Essential Sun Protection Tips For Hikers
These are the steps I take to protect myself from the sun when I’m on the trail. Learn about my favorite clothing, accessories and tips that help shield your skin from harmful rays.
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 sun 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
This post may contain affiliate links.
Wear a Hiking Shirt with UPF
When choosing the best sun protection shirts, opt for t-shirts that cover your chest, back, and shoulders rather than tank tops that expose more of your skin. These days, I usually opt for long-sleeves as it minimizes the amount of sunscreen I have to wear. I always look for lightweight, breathable, moisture wicking materials that will keep me cool even on hot days. Here are a few of my favorites that have a high UPF rating. For more recommendations and details, check out my roundup on the Best Sun Protection Shirts for Hiking.
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Wear a Wide Brimmed Hat
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 all-time favorite wide-brimmed hat. It provides a good amount of sun protection, and it’s cute too. I like that it’s not too floppy so it doesn’t get in the way of my vision, and it also has a drawstring in the brim that allows you to tighten the hat if it gets windy on the trail. *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 I especially like them for backpacking since there’s no back brim to rub up against your pack. Need more recommendations? Check out our post on Best Hiking Hats for Women.
Lather Up with Sunscreen
In addition to protecting your skin with clothing and a hat while you hike, it’s also important to apply sunscreen whenever you go outside. I always go with a paraben-free sunscreen to avoid harmful chemicals.
If you’re going for a longer hike, bring a small bottle of sunscreen with you so you can reapply as needed. 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.
Don’t forget 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 using it for years, and it lasts so much longer than other lip balms I’ve tried.
Wear these Sun Protection Accessories
You should always wear sunglasses when you hike to protect your eyes. While I don’t always follow this advice, but wearing the wrap around shades covers the sides of your eyes.
I always wear a Buff to cover my neck. It also can be used to cover your mouth and nose if it’s dusty out or can even double as a headband.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is always important but especially if you’re out hiking in the heat. Being out in the hot sun makes you more prone to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Bring lots of water, electrolytes, and some salty hiking snacks so you stay hydrated.
Additional Tips for your Hike
To further protect your skin from the sun while hiking, here are a few additional tips:
Understand the environmental 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, the sun reflects off of the snow and can burn you in places you never thought possible, like the bottom of your nostrils. Wear wrap around shades so the sun doesn’t reflect off the snow into your eyes, and reapply sunscreen to your face throughout your hike. Don’t miss the bottom of your nose
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and the rating determines how much UV light is able to get through the fabric. All of the sun protection shirts I recommend in this post have a UPF rating of 50, which means that 1/50th or 2% of the UV radiation can penetrate the shirt. In comparison, cotton has a UPF between 5-15, which on the lower end allows 20% of the radiation to reach your skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher when you’re doing outdoor activities. I typically wear SPF 30 and reapply at least once during my hike. If I’m at high altitude, on the water, or on snow, where the sun is reflected, I will reapply more frequently. If you are wearing UPF clothing, you don’t need to apply sunscreen underneath.
More Summer Hiking Tips
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Do you have any other suggestions or questions on sun protection for hiking or an experience you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello Kristen,
What summer hiking shirts would you recommend for men?
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!
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!
Great to know, thanks for sharing John!