This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for more information.
Are you more a fun in the sun person…or made in the shade?
Me? I like to find the shade, especially due to my sun allergy.
The thing is…I also want to do all the things with my family and friends. Don’t you? And, I want a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF protection) for my family too. Their skin safety is just as important as mine.
As we planned a California road trip, I knew that sun protection would be of utmost importance, even in cloudy and chilly weather.
Coolibar provided me with a variety of hats, clothing items, and accessories to assist with sun protection on our California road trip. All opinions are my own.
Coolibar: Sun Protection You Wear
It’s no secret that I’ve been super extra sun sensitive since 2009. If I could live in a really nice cave, it would be great! Sometimes (well, a lot of the time), however, I can’t.
So, in 2009, I found Coolibar. Ever since then, Coolibar has been my go-to for sun protection clothing, accessories, and swimwear. They helped me enjoy sunny Hawaii last year, our California road trip this year, and every day in between.
Coolibar was the first clothing company to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. They don’t just treat existing fabrics; they create their own innovative, proprietary fabrics that have a guaranteed UPF rating of UPF 50+ (blocking 98%-100% of UV radiation) for the life of the garment. So, take your pick. All their fabrics all the best fabric for sun protection! Coolibar is serious about their tag line: Sun Protection You Wear.
Sun Protective Clothing
Per usual, spring in California brings a range of temperatures. Furthermore, our California road trip would be taking us from SoCal to the Bay Area and central coast. Brrr. (We even took our Icelandic coats for the sole purpose of attending a San Francisco Giants game…and we needed them!)
You might think that chilly and cloudy weather means the sun can’t cause you any trouble. Au contraire! Harmful ultraviolet rays can bust right through clouds. Sand, water, and snow are also very reflective, so don’t let the clouds fool you. You still need sun protection.
Sun Protection Jacket
The UPF 50+ women’s interval jacket in the photo above is my new favorite clothing item! I’m pretty sure I wore it every day of our 2+ week road trip. It’s got…wait for it…thumbholes!
Thumbholes are great for added hand protection. In addition, when the jacket is fully zipped up, the neck is completely protected. The cut and stitching is so, so flattering. While this jacket is lightweight, it is heavier than, say, the packable sunblock jacket. I will be wearing this all. the. time.
Men’s Sun Protection Shirts
One sunny day, beautiful Avila Beach was calling our name, including this fun pirate ship playground! My loving husband & Daddy to our girls enjoys the outdoors. After having a skin cancer removed several years ago, however, he started taking sun protection more seriously.
So, while he might say he’s wearing a Coolib”arrr” shirt, it’s really a Coolibar shirt…stylish, lightweight, breathable, and most important of all, sun protection he can wear.
It’s technically a fishing shirt, and although he won’t be wearing it for fishing, he will utilize a lot of the cool pockets. One interesting feature is that the front is mostly snaps, instead of buttons. The collar can be folded up for extra neck protection. And, in terms of being travel-ready, after a first wash, the shirt came out of the dryer pretty much wrinkle-free!
Sun Protection Lightweight Jacket
Coolibar’s packable sunblock jacket is just about the most lightweight piece of clothing I’ve ever worn. Here, I’ve layered it over several other layers, because I was cold!
This is the jacket you will see me wearing all summer long. This is the jacket I will be wearing when it’s 100+ degrees, and people are wondering why I’m wearing long sleeves.
Truth be told. Although I have to cover up from the sun, wearing this jacket actually keeps me cooler than if I had no sleeves on at all. It is so light and breathable that it’s almost hard to describe!
I have an older version of this jacket from 2009 that I have worn for the last decade. After a million washes and wears, it’s still going strong. However, I love the zipper pockets and “silkier” material on this new version. The only thing that would improve this jacket would be…thumbholes!!!!!
Best UPF Clothing for Dressier Occasions
Lest you think that UPF clothing and sun safety are only necessary when trekking around or spending the day at the beach, check this out!
This Coolibar dress is fabulous! The fabric is so soft, and the cut is very flattering. As there are no loops for the belt, it can be worn at your true waist, empire (as I am here), or not at all. The ankle-length of the dress (I’m short!) is another feature that I appreciate…the longer the better for sun protection!
Many of Coolibar’s clothing items can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on your needs.
Sun Hats
As much as we try (though we still need to make our best attempts), there’s no perfect way to sunscreen every bit of visible scalp, ear, neck, and face. The more shade you can provide, the better off you’ll be.
This pink & white striped sun hat for girls is the cutest for spring/summer! Older Daughter loves how the brim is moldable into a variety of styles. Besides protecting the scalp, the brim is nice and wide, for protecting face, ears, and neck.
Sun Protection Gloves
I have these UV protection gloves in “tan Coolibar camo” and “charcoal.” I can’t say enough about these gloves! The fit is perfect. The touchscreen compatibility is great. The colors are flattering. And, best of all, my sun sensitive hands are protected…while driving, at the amusement park, pointing at the Golden Gate Bridge, everywhere!
Sun Safe Swimwear
While my family utilized some other heated pools along the way on our California history road trip, Calistoga was the only place where I indulged. Natural hot springs-fed pools, y’all!
But, the sun, the sun!
Yes, I know. Even with my extreme sun sensitivity, Coolibar has swim time covered as well.
From women’s sun protective swimwear tops & leggings, to sun protection swimsuits for kids, and UV protection swimwear for men, Coolibar has everything you need to enjoy the water and be sun safe.
Sun Protection is No Joke
No matter what you call it…sun protection, UPF protection, you name it…sun safety is no joke. I know people whose honeymoons, babymoons, business trips, and long-planned-for vacations were severely hampered by sunburn and other sun-related issues.
Not to mention signs of pre-mature aging and skin cancers.
Don’t let that happen to you!
No matter your skin color, ethnic background, or level of sun sensitivity, you need to protect your skin.
Take a Look!
Check out all these Coolibar options, providing the best UPF protection for your whole family!
Sun Protection Swimwear for Girls
UPF Sun Protection Swimwear for Men
Sunsafe Swimsuit Options for Women
Women’s UPF Clothing & Accessories
Did you take a look? Great! Your skin (& your dermatologist) is smiling right now!
How do you protect your family from the sun? Please share in the comments below!
STARTS WITH
A GREAT BUDGET!
ALL GREAT SEMI-BUDGET TRAVEL
It's easy! I will show you how with a FREE trip planning tool.
