The Best Sun Protection Shirts of 2024

After rigorously testing dozens of sun shirts, the KUIU Gila PRO Long Sleeve ($99) takes the overall best spot.

The Gila PRO is technically designed for hunting, but it’s plenty versatile for any outdoor activity. We wore the Gila while fishing, hiking, and rock climbing, and it always performed exactly as needed. It’s a simple hooded pullover-style shirt with a tapered yet semi-loose fit.

We tested the Gila during the peak of summer in central Wyoming, and it kept us cool and protected from intense high-altitude sun exposure. The Gila sets the standard for sun shirt breathability. KUIU’s “cool touch” fabric isn’t just marketing noise; it really does breathe.

As expected from a high-end sun protection shirt, the Gila has a respectable UPF rating of 40+. The thoughtful design touches throughout add up to unbeatable protection. The sleeves are elongated for hand and arm coverage, and the thumb loops are exactly where you want them. The hem is longer than most shirts, so you won’t have to worry about exposing your lower back or midriff to the sun.

The standout feature of the Gila PRO is its form-fitting neck gaiter. Even without the hood up, this gaiter shields the ever-vulnerable neck from UV and won’t slide down out of place.

At $99, the Gila PRO isn’t the cheapest hoodie on this list, but if you’re seeking breathable UV protection and elite durability, the price is justified. It’s also available in hoodless and sleeveless configurations.

For the price point, the quality of the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie ($50) is unmatched. Just like our top picks, this shirt had a UPF rating of 50+. It’s also light, stretchy, and very comfortable.

The Sahara Shade’s internal drawstring hood is a unique feature, and we found it to be quite handy for protecting the forehead and cheeks. Compared to a few other shirts on the list, the material of the Sahara Shade feels a bit heavy. The actual weight isn’t listed by REI, but our scale clocked a men’s medium at 7.1 ounces.

Antimicrobial treatment helps keep this shirt from smelling decent, and the thumb loops are well-placed for optimal hand coverage.

Overall, the Sahara Shade is a do-it-all, versatile sun hoodie that’s useful for hunting, fishing, biking, and everything in between.

One of the lightest hoodies on this list, the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake ($65) is an excellent sun layer at an affordable price. It weighs just 5.5 ounces in a men’s medium and feels wonderfully light and airy during active use.

The ultra-light fabric of the Crater Lake Hoodie makes its 50+ UPF rating all the more impressive. This hoodie has become our go-to for long sun-soaked alpine hikes and approaches. Even while wearing a heavy pack, this hoodie breathes well and rarely becomes saturated with sweat.

For active uses like climbing and kayaking, the armpit gussets allow a full range of motion. The Crater Lake never feels restricted, provided you purchase the correct size. We stuck with our shirt size, and the Crater Lake fit like it should: close to the body yet slightly flowy.

Both the men’s and women’s versions come with thumb loops, but only the women’s option has a drawstring hem. The hood stayed on reliably, and the collar area has a nice overlapping design, adding extra sun protection for the neck.

We tested many button-up collared sun shirts, and this one is the clear standout. It’s light, durable, and supremely breathable. KUIU’s Mesa Vented Shirt ($109) is fully optimized for hot weather.

Our favorite Mesa feature is the large mesh-lined vent system on the back and shoulders. While hiking in the sun — especially while wearing a pack — these vents keep sweat to a minimum. Any time a slight breeze picked up, cool air flowed through this shirt like the Nile through Egypt.

The stretchy polyester fabric is odor-resistant and boasts a UPF rating of 50+. The snap buttons hold together well, but they’re quick to open when you need to dump heat. There are two roomy chest pockets; one zippered and one drop-in. A short-sleeve version ($99) is also available. If fashion is your priority, this might be the best sun protection shirt for your wardrobe.

Any of the sun shirts on this list are a solid choice for anglers, but the Howler Bros Loggerhead Hoodie ($69) has a few key features that give it extra fishing utility.

First, this hoodie is just plain comfortable. It has a flowy, loose fit, and the material feels soft against the skin. The porous weave on the polyester material breathes exceptionally well.

While fishing, we appreciated the storage capabilities of the roomy kangaroo pocket — a rare feature on sun shirts. A microfiber-lined sunglasses pocket is also included, which helped keep our lenses clean and clear while out on the water.

The Loggerhead hoodie isn’t the most fitted, but an included drawstring helps tighten it up when the wind starts blowing. As a bonus for anglers, certain color schemes of the Loggerhead come with fish-inspired graphics on the back.

While it doesn’t look like a traditional pullover-style sun hoody, the Patagonia Stretch Terre UPF ($129) certainly qualifies as one, and is easily one of the most well-designed hoodies on this list. You’ll have to go through the extra effort of zipping it up for full coverage, but it’s worth it for a surprisingly durable, wildly versatile jacket/hoody hybrid.

