IceRays vs Sparms: a fair, dated comparison

Prices checked 21 October 2026.

Sparms and IceRays both sell UPF 50+ arm sleeves, and both are Australian brands that also sell in the US. If you are choosing between them, this page sets out the facts side by side: price, sizing, test evidence and returns. We have tried to be fair. Sparms make a well-known product, and the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Prices and offers change often, especially around sales. Always check the final cart total on each site before you buy.

Price for four pairs

Many people buy sleeves in multiples: a spare for the wash, or pairs for a partner. Here is what four pairs cost at listed prices on the day we checked.

The Sparms figures are four times the listed single-pair price of their Original Arm Sleeves on their Australian and US websites. They are simple arithmetic, not a quoted pack price.

To be fair to Sparms: on the day we checked, their sites were also showing promotions, including an "Anniversary Event" with a free gift on orders over $30, free shipping over $99, and a bundles offer on both sites. Some colours were on sale, and they sell other ranges at different prices. Depending on the offer and the colours you pick, your Sparms cart could come in below the figures above. Check both carts on the day.

For IceRays, the four-pack is AUD 120 in Australia, which saves AUD 31.80 on four single pairs at AUD 37.95. In the US it is USD 100, against USD 29.95 for a single pair. You can mix colours across the four pairs. See the IceRays four-pack.

Shipping

IceRays standard shipping is free on orders of AUD 100 or more in Australia, and USD 90 or more in the US, so an IceRays four-pack ships free in both markets. Sparms were showing free shipping on orders of $99 or more on the day we checked. Read each brand's shipping information for your address.

Sizing

This is the biggest practical difference between the two.

IceRays come in one size: one size fits all adults. There is nothing to measure and no size to swap.

The Sparms Original sleeves come in sizes. On the day we checked, the Australian Original White/Grey listing offered seven size options, from XS to XXL plus Junior. The US Original White listing offered six sizes, XS to XXL. Sparms also sell some one-size ranges.

Which is better depends on you. A sized sleeve can suit someone who likes a precise fit and is happy to measure. One size suits people who want a simple choice, and anyone buying a gift without knowing the recipient's measurements. Read will one size fit me? for more on how IceRays fit.

Colours

IceRays come in six colours: White, Black, Beige, Light Blue, Light Grey and Charcoal. Sparms offer a wider range of colours and patterns, including camouflage and hi-vis styles. If you want a bold pattern, Sparms have more to choose from. If you want plain colours that suit most club dress codes, both brands cover that.

Sun rating and test evidence

UPF is a rating for how much of the sun's UV gets through a fabric, and UPF 50+ blocks 98%+ of UV. Both brands sell their sleeves as UPF 50+.

IceRays publish the details of their test. The IceRays fabric was tested by ARPANSA in 2015 (black sample) and rated UPF 50+, the "Excellent" category. The report covers that black sample of the material. It does not cover every colour or production run since. You can read the 2015 test details (PDF, opens in a new tab) for yourself.

For Sparms, read the information on their own website, and ask them directly if you want to see a test report. We have not reviewed Sparms' testing, and we make no claim about it either way.

Returns

Both brands offer a 30-day change-of-mind return, and both require the item to be unworn and unwashed, in its original packaging.

• IceRays: 30 days from the date you receive your order to ask for a return. Items need tags, original packaging and proof of purchase. You pay the return postage. Contact us before sending anything back. See the IceRays refund policy.
• Sparms: their policies set out a 30-day window and use an online return portal. Their Australian policy says return shipping is covered if you buy their optional return coverage at checkout, and that clearance and sale items cannot be returned unless faulty. Read their policy for your market before you buy.

In both cases, your rights under consumer law for faulty goods sit alongside these policies.

Which should you choose?

An honest summary, based on what we saw on 21 October 2026:

• Choose IceRays if you want a simple one-size fit, a lower listed price for four pairs, mixed plain colours in one pack, and a published test report you can read.
• Choose Sparms if you want a sized fit, a wider range of patterns, or a particular style they make. Check their current offers, as they can narrow the price gap.

Whichever you buy, look after the rest of your sun routine too. Sleeves cover only the skin under the fabric, so you still need a hat, sunglasses, shade and sunscreen on exposed skin. Cancer Council recommends all five steps together whenever the UV Index is 3 or above.

Still deciding? Read our complete guide to UV arm sleeves, arm sleeves vs sunscreen or, for golfers, choosing golf sun sleeves.