[pct-l] sun protection

[Steven.Setzer at Colorado.EDU (Steve Setzer)]

I like white shirts because they tend to be cooler.  For example, a black
shirt would be hotter than hell so I figured a white shirt is just the
opposite.  I never thought about the reflection back to the face though. I
haven't had any problems with it in the past and I've almost always worn
white shirts.  I don't mind the dirt. My sun hat has black on the
underside so that will eleminate glare.

I guess if I have a light color shirt it will generally have the same
effect as a white shirt but maybe not with as much glare.

So does anyone know about sun protection of base layer shirts?  My guess
is that they'll work just fine and its not necessary to get a Supplex
nylon shirt or a shirt with built in SPF but let me know if you think
otherwise. I'd hate to figure that out the hard way after three weeks in
the desert.

thanks,
steve

On Tue, 27 Jan 2004, Joanne Lennox wrote:

> I noticed that both of the shirts that you are considering are white.  You
> can get a lot of reflection up into your face and eyes with a white shirt,
> which are less protected.  If you need a hat for sun protection, I would
> not wear a white shirt.  This is especially true in the Sierras and on
> snow.  May not be so important for a few days or hours, but it will be for
> the longer run.  With my skin, and if you want to save sun damage to the
> skin, don't wear a white shirt and look for a hat that does not have a
> white underside, saves on glare.