Author
Alex Tzelnic, Bob Myaing, Will Porter
Photographer
Will Porter
Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.
There are two approaches to dealing with the heat: lather on the sunscreen and bare it all, or cover up with lightweight layers, like a sun shirt or sun hoodie. In the West, the bare it all approach reigns supreme. The hotter the temp, the fewer the clothes. On the other hand, in places known for high heat and sweltering sun, like Central America and Southeast Asia, many employ the opposite approach. As temperatures rise, people cover up to deflect the sun's powerful UV rays. Makes sense, right?
For many, it might seem counterintuitive to wear a long sleeve shirt or hoodie in high temps, but with the right materials, walking around in your own cooling shade will convert even the most diehard "suns out, buns out" devotee. Trust me, I run, hike, bike, and fish in my sun shirts anytime the sun is out and temperatures are rising, and after testing a whole slew of shirts myself, I can confirm that I will continue to wear them for years to come.
In recent years many outdoor brands have rolled out lightweight hoodies, long sleeve sun shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, and even button-downs that are breathable, moisture wicking, and feature built-in protection against UV rays, making them ideal for long days of fun in the sun, be it boating, paddling, fly fishing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, trail running, and so on.
In this guide you'll find the best sun protective clothing for any season, plus a breakdown of why it's worth trusting. It’s time to ditch those tank tops folks!
Field Mag's Top Picks:
- Best Sun Hoodie for Alpine Adventures: Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody
- Best Button Down Sun Shirt: Patagonia Self-Guided Hike Shirt
- Most Protective Sun Shirt: Florence Sun Pro Hoodie
- Most Comfortable Sun Shirt: Free Fly Bamboo Hoody
- Best Lightweight Sun Hoodie: NRS Silkweight Hoodie
- Best Upgrade Sun Shirt: Veilance Field Shirt LS
- Best Budget Sun Hoodie: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
- Best Sun Shirt for Fishing: Columbia PFG Solar Stream Elite Hoodie
- Best Crewneck Sun Shirt: Backcountry Tahoe Sun Crew
- Best Sun Shirt for Travel: Topo Designs Global Tek Crew
What is a UPF rating?
When shopping for a sun shirt or sun hoodie, you'll often come across UPF ratings in the product specs. They tend to appear along with a number, as in "UPF 50" or "30+ UPF sun protection." UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it's a standard that measures the effective sun protection of a fabric. (Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage the DNA in skin cells, which can cause cells to grow out of control, which can lead to skin cancer. Over 80% of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation.)
Just like SPF, which is specific to sunscreen, UPF is a rating of how protected your covered skin will be from UV rays. Simply put, the higher the UPF number, the more protection.
How We Test & Curate
To really get a feel for the differences between all of the sun shirts on our list, I spent time wearing them lounging around the house, grilling in the backyard, hiking in the foothills of Boise, and running some brisk spring training miles in preparation for a race this summer.
Spring in southwest Idaho is the perfect proving ground for a sun shirt — trails have finally thawed out enough to run or mountain bike nearly every day, temperatures are constantly going between the 40s and 70s, and oh, it’s pretty darn sunny out here, too.
I love a bit of performance gear just as much as the next guy, but when evaluating these sun shirts I made sure they were at home on the trails, on the river, and at the outdoor bar that just reopened for summer. Excelling in the sun for an hour is one thing, but can I wear it all day without it smelling? Does it look good with running shorts and my most worn-in Patagonia Baggies? In this case, being well-rounded is an absolute win for a sun shirt.
Read on for a full rundown of our top 10 picks for the best long sleeve t-shirts, button-ups, and hoodies with UPF protection available now.
11 Best Sun Shirts & Sun Hoodies With UPF Sun Protection
Best Sun Hoodie for Alpine Adventures: Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody
UPF Rating: UPF 50 Sizes Available: S-XL Women's Option: Yes Pros: Chest pocket, PFC-free water-repellant finish, quarter-zip Cons: May be on the warmer side for mid-summer activities
Alpinists spend a lot of time getting closer to the sun than the rest of living nearer to sea-level elevations, so a dependable sun hoodie is an essential piece of gear for them. Black Diamond’s UPF 50 features a quarter-zip to help regulate airflow while a small chest pocket stores small valuables, aka snacks. Layer this one with a lightweight merino base layer, and you’ve got a solid foundation for bagging peaks.
