Sun sleeves for seniors: easy arm cover for the things you love

If you spend your mornings on the green, in the garden, on the fairway or behind the wheel, your arms see more sun than almost any other part of you. Sun sleeves are a simple way to cover them. You pull them on with the short-sleeved shirt you already like, and you take them off when you come inside. This page explains how they work, how to put them on easily, and what they will and will not do.

Why arms, and why sleeves

A hat looks after your head and face. A shirt covers your shoulders and chest. Your forearms are usually left out in the open, and they are the part of you that reaches into the garden bed, holds the steering wheel and swings the club.

You could wear a long-sleeved shirt, and on many days that is a fine choice. Cancer Council recommends clothing that covers as much skin as possible. But plenty of people find long sleeves warm, fiddly at the cuff or wrong for their club uniform. A pair of sleeves lets you keep your favourite short-sleeved shirt and still cover your arms. They also come off in seconds if the afternoon turns cool or you head indoors.

What UPF 50+ means, in one line

UPF is a rating for how much of the sun's UV gets through a fabric, and UPF 50+ blocks 98%+ of UV.

The IceRays fabric was tested by ARPANSA in 2015 (black sample) and rated UPF 50+, the "Excellent" category. The test was on that black sample of the material. You can read the 2015 test details (PDF, opens in a new tab) and what they cover. For a longer explanation, see what UPF 50+ means.

Where sleeves earn their keep

• Lawn bowls: long sessions on an open green, often in club whites. See our lawn bowls page.
• Golf: four or five hours outdoors, with sunscreen hard to top up during play. See sun protection for golfers.
• Gardening: reaching, weeding and pruning with your forearms out. See our gardening page.
• Driving: your window arm catches the sun on long drives. In Australia that is your right arm; in the US, your left. See our driving page.
• Walking, fishing and travel: anywhere you are outdoors through the middle of the day. See everyday sun sleeves.

Putting them on the easy way

Stretchy sleeves can feel awkward the first time, especially if your hands are stiff in the morning. These steps make it much easier.

• Step 1: Sit down at a table, rather than standing in the car park.
• Step 2: Bunch the whole sleeve up into a ring at the cuff end, like a sock you are about to put on.
• Step 3: Slip your hand through and settle the cuff at your wrist.
• Step 4: Unroll the sleeve up your arm a little at a time, using your flat palm to smooth it rather than pinching and pulling with your fingertips.
• Step 5: Stop when the upper band sits on the soft part of your upper arm, tucked just under your shirt sleeve.

A handy trick: wear a pair of ordinary rubber kitchen gloves while you smooth the sleeve up. The rubber grips the fabric, so you need far less finger strength. To take a sleeve off, roll it down from the top rather than dragging it. If you would like a hand, ask a family member the first time, or get in touch with us.

Fit: simple by design

One size fits all adults. There are no sizes to measure for and nothing to exchange. The sleeve should feel snug enough to stay up, but it should never pinch, tingle or leave a deep mark. If it does, take it off and contact us.

IceRays are ordinary clothing. They are not compression garments, and they are not a treatment for circulation, swelling or any condition. If you have a medical question about what to wear, ask your doctor or nurse. For more on fit, read will one size fit me?

Comfort on a warm day

The fabric is thin and light. On a warm day, sweat drying off the fabric can give a pleasant cool feel. That is a comfort feature, not a way to beat the heat. On very hot days, the usual sensible habits still apply: shade, water, rest and coming in early. Our page on golf in the heat over 60 has practical hot-day advice for any outdoor activity.

What sleeves do not do

We would rather be clear than oversell. Sun sleeves:

• Cover only the skin under the fabric. Your face, ears, neck and hands still need a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Are not a medical product. They are not protection against skin tears or bruising. Our page on covering thin skin and bruising explains more.
• Are not thorn-proof or cut-proof. For roses and rough jobs, wear proper gardening gloves and heavier clothing.
• Give less protection if stretched hard or wet, as Cancer Council notes for all fabrics. So keep the fit comfortable and carry a dry spare if needed.

Colours and how many pairs

IceRays come in six colours: White, Black, Beige, Light Blue, Light Grey and Charcoal. White suits most bowls clubs. Darker colours absorb more UV than light ones of the same fabric, according to Cancer Council, and the 2015 test was on Black. See does sleeve colour matter? if you are torn.

Most people find two pairs is the sweet spot: one to wear and one in the wash. The four-pack is AUD 120 in Australia, which works out at AUD 30 a pair and saves AUD 31.80 on four single pairs. In the US it is USD 100. You can mix colours, and it is easy to share with a partner. A single pair is a good way to try them first.

Care and help

Follow the care label on your sleeves. Our care guide explains what to look for and when to replace a worn pair.

If you have a question before you order, email us at enquiries@icerays.com.au. Our returns policy gives you 30 days from receiving your order to ask for a change-of-mind return, as long as the sleeves are unworn and unused, with tags, original packaging and proof of purchase. You pay the return postage. Read the refund policy for the details.