As someone who spends a lot of time outside, especially during the summer months, I have become adamant about protecting my skin from the sun.

I wasn’t always this way, though. In my 20s, I was a little careless about applying sunscreen and covering my skin up with UV-protective clothing. As a result, I now have a lot of sunspots on my face that could have been prevented had I been more vigilant about sun protection.

What’s more, not that long ago, my mom had some skin cancer on her nose removed and I also had a friend in her 30s who experienced a melanoma scare. Suffice to say, all of this has been a wake-up call for me to take better care of my skin as I age.

Now, whenever I head out for a hike or spend a lot of time outdoors, I make sure to cover up with a UV protective sun shirt, a hat, and sunscreen and take other measures to protect my skin from sun damage.

In this post, I share all my best tips on sun protection for hikers including our favorite UV-protective gear, clothing items, and how to keep your skin safe while outside

Wear a Hiking Shirt with Sun Protection

When choosing the best sun protection shirts, opt for t-shirts that cover your chest, back, and shoulders rather than tank tops that expose more of your skin. These days, I usually opt for long-sleeves as it minimizes the amount of sunscreen I have to wear. I always look for lightweight, breathable, moisture wicking materials that will keep me cool even on hot days. Here are a few of my favorites. For more recommendations and details, check out my roundup on the Best Sun Protection Shirts for Hiking.

Wear a Wide Brimmed Hat

Sun hats are a great way to protect your face and neck from the sun while keeping your head cool. When choosing a sun hat, look for ones with a full brim that provides protection all around including the sides of your face and back of your neck.

The Wallaroo Sedona hat is my all-time favorite wide-brimmed hat. It provides a good amount of sun protection, and it’s cute too. I like that it’s not too floppy so it doesn’t get in the way of my vision, and it also has a drawstring in the brim that allows you to tighten the hat if it gets windy on the trail. *DISCOUNT CODE: get 20% off Wallaroo hats with code BEARFOOT20

If you want something more packable, a good old bucket hat works great. Alternatively, a baseball-style cap works in a pinch, and I especially like them for backpacking since there’s no back brim to rub up against your pack. Need more recommendations? Check out our post on Best Hiking Hats for Women.

Lather Up with Sunscreen

In addition to protecting your skin with clothing and a hat while you hike, it’s also important to apply sunscreen whenever you go outside. I always go with a paraben-free sunscreen to avoid harmful chemicals.

If you’re going for a longer hike, bring a small bottle of sunscreen with you so you can reapply as needed. It’s easy to find that you’ve been out the whole day and only put sunscreen on once in the morning, so remind yourself to reapply.

Don’t forget your lips! There’s nothing worse than burnt, cracked, and bloody lips after a hike. My go-to is Jack Black Lip Balm with SPF 25. I’ve been using it for years, and it lasts so much longer than other lip balms I’ve tried.

Wear these Sun Protection Accessories

You should always wear sunglasses when you hike to protect your eyes. While I don’t always follow this advice, but wearing the wrap around shades covers the sides of your eyes.

I always wear a Buff to cover my neck. It also can be used to cover your mouth and nose if it’s dusty out or can even double as a headband.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is always important but especially if you’re out hiking in the heat. Being out in the hot sun makes you more prone to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Bring lots of water, electrolytes, and some salty hiking snacks so you stay hydrated.

Additional Tips for your Hike

To further protect your skin from the sun while hiking, here are a few additional tips:

Understand the environmental conditions

Certain conditions like high altitude or reflection off of snow can increase the need for added sun protection. If you’ll be hiking at a high elevation, be sure to protect your skin with long sleeves and sunscreen.

If you’re hiking in snow, the sun reflects off of the snow and can burn you in places you never thought possible, like the bottom of your nostrils. Wear wrap around shades so the sun doesn’t reflect off the snow into your eyes, and reapply sunscreen to your face throughout your hike. Don’t miss the bottom of your nose

Do you have any other suggestions or questions on sun protection for hiking or an experience you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!

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