Will one size fit me? IceRays sleeve sizing explained

Short answer: yes. One size fits all adults. There is no size chart to puzzle over and no measuring tape needed. This page explains how the fit works, how to get sleeves on easily, and what a good fit should feel like.

How one size can fit

IceRays sleeves are made from a stretchy knitted fabric. It gives to sit smoothly along your arm, from the wrist up past the elbow to the upper arm. That is why one size fits all adults.

It also makes sleeves an easy gift. You do not need to guess anyone's size, or ask awkward questions about their arms. Just pick a colour they will like.

Putting them on

The first time can feel a little fiddly, the same as a new pair of socks. This way is easiest:

• Sit down somewhere comfortable, with dry hands and dry arms.
• Gather the sleeve up in your fingers, down to the cuff end, a bit like rolling a stocking.
• Slide your hand through the cuff opening until the cuff sits at your wrist.
• Unroll the sleeve up your arm, smoothing as you go. Do not drag it up in one pull.
• Smooth out any bunching at the elbow, then settle the top on your upper arm.

If your fingers are stiff, or you have arthritis in your hands, take it slowly and use the flat of your other hand to slide the fabric up, rather than pinching it. Sitting at a table and resting your elbow on it can help too.

To take them off, peel from the top down. They will often come off inside out, which is fine. Turn them the right way before the next wear.

What a good fit feels like

Once they are on, do a quick check before you head out:

• Smooth, not tight. The sleeve should lie flat against your arm without digging in at the top.
• No gap at the top. Reach forward and lift your arm as if you were putting. The top of the sleeve should still sit under your shirt sleeve, with no strip of bare skin.
• Cuff at the wrist. The end should sit at your wrist, not halfway up your forearm.
• Free movement. Bend your elbow, swing your arm and reach across your body. Nothing should pull or pinch.

Tracy, a golfer who recorded a video for IceRays, summed up the feel: "They're light, they're comfortable."

Why tighter is not better

It is tempting to think a tighter sleeve protects more. It does not. ARPANSA explains that stretching a knitted fabric usually lowers its UPF, because the gaps between the threads open up. So aim for a smooth fit, and do not haul sleeves up as far as they will go.

If a sleeve feels tight at the top, slide it down a little and smooth it out. Most tightness comes from bunching, not from the size.

If a sleeve slips down

A sleeve that slides down usually has not been smoothed up far enough. Unroll it fully, settle the top on the upper arm, and check that your shirt sleeve sits over it. Make sure your arms are dry when you put them on, as damp skin can make fabric bunch.

Checking the fit for what you do

The same sleeve suits different activities, but each one moves your arms in its own way. A quick check for the thing you do most will tell you if you have it right.

• Golf. Take your address position and make a slow practice swing. The top should stay under your polo sleeve and the cuff at your wrist. More tips are in our golf guide.
• Lawn bowls. Step and bend as if you were delivering a bowl. Check that no strip of skin shows at the top of your arm. See our lawn bowls guide.
• Gardening. Put your gloves on and reach forward. The cuff should meet or tuck under the glove, so there is no gap at the wrist. Our gardening guide has more.
• Driving. Rest your arm where it sits on a long drive. In Australia that is usually the right arm by the window, and in the US the left. Read sun through a car window for why that arm matters.
• Walking. Swing your arms freely for a minute. If the sleeve creeps down, smooth it up again and check your arms were dry.

Wearing them with your other clothes

Sleeves are made to go with a short-sleeve shirt or polo. The top sits under the shirt sleeve, so your arm is covered from wrist to shoulder line. With a sleeveless top, your shoulders stay uncovered, so use sunscreen or another layer there.

If you wear a watch, you can wear it over the cuff or under it. Either is fine, as long as the cuff still sits at your wrist. Sleeves stop at the wrist, so the backs of your hands still need sunscreen or a pair of UV hand covers.

Keeping the fit

A good fit lasts longer when you treat the fabric gently. Unroll sleeves on rather than hauling them up, and follow the care label that comes with them. Our guide on how to care for sun sleeves explains how to read the label. Replace a pair that has lost its shape, looks thin when you wear it, or has started to fade.

Sleeves are clothing, not medical wear

IceRays sleeves are sun protective clothing. They are not compression garments, bandages or medical devices, and we do not claim they help circulation, swelling or skin conditions. If you have a medical condition affecting your arms, or very fragile skin, ask your doctor or nurse whether a close-fitting sleeve suits you. You can also read our guide on light arm coverage and delicate skin.

Children and teenagers

Our sizing statement is about adults: one size fits all adults. If you are thinking of sleeves for a child or a younger teenager, please ask us first rather than guessing.

Still not sure?

Email enquiries@icerays.com.au with your question, and tell us what you will mostly wear them for. You do not need to share any health details.

If you change your mind, our refund policy allows a change-of-mind return request within 30 days of receiving your order, for items that are unused and unworn, with tags, original packaging and proof of purchase. You pay the return postage, and please contact us before sending anything back.

Ready to choose? A 4-pack is AUD 120, which is $30 a pair and saves $31.80 compared with four single pairs, and it is USD 100 in the US. You can also start with a single pair. For colour choices, see does sleeve colour matter? and for everything else, the complete guide to UV arm sleeves.

Related guides

• Arm sleeves vs sunscreen: which suits your arms?
• Cycling sun sleeves: check coverage in the riding position
• Sun sleeves for seniors: easy arm cover for the things you love