Author
Alex Tzelnic & Bob Myaing
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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.
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!
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.)
UPF is similar to SPF, but the latter rating is specific to sunscreen. In simplified terms, the higher the UPF number, the more protected your covered skin will be from UV rays.
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.
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 Stylish Sun Shirt: Mountain Hardwear Sunshadow Shirt
- Most Protective Sun Shirt: Florence Sun Pro Hoodie
- Best Sun Shirt for Fishing: Free Fly Bamboo Hoody
- Most Stretchy Sun Shirt: Coalatree Suray Sun Shirt
- Best Midweight Sun Shirt: Topo Designs River Hoodie
- Softest Sun Shirt: Vuori Long Sleeve Strato Tech Tee
- Best Value Sun Hoodie: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
- Most Tech Sun Shirt: Foehn Cortes Polartec Long Sleeve Tee
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.
10 Best Sun Shirts & Sun Hoodies With UPF Sun Protection
Best Sun Hoodie for Alpine Adventures: Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody
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
UPF Rating: UPF 50
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Chest pocket, Merino is naturally antimicrobial
Cons: May be on the warmer side for mid-summer activities
Best Button Down Sun Shirt: Patagonia Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Hike Shirt
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
UPF Rating: UPF 40
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Classic guide look, lightweight recycled fabric, fast drying
Cons: Color is a little too close to some skin tones, and I found the shirt to fit on the short side, so better for folks with a shorter torso or sub 6'
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Most Stylish Sun Shirt: Mountain Hardwear Sunshadow Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
While the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie has long been my go-to for UV protection, the latest button-up options are so stylish they deserve a full on feature. Perfect for wear around town and on the trail, this women's button-down sun shirt is made with 94% recycled poly seersucker fabric for UPF 40 protection. The Sunshadow features a sleek, modern sillouette with clever design features to help dump heat like rear and side vents and easy-to-roll-up sleeves (with elastic cuffs). With anti-odor properties, secure zip front hand pockets, and a one-piece underarm gusset, it's ideal for backpacking, hiking, camping, and everyday wear.
Price: $79 $47
UPF Rating: UPF 40
Men's Option: Yes
Pros: Sleek style, zippered pocket, back and side vents
Cons: Men's version isn't as cool
Most Protective Sun Shirt: Florence Sun Pro Long Sleeve Hooded UPF Shirt
New from surf adjacent performance outdoor brand Florence—founded by legendary pro surfer John John Florence—this is one of the most unique and effective sun shirts on the market, thanks to its extended neck gaiter that can be worn over the nose to protect practically the whole face and head when worn with the hood. Made of 100% recycled polyester that's soft, stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking, the Sun Pro sun shirt is great for long days on the trail and on the water, whether hiking, backpacking, boating, fly fishing, or just BBQing in the backyard. If you’re looking for water-specific sun protection for paddling and surfing, trust the Florence Hooded Rash Guard.
Price: $80
UPF Rating: UPF 50+
Women's Option: Unisex
Pros: Integrated neck gaiter for full face sun coverage
Cons: Slim fit, so size up if you prefer loose
Best Sun Shirt for Fly Fishing: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoody
Plenty of fishing brands offer their take on the protective long sleeve hoodie, but so few of them pack any style that suits our astute tastes. Bamboo fabric-focused brand Free Fly’s hoodies combine style and functionality, protecting anglers against sunburn while keeping them looking good in solids and custom camo prints. The bamboo-based fabric of the Lightweight Hoody is ultralight and breathable, dries quickly, and provides 20 UPF with thumb holes and a crossover hood to ensure maximum coverage. For improved protection, check out their 50 UPF Bamboo Shade Hoodie as well as the heavier-weight, raglan-sleeved Bamboo Flex Hoodie for cooler days on the water. And, if you’re looking for the utmost sun protection, protect your face from sunburn with a breathable Sun Mask, a warm-weather gaiter with 50 UPF.
Price: $68
UPF Rating: UPF 20+
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Super soft and breathable bamboo/poly blend
Cons: May cling to body due to super lightweight material
Most Stretchy Sun Shirt: Coalatree Suray Sun Shirt
Coalatree excels at making ridiculously comfortable, versatile, and environmentally friendly gear. Their flagship Trailhead Pants have yet to meet the activity they couldn’t handle with ease. So when they Kickstarted] a sun shirt, it was clear it would be a contender among the best, and it doesn't disappoint. The Suray Sun Shirt is sustainably made with a non-chemical coat for UPF 50+ sun protection and features four-way stretch, raglan sleeves, and a zippered side pocket for your goods.
Price: $65
UPF Rating: UPF 50+
Women's Option: Unisex
Pros: Non-chemically treated, natural zinc, anti-odor
Cons: Only available in funky patterns and baby blue colorway
Best Midweight Option: Topo Designs River Hoodie
As per usual, Topo killed it with the fun style of their River Hoodie. But it didn't skimp on the little things, like a zippered chest pocket, unique neck toggle, discreet thumb loops, and a PackFast band for easy travel. It might be a little heavier than other offerings on this list, but this pullover hoodie is a better option for cool summer mornings and nights, cloudy days, or high alpine zones in which UV protection and quick-drying properties are still preferred.
Price: $99 (Patterned version on sale for $59)
UPF Rating: 30+ UPF
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: 100% recycled polyester, chest pocket, hood synch cord
Cons: Potentially overbuilt
Softest Sun Shirt: Vuori Long Sleeve Strato Tech Tee
For those of us that prefer a hoodless option, California brand Vuori has crafted perhaps the softest long sleeve sun shirt out there. This crewneck sun shirt option may not provide as much sun coverage as the standard hooded options, but with a UPF 30 rating it’s still a solid option for less extreme conditions—plus it doubles as a dependable casual layer for lounging around town.
Price: $64
UPF Rating: UPF 30
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Extremely soft, strong trail-to-town vibes
Cons: Minimal protection as crewneck design lacks a hood
Best Value Sun Hoodie: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
Time after time, the outdoor retailer’s in-house line provides a budget-friendly option to suit lovers of the outdoors on a budget. We 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 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: $65
UPF Rating:
Women's Option: Yes
Pros: Thicker and heavier than others on this list
Cons: No pockets
Most Tech Sun Shirt: Foehn Cortes Polartec Long Sleeve Tee
There is that old adage that if a restaurant serves only a few dishes they are probably really good. We're not sure if it applies to apparel, but Foehn makes only a few things, and they all tend to be really good. The Cortes Polartec crewneck tee is no exception, offering UPF 50 sun protection, superb breathability, and considerable ability to shred in rising temps. Bring the Cortes to the desert, or rock it when your city block begins to feel like one.
Price: $80
UPF Rating: UPF 50
Women's Option: No
Pros: Trusted Polartec fabric, sleek design
Cons: No hood means limited protection for neck
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 07-12-2023
