The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins prevent the sun’s rays from damaging your skin. Sunny days can feel like a curse. Not having to bundle up is nice, but slathering on sunscreen is tiresome, yucky, and can result in allergic reactions. Going without can lead to burns, premature aging, skin cancer. You don’t want to look like a leather handbag until well after you start drawing on Social Security. To keep the sun off your guns on hot days, these skins have to do two things. One is really keep it off, better than sunscreen. The second is keep you as cool as possible for a covering. Castelli chose to employ Solare fabric to take care of both tasks. The material has a UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+. This means the material allows or 1/50th of the solar radiation hitting the garment to get through-or, if you prefer to think positively, it stops 98% of the solar radiation from getting past the material. The second feature of the Solare fabric is the sheer quality of it. It’s thin, really thin. And it’s polyester-based, so it wicks without absorbing. It fits like a traditional Castelli arm warmer. The top has a two-sided silicone-beaded elastic, which both grabs your sleeves and your biceps. The bottom has a doubled-over hem. The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins are for the days when you don’t want the kiss of nature to show.
The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins prevent the sun’s rays from damaging your skin. Sunny days can feel like a curse. Not having to bundle up is nice, but slathering on sunscreen is tiresome, yucky, and can result in allergic reactions. Going without can lead to burns, premature aging, skin cancer. You don’t want to look like a leather handbag until well after you start drawing on Social Security. To keep the sun off your guns on hot days, these skins have to do two things. One is really keep it off, better than sunscreen. The second is keep you as cool as possible for a covering. Castelli chose to employ Solare fabric to take care of both tasks. The material has a UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+. This means the material allows or 1/50th of the solar radiation hitting the garment to get through-or, if you prefer to think positively, it stops 98% of the solar radiation from getting past the material. The second feature of the Solare fabric is the sheer quality of it. It’s thin, really thin. And it’s polyester-based, so it wicks without absorbing. It fits like a traditional Castelli arm warmer. The top has a two-sided silicone-beaded elastic, which both grabs your sleeves and your biceps. The bottom has a doubled-over hem. The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins are for the days when you don’t want the kiss of nature to show.
The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins prevent the sun’s rays from damaging your skin. Sunny days can feel like a curse. Not having to bundle up is nice, but slathering on sunscreen is tiresome, yucky, and can result in allergic reactions. Going without can lead to burns, premature aging, skin cancer. You don’t want to look like a leather handbag until well after you start drawing on Social Security. To keep the sun off your guns on hot days, these skins have to do two things. One is really keep it off, better than sunscreen. The second is keep you as cool as possible for a covering. Castelli chose to employ Solare fabric to take care of both tasks. The material has a UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+. This means the material allows or 1/50th of the solar radiation hitting the garment to get through-or, if you prefer to think positively, it stops 98% of the solar radiation from getting past the material. The second feature of the Solare fabric is the sheer quality of it. It’s thin, really thin. And it’s polyester-based, so it wicks without absorbing. It fits like a traditional Castelli arm warmer. The top has a two-sided silicone-beaded elastic, which both grabs your sleeves and your biceps. The bottom has a doubled-over hem. The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins are for the days when you don’t want the kiss of nature to show.
The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins prevent the sun’s rays from damaging your skin. Sunny days can feel like a curse. Not having to bundle up is nice, but slathering on sunscreen is tiresome, yucky, and can result in allergic reactions. Going without can lead to burns, premature aging, skin cancer. You don’t want to look like a leather handbag until well after you start drawing on Social Security. To keep the sun off your guns on hot days, these skins have to do two things. One is really keep it off, better than sunscreen. The second is keep you as cool as possible for a covering. Castelli chose to employ Solare fabric to take care of both tasks. The material has a UPF, Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+. This means the material allows or 1/50th of the solar radiation hitting the garment to get through-or, if you prefer to think positively, it stops 98% of the solar radiation from getting past the material. The second feature of the Solare fabric is the sheer quality of it. It’s thin, really thin. And it’s polyester-based, so it wicks without absorbing. It fits like a traditional Castelli arm warmer. The top has a two-sided silicone-beaded elastic, which both grabs your sleeves and your biceps. The bottom has a doubled-over hem. The Castelli UPF 50+ Arm Skins are for the days when you don’t want the kiss of nature to show.
