If there’s one thing I have in common with thru-hikers (there’s way more than one…) it’s the dress code for summer hiking: teeny tiny shorts on the bottom and full-coverage up top. Yup, when it’s sunny outside, even when it’s hot, you better believe I’m protecting my delicate epidermis with a sustainable sun hoody.
I mean, who wants to stop every hour to slather more sunscreen up and down their arms, neck, and chest, am I right? And who wants to carry that much sunscreen on a backpacking trip? Not me; I’m an ultralighter. So yeah, you’re waaaay more likely to catch me in full sleeves and a hood when it’s hot outside than a tank top (at least when I’m hiking, biking, or trail running for more than an hour). But not all sun hoodies are created equal. Some are created more equal than others. Fortunately, we found four solid, sustainable sun hoodies for hiking and all kinds of outdoor activities so you can wander without getting sun damage.
Why Sun Hoodies Are So Great
Not sure sun shirts are for you? I didn’t think so either for a while. In fact, rarely wore anything but a tank top on warm hikes for years. But then I went on a rim-to-rim backpacking trip across the Grand Canyon in July and changed my tune. Despite applying sunscreen liberally and regularly, by the end of a long first day (of three), my arms were warm, tingly, and very pink.
I’d read too many articles about sunburn and skin cancer, and my dad has had a few pre-cancerous spots removed, so I freaked out and begged my dad to let me wear one of his long-sleeve tech shirts that he brought (and never wore) for the rest of the trip. As soon as I pulled it on the next morning, I felt relieved and protected. And honestly, not nearly as hot as I thought I would. In fact, long sleeves made every dip I took in a shallow stream to soak my clothes and cool down so much more refreshing for so much longer as the water took longer to evaporate than it would have on bare skin.
Now, it’s as much about protecting myself from skin cancer as it is protecting myself from premature aging, lol. Plus, I’ve found a hoodie paired with a lightweight cap is more comfortable than a hoodless shirt with a bandana, and often even a wide-brimmed hat (a piece of gear I still absolutely love). So more often than not, my uniform when I head out on long sunny hikes is a ball cap, breathable sun hoody, and a teeny bottle of sunscreen. For my sandaled feet, obviously.
4 Sustainable Sun Hoodies
Royal Robbins Salathe Sun Hoodie: Ultralight Sun Hoodie with Mosquito Protection
Not only does this ultralight sun hoodie feature UPF 40+ protection in the lightest, thinnest fabric we’ve ever seen in a sun shirt, it ALSO has the brand’s Mosquito Protection Technology. And yes, it’s chemical-free protection. Instead of warding off mosquitos with a chemical treatment that will eventually wash out, the fabric uses a tight weave to block mosquitoes from biting. Elastic cuffs help further seal out bugs.
But don’t interpret “tight weave” to mean “not breathable.” On the contrary, on a sunny and warm but breezy hike in the mountains of Utah it breathed plenty well. What’s more, because the fit is designed to be loose, it never felt clingy. The material is also truly ultralight, weighing less than 5oz.
As for other features, I was a fan of all of them. A 1/4 zip made it easy to get off and on (good, since there’s limited stretch in the fabric) and offered additional venting on extra warm days. An adjustable bungee in the hem meant I could wear it loose and open at a slightly cropped length for breathability (the men’s version isn’t cropped) or cinch it for extra insect protection or for cropped styling. Those with lots of hair rejoice: the hood was plenty roomy for curls or ponytails. I don’t have much hair, but I was able to pull the front of the hood over the brim of my hiking hat, which kept it firmly in place during wind gusts.
Since it’s ultralight, it doesn’t feel quite as durable as some other shirts we’ve tested, but it is ripstop. Still, this shirt instantly became my go-to sun hoodie for hot summer hikes and backpacking trips thanks to its weight, breathability, fit and functionality.
How it’s sustainable: Bluesign Approved 100% recycled polyester material.
Sizes Available: Women: XS-XL, Men: S-XXL
Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie: The Easy Breezy One
I was actually a bit surprised to discover that this hiking sun hoodie was my favorite synthetic sun hoodie of the bunch. And I say that because 1.) Cotopaxi clothing tends to run large and not fit me very well, and 2.) the hem is pretty short, which I don’t tend to like in a sun shirt.
