columbia Tamiami II sun shirt provides UV sun protection and quickly wicks moisture away from the skin. The sleeves roll up to mid-arm for extra-warm, sunny days or you can choose the short-sleeve model.

    Shop the Columbia Tamiami II Shirt at:

    Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt

    A short-sleeve version of the long sleeve Patagonia sun shirt above, this Patagonia Cool Daily Shirt is super lightweight, moisture-wicking, and affordable. It dries fast and also provides 50+ UPF protection, making it a great option for sunny days on the trail.

    Shop the Patagonia Cool Daily Shirt at:

    Woman sitting on the ground in front of a backpacking tent cooking on a backpacking stove
    Wearing my Patagonia Daily Cool Shirt on a packrafting trip in Utah

    KÜHL Arriva 3/4 Shirt

    This super soft KÜHL Arriva 3/4 length sleeve sun shirt is great for hikers who want something that can be worn from trail to town. It’s stylish yet is UPF 50+ rated, wicks moisture, dries quickly, and gets rave reviews.

    Shop the KÜHL Arriva 3/4 Shirt at:


    Best Hats for Sun Protection

    Sun hats are a great way to protect your face and neck from the sun while keeping your head cool. When choosing a sun hat, look for ones with a full brim that provides protection all around including the sides of your face and back of your neck.

    The Wallaroo Sedona hat is my favorite wide-brimmed hat. It provides a good amount of sun protection and it’s cute too. It also has a drawstring in the brim that allows you to tighten the hat if it gets windy on the trail.

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

    *DISCOUNT CODE: get 20% off Wallaroo hats with code BEARFOOT20

    If you want something more packable, a good old bucket hat works great.

    Alternatively, a baseball-style cap works in a pinch and we especially like them for backpacking since there’s no back brim to rub up against your pack.


    Best Sunscreen for Hiking

    In addition to protecting your skin with clothing and a hat, it’s also important to apply sunscreen whenever you go outside.

    Look for sunscreens that are lightweight and waterproof so that you can easily reapply as needed.

    Reef-safe sunscreens are also great options because they don’t contain harmful chemicals that destroy ocean reefs.

    Bearfoot Theory Sunscreen Pick

    Sun Bum

    Sun Bum is our top pick for sunscreen for a lot of reasons. It’s free of harmful chemicals, hypoallergenic, vegan and cruelty-free, and reef-friendly. Use their mineral-based sunscreens for extra water or sweat resistance.

    Where to shop


    Sun Protection Accessories for Hiking

    Other options and accessories that offer sun protection include sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV light, a Buff to cover your neck and double as a headband, and chapstick to prevent sunburned lips.

    I really like aviator-style glasses because they’re stylish while still providing 100% UV Protection.

    Shop our favorite sun protection accessories for hiking


    Additional Tips for Sun Protection While Hiking

    To further protect your skin from the sun while hiking, here are a few additional tips:

    Hike Early

    Hike early in the morning or early in the evening to avoid peak sun intensity and heat.

    Check the Weather

    For long hikes, check ahead weather of time to see how hot it’s going to be so you can cover up appropriately. Also, research whether there is shade along the trail or whether you’ll be completely exposed so you can be prepared.

    Pick a Shady Trail

    If possible, pick a shady trail if you’re going to be hiking midday or if it’s going to be particularly hot.

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

    Take Breaks in the Shade

    This sun protection tip is pretty obvious, but it really is helpful to take rest and water breaks in the shade. You’ll be surprised how much a few minutes in the shade will help you cool off.

    Bring Sunscreen

    If you’re going to be out for a while, bring sunscreen so you can reapply every two hours. It’s easy to find that you’ve been out the whole day and only put sunscreen on once in the morning, so remind yourself to reapply.

    Stay Hydrated

    Staying hydrated is always important but especially if you’re out hiking in the heat. Bring lots of water and electrolytes with you so you can sip as needed.

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

    Understand the conditions

    Certain conditions like high altitude or reflection off of snow can increase the need for added sun protection. If you’ll be hiking at a high elevation, be sure to protect your skin with long sleeves and sunscreen.

    If you’re hiking in snow, shade your eyes with sunglasses and reapply sunscreen to your face throughout your hike.

    Do you have any other suggestions or questions on sun protection for hiking or an experience you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!

    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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    4 Comments

      1. Hi Duan! The Patagonia cool capilene hiking shirts are our favorite. Both the long sleeve and short sleeve versions featured in this article come in men’s versions as well and are what Kristen’s partner, Ryan, wears. Happy hiking!

    1. Solumbra products are 100 SPF. I have skin cancer and have used them for many years. They are light weight and washable in cold water. I wear the large brim hat, the long sleeved shirt, and the gloves. I can spend the whole day outside and not worry about sun exposure. I am able to function out doors and no worry about UV exposure! These products enable me to hike and not be concerned about my skin cancer. Expensive but 100 percent effective!