Sun protection

For Backcountry trips where I'll likely receive little relief from the sun, I use a thick sunscreen paste for my nose and cheeks and also my ears which are difficult to protect. I'm always usually wearing a hat, but if the sun's at my back, I also rock a bandana worn backwards (so it covers my neck) and it's also useful for cooling down by wetting it at creeks. 

I tried to rock the sun cap with the little drape thing on the back but it's not my thing. 

Kyle Elliottwrote:

 I'm always usually wearing a hat, 

I'm sorry - the judges cannot accept "always usually." It has to be one or the other. :)

I wear a lightweight running/hiking cap under my helmet, and have fallen in love with sun hoodies for the rest of my coverage.  My personal favorite is the OR Astroman, which is super light and airy, and also has a half-zip which is nice.   I still use sunscreen on my neck, ears, face, and back of hands, reapplying frequently.  My family has a history of skin cancer, so I'm really trying to avoid my turn.  

I find buffs too hot when it's actually warm out, but can be nice when in the alpine or on windy days.   I will sometimes soak my buff in a creek or something on the approach and wear it around my neck for a while to help cool down. 

I've tried a few, can't stand slinky stretchy clingy stinky polyester and lack of a neck ventilation opening. Are there any actual hoodies that are less stretchy weave and designed more like a regular shirt but with a functional hood?

mountainhickwrote:

I've tried a few, can't stand slinky stretchy clingy stinky polyester and lack of a neck ventilation opening. Are there any actual hoodies that are less stretchy weave and designed more like a regular shirt but with a functional hood?

Burgeon Outdoor makes one out of Polartec Delta (and so do a few other brands).

FrankPSwrote:

I'm sorry - the judges cannot accept "always usually." It has to be one or the other. :)

I cannot commit. I'm sorry. 

mountainhickwrote:

I've tried a few, can't stand slinky stretchy clingy stinky polyester and lack of a neck ventilation opening. Are there any actual hoodies that are less stretchy weave and designed more like a regular shirt but with a functional hood?

Freefly made/makes one that is bamboo blend fabric and it feels distinctly different than some of the poly options.

The Rab Phasic is also not super stretchy or clingy and has good odor resistance. 

Linnaeuswrote:

Freefly made/makes one that is bamboo blend fabric and it feels distinctly different than some of the poly options.

I’m not an expert but I believe the Freefly fabric is “viscose” and the stuff in Delta is “tencel”, and that the latter is both more sustainable as well as functionally superior.

mountainhickwrote:

I've tried a few, can't stand slinky stretchy clingy stinky polyester and lack of a neck ventilation opening. Are there any actual hoodies that are less stretchy weave and designed more like a regular shirt but with a functional hood?

The OR Astroman with the zip may fit the bill for you.  Not the swim-shirty material, and has a half-zip.

Patagonia Stretch Terraplane Hoody for me.  Full zip, adjustable hood, two pockets, etc.  It's a little heavier than the sun shirt options, but has a DWR finish, so it shrugs off light precip.

Saw a guy on el cap last week with a lightweight long sleeve and a shemagh for head/neck coverage. Seemed like a good versatile system, probably not that convenient to actually climb with the shemagh but great coverage for belaying.

Big Redwrote:

Umbrella/parasol.

No I'm not joking.

I hot myself one of these. Great because they are hands off. Can climb or belay with them

link to image

All kidding aside, I have the Cormac hoody from arcteryx. If I were to rebuy, I would go with whatever patagonias version of this is.