Gear

This shirt lets you enjoy the sun—without the burn.

The Bluefin Second Skin Solar Top is perfect for fun in the sun or battling big game on the high seas.

No one likes sunburn, especially not on the first day of a cruise. If a nightly aloe lather isn’t your style, you’ve probably considered—or even own—a sun shirt. Sometimes they have fancy names like rashguards or solar shirts, but when it comes down to it, their task is simple: protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But let’s be honest—outside of its typical application, like sportfishing, sun shirts aren’t exactly cool. We’re fine outfitting our kids in them to protect their delicate skin, but we’d often rather burn than be seen wearing a tightfitting, long-sleeved shirt while snorkeling.

Enter the Bluefin Second Skin Solar Top. I won’t pretend it’s better looking than its brethren because, well, it’s not. Some have a giant collage octopus plastered on the front. But where it does excel is comfort, breathability and wicking power. I wore it on a few days that started out chilly and appreciated the long sleeves. But when the day got warmer, I didn’t need to roll up the sleeves to cool down. The armpit vents are a nice touch, although mine got discolored after just a few wears. (I’d like to think this isn’t because I’m a particularly sweaty person, but the jury’s still out on that one.) The microfiber-spandex blend is soft to the touch and provides SPF 40—50 for the women’s version—so you don’t have to worry about loading up on sunscreen.

Even if you don’t plan to wear it every day, the Solar Top (starting at $41) is a worthwhile addition to your dry bag for long days fishing or lounging by the water. It comes in an impressive range of sizes (consider ordering a size up since it runs a little snug) and designs, so there’s something for everyone.

If you don’t want the hassle of reapplying sunscreen every two hours like dermatologists recommend, this shirt has you covered. You might not be the coolest person on the docks, but that seems a small price to pay for avoiding a burn—or worse.