Activewear with Sun and Bug Protection
Summer is here and the bugs are out!
Sun and Bug Protection / Photo credits: Sanofi Pasteur and Todd Page via Flickr
Summer is here and the sun and bugs are out! Activewear with sun and bug protection is a great idea for this warm and buggy season. Layers of clothing, no matter if it is treated with a UV protective layer or not, is always a good idea and provides more protection from the sun than most sunblocks. Furthermore with the threat of Zika virus, which is passed by a mosquito bite, bug protection is more important now more than ever. If you haven’t heard of Zika virus, please view this link to check out it’s devastating effects and see where the virus is most prominent.
On the water for extended periods of time without a shirt is not a great idea. Don’t be out there without adequate sun protection.
Since the season of summer is hot, it might feel counter intuitive to wear layers of clothing. However, if you purchase loose, moisture-wicking garments, you should feel quite breezy and cool. Tight-fitting clothing should actually be avoided.
The best thing about living in the age of gear innovation is that sun and bug protection is found in clothing and accessories.
About Clothing with Bug Protection
Clothing that is said to protect you from bugs is typically treated with permethrin. Permethrin is a chemical commonly used as an insecticide and is found in lice and flea treatments. Pemethrin can cause mild skin irritation. Furthermore, the clothing in the list below nearly all contain Insect Shield’s technology that adds permethrin to fabric fibers. Insect Shields’ effect lasts about 70 launderings. This technology should protect you from mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, flies, ants, and no-see-ums. If you are interested in a more natural way to repel bugs, invest in a bug net or a hat with netting.
About Clothing with Sun Protection
Clothing with sun protection is categorized by UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. The higher the UPF number, the higher the UV protection. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays causes sunburn, skin aging, and can lead to skin cancer. Clothing with sun protection is mostly made with polyester fabrics that are tightly knit, treated with chemicals, and/or include specific dyes that reduce contact to UV radiation.
Check out this list to find activewear with sun and bug protection.
1. Insect Shield’s Clothing and Accessories
What: Clothing and Accessories
How:
- Insect Shield clothing and accessories contain permethrin in the fabric fibers.
2. ExOfficio’s BugsAway & Sol Cool Clothing
Exofficio clothing. Image by Chris Daughters via Flickr.
What: Clothing and Accessories
How:
- BugsAway is Treated with Insect Shield (see full description under Insect Shield)
- Sol Cool not only has sun protection but also a cooling effect. Sol Cool garments have Xylitol in the fabric, something that occurs naturally in the birch tree. When you sweat, the moisture from your sweat reacts to your skin and causes a cooling sensation. Xylitol can cool the skin up to 5°F. Furthermore, Sol Cool clothing is treated with 50+ UPF.
Shop ExOfficio’s Bugs Away Clothing
Shop ExOfficio’s Sol Cool Clothing
3. Columbia’s Omni-Shade Clothing
Columbia Omni Shade – shorts with sun protection. Image from Cliff Hutson via Flickr.
What: Clothing and Accessories
How:
- Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology uses UV absorbers and reflectors as well as a tight weave fabric to block UV rays.
Shop Columbia’s Omni-Shade Clothing
4. Outdoor Research’s Sun and Bug Protection Clothing
Image by Andrew Hitchcock via Flickr
What: Clothing, Accessories, and Hats
How:
- Outdoor Research’s bug protect garments use bug netting or Insect Shield’s technology (see full description under Insect Shield)
- Outdoor Research’s sun protection clothing and hats vary from 15, 30 and 50+ UPF.
Shop Outdoor Research Sun Hats
Shop Outdoor Research Bug Protection
5. Buff’s Sun and Bug Protection Accessories
Image by CENAS A PEDAL via Flickr
What: Multi-Functional Accessory
How:
- Buff’s bug repellent accessories use Insect Shield’s technology (see full description under Insect Shield)
6. Haeleum’s Insect Repellent Clothing
Image via Cabela’s
What: Shirts
How:
- Haeleum’s bug repellent shirts use Insect Shield’s technology (see full description under Insect Shield)
7. White Sierra’s Sun and Bug Protection Garments
Image by Sierra Trading Post
What: Clothing and Accessories
How:
- White Sierra’s bug repellent clothing and accessories use Insect Shield’s technology (see full description under Insect Shield)
Shop White Sierra’s Bug Repellent Garments
8. Craghoppers’ Sun and Bug Protection Garments
Craghoppers clothing. Image from Ski and Trek via Flickr.
What: Clothing
How:
- Craghoppers’ bug repellent clothing and accessories use Insect Shield’s technology (see full description under Insect Shield)
- Craghoppers’ sun protective garments, known as SolarShield technology, are polyester and cotton with a zinc oxide finish. The garments are UPF 40+.
Shop Craghoppers’ Bug Repellent Clothing
How do you stay protected from sun and bugs while out on the trail? Tell us in the comments below!
Sources:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sun-protection.html
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