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! (And get some zinc sunscreen, too!)
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