But lo and behold, I didn’t care about any of that. The looser fit and shorter hem actually made it more comfortable to wear on hot days because it felt breezier. But that actually wasn’t the shirt’s top selling point; it was the fabric. It’s kind of textured and super breathable, but also feels much softer and less plastic on your skin than a lot of sun shirts can. Which means it didn’t stick to mildly sweaty skin and felt much nicer to wear than many of the options I’ve worn in the past.
I also appreciated the thumb holes, roomy hood that offered the perfect amount of semi-fitted protection that always stayed put, and though I didn’t use it for much since I always hike in shorts or pants with plenty of pockets, the small zippered pocket on the back is a nice touch and a good place to store maybe lip balm or a gel packet. There’s also a non-hooded version available.
It’s lightweight, offers UPF 50+ protection, and is treated with Polegeine anti-order tech so it doesn’t stink quite as much and you don’t have to wash it after every use. It also feels durable and like it will last for plenty of seasons of outdoor fun. It’s honestly my new favorite hoodie where comfort is concerned.
How it’s sustainable: Made of 100% recycled polyester. Cotopaxi is also committed to ethical and sustainable manufacturing and transparent about their progress.
Sizes Available: This one comes in 4 colors for women and 5 for men, and is available in sizes XS-XL for women and S-XXL for men.
Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie: Functional Ultralight Sun Hoodie
On warm hikes, this is the shirt I often turn to first. It’s ultralight, packs down ultra small, is breathable and thin and still protects my skin from harsh sun. Plus it’s available in a wide array of color and patterns that pop on camera. This summer sun shirt is slightly less protective than other options on this list (UPF 15), but for most people, that’s sufficient. I’ve never been sunburned once while wearing this shirt, including on sunny multi-day hikes.
It’s more fitted than other options, so if you like your sun shirts loose, size up. If not, or if you’re small like I am, you’ll be happy to know this is an option that’ll fit. Bonus: it comes in plus sizes, too, up to 4XL. There are thumbholes to help protect your hands and the women’s version even has a port in the back of the hood for a ponytail or braid. There’s also a non-hooded version if you prefer a crew neck sun shirt.
As for the material, it’s perforated to offer maximum airflow and super thin and light. That means it’s breathable, but maybe less durable than some of these other options. That said, over several seasons of wear, I’ve only managed to inflict one snag, so I’m OK with that. The fabric can feel a bit clingy when damp since it’s not textured, but given all the other benefits, it’s still a winner in my book.
How it’s sustainable: Made of Bluesign approved 100% recycled polyester.
Sizes Available: Women’s: XXS-4XL, Men’s: S-3XL. There’s a women’s plus size available!
REI Sahara Shade Hoodie: The Soft, Budget-Friendly Hoodie
When it comes to sun shirts, we’re often not all that enthused about throwing one on. As in, we’re not tempted to simply lounge around in one when at home or leave them on for more than a few minutes after a hike. But when it comes to the REI Sahara Sun Hoodie, we’re happy to throw it on for a lazy work-from-home day and don’t feel the need to peel it off the minute we get back to the car after a trail run.
That’s thanks to super soft fabric that has tons of stretch and has a nice drape-y weight to it. The polyester-spandex material is a bit thicker than some other options we tested, but it didn’t feel sticky or like plastic on our skin, so we’re OK with the trade-off. And that makes it a great choice for cooler days.
I love the scalloped hem on the women’s especially (the men’s has it too, but to a much lesser degree, and there’s also a straight hem option available). There’s a bungee in the hood that you can cinch, too, though we didn’t use it much, but it was helpful in supper windy conditions to keep the hood in place and in colder temps it could help keep drafts at bay.
There are thumbholes located in just the right place to cover the backs of your hands and your knuckles and the women’s straight hem version has a ponytail hole in the hood. On the hottest, most humid days the material felt a bit heavy, but on cooler, dry, sunny adventures, we’re happy to pull on a Sahara Sun Hoodie. Bonus: it’s the most budget-friendly option on the list. They also come in the widest range of sizes, including plus sizes, and the shirt is UPF 50 rated.
How it’s sustainable: Bluesign approved, Climate Neutral brand.
Sizes Available: Women’s: XS-3XL, Men’s: S-3XL
Bottom Line: Sun Hoodies
Don’t be afraid to cover up this summer when you venture outside. Your skin will thank you when it doesn’t have to stare directly into the menacing eyes of the giant ball of fire in the sky that’s trying to kill you. Now don some sleeves and wander on!
