Mountain Hardwear Wants You to Be Sun Wise: Launches New Sun Protection Apparel and Partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation

May 14, 2024

Broad Spectrum Sun Protection Protects Against Not Only UVB Rays But Also The UVA Rays That Penetrate Deeper Into The Skin

Richmond, Calif. [May 14, 2024] /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Mountain Hardwear, a leader in high-performance equipment and apparel for climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor athletes, today announced new additions to its sun protection line of apparel, as well as a new partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation. Since 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation has set the standard for educating the public and the medical community about skin cancer, and its prevention by means of protection, the need for early detection, and prompt, effective treatment.

May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month and a great time to focus on this year’s outdoor activities as summer approaches. This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the importance of sun protection during outdoor activities and promote Mountain Hardwear’s sun protection products and their important Be Sun Wise Campaign.

These products proudly earned The Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation across three distinct collections; the Crater Lake Series tops, Sunblocker Series tops, and Trail Sender Series tops and bottoms. Their tightly woven yarn fabric effectively blocks and reflects rays without any additives that might wash out over time, ensuring long-lasting protection. It’s best to cover as much skin as possible, even layering UPF clothing for added defense against the sun.

“Broad Spectrum sun protection is crucial in minimizing the damaging effects of both UVB and UVA rays,” said Matt Burbach, the Vice President of Marketing at Mountain Hardwear. “People often focus on preventing sun burns through UPF protection, but Broad Spectrum goes one step further, protecting our skin by decreasing the long-term impact of sun exposure. And this only gets amplified as you move up in elevation. For climbers, alpinists, and high elevation athletes, sun protection is essential. Our partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation highlights our commitment to promoting sun safety and empowering outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their adventures with peace of mind.”

Ultraviolet rays increase by about 2 percent per 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Despite the cloud cover, up to 80 percent of UV rays can still penetrate, posing a risk to the skin. Residents of high-altitude or consistently sunny regions face increased skin cancer risks. Sun intensity fluctuates with factors like season, time of day, reflection off other objects and location, with higher UV indexes indicating faster or more severe skin burning, emphasizing the importance of sun protection regardless of index levels.

“The Seal of Recommendation is an important public education tool in the fight against skin cancer, and we’re always pleased when manufacturers recognize the value of participating in this program,” says Becky Kamowitz, interim executive director of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “The goal of the Seal of Recommendation is to help consumers choose safe and effective sun-protective products that suit their needs as well as their lifestyle. So having a wide range of products in the program is critical to us and the people we serve.”

For more information about Mountain Hardwear and its award-winning products, please visit www.mountainhardwear.com. For more information about The Skin Cancer Foundation, and how to support the organization, please visit ​​https://www.skincancer.org/.

About Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear, Inc., was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, CA. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we’ve built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world’s highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do — our designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort.

Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company that distributes its products through specialty outdoor retailers in the United States and 34 countries worldwide. www.mountainhardwear.com

Seth Beiden

seth@sasquatchagency.com