Why I Never Ride Without My Cooling Leg Sleeves Anymore
But it wasn’t always that way.
🌞 I Didn't Take Sun Damage Seriously — Until I Had To
For most of my riding life, I never thought much about sun protection. I’ve logged tens of thousands of miles across the Southwest and rarely wore sunscreen.
My wife, who’s dealt with skin cancer herself, couldn't believe I rode like that. She kept encouraging me to go to a free skin clinic. I eventually gave in.
At the clinic, they found a suspicious spot on my leg. I followed up with a dermatologist the very next day — and thanks to a cancellation, I got right in. The doctor burned off the spot and told me to keep an eye on it.
That’s when I started using sunscreen more seriously — arms, legs, face, everything.
Here's a post called A Wake-Up Call on Two Wheels: Why I Now Take Sun Protection Seriously about how I suddenly started taking my skin care more serious. It was written before the cancer diagnosis.
🧴 Messy Sunscreen → Arm Sleeves → Leg Sleeves
After a while, I got tired of sunscreen mess on my arms, so I started wearing cooling arm sleeves(You can read about that here) instead. They worked great — no greasy feeling, no reapplying mid-ride, and better sun protection.
I still used sunscreen on my legs.
But a year later, during a routine follow-up, that same spot on my leg raised more concern. The doctor did a biopsy.
It came back positive for in situ squamous cell carcinoma — caught early, but still cancer. She had to surgically remove it.
That was my turning point.
🚴 Why I Now Ride With Leg Sleeves Every Time
After that surgery, I made the switch to full leg coverage. I bought a pair of cooling leg sleeves, and now I wear them every time I ride — including that 93° ride in the photo above.
They’re surprisingly comfortable. The sleeves are lightweight, breathable, and actually help keep my legs cooler, not hotter.
And unlike sunscreen, they don’t sweat off, don’t need reapplying, and block the sun completely, not just partially.
👌 Tips for Getting the Fit Right
I’ve seen some people complain in reviews that the sleeves slip down at the ankle. I think they’re pulling them too high.
Most cycling shorts have grippers around mid-thigh — if you leave that band alone and pull the sleeves just to meet it (not over it), they stay in place and don’t slide down.
🔗 The Sleeves I Use
I’ve always been a budget-minded buyer, and these are the exact sleeves I’ve worn for hundreds of miles. But because I wear them so often, I’m starting to think about upgrading to a more premium set for the best comfort and durability I can get. Here are my top three picks:
- 💲 Cosmos® 1 Pair Black Unisex Summer UV Protection Leg Sleeves – Simple, budget-friendly, and effective. My go-to for now.
- 💵 Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeves – Mid-range comfort with excellent breathability and UV protection.
- 💎 Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves – Premium quality for serious riders who want the best feel and long-term durability.
Final Thought
Skin cancer is serious, and I’m lucky I caught mine early. I wear these sleeves now as standard gear — same as my helmet and gloves.
If you’re logging long miles in the sun, don’t wait for a scare. Protect your skin now. You’ll be glad you did.
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