Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves
Clothing
Rating
| Rating: | 8 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 2.0 / 2.5 |
| Durability | 2.0 / 2.5 |
| Comfort | 2.0 / 2.5 |
| Weight | 2.0 / 2.5 |
Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves Review
I wear short sleeved Icebreaker T-shirts when I am hiking. My ideal top would be a lightweight long sleeved collared shirt but I am still searching for the right combination of fit, comfort and fabric. So, in the absence of all that, I go for short sleeved Icebreaker T-shirts.
The only problem is that I need to cover my arms when the temperature rises or when I’m outdoors for long periods of time. The perfect solution is removable arm sleeves. But be warned….they are very hard to track down!
After much searching I purchased Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves. These sleeves come in two sizes (S/M and L/XL) and are made from polyester/spandex to ensure they are form fitting. The down side is that they can be a little snug so if you are muscle-bound you should go up a size, if possible). The Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves comes in two colours – Alloy (grey), and Lemongrass (bright green), although you will struggle to buy the green in Australia. The UV protection is UPF 50+ so that is equivalent to some of your clothing.
At just over AUD $104 for a pair, they aren’t cheap and there are certainly plenty of copy versions on the market but these are definite high quality.
The great thing about the Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves is that they have a thumb slit which lets you pull the sleeves over your hands – this is a big plus for me as I do like to protect my hands from the sun particularly when I am using my walking poles. How many of you have ended up with the backs of your hands sunburnt in hot conditions?
The sleeves stand up to harsh conditions and wash well. They are however a little prone to ‘pilling’ but this is a minor cosmetic issue.
I always have my Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves in my pack, putting them on and taking them off as the conditions dictate. They are definitely worthwhile for those of us who tend to wear short sleeves in Australia’s harsh conditions.
Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves
We like
- Slim fit which means so there is no movement or slipping down your arm
- Thumb slit allows you to comfortably pull the sleeves down over your hands
- Robust fabrics are hard wearing
- Skin tight stretch which also provides compression benefits
- Lightweight sun protection
- Super cooling when you wet them with water
We don't like
- Not cheap
- It can be hard to get the correct size if you sit somewhere in the middle so you are best to try them on in store
- Very hard to find in Australia
- Limited colour choice
- They fabric can ‘pill’ which is more a cosmetic issue
Best Uses
- Any kind of outdoor or sporting activity, particularly in the hotter temperatures
Investment
AUD $104.99 RRP
Other Versions
You will find other brands of arm sleeves in Australia but they are not easy to find. Some outdoor stores stock them but don’t list them on their websites so its often hard to tell
But one
You can purchase the Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Sleeves online from Amazon Australia
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Disclaimer
This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker
Last updated
26/11/2023