Out of the bag, the Stretch Terre looks like a normal jacket, but you’ll immediately notice how light it is. At just 8.3 oz, it feels like a jacket from the future. With an adjustable hem, three-panel hood, and cinches for the neck, you can customize the fit for a variety of activities.

With a 40+ UPF rating and a DWR finish, you’ll stay protected in rain or shine. While carrying crash pads to a remote boulder on a sunny day, we found it surprisingly breathable. And with shoulder straps on, it stretched to fit and provided optimal comfort. The hood is not at all awkward if you’re hatless or wearing a traditional hat, and also stretches comfortably over a climbing helmet.

Perhaps the only downside; it’s not the most comfortable if you go shirtless underneath. However, while expected with a traditional sun hoody, this hoody pays off in just about every other way. Two zipper pockets add to the functionality. It comes in three colorways. And we could see it being a four-season jacket for those who like to adventure year-round.

This jacket does fit a bit large, as is usual with Patagonia. The sleeve length was perfect, however, and the thumb loops are an added bonus. At $129, the price seems steep, but when you factor in the versatility (our tester even received multiple compliments when wearing it out to lunch) it feels like a steal. Overall, adding the Patagonia Stretch Terra to this list was an absolute no-brainer.

Most sun shirts on this list are primarily made from polyester. Uniquely, the Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Shore Hoodie ($68) is made from 70% viscose — a product of bamboo. The difference in materials is immediately clear — the Shore Hoodie is incredibly soft. It feels like silk blended with cashmere.

The glorious texture of the material is the standout feature of the Shore Hoodie. It’s a simple layer: no pockets or drawstrings, just pure sun protection, and comfort.

If you’re between sizes, we recommend sizing up in the Shore. We usually wear a medium, and the large fits perfectly. It’s a fairly slim cut overall, so the extra material helped increase airflow. We like that the Shore is plenty long through the sleeves and hem.

The Shore lacks thumb loops, and the hood doesn’t always stay on during active use. While this may not be the most technical hoodie on our list, the Free Fly Bamboo has quickly become one of our favorite everyday layers. It’s just that cozy.

This high-tech hoodie ($120) is a souped-up version of Black Diamond’s popular Alpenglow Hoody. It was designed with climbing in mind, and it’s the best style we’ve tested for that specific application.

Our favorite feature of the Alpenglow Pro is the fitted hood. It’s lined with an elastic strip, and it fits snugly over a climbing helmet. The neckline is very high, providing excellent neck and chin protection. The quarter-length zipper is great for dumping heat, and the zippered chest pocket is ideal for storing a phone or topo during a multi-pitch.

The articulated shoulders and stretchy materials allow for a full range of motion. In hot conditions, the large mesh underarm side vents are clutch. If you’re a fan of climbing desert towers, these vents could prove to be an invaluable saving grace in the heat.

With so many positive attributes, the only real downside of the Alpenglow Pro is the price. At $120, this is one of the most expensive options on this list. However, we believe it’s the best sun protection shirt for rock climbing in the heat.

It’s true; synthetics run the show when it comes to sun protection apparel, but there’s always the funk to contend with. Not so with the Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie ($85), a sheep-sourced protective layer that has odor-fighting properties built right in for extended wear.

When we tested the Solstice Hoodie in Iceland recently we wore it for 9 days straight, only stripping it briefly to dip in some geothermal pools, and found it to put up a good fight in terms of trail odor. The 30+ UPF rating, too, has enough chutzpah to keep up with full UV days, and in a country where shade is in limited supply, we greatly appreciated it.

The Solstice is a smidge heavier compared to the similar Voormi River Run Hoody (it’s a 145 g/m² weight fabric compared to the Voormi’s 100) but that’s all in service of durability, which we found to be better in this hoodie. The (m)Force Merino fabric is an 87% merino and 13% nylon blend, and is just about the perfect ratio for adding some extra strength to the garment.

The cut is equally dialed in, with a longer drop tail to cover your rear and extended sleeves that are finished off with low-profile thumb holes to protect the backs of your hands. The hood is a generous alcove to tuck away into, and large enough to promote some airflow when cutting down the trail.

Merino wool may not be as tough as your through-and-through synthetics, but it sure does make for one heckuva good sun protection hoodie. The Ridge Merino Solstice makes the grade in our books.

The Cotopaxi Sombra ($75) sun hoody is an excellent addition to any active person’s quiver. With 50+ UPF protection and a thicker fabric than most sun hoodies, it’s ideal for the high desert, or anywhere where the sun and altitude require extra protection.

The Sombra’s scuba hood stayed in place while hiking and climbing, and the thumb loops allowed us to move freely without the sleeves migrating or constricting us. After breaking a sweat on the hike, the hoody dried out quickly while we set up bouldering pads and warmed up.