Price: $120
Best Sun Shirt for the Coast: Florence Airtex Long Sleeve Hooded Shirt
UPF Rating: UPF 30+
Sizes Available: XS-XXL
Women's Option: Unisex
Pros: Full coverage hood blocks the sun, airy feel keeps you cool
Cons: Slim fit, so size up if you prefer loose fit
New from surf adjacent performance outdoor brand Florence—founded by legendary pro surfer John John Florence—is the Airtex Hooded Shirt. I found this to be one of the most effective sun shirts I tested thanks to a perfect combo of fit, color, and coverage. Its premium Airtex material the perfect combination of antimicrobial, breathable, light, and supremely comfortable. I thought it was great for days on the trail, but noticed that it really excelled on the water, boating, fly fishing, or just BBQing in the backyard. If you’re looking for water-specific sun protection for paddling and surfing, we trust the Florence Hooded Rash Guard.
Price: $78
Most Comfortable Sun Shirt: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoody
UPF Rating: UPF 20+
Sizes Available: S-3XL
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Super soft and breathable bamboo/poly blend
Cons: Not the highest UPF rating
Free Fly’s hoodies combine style and functionality with aplomb. They’re some of the softest shirts I’ve ever tested and have an excellent fit. The hoodie’s bamboo fabric is ultralight and breathable, dries quickly, and provides 20 UPF protection, with thumb holes and a crossover hood ensuring maximum coverage. I also loved the chest pocket, which provides just a bit extra utility that many other shirts couldn’t match. For greatever UV protection, check out their 50 UPF Bamboo Shade Hoodie or the heavier-weight, raglan-sleeved Bamboo Flex Hoodie for cooler days.
Price: $68
Best Upgrade Sun Shirt: Veilance Field Shirt LS
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: XS-XL
Women's Option: No
Pros: The best fitting and most stylish shirt we tried
Cons: Borderline unreasonably expensive
If you want a shirt that oozes style while also providing a substantial amount of protection from the sun, you need to check out the Field Shirt LS from Veilance. It is, admittedly, very expensive, but you can tell from the moment it arrives at your house (in a Veilance garment bag) that it’s not only made from some of the best materials out there but also is incredibly well-fitting and technical. Pair it with Patagonia Baggies anytime you venture outside this summer or rock it on date night — either way, you’ll find that it just might be worth the dent in your wallet.
Price: $350
Best Button Down Sun Shirt: Patagonia Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Hike Shirt
UPF Rating: UPF 40
Sizes Available: XS-3XL
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Classic guide look, lightweight recycled fabric, fast drying
Cons: I found the shirt to fit on the short side, so better for folks with a shorter torso or sub 6' in height
While losing the added coverage of a hood, Patagonia’s UPF 40 sun shirt adds the casual style of a buttoned shirt, plus its ability to adjust airflow–a trait that few hooded sun shirts can match. Completely recycled woven polyester ripstop creates a stretchy material that’s supremely durable. Back venting and buttoned roll-up sleeves add customize airflow and do their part to aid with odor control; the Kryptonite of most polyester and spandex garments.
Price: $89
Best Budget Sun Hoodie: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: S-3XL
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Thicker and heavier than others on this list
Cons: No pockets
Time after time, the outdoor retailer’s in-house line provides a budget-friendly option to suit lovers of the outdoors on a budget. I found the Sahara Shade Hoodie to feature a loose fit compared to the modeled photos, but we know how hard it can be to show a garment's fit accurately. Get some extra mileage out of this one by working it into one of our favorite, lightest layering combo with a base layer underneath and a wind shell overtop.
Price: $50
Best Lightweight Sun Hoodie: NRS Silkweight Hoodie
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: S-XXL
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Lightweight, comfortable hood, raglan sleeve for improved movement
Cons: Generous fit makes it tough to layer
Though NRS is a brand centered around life on the water, we found that their Silkweight Hoodie was one of the best for any activity, period. We rocked the shirt to the tennis courts, on the trails, and on afternoons out at the river, and the shirt thrived in all conditions. The hood is comfortable and has a handy button for extra protection, while thumb holes and a slightly dropped rear hem provides ample coverage when the sun is really shining. The seams are well-placed for a wide range of movement and the light, soft material is 100% recycled, which is always a plus.
