Sun Protective Travel gear for your family
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How to protect your family from the sun while traveling
Updated: March 03, 2022
Sun Protection for Family Fun in the Sun!
Often while traveling with kids fun in the sun is the primary objective! We take sun protection for our family very seriously and have been mostly successful at keeping sun burns at bay. In order to enjoy your time in the sun you need sun protective travel gear for your family! If you incorporate sun protective gear in your travel wardrobe, packing for trips is so much simpler. Another great benefit to most sun protective clothing is that they are typically quick dry which is great for travel.
In this article we discuss when and what to wear for protecting your family from the sun while traveling.
Categories of family sun protective travel gear:
1. Sun Protective Clothing
2. Hats
3. Sunscreen
When
Some may be tricked into thinking that sun protective gear is only needed at the beach or other similarly sunny travel destination. Some of the worst sun burns can occur when it’s cloudy or at high elevations. In order to prevent sun burns and skin damage, wear sun protective clothing, hats and sunscreen during the day at any travel destination.
A great way to take the stress of sun protection out of the equation is to incorporate UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rated clothing in your standard travel wardrobe. We are guilty (and proud of it!) of having a travel ‘uniform’. For each member of our family we typically wear waterproof light hikers, quick dry pants (hiking pants, yoga pants etc.), and a sun protective long sleeve top. We even have a system for layering while travelling with kids and wrote an entire guide on what to pack here!
1. Sun Protective Clothing
Unlike in the past, there are a ton of options when it comes to sun protective clothing! These options are not only for adults and include kids too! Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up.
We recommend pants for most travel scenarios barring the beach. Full pants not only protect you from the sun but also harmful bug bites. There are UPF rated pants options including hiking pants to yoga pants (like these). Some of our travel pants are not UPF rated and we have never had a problem with sun burns.
Here is a great resource from REI: How to Choose Sun Protection (UPF) Clothing.
UPF Shirt
UPF Overshirt
Sun shirts are available in so many more designs than just the button ups advertised. Some options include: full shirt, button up, zip up with hood or a short sleeve sun shirt with UPF sleeves (like these). We have experience with and wear all of these options. There are so many sun protective options to meet your family’s needs! Hoods are really helpful to protect your neck when the sun is intense. You can also add a neck gaiter for added neck/face protection. Over shirts allow you to wear a tank top or other undershirt that can be worn separately during the evening.
Scarves in our opinion are an underrated travel accessory especially when it comes to sun protection. Scarves can be worn in various ways to protect your neck, arms, legs, whatever you need. Scarves can be used as a modesty wrap when appropriate in certain travel scenarios, a blanket on the plane, sun cover for your napping child, the options are limitless. We really like this one from Coolibar!
2. Hats
Hats are an easy way to shade your face and most people already have a hat preference. There are tons of options out there but, the best hat for kids while traveling is a wide brim hat. We like Sunday Afternoons because they have cute prints, are adjustable, quick dry and UPF protective. For mom, we love the Wallaroo Naomi Sun Hat. Its packable, looks great and provides excellent sun protection.
If you prefer a baseball cap, you can pair it with a neck gaiter (like this) or, a sun shirt with a hood (like this) to protect your neck.
If your baby is in a baby carrier backpack, make sure to engage the sunshade to keep them sun protected. Another great resource for shade is something you probably already have packed! Umbrellas are excellent for both shade and keeping you dry.
Don’t forget sunglasses for all! These are great for kids and we love these for adults! Polarized sunglasses are best for outdoor activities since they help with glare.
Wide Brim
Baseball Cap
3. Sunscreen
Choosing the right sun screen for your family can be difficult with thousands to choose from. Two brands that we have extensive experience with are Alba Botanica and Neutrogena and we use them both on most trips.
A few things to take into consideration when purchasing sun screen for your family are:
- Mineral vs. Chemical
- Water resistance
- Reef Safe
Sun screen is not recommended for babies under 6 months old. If you are in the sun with a young baby make sure they are wearing a hat and their skin is covered.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to thoroughly sunscreen your hands and feet!
For more information and guidance on choosing the best sunscreen for your family, take a look at this article from the FDA: Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun
1. Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens
Mineral Sun Screens
Sunscreen can be hard on sensitive skin so, we recommend mineral based sunscreens for those with chemical sensitivities.
When trying a new sunscreen, test a small spot on your arm so that you can check for a reaction.
Mineral based sunscreens we really like are Alba Botanica Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45 and Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. As with any mineral sunscreen, you have to really rub it in. The spray sunscreens help with coverage especially on arms and legs.
Chemical Sunscreens
If you don’t need a mineral based sunscreen we prefer Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45. This option rubs in easier than the mineral one. A great spray sunscreen is Alba Botanica Maximum SPF 70.
Another great option for a chemical based sunscreen is Neutrogena Beach Defense Water Resistant Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 70. If you can find the 1 Oz size, these are great for your pocket/purse/life jacket pocket. This sunscreen rubs in extremely easily and has worked wonders for us in extreme sunny conditions.
As with any sunscreen, make sure not to get it in your eyes as it can burn!
2. Water Resistance
Most sunscreens are water resistant up to 80 minutes but, make sure it explicitly states that it is. We are quick to re-apply every 60-80 minutes regardless of being in the water especially in the hours around noon when the sun is strongest.
3. Reef Friendly
Reef safe products are free from oxybenzone and octinoxate and other harmful chemicals often found in sunscreens. Reef safe sunscreens are required at many beaches around the world. Mineral based sunscreens are typically reef safe. Make sure to check the label on the package for phrases synonymous to ‘reef friendly’, ‘reef safe’, or ‘We love the reef’. We’ve seen products online labeled reef safe while the same product in store is not and vice versa. Make sure to check your particular product label.
When it comes to sun protective gear for family travel, we really like Alba Botanica and Blue Lizard for reef safe products. Both have worked really well for us!
For more information on Alba Botanica’s Earth friendly take on skin/hair care, take a look at their website here! More information on Blue Lizard’s reef safe sunscreens take a look at their website here!
Don’t forget to protect your lips! SPF Chapstick is a great way to protect your lips from the sun and is just like regular chap stick. A great option is Softlips SPF 20.
Sun Protective Travel Gear for Family Travel- Summary
In summary, your family can have fun in the sun while staying protected! By incorporating sun protective travel gear in your ‘travel uniform’, you can easily travel anywhere in the world while staying protected. We have used the same sun protective items exploring the Andean highlands, Costa Rican cloud forests, Galapagos beaches, backpacking in the Rockies and even walking around a new city.
Sun protective gear is available for adults, kids, toddlers and babies. By incorporating these items in your travel wardrobe you will have peace of mind that your family is protected, cool and will have a great trip without sunburns! So, get out there and explore and don’t forget to have fun!
About The Kid Packer
Here at The Kid Packer, we want to help you live your best life. A great baby backpack child carrier can help you do just that. After having used a child carrier backpack for over 1,500 miles of adventuring and exploring, we have a passion for them and know what makes a great pack that both you and your child will love. We hope our comprehensive research allows you to confidently find the right backpack for your needs!
