If you go jogging in the summer, you should protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Classic sunscreen is a good idea. But there are other gadgets that can prevent painful sunburn.
Among endurance athletes, the term “fair-weather runner” is not necessarily a positive term. It is aimed at those who only get their running shoes out of the closet when the temperature reaches 20 degrees Celsius or more. Well, our author is happy about every runner who actually gets up and goes for a short run at least once or twice a week. Instead of rain or cold protection, all “summer athletes” should think about something else if they plan to put on their running shoes on a sunny and warm day. After all, who wants a painful sunburn on their nose or neck after a smooth training run? A running cap and sunscreen are a must in the box of gadgets for sun protection when jogging. In this article, we explain which other things are important, what you should look out for when buying, and why black running clothes provide the best protection against sunburn.
Waterproof sunscreen
Protecting yourself from the dangerous UV rays with sunscreen is the most important thing. Especially when running around midday and in the afternoon, when the UV index is particularly high, even short training sessions can damage unprotected skin. In addition to the face, the neck, shoulders and arms are particularly at risk. Important criteria for sun protection when running: Sunscreen (e.g. from ) should be waterproof and sweat-resistant. A high sun protection factor also doesn’t hurt. Perfumes often attract insects. This is annoying when running. So make sure that the sunscreen for sports contains no fragrances. That’s the least important thing when jogging anyway.
Visor (open top running cap)
The head is closest to the sun when jogging. But that is not the reason why it is particularly worth protecting. First of all, there is not much to be said for shielding the head from the sun. It is mainly through the head that excess heat is transported away from the body while exercising. But a good head covering does not prevent this, because it is made of thin, breathable materials. In the case of the visor (here a ) it is even open at the top. The most important function of these caps, which are also popular in triathlons and other sports, is to protect the face from UV radiation and to ensure that the heat can be quickly released through the head.
Sports sunglasses
Regardless of whether the sun is at its zenith or very low, your eyes should also be protected from UV radiation when running. If a hat with a visor is not enough for you, you should also use sports sunglasses. And in addition to the UV400 imprint (100% protection against harmful UV radiation), these should be as light as possible but also sit securely on your ears and nose. Make sure you get a soft nose pad that does not press even when worn for a long time. In any case, do a test run to make sure that it does not slip or even fall off.
Classic running cap
Sporty men with sparse hair in particular may have been skeptical about using a visor as sun protection. And rightly so. But there are two ways to protect your head from UV radiation. Firstly, you apply sweat-resistant sunscreen not only to your arms, shoulders and nose, but also to the bald patches on your head. Secondly, you use a classic running cap that is closed at the top but is otherwise made of light, quick-drying and breathable microfibers. but are also a useful alternative to the open visor version for runners with full hair.
Running shirt with UV protection
Not as crucial as sunscreen & Co., but at least a nice-to-have are . In general, you should make sure that summer running shirts are not too tight. In addition, and this may sound strange at first, dark colors protect the skin better against sunburn than running clothes in light colors. The reason: shirts made of white fibers only reflect 50 percent of the dangerous UV rays. The rest penetrates to the skin and can cause sunburn. Dark fabrics block UV rays almost completely. But the truth is that you sweat much more quickly in dark clothing.
Desert dwellers like the Touareg discovered long before modern science that black and indigo offer the best protection against strong sunlight. The indicator of the quality of UV protection in clothing is the so-called UPF, the Ultraviolet Protection Factor. The higher this value, the less UV radiation the fabric lets through. Chemical fibers like polyester perform much better here than natural materials like linen or cotton.
More information can be found here.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