Last updated at 05/11/2026 06:19:31
Castelli UPF 50 + Light Arm Sleeves | Sun Sleeves & Apparel | Bicycle Superstore White / Small
Delivery $9.95
Castelli Upf 50 + Light Arm Sleeves 4516036 White / SMALL
Delivery between 14–22 May $9.50
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery $15
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery between 15–21 May $28.17
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery between 15–21 May $28.17
originally posted on altitude-sports.com
I’d say it met all expectations. They aren’t cheap, but made in Italy is good for likely better labour conditions and less environmental damage. They do save your skin. You may get some lines on the skin where there is a wrinkle. The white one definitely takes dirt like something white would, so keep that in mind.
originally posted on altitude-sports.com
Now being immuno suppressed, I've been told I have to be even more careful protecting my skin from UV rays. These are a great alternative to sunscreen and work exactly as expected. I'd gladly buy the knee skins too, but unfortunately they seem to ride too high like regular knee/leg warmers, resulting in the dreaded sausage thighs...
originally posted on sigmasports.com
I took these on the Transcontinental as sun protection and for early morning starts. They were the business. I wore them for all but 50 of the 4,000km, more than any other bit of kit (apart from my helmet of course). Sufficient UV protection and kept me cooler from the unrelenting sun (consecutive days of 36C+ peaking at about 40C).They were used and abused, including three crashes and occasional sink washing. The white colour in these conditions has got pretty grubby but I wouldn't get black to use in the sun. Unfortunately my pair are now grey with road muck, a bit of blood and scuffed & torn on one side from the crashes, so I will buy another because they were so handy.
| Bike Type | Road bike |
| Speed | No |
| Travel | No |
| Stem Angle Degree | No |
| Front Derailleur Type | No |
Castelli UPF 50 + Light Arm Sleeves | Sun Sleeves & Apparel | Bicycle Superstore White / Small
Delivery $9.95
Castelli Upf 50 + Light Arm Sleeves 4516036 White / SMALL
Delivery between 14–22 May $9.50
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery $15
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery between 15–21 May $28.17
Castelli UPF 50+ Light Arm Sleeves in White
Delivery between 15–21 May $28.17
I’d say it met all expectations. They aren’t cheap, but made in Italy is good for likely better labour conditions and less environmental damage. They do save your skin. You may get some lines on the skin where there is a wrinkle. The white one definitely takes dirt like something white would, so keep that in mind.
Now being immuno suppressed, I've been told I have to be even more careful protecting my skin from UV rays. These are a great alternative to sunscreen and work exactly as expected. I'd gladly buy the knee skins too, but unfortunately they seem to ride too high like regular knee/leg warmers, resulting in the dreaded sausage thighs...
I took these on the Transcontinental as sun protection and for early morning starts. They were the business. I wore them for all but 50 of the 4,000km, more than any other bit of kit (apart from my helmet of course). Sufficient UV protection and kept me cooler from the unrelenting sun (consecutive days of 36C+ peaking at about 40C).They were used and abused, including three crashes and occasional sink washing. The white colour in these conditions has got pretty grubby but I wouldn't get black to use in the sun. Unfortunately my pair are now grey with road muck, a bit of blood and scuffed & torn on one side from the crashes, so I will buy another because they were so handy.
I got the black pair. They work pretty well in the sun, I was worried that the black would heat up too much. However they are very comfortable. I got size Large, which is 44cm long and 13cm at the top and 8cm at the bottom.
These sleeves are exactly what I was looking for. I am a small woman and ordered the unisex small. They fit perfectly. They keep the sun rays out without adding extra warmth. The silicon at the top ensures that there is no slippage. I’m very pleased with them.
Have worn these constantly since buying them on all day rides in scorching heat and they worked a treat. Despite being an additional layer I felt cooler without the heat of the sun on my skin and nice to know my skin was protected from the suns rays too so win win. Saves putting on sticky suncream which just attracts the dirt. I have worn them mainly off road on dusty tracks and despite buying white they have come up clean in the wash so far though black might be more practical long term I guess. Sizing was accurate. I am so happy with them that Ive just bought the leg sleeves as well to wear on scorching hot days.
The perfect UPF arm protection, better than sunscreen which I hate getting all over the inside of my car. Elastic at top keeps the sleeve in place all the time. I have tried other brands which fail at this. I have worn them on high heat days and stayed cooler and less sweaty than riders with bare arms. I use them for golf and cycling. They also prevent chill on cooler days.
After wearing mine practically every day for about 2 hours each day for about three years, it's time to replace them. The weave has loosened and so they aren't as tight anymore. Does an excellent job of keeping out the UV rays and you see it in the tan lines. I wear mine to protect my sleeve tattoo and the colours are still very intact. As another review said, they do seem to size smaller so the large that I just ordered needs to be returned for an extra large. The silicon at the top does exactly what it's supposed to do, even after all these years - keeps the sleeve in place. Too bad I seem to be having a tough time ordering the black set.
I bought these for an unaided ride from London to Paris where I didn't have space to carry sun lotion. All I can say is they are amazing! They protected my arms across two days of hard riding in the sun and I never once felt like I was overheating. They kept me warm when needed first thing in the morning and cool as the sun became hotter. I also paired them with the Castelli leg protectors as well and they work equally well too. I certainly don't now leave home without them when the forecast says sun!
A lot of size to choose from. I got the XL one that fits me without cut off circulation. some cheap one is one size only.I use it for hiking and road trip to. Saved my arm from some serious sunburn.
| Bike Type | Road bike |
| Speed | No |
| Travel | No |
| Stem Angle Degree | No |
| Front Derailleur Type | No |
