Features: Touting a UPF rating of 50, you can rest assured your face will be protected. This rating is classified as “excellent” and means that the Sungaiter allows just 1/50th of the sun's UV rays to pass through. The rating is good for the life of the garment, which is also equated to an industry standard of 30 washings. I prefer to simply rinse the mask in the sink and leave it out to dry, with maybe a machine washing every so often. Whichever method you choose, these masks dry quite fast.  

The laser-cut breathing holes start out nice and crisp....

Besides a few of the attributes already mentioned, my favorite aspect of the masks are the breathing holes. Most of these garments on the market are simply one big piece of material that you wear over your head and face. When you breathe, the warm air that you exhale often fogs up your sunglasses to the point where your vision is severely restricted. The only solutions are to either leave the mask home, or pull it down below your nose and mouth, thus exposing your face to the elements. The Sungaiter definitely helps with the fogging issue, but unless you strictly breathe through your mouth only, lenses can still fog up at times. A few extra breathing holes would be even better!

Design & Ergonomics: Since the Sungaiter is very stretchy it comes with a “one size fits most” designation. Mine are very pleasing to wear all day long. I don't see any problems with these masks fitting the vast majority of people unless your head is the size of a giant watermelon. Although there are currently only six colors available, they are all very cool looking. As a fisherman I can appreciate the looks of an attractively-colored sun mask, but I still get an occasional funny look or question from non-anglers while beach fishing. I'd think the reason for wearing one on a sunny 90-degree day would be self-explanatory, but apparently it's not!

..but they do fray a bit after some wearing and washing.

Application: The Sungaiter will see most of its use amongst anglers, but it also can be worn in other outdoor pursuits such as hunting, hiking, or even jogging. Most folks likely won't be wearing this around town as an accessory with their casual attire.

The Simms logo is displayed along the side of the garment.

Conclusion: If you hate applying sunscreen as much as me, do what I do and cover up! The Simms Sungaiter is just one of the many quality options currently available for sun protection. Couple the mask with a UPF-rated shirt, pants, and pair of gloves, and you have a solid line of defense against the ever-present threat of skin cancer. Don't be lazy about your health. Embrace products like the Sungaiter and be proactive in the fight against this deadly disease!