Price: $75
Best Sun Hoodie for Fishing: Columbia PFG Solar Stream Elite Hoodie
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: XS-XXL
Pros: Undeniable fishing pedigree, sunglass cleaning patch is an excellent addition
Cons: Mesh isn’t as soft as other options
If you’ve been anywhere near a lake or gulf or river (or fraternity house) in the past couple of decades, you’ve probably seen a litany of Columbia PFG gear. (PFG stands for Performance Fishing Gear, so maybe PFG gear is redundant.) This isn’t just hype. Columbia is a leader in outdoor and fishing gear, and the Solar Stream Elite hoodie proves that the brand is still at the apex of its powers. Exceptionally light and airy, the hoodie provides excellent coverage while still helping beat high temperatures, even if you generally overheat in long sleeves. Add the sunglass cleaning patch and a zippered security pocket and you’ve indeed got a performance shirt.
Price: $70
Women's Option: Yes
Best Crewneck Sun Shirt: Backcountry Tahoe Sun Crew
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: S-XXL
Pros: Crewneck is great for any outdoor endeavor, thumbholes, raglan sleeve
Cons: On the slimmer side
Believe it or not, Backcountry’s in-house brand makes some absolutely epic apparel. The Tahoe Crew is one of our favorite crewneck sun shirts, boasting max sun protection and thoughtful details like raglan sleeves for easy movement and thumb holes to protect your hands and keep the sleeves in place. This shirt is great for water sports, but also excels at trail running, hiking, or any other alpine activity. It’s super lightweight and the Bluesign-approved mesh breathes easy, even in the heat. Want something just as light and even looser? Check out their new MTN Air Anorak (I’m obsessed with it).
Price: $59 $35
Women's Option: Yes
Best for Travel: Topo Designs Global Tek Crew
UPF Rating: 30+
Sizes Available: S-XXL
Pros: Crewneck is great for travel and everyday wear
Cons: Not as strong of sun protection as others
As per usual, Topo killed it with the Global Tek Crew, a lightweight crew that I love to wear on both everyday adventures and strenuous outdoor excursions. It’s super breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying, so it crushes the hottest days, but these traits along with its straight fit and durability make it exceptional for one-bag travel and multi-day backcountry trips.
Price: $64
Women's Option: Yes, short sleeved
Best Value Sun Hoodie: AKHG U.P. Stream Hoodie
UPF Rating: 50+
Sizes Available: S-XL
Women's Option: No
Pros: Loaded with features, very reasonably priced
Cons: Not as lightweight as other shirts tested
The U.P. Stream Hoodie from AKHG was the pleasantly surprising shirt I tested, by a long shot. The price is outstanding, considering what you get. A full-sized hood, an integrated gaiter, a zip chest pocket, and perfectly elasticated wrists make this one of the most decked-out sun hoodies you can buy. I love a simple sun hoodie, but it’s hard to beat a shirt loaded with features, especially when I’m using it for actual summer activities like fly fishing, hiking, or bikepacking. It’s not the lightest shirt in the bunch, but the material is soft, dries fast, fits great, and doesn’t snag as easily as most mesh sun shirts do. If you want a shirt that packs a punch for an excellent price, this has to be considered.
Price: $54
Are Sun Shirts Better Than Sunscreen?
UPF rated sun shirts offer several advantages over conventional sunscreen when it comes to UV protection in the outdoors, especially for extended periods of exposure and for water activities.
While both options can help protect your skin from the harmful UV sun rays, sun shirts act as a physical barrier, reflecting and blocking UVA and UVB rays while conventional chemical-based sunscreens absorb UV rays like a sponge (it's worth noting mineral sunscreens also block and scatter UV rays like a sun shirt). And of course, sun shirts don't require reapplication, can work when wet, and provide continuous coverage.
That said, it's essential to note that sun protection shirts may not black ALL of the sun's UV rays, meaning it is possible to get burned through a sun shirt. By combining the use of sun shirts and sunscreen, you'll have a better chance of avoiding a sun burn altogether.
More Great Sun Shirts & Hoodies
We also like Patagonia's Long-Sleeved Capilene Cool Trail Shirt ($49) because it's affordable and effective, Outdoor Research's Echo Hoodie ($75) as a great option for hi-viz UL backpackers, and the Orvis Pro Sun Hoodie ($98) as another option for anglers fueled by Polartec Grid fabric. Additionally, we like to compliment any sun shirt with one of Outdoor Research's effective sun hats.
Published 05-21-2024
Updated 08-08-2024
