Sun shirts have become a reliable form of sun protection over the last bunch of years! And that's for good reason. They're a simple and effective way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays without having to put much thought into it. For some of us, sun shirts are also great because they mean using less sunscreen, which can cause allergic reactions or be super messy. With a sun shirt, you simply toss it on and get your sunshine on!
We've rounded up the best sun shirts after lots of testing. Thanks to our team of gear reviewers, our list of the best sun shirts is ready just in time for summer adventures. If you're thinking about trying a new style or maybe your first sun shirt ever, be sure to peruse this guide for the perfect one!
What are the best sun shirts?
Check out our top picks for the best sun shirts below.
Stio Men's Eddy Shirt LS
Stio's Eddy Shirt is a good looking, lightweight button up sun shirt that has UPF 50 sun protection. We love that the Eddy Shirt is a piece you can wear on adventures, but easily wear for town days and a backyard barbecue. It has a nice bit of stretch for ample range of motion and a relaxed fit that keeps things breathable. Check out Jon's gear test of this sun shirt!
REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
With a classic sun hoodie design, REI Co-op's Sahara Shade Hoodie is the favorite of many adventure seekers. It feels like you're wearing a t-shirt, but it features UPS 50 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This fit is loose, with a bit of stretch for comfort. The Sahara Shade Hoodie also has a 3-panel hood with an internal drawstring to seal out the elements, and a crossover-style opening for sun coverage at the neck. It comes in an array of colors, so you'll likely want to snag a couple!
Stio CFS Hooded Anorak
If you love an anorak style top, you will absolutely need to check out the CFS Hooded Anorak from Stio. This practical piece provides lightweight sun coverage in a quick-drying, stretchy fabric. It has UPF 50 and packs up into its kangaroo pocket! This sun shirt is made for days on the water, but is just as great on trail! Check out Courtney's gear test of this sun shirt!
PAKA Sol Hoodie
We love PAKA here at Backpackers, so needless to say, the launch of their Sol Hoodie is pretty exciting news. This alpaca wool sun shirt is ultra-soft, breathable, and naturally odor-resistant, thanks to the magic of alpaca fibers. It’s got just the right amount of stretch, offers UPF 30+ sun protection, and has a relaxed, roomy fit that makes it ideal for just about any sunshine-filled adventure.
I’ve actually been wearing the PAKA Sol Hoodie on my travels this summer, and it’s quickly become a staple in my pack. The fabric is insanely soft to the touch; it’s the kind of comfort you notice immediately. It hugs the body in all the right ways but never feels tight or restrictive. Whether I’m hiking, cycling, or just wandering a new town, this hoodie has kept me cool, comfortable, and sun-safe. I honestly love it.
Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
If you love natural fabrics, this is for you! The Lightweight Bamboo Hoodie from Free Fly is good looking, with a classic style. It's ultra-lightweight, built for long days in the sunshine. Equipped with a crossover hood and thumbholes, it really does protect most of your upper body from the sun. Incredibly breathable and naturally odor-resistant, it offers a UPF 20+ rating. This sun shirt comes in a ton of great colors, so be sure to grab a couple. This is the kind of top you'll live in all summer long.
Grundens Tough Sun Hoodie
If you get up to intense adventure in the sun, Grunden's Tough Sun Hoodie is a great sun shirt to add to your arsenal! Constructed from ultra snag-resistant interlocking knit fabric which provides UPF 50 sun protection, this is a good fishing, bushwhacking, and working outside sun shirt. This fabric utilizes Grunden's HeiQ Smart Temp technology, which keeps you cool even on the most brutally hot days. The cherry on top is that this sun shirt comes with a lifetime warranty.
FORLOH SolAir Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt
FORLOH's SolAir Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt is a premium sun shirt for epic adventure! It utilizes FORLOH's cooling technology brrr® Pro that has cooling minerals built into the fibers of our fabric to keep you cooler from the second you slip this on. It also has FORLOH's odor-proof technology, so you won't get stinky in this top. It has UPF 50 UV protection and is extremely lightweight and stretchy. This sun shirt comes with a lifetime warranty that FORLOH stands by, the same for all their products.
Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie
For many years running, Mountain Hardwear's Crater Lake Hoodie has been a staple sun shirt for adventurers. It has a very simple, modern design that packs a big sun protection punch! It has a roomy fit that allows for tremendous range of motion and has UPF 50+ sun protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation gave this top the Seal of Recommendation, which meets their criteria for safe and effective sun protection. It's available in many different colors and patterns for both men and women.
Wuru Corespun Merino Lightweight Hoodie
Made in Salt Lake City, Wuru's Corespun Merino Lightweight Hoodie uses the power of wool to keep you protected from harsh UV rays. Naturally odor resistant and antibacterial, this piece has a classic sun shirt fit and features a bit of nylon to create a more durable fabric. This is a sun shirt that I lived in for many summers as I thru-hiked a few long trails. It kept my skin happy and never got stinky, even on very long stretches of trail without being washed. This is an extremely durable wool top!
The North Face Class V Water Hoodie
This is a classic sun shirt from The North Face, built for long hauls in the sunshine. The Class V Water Hoodie is lightweight and loose fitting for a cool, fast drying top that is nice and soft on the skin. It features UPF 40+ sun protection, and its spacious hood helps to protect your neck and face from harmful rays. This top comes with a lifetime warranty.
Florence Marine Adapt Long Sleeve Hooded UPF Shirt
If you're looking for a sun shirt that can easily be worn on both outdoor adventures and patio brunches, Florence Marine's Adapt Long Sleeve Hooded UPF Shirt is for you! This sun shirt has a good looking matte finish that gives it the look of a cotton shirt instead of that shiny technical shirt look. It's soft to the skin and features UPF 50+ to block out harsh sunshine. Our gear tester Jon has loved this sun shirt for hot weather hikes that have no shade. Jon has also noted that this shirt does not show sweat, which is something many of us can appreciate.
NRS Baja Sun Shirt
The Baja Sun Shirt from NRS is a hoodless option that is made from 100% recycled materials. Laser-cut thumbholes and an extended collar prevent gaps at the neck and wrists for maximum sun protection, and the fabric is UPF 50+! This is a lightweight, great-looking top that is well suited for big adventures, along with patio beers and a stroll through town. Available in a few great colors, you'll want to check this one out!
All images courtesy Backpackers, REI, and respective brands. All Rights Reserved.
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