The Easiest Way to Stay Sun-Safe Outside

Greasy, sunscreen-coated skin is a discomfort for many outdoor enthusiasts. The oily lotion on your hands makes it hard to grip rock, and the layer spread onto your arms and legs becomes a grit and dust magnet on hiking trails. But the sun doesn’t care what your plans are. If you don’t protect your skin while recreating outside, you’ll pay the price with a painful sunburn (and potentially harmful side effects). To find a solution for both slippery hands and high-quality protection from the sun, Mountain Hardwear designed a collection of UPF-rated and broad spectrum apparel meant for climbers, hikers, runners, and all-around outdoor lovers alike. Mountain Hardwear climber Kyra Condie and senior product line manager Brittany Beratlis gave us an inside look at what makes these layers so great and how they work to fend off the sun’s rays.

Sun Protection for Outdoor Recreation

Outside: What are your favorite sun-protective layers for outdoor recreation?

Kyra Condie: For climbing when it’s sunny, the lighter the layer, the better. Mountain Hardwear makes a crop top called the Crater Lake Long Sleeve Crop that I’ve sworn by for many outdoor climbing days. It has a high neck, too, so it looks cute while covering and protecting you from sunburns.

There are many benefits to recreating in UPF-rated layers. What are some of the climbing-specific advantages?

Condie: For me, the biggest benefit of having layers that I can trust to be sun protecting is minimizing the need for sunscreen. As a climber, I’ve always hated putting any lotion on my hands, especially right before touching the rock. Having a light layer that you can confidently throw on to replace slathering sunscreen is a huge convenience, as well as a win for my sensory dislike of sun lotion. I know tons of climbers who feel the same way, so discovering that there are clothes with different levels of sun protection was kind of mind-boggling to me and changed the game for what I bring in my outdoor kit.

How It Works

Mountain Hardwear has a versatile collection of UPF-rated products that received the seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation. What is UPF, and why do outdoor enthusiasts need it in their clothing?

Brittany Beratlis: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings represent the amount of UVB and a small amount of the UVA radiation that can reach your skin through the fabric. So, the higher the UPF rating, the better protected you are from harmful UV rays. Mountain Hardwear also offers select styles, including the Crater Lake styles, with broad-spectrum sun protection. This measures the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays for a broader range of the UV spectrum.

The easiest way to protect your skin is by wearing sun-protective clothing and accessories. Climbers, hikers, and runners spend long days out in the wind, rain, or snow. We often think about protecting ourselves from other elements, and the sun is no different.

What makes the Crater Lake styles stand out?

Beratlis: What makes Crater Lake so unique is the mix of performance attributes that make them the perfect pieces for spring and summer activities. The combination of broad-spectrum sun protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, the lightweight and incredibly soft feel of the material, and the wicking capabilities make it a one-of-a-kind product.

What sets Mountain Hardwear UPF protection apart from other products on the market? 

Beratlis: We focus on offering a wide range of sun-protection styles. In spring 2024, we will have 80 styles rated UPF 50-plus, which means consumers can find the perfect piece for every activity. Our sun-protective styles are always naturally derived from the dense weave of the fabric. We never use additives to achieve sun protection, so it’s better for you and the environment. Finally, we’ve been able to look at how sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays and mimic that in our apparel. Now select styles provide broad-spectrum sun protection.

Mountain Hardwear Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, California. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we’ve built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world’s highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do—our designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort. 

Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company that distributes its products through specialty outdoor retailers in the United States and 34 countries worldwide