Prefer to not to wear animal fibers? Don’t love the idea of constantly pulling on a synthetic hiking shirt? What if there was another (more sustainable) option? Cotton, hemp, modal and a slew of other natural fiber hiking shirts for example? We’ve got good news: there are and they rock. So we hiked in eight hiking shirts made of natural fibers to determine where they shine, what temps they’re best for, and which are worth a spot in your closet–the one full of outdoor apparel AND everyday items.
These are our favorite options that we’ll be wearing time and time again, on trail and off (as long as it’s dry and not too cold, of course). Bonus: they’re all made of plant fibers (we’re vegan here at Terradrift so we don’t wear wool).
A Note on Plant Fibers for Hiking
Are natural fibers better than synthetics for hiking? Well, that depends. Sythetics wick moisture better and dry faster, which is important in cool, cold, and wet conditions. But for everything else, we love apparel made of renewable plant fibers. That’s because natural fibers are typically biodegradable, they can sometimes be recycled, and they don’t shed microplastics in the wash.
Fun fact: We’ve written about hiking in plant-based fibers like cotton before (turns out, it’s not as bad as its reputation would have you believe). We’ve also tested what materials, including natural fibers, dry fastest and stink less (you might be surprised by the results).
And while you can certainly hike, travel and explore in any ol’ cotton, hemp or bamboo shirt that’s already in your closet, if you’re looking to bolster your supply of natural apparel or are in search of clothing that functions as well on the trail as it does in town, these options take sustainability to the next level. Many even have used sections of their site so you can score a deal on lightly worn clothing.
Pro tip: the saying “cotton kills” applies mostly to cold and wet pursuits because it doesn’t wick sweat and dry as fast as synthetics. So consider saving some of these plant-based fibers for warm and dry conditions only.
Patagonia Tropic Hoodie: The Best Natural Fiber Hoodie
Sun hoodies made of plant fibers are few and far between. But we’re not surprised that Patagonia makes one of the few we found during our research. Fortunately, it’s just about all we could ever want in a hoodie: soft on the skin, not clingy like synthetics can sometimes be, breathable, stretchy, and hooded for ultimate sun protection. Plus it’s comfy and doesn’t look as technical if he wants to grab a veggie burger at the local brewpub after a hike.
On one medium output trek on a cool but humid day where Josh was working enough to sweat a little, the tight-knit fabric didn’t feel quite as breathable as some other options he tested. But he can deal with it for the extra protection a hood offers. Plus, since it’s made of natural fabrics (96% modal, 4% elastic), he can feel good about what’s on his skin.
How it’s sustainable: Modal is sourced from sustainable, FSC- or PEFC-managed forests.
Patagonia Long-Sleeved Regenerative Organic Certified Cotton Tee: The Best Classic Long Sleeve
Simple. Classic. Functional. If there’s a basic that’s likely to become your favorite cool-weather layering top, it’s this one. The fit is simple, it comes in a handful of neutrals, and the material is soft on the skin. Plus the style is classic, no fuss, and fitted enough to layer under a sweater or jacket.
Because the material is made from such a tight, clean knit, it looks more sleek for around-town or travel wear than some of the other options on this list, plus is more of a slim fit (at least the women’s version). But that means it doesn’t breathe quite as well. On warmer days or challenging treks it got damp from sweat quickly and took longer to dry than some other shirts we tested.
So I think it’s better suited for easy strolls and cool weather layering than adventures where you’ll be exerting yourself. There’s a men’s/unisex style available plus tee shirts and other options.
How it’s sustainable: Made of Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton. That means the cotton is farmed using certified standards that are better for people and planet and is farmed using practices that replenish soil health, reduce carbon, and restore biodiversity.
Outerknown Lightweight Weekend Shirt: The Multi-Functional Stylish One
If there’s one shirt that’s likely to be our new favorite go-to layering piece for protecting our skin on sunny, warm hikes AND easy-breezy casual looks when traveling or going to dinner, this is it. In fact, upon first touch, I was instantly smitten with it. The fit is stylish and loose, the fabric thin, light and ultra breathable, and the accents well thought-out. It might just replace my favorite lightweight plaid button up!
I wore it on a moderately challenging hike when fall temps were in the low 60’s in the sun and I was sweating when hiking uphill. Fortunately, the fabric is so light that it dried fast, so when hiking back down in the shade in the low 50’s, it still protected my arms from cool breezes. It was nice to be able to open the shirt and let it breathe when I was working hard but still protect my arms and shoulders from the sun, then button it up and throw a windbreaker over it for the hike down.
In the summer, it’s light enough that I will definitely wear it as a sun protective layer, especially in a light color. It is roomy, so if you like a more fitted silhouette, size down. This is a women’s style, but men or those who prefer unisex styles should check out the Slowdown Shirt, which isn’t quite as lightweight, but the closest comparable option.
How it’s sustainable: Made of Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton. That means the cotton is farmed using certified standards that are better for people and planet and is farmed using practices that replenish soil health, reduce carbon, and restore biodiversity.
Outerknown Big Heavy Tee: The Cool-Weather Champ
Sometimes you don’t want a super lightweight, delicate tee shirt. Sometimes you want something that’s able to stand up to a bit of abuse like tree limbs and narrow canyons. But that doesn’t mean you don’t want it to be breathable and comfortable. Enter the Big Heavyweight Tee. It’s soft and thick, but oh so comfortable. And for its weight it’s impressively breathable.
