Do you prefer to run shirtless or with a singlet on a hot day?

MDPerson wrote:

The spf of a t-shirt, even white, is exceedingly low (~5). Use sunscreen lotion.

You mean UPF? SPF is only used for sunscreen lotions and sprays. Even a UPF of 5 will only let in 1/5th of the sun's UVA rays. So if I'm running 5 days a week at noon even the shittiest long sleeved shirt will give me the equivalent of only one day a week of noon-time running.

Maybe I'll modify my answer to use a long-sleeve shirt on the sunniest, hottest days IF you live in a non-humid climate. If you don't I guess shirtless and sunscreen will work.

Angryjohnny wrote:

Related question. For those times when running in the middle of the day during summer is required, do you wear a hat?

I don't because I always assumed that would trap heat on your head but then a lot of folks at the trials wore hats, including many who didn't have the benefit of iced hats every 5k.

I often wear a hat on sunny days to keep the sun out of my face (I wear sunglasses too, but having the shadow of the hat's bill over my face does more to cut the glare actually). At easy and moderate paces my head doesn't release enough heat for it to build up I guess, but I don't wear it for hard workouts because then it does get pretty hot.

I also think that on very sunny days, particularly around midday, the hat's reflection of the sun can actually help prevent overheating (particularly if one can also pour cool water on the hat periodically). Again, there is probably a trade-off at some point when the intensity of the run increases.

winelover1969 wrote:

Angryjohnny wrote:

Shirtless, of course. I don't worry about skin cancer because my runs are almost always at dusk or dawn when the sun is low. Running in the middle of the day during summer is for hobby joggers, charity runners, and other people who don't know what the eff they are doing.

What if you're training for a hot race?

Fair point. I live in the southeastern US so I get plenty of acclimatizing heat in the morning and evening - in the summer 85-90 at dusk is normal. Middle of the day in summer with full sun is just asking for a heat stroke.

amkelley wrote:

Agreed. I can't run topless or I'd get arrested.

That's the only reason. I have a private track....

For all the idiots who think they will get skin cancer if they run an hour a day shirtless: Do you think your ancestors 5000 years ago put tons of sun cream on their body and completely covered their body during hot summer days? Or you think they all got skin cancer?

It is completely natural to expose your body to sun. It is healthy, it helps you get vitamine d.

Is there a type of running short that has a large enough pocket to store a t-shirt when it gets hot enough to run shirtless?

mark b wrote:

Sort of a linked question! At what age does it become socially unacceptable to run without a shirt? (I'm 60 in a few months time.) Here in the north west of England there might only be a couple of days a year when it is feasible to run without a shirt (lots of days when the rain is a bit warmer than on other days!!) but I like doing this when possible! But I am also aware that I might not look as good as I did thirty years ago and I dont want to give children nightmares, frighten the horses etc. etc!!!

ElGuerroujggg wrote:

I hate people that run shirtless. Usually show offs. Disgusting. Nobody wants to see your body. Why don't you run naked. The pants aren't to hot and sweaty for you?

I see people mirin' all day long man.

Angryjohnny wrote:

Shirtless, of course. I don't worry about skin cancer because my runs are almost always at dusk or dawn when the sun is low. Running in the middle of the day during summer is for hobby joggers, charity runners, and other people who don't know what the eff they are doing.

Agreed, don't run in the middle of the day.

Miserable

JoeZela wrote:

Is there a type of running short that has a large enough pocket to store a t-shirt when it gets hot enough to run shirtless?

Just tuck it in the shorts' wasteband.

uppity wrote:

ElGuerroujggg wrote:

I hate people that run shirtless. Usually show offs. Disgusting. Nobody wants to see your body. Why don't you run naked. The pants aren't to hot and sweaty for you?

I see people mirin' all day long man.

https://youtu.be/s-AmM97sBi4?t=100

Dam....

I'm quitting running.

uppity wrote:

ElGuerroujggg wrote:

I hate people that run shirtless. Usually show offs. Disgusting. Nobody wants to see your body. Why don't you run naked. The pants aren't to hot and sweaty for you?

I see people mirin' all day long man.

https://youtu.be/s-AmM97sBi4?t=100

That's crazy. I'm not sure whether to be inspired or depressed though. Inspired at what's possible but depressed that we are so shallow.

Always prefer to run shirtless, when on cross country runs at school I would take my shirt off with other lads in the winter as well as summmer. When running you get hot whatever the weather and shirtless running is way more comfortable than being stuck with a restrictive shirt.

MDPerson wrote:

The spf of a t-shirt, even white, is exceedingly low (~5). Use sunscreen lotion.

I've never got a sun tan through a t shirt

singlet at 60-70, shirtless above