Wear This Unexpected Article Of Clothing On Your Outdoor Adventures To Avoid Burns

Bright red shoulders, skin peeling off your nose, and limbs burning up. If you've ever had sunburn, you know how painfully miserable it can be, not to mention that it's unattractive and dangerous for your health. How can you avoid getting too much sun exposure while enjoying an outdoor adventure? The solution is surprisingly simple and stylish: a sun hoodie. Never heard of this unexpected item of clothing? Get ready for this (and every) summer's must-have.

If you've seen the "Hot Girl Walk" trend on TikTok, you'll know a big part of the hype is having a cute outfit to strut in. However, some outdoor enthusiasts, like theadventureaddicts on TikTok, are hyping up a different way of getting dressed for outside adventures. In a video they posted about sun hoodies, theadventureaddicts wrote: "I wish we knew about these sooner. Could have saved myself some awful sunburns." Commenters agree, with many saying they either love sun hoodies or need to get one as soon as possible.

@theadventureaddicts

I wish we knew about these sooner. Could have saved myself some awful sunburns 😅 our favorite ones are from @REI, @ketlmtn, & stio! #camping #hikersoftiktok #hikingadventures #backpacking #backpackinggear

♬ Good To Be – Mark Ambor

Wait a moment, what exactly is a sun hoodie? Simply, a sun hoodie is a long-sleeved, hooded pullover made of lightweight material. The long sleeves cover your arms, while the hood protects your neck, scalp, and ears. It's a one-stop garment that stops your upper body from getting a painful sunburn. Whether you're going on a Hot Girl Walk, taking a long hike, or heading out on the water, you'll want to cover up in a sun hoodie.

There are many reasons to wear this innovative garment. One is to prevent harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from penetrating your skin, as extended exposure to the sun's rays is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. We don't want to scare you into a sun hoodie, but the statistics around skin cancer are sobering.

According to skincancer.org, "1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70." And having just "5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma." While skin cancer is often treatable, over 8,000 Americans die of it per year (per cancer.org). It' also causes premature aging. First, your skin turns an attractive shade of lobster, then it gets covered in wrinkles and age spots. And you increase your risk of skin cancer. 

The good news is that there's a lot you can do to ward off skin cancer and signs of aging, starting with preventing sunburn. Sun hoodies play a big part in that. When looking for a sun hoodie, pay attention to the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) shown on the label. The higher the number, the better — a lot of sun-protective fabric has a UPF of 50+. Because most of your skin is covered when wearing a hoodie, you don't need to slather yourself in sticky sunscreen or remember to continually reapply it. An American Academy of Dermatology survey revealed that 65% of Americans often forget to reapply sunscreen — guilty as charged!

Your upper half is sorted with a sun hoodie, but what about your lower half and face? Outdoor stores stock sun-protective leggings, pants, and shorts, although we wouldn't go for shorts — leaving most of your legs exposed defeats the object of this kind of clothing. You can pick up wide-brim hats in a fabric with a high UPF, plus a range of accessories, including gloves, sun sleeves, and neck buffs. You can cover most of your body in sun-protective clothing, leaving only your face needing sunscreen. Check out our selection of the best sunscreens to use in a tropical destination to choose one that'll work for you.

Now, we know what you're thinking: Wouldn't exploring the desert in long sleeves and pants under a burning sun make you uncomfortably hot? Surprisingly, probably not. Sun hoodies are made of moisture-wicking material designed to help your body's natural cooling process. In their TikTok, theadventureaddicts say they're cooler in the hoodie than in short sleeves. Many posters in Reddit's r/trailrunning forum agree, stating they feel better in their hoodies than in other clothing.

You might also be wondering just how stylish sun hoodies are. Technical, outdoor clothing doesn't have the best reputation regarding aesthetics, but sun hoodies look pretty much like any other hoodie and come in a range of colors and patterns. Plus, they keep you healthy and looking young, so we recommend throwing one on the next time you're off on an adventure.