Sun sleeve
Also called arm sleeve, UV sleeve
A separate UPF tube covering the forearm from wrist to bicep, worn with short sleeves.
They cost a few dollars and they close the gap between a short-sleeve shirt and a glove cuff. Because they slide on and off in seconds, they suit people who do not want to commit to a long sleeve on a hot day.
They also work under a rolled sleeve, and they are the standard answer for someone who already owns short-sleeve shirts and does not want to replace a wardrobe.
The weak spot is the top of the sleeve, which can slide down. Silicone gripper bands at the bicep fix that.
They are also easy to add to and remove during a day. Put them on for the bright middle hours and take them off in the evening, which is harder to do with a long-sleeve shirt.
Wetting them works the same way it does with a gaiter, and a damp sleeve on a forearm in still air is noticeably cooler than a dry one.
Sun sleeves plus a thumb-hole glove leave no exposed skin from shoulder to fingertip.
Related terms
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The guides that use sun sleeve and show it on real gear.
Sun sleeve is one of 206 terms in the glossary.
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