Colorado sun doesn’t play lightly, especially in the high country. It’s important to stay cool and covered, and it’s great to see more lifestyle apparel options that feature built-in protection. Free Fly Apparel uses ultra-comfortable materials like bamboo and UPF 50+ sun protective fabrics to
elevate the performance of their pieces.
The Bamboo Shade Hoodie II is buttery soft with performance stretch. The built-in UPF 50+ protection offers a great shield from the sun’s harsh rays when I’m out and about in the mountains. This piece is ideal for pedaling around town, walking around the farmers market or hanging on the river. I also love to throw it on at the office and to run evening errands. This hoodie is temperature regulating, so while it can be worn out in the sun to stay cool it can also fend off chill at the airport, making it a perfect travel companion.
The Breeze Short from Free Fly Apparel is a go-to in the summer months. I love the comfort of the wide elastic waistband, which also includes an interior drawstring when you want to adjust the fit, and a four-way stretch allows for full freedom of movement for mostly anything — walking, running, cycling, paddling, pickleball, yoga or lounging. Two lengths are available, 4-inch and 6-inch, so you can pick your desired fit. The shorts feature a quick-dry construction that plays nice on the water and a super soft liner made from bamboo. A small zipper pocket on the back of the waistband isn’t large enough for most phones, but it does keep essentials like keys and credit cards safe when you’re on the move.
The Free Fly Apparel Bamboo Shade Hoodie II ($74) + Breeze Short ($68) are available directly through freeflyapparel.com.