My Hunt for Decent Sun Protection Pants
Alright, so I needed some new track pants. My old ones were pretty much done for, thin in places you don’t want them thin, you know? Plus, I’ve been trying to get outside more, doing some walking, maybe a bit of jogging when the mood strikes. The sun here can be brutal, even on cooler days, and slathering sunscreen all over my legs every single time? Nah, too much hassle. I figured, maybe pants specifically made for sun protection could work.
So, I started looking around online. Man, there’s a ton of stuff out there. All kinds of fancy names and tech talk. I wasn’t looking for anything groundbreaking, just something comfy that would keep the sun off my legs without making me overheat like I was in a sauna. I stumbled across these “sport sun track pants” – name sounded straightforward enough. The pictures looked okay, not too flashy, which is my style.
Getting Them and First Thoughts
Ordering was easy, standard online stuff. They showed up a few days later in a plastic bag. First thing I did was pull them out and feel the material. It felt pretty lightweight, a bit synthetic-y, but smooth. Not super soft like cotton sweats, but not scratchy either. The fit seemed alright when I tried them on quickly. Standard track pant look, elastic waist, cuffs at the ankles. Nothing revolutionary, but they seemed decent enough for the price I paid.
Putting Them to the Test
The real test was wearing them outside. Picked a sunny afternoon for a long walk, deliberately wore a short-sleeved shirt to see if my legs felt cooler or less bothered by the sun compared to my arms.
- Comfort: They were actually pretty comfortable to walk in. Didn’t feel heavy, and the material moved okay. Didn’t restrict me or anything. After about an hour, I wasn’t desperately wanting to take them off, which is a good sign.
- Sun Protection: Hard to say definitively without a side-by-side comparison burn test, haha. But honestly, my legs felt fine. No stinging sensation like you sometimes get when the sun’s really beating down. My arms, without protection, definitely felt the heat more. So, I guess they did their job on that front? Seemed like it.
- Breathability: This was my main worry. Lightweight is one thing, but sometimes these synthetic things just don’t breathe. These were… okay. Not amazing, but not terrible. I did sweat a bit, but it didn’t feel like the moisture was totally trapped. They seemed to dry reasonably quick when I got back inside. Better than thick cotton sweats for sure on a warm day.
Living With Them
I’ve worn them a bunch since then, mostly for walks, sometimes just lounging around the house because they’re easy to pull on. Thrown them in the wash a few times too. Normal cycle, tumble dry low. They’ve held up fine. No shrinking, no weird pilling yet. The color hasn’t faded either.
Are they perfect? Nah. The pockets are a bit shallow. My phone feels like it might bounce out if I was really running hard. And style-wise, they’re just basic track pants. Won’t win any fashion awards. But that wasn’t what I bought them for.
So, Yeah…
Overall, I’m pretty happy with these sport sun track pants. They do what I wanted: keep the sun off my legs, feel comfortable enough for light activity and lounging, and didn’t cost a fortune. They breathe okay, wash well. If you need something simple and functional for keeping the sun at bay while you’re out and about, they’re worth a look. Just don’t expect high fashion or super deep pockets.
