With the summer sun flying high overhead, getting toasted is an all-too-common ailment here in Utah. Salt Lake City sits at roughly 4,200’ above sea level, an altitude which boosts the harmful power of the sun’s rays. Head up into the mountains to beat the heat and the potential for a sunburn only increases. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your skin and eyes protected from UVs. Here are three pieces of gear I’ve been using this spring that will help to keep your bits from burning up.
Tifosi Optics Swank Sunglasses
If you are looking to keep your eyes protected without breaking the piggy bank, the Swank shades from Tifosi are a great choice. They have classic style, and a huge variety of colors for both frames and lenses. You can even customize the Swanks any way you see fit via their website www.tifosioptics.com/custom. I built up a pair of woodgrain frames with smoke blue lenses…a little on the tame side, but hey, they look pretty sharp! The custom site is easy to use and gives you a full preview of what your sunnies will look like. Final price: $40. For polarized shades, that ain’t bad.
The Swanks have been great for both hiking and mountain biking. Rubber nose pads keep the shades in place when I sweat, and the nylon frames are light enough that you hardly notice you are wearing them. Overall, I think the style and value you get with the Tifosi sunnies makes them a winning choice for summer. I’ve also tested both the scratch resistance and shatterproof claims for the lenses: these bad boys can take a beating!
Seirus Sunthing
A ninja mask for summertime? You best believe it! The Sunthing is more than just a colorful neck wrap, it’s a moisture-wicking, fast-drying, UPF25 must-have for any time of year. The Sunthing is available in tons of colors/designs that range of stylish to silly. I got mine in “Zulu” and dig it! The Sunthing is super lightweight, made from a stretch polyester fabric, and can be worn in dozens of ways.
I often wear non-collared shirts, so my neck needs extra protection. The Sunthing kept me from burning up whether I was hiking in the West Desert, or biking in the Wasatch. It’s great for long motorcycle rides, as well. Additionally, I found the Sunthing to be a great alternative to a mosquito net. Simply pull it up over your nose Butch-Cassidy style, and laugh at the pathetic attempts of gnats and skeeters to bite your cheeks. It does dry very fast (even when soaked with sweat), and can withstand many trips through the washing machine without losing color or showing signs of breaking down.
Kiss My Face Sunscreen
While it can be messy, slimy, and easy to forget, sunscreen is an absolute necessity for recreating in the Rockies. I have been using Kiss My Face SPF30 lotion for several years, not only because it keeps me protected, but it also isn’t quite as harsh as other brands. Made to vegan and cruelty-free standards, this is a broad-spectrum (protects you from both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen. It doesn’t irritate my skin, doesn’t have a perfume smell, and leaves barely any residue after you apply it. Kiss My Face claims it is waterproof for up to 80 minutes, but I always reapply after swimming. I like the SPF 30 because it’s strong enough to protect both my face and body from the sun for several hours.
The only downside to this sunscreen is the use of octinoxate, which can be deadly to coral reefs. This is a great sunscreen for use in the mountains, but if you are headed to the ocean, particularly near a reef, you may want to search for an alternative.