Brand Spotlight: Alpenshade
As parents, we know just how wiggly adventurous kiddos can be, whether they’re crawling after a bug in the grass or running along the trail after an older sibling. All that movement causes clothing to shift and hats to magically pop off, leaving sensitive skin exposed to harmful UV rays.
Thankfully, adventurous mom and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenna Peart came up with a full-coverage solution for young explorers. We sat down with her to discuss her clothing brand, Alpenshade, and why it’s so important to get families outside while fully protecting their skin.
How did Alpenshade Get Started, and What is Your Mission?
Alpenshade really started from the intersection of three parts of my life: dermatologist, outdoor adventurer, and mom.
As a board-certified dermatologist, I spend my days treating skin damage and a staggering number of skin cancers, not infrequently in young adults. So I'm constantly thinking about prevention and counseling my patients on how to protect their skin well. At the same time, I’ve spent years recreating outdoors: climbing, hiking, and summiting all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. These mountains are where I’ve learned just how hard it is to protect your skin when the UV intensity is high, and you want to be out all day long.
Then, in 2023, I started taking my newborn son out on my local trails and realized there were no good options for fully protecting babies. Sunscreen alone isn’t realistic (or sufficient alone), hats don’t stay on, and most baby clothing doesn’t provide meaningful UV protection.
That gap is what led me to create Alpenshade – sun protection I wished existed for my own child. Our mission is to make sun protection easier, more reliable, and actually enjoyable for families so kids can spend more time outside safely.
Why Do You Feel it’s Important For Families to Get Outdoors?
Getting outside is such a huge and critical part of childhood: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some of the best memories are made outside, whether it’s hiking, camping, or just exploring your backyard.
For me, it was important that becoming a parent didn’t mean giving that up - it just meant adapting how we do it. When parents feel confident their kids are protected, it removes a lot of the stress and lets them actually enjoy those moments.
How Does Your Product Help Families Enjoy Nature Safely?
Our products are designed to simplify sun protection in a way that works in real life. With UPF 50+ coverage (blocking ~98% of UV rays), parents don’t have to rely entirely on sunscreen or worry about constant full-body reapplications.
Because I’ve seen how often sneaky areas like the backs of hands get missed and how easy it is for sunscreen coverage to be inconsistent, Alpenshade has focused on true full-body coverage. Long sleeves, along with thoughtful features like fold-over mittens and footlets, help protect those commonly overlooked areas. We pair that with lightweight, breathable fabrics so littles stay comfortable.
Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Share?
We’re a small, family-driven brand, and it really means a lot to partner with companies that value getting kids outdoors safely.
We’re just getting started and have more fun products in the pipeline for bigger kids as well as parents, so it’s exciting to grow alongside like-minded partners.
Check out our online store for the Alpenshade UPF 50+ Protective Sunsuit. It’s available in four adorable colors, in sizes 0-24 months. It even has a zip-off hood to easily transition from nature exploration to nap time. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