While the fabric does feel a bit thicker than some other sun hoody options (maybe amplified by the knit portions), it stretched well, was comfortable on the skin, and provided optimal sun protection. The fit was just loose enough to be worn with a T-shirt underneath, and offered a breathable yet protective feel when we went shirtless.

Sun hoodies can be fragile, but the Sombra held up great on a fairly grueling bouldering expedition. We scuffed the sleeves a bit while projecting a climb, but that’s to be expected. We doubt some of the ultralight hoodies would have held up as well.

With a Polygiene anti-odor finish, we were able to wear the hoody a few times before washing it, making it ideal for a multi-day adventure. With a knit, zipper pocket on the hip, it’s easy to stash a bar or some gels for long outings. After testing, the Cotopaxi Sombra was an easy addition as one of the best sun hoodies of 2024.

This sun hoodie is yet another solid option. It has a few minor flaws, but it ultimately impressed us during testing. The most important function of a sun hoodie is sun protection, and the ActiveIce Spectrum hoodie ($100) delivers.

Outdoor Research’s proprietary “ActiveIce” fabric is a blend of polyester and spandex treated with HeiQ, which uses “bio-based products” to deliver a cooling sensation for the wearer. According to the brand, the Activeice fabric collects moisture and uses it to cool down the skin.

We’ve been wearing this hoodie while hiking, biking, and climbing in the dry summer heat of Wyoming. We can’t say we’ve noticed any major cooling sensation as advertised by the brand, but it’s still a solid layer. It breathes well and offers a top-notch UPF rating of 50+.

Before one particularly grueling hike, we soaked the hoodie in cold creek water to stay cool and simultaneously test the claim of “moisture-activated” cooling. The damp shirt felt great in the hot sun. It maintained its breathability, never caused chafing, and dried quite quickly.

The prominent seam along the ActiveIce Spectrum‘s shoulders showed signs of wear after a few uses, but it hasn’t been a major issue so far. The thumb loops are well-placed, and the hood offers great face and neck coverage. Overall, it’s a quality sun shirt at a fair price.

The Mountain Hardwear Canyon shirt ($70) has been around for years. The shirt received a recent update, and we think the latest iteration is the best yet. It’s a simple 100% polyester button-up, and it’s a great choice for any activity on a warm summer day.

We love the lightweight breezy feel of the Canyon. The primary material isn’t the most breathable, but a series of small mesh vents along the back of the shoulders improve airflow without compromising sun protection. These vents aren’t as large as those found on the KUIU Mesa, but they’re well-placed and effective.

As for looks, this is a handsome form-fitting shirt. It’s designed for outdoor activities, but you could absolutely wear this during the less fun parts of life and look semi-professional. It fits a bit snugly through the chest, so we recommend sizing up if you want to maximize airflow. Overall, the Mountain Hardwear Canyon Long Sleeve is a quality button-up sun protection shirt at a reasonable price.

The RAB Force Hoodie ($75) is a streamlined sun shirt built for climbing, trail running, and multiday trekking. Replacing the ever-popular Pulse Hoodie, the Force had a lot to live up to, and it delivers.

Designed as a direct-to-skin baselayer, the Force is made from RAB’s “MOTIV” fabric, which is 100% polyester and quite soft to the touch. At just 5.8 ounces in a men’s medium, the Force is one of the lightest sun shirts on the market. The “Motiv” fabric is quick to dry, and the seams aren’t bothersome — even while wearing a pack.

We noticed that the Force fits a bit tight, and we’d recommend sizing up to achieve its fullest breathable potential — especially if you’re in between sizes.

While wearing a climbing helmet, the close-fitting hood stays on and provides good coverage. The Force is a bit more expensive than similar options on this list, but it’s still a good value for adventurous climbers and mountain runners.

The Voormi River Run ($139) is 100% merino wool but made with a unique blend and construction. Voormi uses its Dual Surface ultralight Precision Blended Wool, a fabric weighing under 100 g per square meter. That’s 30 to 50 g lighter than the leading ultralight merino fabrics currently on the market, Voormi claims.

In hand, when packing, and when wearing, we can attest that it’s light. It’s also colored using a wool-specific, individual-yarn dying method.

Now, on to our feedback. I’m not sure where I haven’t worn this Voormi layer — that’s how versatile it is. Paddleboarding, camping, climbing, snowshoeing, kayaking, hiking, running errands, and if I fishing.

The Voormi River Run was designed with everything from fly fishing day trips to multiday river trips in mind, which is one of the main reasons we love it.

But it’s also a UPF 50-rated long sleeve with a hood. So, if you are heading up into alpine territory, or looking for a merino base layer for fall, it’s a good choice for that as well. And, it’s made in the USA. Our only con? It’s crazy ultralight and soft, meaning it’s prone to snagging easily.