Josh did find it was better suited for easy cool-weather hikes than challenging treks due to the weight of the fabric and how long it takes to dry once it’s soggy with sweat, but it was also supremely comfortable and breathable on long travel days and stylish enough to be an everyday shirt, too. In fact, it quickly became Josh’s go-to long sleeve shirt for cool weather.
How it’s sustainable: Made of Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton. That means the cotton is farmed using certified standards that are better for people and planet and it is farmed using practices that replenish soil health, reduce carbon, and restore biodiversity.
Jungmaven Jung Long Sleeve Tee: The Lightweight Long Sleeve
If there’s one shirt I want to throw on for everything from lounging around the house to grabbing drinks with friends to day hikes, it’s this shirt. It feels wonderful on, is light, loose and airy, and the weight of the fabric means it dries surprisingly fast when it gets sweaty. I wore it on a recent short but moderately challenging hike when late afternoon temps were in the mid 50’s and I was mostly in the sun.
There was a bit of perspiration on the uphill, but I didn’t feel the need to add a layer on the downhill–the fabric was just enough to provide a touch of protection from the wind, though on cooler days I would layer up.
This is a unisex option, so runs a bit larger if you’re used to women’s sizing. But there are other shirts made of the same weight fabric, including a women’s-specific version, the Encanto, and T-shirt versions like the Jung Tee.
How it’s sustainable: Made entirely of organic cotton and hemp, which is a hugely sustainable fiber. Plastic-free packaging.
Jungmaven Bishop Long Sleeve: The Best 100% Hemp Hiking Shirt
Shirts made of 100% hemp aren’t easy to find. And they aren’t typically a budget-friendly item. But once you try one, you’ll be hooked. Indeed, I loved the Bishop long sleeve immediately. The fabric has a pleasing weight to it and drapes similarly to silk (if silk was textured and several times thicker). The knit is visible and slightly textured, but crazy breathable. Frankly, we think this is how clothing should feel!
Because it’s made with a looser, bigger knit, it was stupendously breathable, meaning I stayed comfy on a cool but humid day on a moderate hike uphill and back down. It offered enough protection from the breeze on the downhill and let plenty of air pass through on the uphill to keep me from overheating. Plus, those big stitches offer lots of space to trap heat when the shirt is layered with a windbreaker or jacket, making it super versatile.
This is the women’s version. The men’s is the Mana 10 Long Sleeve Hemp Tee.
How it’s sustainable: Made of 100% hemp, one of the world’s most sustainable fibers.
Uyn Sparkcross + Terracross: The Best Technical Natural Fiber Tees
The only performance plant-based option on this list (in fact, one of few performance plant-based options available anywhere), the material of the Sparkcross and Terracross are a magical mix of plants and science. Both are designed for warm weather, but can also be worn as a base layer (but there are more cool-weather options available).
They’re made of a mix of castor bean oil (a plant-based “synthetic” material), eucalyptus and an often unused part of the cotton plant. The result is fabric that feels excellent on skin; not clingy or plasticy like synthetics can but not itchy or irritating like wool can. It feels natural, but also like a performance fabric: slightly textured, stretchy, moisture-wicking and quick drying.
On plenty of hikes in the summer heat we found these shirts dried faster than even many petroleum-based synthetics and wool AND were more comfortable and breathable on sweltering days. They certainly look more like performance apparel with their strategic patterning and stitching for ultimate breathability and functionality, so they’re not as street-ready as the other options on this list, but they’re an excellent option for 4-season high output pursuits. We wouldn’t mind having a few more in our closets!
How it’s sustainable: Castor bean fabric isn’t biodegradable, but it doesn’t contribute microplastics to the environment. The entire shirt is made of plants.
Astral High Noon Hemp Tee and Hoodie: The Best Classic All-Arounder
After falling in love with Astral’s first collection of Hemp apparel last summer, we were stoked to see their new lightweight hoodie and tees drop this summer (Also, we’re obsessed with their Kinisi Hemp Pants). The fabric is a medium weight, breathes incredibly well, and because the fabric has a micro texture to it, it never feels clingy on skin when hiking in warm weather, even though it’s a bit heavier than some other options.
The High Noon Hoodie is better suited for mild to cool days than hot ones thanks to the weight and thickness of the fabric, but it does feel a lot better on skin than most synthetics. What’s more, both shirts are just as well suited for evenings out, grabbing a drink post-hike, or wearing to backyard BBQ’s. Women’s tees lean trendy (boxy and cropped) and we’re into it.
How it’s sustainable: Shirts are made with a blend of entirely hemp and organic cotton. Clothing is also Fair Trade certified.
Bottom Line
While cotton and hemp aren’t the best choice for every outdoor adventure, when temps are mild to hot and humidity is low, plant fibers are often a more comfortable–and more sustainable–option. Compared to technical synthetics and even wool, they breathe well, are more versatile, smell less, and you don’t have to worry about microplastics (learn how to wash synthetics to reduce microplastic shedding here).
Plus, hiking shirts made of plant-based fibers typically biodegrade naturally at the end of their usable lives, are made with renewable materials, and just feel dang good to wear. So grab some cotton or hemp and wander on!
Looking for more sustainable synthetic sun shirts for all-season, all-weather pursuits? Check these options out. Wondering if UPF ratings actually make a difference? Read this article.
