
User submitted reviews
Review by MiamiNelson
I like the sleeves and very useful in the hot sun and provides a bit of warmth for cooler mornings. The elastic band at the top is a bit tight and restricts blood flow on longer rides. I had called prior to purchase and asked for size fittings. I think the XL would have been too large. Perhaps I need to reduce my Guns....
Review by Anonymous
Routinely use these in SoCal for sun protection. Have tried 2 other competitor products but these are the best for fit, protection and price. Highly recommended.
Review by SomeOldCruster
Bought these for sun protection as I ride mid-day a lot and my farmer's tan was dark enough for my doctor to raise concerns. Noticeably warm when not moving, but not bad at all once you're rolling, even when it's 80. Feels like pro cyclist sizing though. With average arms, very snug upper elastic, even in L. They are already long, so going up a size not really an option. My wife got S and same fit. They are long but snug.
Review by Livermore hill climb
Work as advertised. Very comfortable. Conduct heat away and protect against that darn skin cancer. Easily stashed in pockets. wet then down for added cooling. Got some for my brother and he loves them aslo.
Review by Clay
These were perfect for cool morning rides eventually warming to mid-high 70's.
There are several pair of these in my drawer now. I love them!
Review by Rick
I've worn Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeves for years on every warm sunny ride and they've been great in fit and quality. The new model is completely different with a thick band at the top that constricts and a body that doesn't fit smoothly. The extra ventilation on the inner arm is also gone. It's no longer a good product.
Review by Kyras
I've been wearing the old version of Pearl Izumi sun sleeves that are all white, without the black band at the top. The fit on the large was good for me and they weren't too hard to put on. I tried this new design and don't like it. They are being returned. The large sleeve fits looser but if I went down a size I think the black band at the top would be too tight. I find the black band a bit of a pain to get flat against my skin, too.
Review by Anonymous
I use these almost every day. I have two pair. The older pair still fit well but have become stained from sunscreen as I often use both the sleeves and sunscreen when I am out all day. I have tried several other brands of sunsleeves and these, in my estimation, are by far the best.
Review by TamaSamoaCyclist
Great in heat, breezy and cold days. I've rode these in weather as low as 34 degrees.
Review by Jim
Recently bought these items before the start of the summer. They are very light weight and provide Spf 50 sunscreen protection. For those riders that are fair skinned and prone to skin cancers, these are a great idea.
Review by Anonymous
I have very light skin and these keep me covered without making me too hot in the sun
Review by Anonymous
These work well from about 50-80 degrees F. Nice and long for people with extended arms like myself. Excellent quality.
Review by H D
I'm very sensitive to UV poisoning. I have not gotten burned on my arms since i've been wearing the Pearl Izumi Sun Sleeve.
It's light weight and breathable, when the temp starts to rise, I wet the sleeves and it helps with cooling.
Purchased the leg screens and in the long run, saves you $$$ from applying sunblock.
Pro
Light weight
Cooling effect - On really hot days, moisten the sleeves and cooling effect is 10x better
Easy to wash
Con
White gets dirty
Review by foleycycle
performs exactly as described for sun protection & as lightweight arm warmers. Elastic is way better than many more expensive products
Review by Anonymous
I find these too hot for any kind of summer riding, in either white or black,but find them the perfect cool spring or fall ride light weight warmers and they are absolutely perfect for the cool high altitude rocky mountain ride starts, folding up small in your jersey pocket when it heats up, or shoving them up and down your arms during climbing and descending. A nice fitting arm warmer for the guy, like me, with long thin arms. These stay up. No sliding down my decidedly small biceps. They are long enough, too. And at a great price.
Review by Hill Country Rider
I got a pair in white and have taken to riding with these nearly all the time. In Texas, it gets quite hot and is nearly always very humid, but unless I am really dehydrated (which would be another problem), these protect my arms from sun and are also quite comfortable with no need for messy sun screen. Today, I rode for 4 fours at well over 90F in the mid-afternoon with no discomfort at all (I think they definitely kept me cooler than without). I am sure the PI Sun Knees would be helpful too.
Review by Anonymous
I use them daily to keep from having to use sunscreen on my arms. The materials are nice and soft, form fitting and they stay in place with no adjustment during the ride.
Review by MikeOnTheBike - San Diego
Using Sun Sleeves instead of sunscreen on warm days (good up to about 85 degrees in moderate to dry humidity) is better than greasy sunscreen. They really do cool your skin better than bare skin by evaporation, and they reflect the sun so they keep you cooler and help keep you visible to cars. I wish they held up to washing better (the seams started to fray after 10 washings) but this is not a deal breaker.
Review by Adam
I live and ride in the Southwest. We have year-round sunny so I try to avoid it as much as possible. I use sunscreen every time I ride.
I used these the first time on a morning mountain bike ride in Phoenix, AZ. The weather varried from the low 50's to the low 80's. The have a noticable cooling effect at that range. The fabric was comfortable, the sleeve stayed in place, not too tight. I didn't sunscreen my arms and they offered great sun protection.
I'm 170lbs, 6 feet tall. Bought Large.
Again, these are not a warmer in any sense. I thought they might offer some warmth but it's just the opposite. I'm looking for sun legs next!
I'll be wearing these on any ride where I don't need a warming layer on my arms.
Review by Anonymous
This is a cooler alternative to sunscreen. They can be a little warm if you are not sweating, but that is not usually a problem. They are cooler than having the sun beating directly on your skin if they are even a little damp. Snug fit is better than loose. I am 6'4 and 200lbs, I found the XL too big and the L fit nicely-they are even long enough for my long arms.