Why I Never Ride Without My Cooling Leg Sleeves Anymore

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Cyclist standing beside a road bike on a sunny 93-degree day in Lubbock, Texas, wearing black cooling leg sleeves, a bright green jersey, and a helmet — demonstrating real-world sun protection gear in use. Ask ChatGPT
That photo ? That’s me — taken the day before writing this post, during a 93-degree ride in Lubbock. I’m wearing my cooling leg sleeves, which I now wear on every ride, no matter the distance or temperature.

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

These are the exact sleeves I wear:
👉 Cosmos® 1 Pair Black Unisex Summer UV Protection Leg Sleeves for Cycling, Hiking, and Running

They’re simple, budget-friendly, and effective. I’ve ridden in mine for hundreds of miles, and they’re holding up great.

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.

🚴 Gear I Personally Use and Recommend

I personally use all of these and swear by them. They’ve helped me stay healthy, ride longer, and recover smarter.

  • Renpho Smart Scale — I use this one and it gives me a tremendous amount of information that has been integral to my weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
    👉 See the One I Have
  • Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet — I wear mine every ride. It is comfortable and it protects me.
    👉 Lots of Colors Available
  • Outdoor Essentials Cooling Arm Sleeves — I wear these to protect my arms from the damaging sun as I have skin cancer issues.
    👉 Check Out How Low Cost These Are
  • Przewalski Bib Shorts — I have multiple pairs of these. They cost a lot less than the others and last me longer.
    👉 See Them on Amazon
  • Premier Protein Shakes — I drink one after every ride. They are low sugar and packed with protein to give me what I need.
    👉 Amazon is Often Cheaper than the Grocery Store

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps keep this blog rolling.

Location: Lubbock, TX, USA

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