The May sun was far more brutal than I had imagined

If the summer sun is simply hot, the May sun feels more like an “invisible attack.”

I had somewhat misjudged the weather for May. The forecast before I left promised “sunny skies perfect for travel,” but once I was actually outdoors, I discovered the reality: the UV rays were insanely strong. The air felt dry, yet my skin could distinctly feel a stinging heat.

That trip was a spur-of-the-moment weekend getaway. I had originally planned just to wander around the outskirts of the city, take some photos, and grab a bite to eat, but I ended up spending almost the entire day moving outdoors. From the moment I left in the morning until I returned to the hotel in the afternoon, there was very little time spent indoors.

It was on that day that I truly realized: sun protection isn’t a question of whether to do it, but how thoroughly you do it.

And the Beneunder sun protection gear I brought with me turned out to be the day’s saving grace.

Pre-departure Prep: I Thought I Just Needed a Jacket

When I set out that morning, I initially thought a simple sun-protective jacket would suffice—something easy to throw over my T-shirt to block the sun. However, while packing, I instinctively tossed a sun hat, a portable sun umbrella, a neck cooling fan, and sunglasses into my bag. I hadn’t consciously set out to pack a “full kit”; I just figured that since I’d be walking outdoors all day, bringing a few extra items wouldn’t hurt.

It wasn’t until I stepped out into the blazing May sun that I realized just how valuable those seemingly casual additions were. Each piece played a crucial role, keeping me comfortable and cool despite the intense sunlight.

First Line of Defense: The “Sculpt” Sun Jacket Gave Me Peace of Mind

To start, I wore the Beneunder “Sculpt” Women’s Waist-Defining Full-Protection Sun Jacket (UPF 2000+). Honestly, my first impression of the jacket wasn’t about sun protection—it was about its stylish design.

Unlike traditional sun jackets, which tend to be baggy or overly sporty, this one features a waist-defining cut. It creates a flattering silhouette when worn, avoiding that bulky, shapeless look. The moment I put it on, I was actually a bit surprised—it felt more like a stylish jacket ready for a photoshoot than typical outdoor gear.

But what really made me feel that “this is different” was the physical sensation of walking under the sun.

The hood features a brim with a UPF 2000+ silver coating that blocks almost all direct sunlight in harsh conditions, sparing my face that stinging, “scorched” sensation. The fabric is lightweight yet opaque; it feels cool when the breeze blows, yet doesn’t heat up uncomfortably under the sun’s rays.

What’s even more impressive is its “full-protection” design—it covers not just the arms, but even the hands. At first, I thought this might be overkill, but after spending hours exposed to the sun, I realized just how practical this design actually is.

Second layer of protection: A sun hat that turns “direct exposure” into “filtered light”

Around noon, we started walking through city blocks where there was almost no shade. That’s when I switched to the Beneunder Ultra-Wide Brim Sun Hat (UPF 100+, model BM563).

The most immediate impression this hat gives is that it offers truly extensive coverage.

The 15.5cm ultra-wide brim isn’t just for show; it effectively blocks sunlight from hitting the sides of the face and the jawline. With ordinary hats, my chin and cheeks would still get exposed, but this hat blocks almost all that “lateral exposure.”

Walking down the street, the contrast was striking: while others were exposed to the harsh light, I felt like I was walking inside a “mobile circle of shade.” It didn’t press uncomfortably against my face or feel stuffy; thanks to its open design, the breathability was far better than I expected.

Third layer of protection: A sun umbrella creating a mobile zone of shade

By afternoon, we reached an open plaza with virtually no overhead cover. That was the moment I finally took out the Beneunder Ultra-Slim Portable Sun Umbrella (UPF 50+, model BM666).

This umbrella was the biggest surprise of the lot. It is incredibly lightweight—so light that it doesn’t feel like a piece of “sun protection gear,” but rather a stylish accessory. When folded, it’s so slim that it fits easily into a small bag. Weighing just 170g, it feels virtually weightless in hand. Once opened, its light-blocking performance is striking; you can actually feel the temperature drop beneath the canopy.

What makes it even more practical is its portability—as we moved through the city, stopping and starting, it could be easily stowed or deployed without ever becoming a burden like a traditional large umbrella. That was the moment I truly grasped the concept of “lightweight sun protection”: it’s not about carrying a lot of gear, but about having items that never weigh you down.

The Fourth Layer of Protection: A neck fan that was a lifesaver in the heat

What really made the kit feel complete was how it performed when the heat peaked. Around 3 PM, the sun was at its most punishing, and the air felt heavy and motionless with heat.

I pulled out the Beneunder dual-fan neck cooler (EE002/EE812). To be honest, I was skeptical about this kind of product at first, but my opinion changed completely once I turned it on. The air flows from both sides of the neck—not as a direct blast, but more like a circulating breeze. The most noticeable effect wasn’t a sensation of “cold,” but rather a “dilution” of the heat.

It was a subtle sensation—not the chill of air conditioning, but a feeling that the heat was no longer pressing down on my body. It worked consistently while I walked, leaving my hands completely free. At that moment, I felt this device did more to relieve the fatigue caused by intense sun exposure than any cold drink could.

The Fifth Layer of Protection: Sunglasses that rounded out the experience

Finally, there were the Beneunder oversized foldable sunglasses (UV400 FD020/FD421). These were the “final piece of the puzzle” for the day. Their role went beyond UV protection; they were crucial for reducing the visual fatigue caused by harsh glare. The oversized frames softened the view, and the foldable design made them incredibly convenient to carry.

The moment I put them on, the brightness of the world seemed to dial down a notch. That was when I realized these weren’t just a “fashion accessory,” but an essential part of visual protection.

Reflecting on the day: It wasn’t just about “withstanding the sun,” but feeling more at ease

Back at the hotel that evening, I took a moment to reflect on the day. I had spent almost the entire time outdoors, yet my skin felt no burning sensation, and my body lacked that deep, drained exhaustion that comes from being baked by the sun. More importantly, I didn’t find sun protection to be a “hassle” at any point during the day. In the past, my approach to sun protection was a choice between applying creams, physically covering up, or simply enduring the exposure.

This time, however, the experience felt different: sun protection had become a seamless, natural part of the routine rather than an added burden.

Beneunder turned sun protection into a reason to head outdoors

On previous trips, I would deliberately avoid intense sunlight or minimize my time outside. This trip was different. I knew that even in environments with high UV levels, I had a reliable, comprehensive protection system to count on. Beneunder didn’t feel like just another “sun protection product”; it offered a more relaxed way to enjoy the outdoors. It didn’t dictate where I went—instead, it gave me the peace of mind to go anywhere.