TRIED & TESTED
UP IN ARMS
A recent delivery of a pair of Falke Arm Protectors for testing got me thinking about sunburn and skin protection, and I realised that I am a typical runner who often forgets about my arms. – BY SEAN FALCONER
Sunburn and exposure to harmful UV rays can lead to health problems down the road, including cancer, so it’ s important to consider your skin before heading outside. Unfortunately, we runners often get wrapped up in our training and racing plans, factoring in nutrition, sleep, kit and shoes, our timing chip and our race number if we’ re racing, the anti-chafe lube, the alarm clock, the backup alarm clock … but often we forget about our skin, especially when we start a run or race in the early hours of the morning before the sun has risen.
When we do remember the sun protection, all too often it is limited to sunscreen on the face, ears and neck, and a cap, but for some reason arm sleeves are often the last thing some of us think about … probably because arm sleeves are traditionally seen as a winter accessory to keep your arms warm.( I also think it has something to do with runners being focused on their legs and never actually thinking about their arms.)
Most importantly, after three decent-length runs in the midday sun, my arms showed no signs of being any redder than when I headed out the front door. I can’ t say the same for the top of my head, unfortunately, after it took a bit of a beating during the one run … In my rush to get in a lunch time run, I forgot my cap at home when I drove across town to the famous Bergpad trail in Stellenbosch. Yes, I know, bit stupid to go out wear-testing arm protectors while forgetting to look after my head! Anyway, the point is, the arm protectors did the job.
GET THEM HERE: Available from the FALKE online shop at www. falke. co. za at R225 a pair, and also available at leading sport retailers. More info at www. falke. co. za.
Images: Courtesy Falke
I had actually never run in either arm protectors or arm warmers before. When it is cold, I usually put on a long-sleeve top, and the rest of the time I just pull on a T-shirt and off I go, so when I decided to put the Falke Arm Protectors to the test, I knew it was going to be a new experience for me.
THE TECH STUFF
As part of FALKE’ s Advance Performance range, these arm protectors are made from a moisture-managing Drynamix yarn that wicks moisture away from the skin to keep you dry and comfortable, but at the same time keeps you cool thanks to a panel-type construction to increase ventilation. More importantly, this material provides UV protection of SPF50 +, which means a sun protection factor that only allows one-fiftieth of the sun’ s UV rays to pass through the fabric. In other words, you’ re getting a massive reduction in UV radiation exposure, and that’ s why these arm protectors carry the SunSmart Choice seal of approval from CANSA( Cancer Association of South Africa).
Other features are top and bottom elastication for comfort and support without slipping, and reflective print on the elbow joints for increased visibility in low-light conditions, which is great if you start your run before the sun comes up, or are still out when the sun sets. Also, the arm protectors are available in four colours and two sizes, so you have choices when buying.
A REAL ARMFUL
My first impression was that my biceps are not used to being constricted by tight clothing. Like most runners, I don’ t have big arms, but I still found the arm protectors prominently constrictive at first. Fortunately, the longer I wore them the more I got used to that, and once I started running, I soon forgot about them completely. More importantly, since I made sure to head out in warm, sunny conditions, I actually noticed that my arms felt cooler. I had actually expected to get super-hot in them, given that Falke sent me a black pair to wear-test, but they worked remarkably well to keep my arms cool.
34 ISSUE 102 JANUARY 2018 / www. modernathlete. co. za