As a Southern California hiker, I normally rely on a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight long pants and a long-sleeved shirt as my primary defense against sunburn. I prefer to use as little sunblock as possible. One area of concern is the tops of my hands that are routinely exposed while using trekking poles. I've heard of folks using lightweight gloves or even sun shields made of Tyvek or the like, but I apparently didn't pay enough attention at the time to remember much about brands or types.

I'm wondering if anyone here uses some sort of warm weather sun protection for their hands other than sunblock, and if so, what you have learned and what you like. The need would seem to be something that would provide adequate sun protection, yet a degree of ventilation and perhaps even sweat dispersal. They would also need to be durable enough to withstand the rigors of constant trekking pole use without coming apart.

Any ideas?

Michael

I haven't used these but someone on here said they did.

I had a pr. I bought from a fishing site. Light and spf 50 I believe. Try googling.

Patagonia makes a good pair.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-sun-gloves?p=28720-0-085

It is laughable to think of using something like this where I hike, but I bought a pair of REI Sunscreen Gloves for a six day hike on the JMT I will be doing this September. I don't know if this is overkill or not, but I don't like using sunscreen so I thought I would rely on clothing as much as possible. They are fingerless, seem wicking, and are only 0.6 ounces per pair. Obviously I can't tell you how well they will work yet, but they seem like they will do the job.

I have a pair of the overpriced Sun Precautions shields (see link in Doug's post) but anyone with some sewing skills should be able to cobble up their own. They are much cooler than gloves (which I tried and discarded) and don't have to be removed to work my camera.

Edited by hikinggranny on 06/25/2011 16:48:17 MDT.

I have some cotton inspection gloves that are commonly used in the electronics industry. They weigh only 0.36 ounce per pair in my size. I won't claim that they have any warmth, but they are so thin that I can double up or triple up and still remain in the vicinity of one ounce. On a cold or rainy day, I can put disposable vinyl gloves over them.

--B.G.--

http://www.glacieroutdoor.com/products_sun.php

http://www.sungrubbies.com/product_index_html/Sun-protective-clothing.htm?gclid=CJnpwtSR0qkCFQY-bAodiBh2Nw

http://www.coolibar.com/sungloves.html

http://uptownangler.com/sun-protection-melanoma-upf/sun-gloves-hand-protection-skin-cancer.html

http://www.burfish.com/catalog/sabp.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sun+gloves&sprefix=sun+gloves

I got some cheap white potting gloves from Kmart or somewhere similar. My sister doesn't like to wear the whole glove so she cut the fingers off.

But then, we're cheap.

Coolibar all the way!

I wrote about them here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=40170&skip_to_post=340952#340952

I cover everything I can and wear a pair of older Glacier sun gloves. They are all cotton, pretty thin and very comfortable. Newer version has lycra, which I haven't tried and am not that keen to. I picked up a bunch of the cotton ones on closeout for about $5 or $6 a pair at Sierra Trading Post. Sun gloves protect my hands, keep them clean and they dry easily when washed. If Kmart or other retailer has thin white gardening gloves, those sound like they will work great. Most of the sun gloves I looked at when shopping seemed way overpriced for basic simple hand covering.

I wear a long sleeve nylon windbreaker for sun protection. It is a larger size than I normally wear so the sleeves are long enough to cover my hands and thereby protect them from sun and bugs.

Edited by lyrad1 on 06/26/2011 14:33:14 MDT.

I too pull my sleeves over my hands for sun protection. I have modified a couple of base layers with thumb holes farther back in the sleeve to accommodate this and it works great.

Another vote for 'Coolibar'--great sun gloves.

I just used Sungrubbies on my last hike in Yosemite. I also use them while driving. They're not hot at all and also leave the my fingers free from the last knuckle up, which is good for dexterity. I'm hoping that these will be good for mosquitoes, but if push comes to shove I'll spritz some deet on the back--the only place I'll use deet. Then I can take them off for eating.

Edited by book on 06/26/2011 16:09:35 MDT.

Thanks for all the recommendations! As usual, this forum is the "go to" place for the best information on gear.

Michael

I intend to try the Eclipse Sun Gloves this summer. They interest me because they are more of a sleeve extension with a thumb loop to hold them in place; they don't have fingers. This seems a bit cooler and no fabric between the fingers. They cover the back of the hands only but that seems adequate since if using trekking poles, fingers are usually curled under or around the handles. They're available at Amazon for 16.95.

What sun? Haven't seen the sun in a while where I live. I'm more apt to wear goretex or neoprene gloves with all the rain here!

Edited by wiiawiwb on 06/26/2011 21:22:35 MDT.

Had similar problem with burning the back of my hands while on my last paddling trip.
Bought some Buff gloves. Initially tried the angler gloves but decided I didn't like the leather palm. Sent them back and got the water gloves instead. Much more comfortable and just enough silicone on the palms to give some grip. My size S/M pair weighs 1.2 oz.

http://www.planetbuff.com/2010-Buff-Angler-Gloves