Bottom Line
The Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody (the women’s counterpart to the men’s Cormac Hoody) offers a highly technical fabric and fit for demanding outdoor adventures. It easily keeps up on long days of peak-bagging, holding its own in pre-dawn temperatures and wicking away moisture during midday traverses and ridge scrambles.
The Sunna Hoody is an updated version of the Taema Hoody, with the most notable differences being the fabric and fit. The Sunna offers improved freedom of movement thanks to a four-way, stretch-knit waffle fabric. It also has a roomier shape than the Taema, addressing complaints about the Taema’s tight and uncomfortable fit across the shoulders.
That said, unlike the Taema, which boasted UPF 50+ sun protection, the Sunna is not UPF-rated. We reached out to Arc’teryx to inquire about this, but we were unable to confirm when – or if – it will get a rating.
Still, this sun shirt works well for extended, strenuous outdoor outings. Though not the softest sun shirt available, it’s a dependable year-round piece thanks to its technical wicking fabric. The quality and versatility make it an excellent investment for those looking for a performance-ready sun shirt. For more options, check out our sun shirts gear guide.
How We Tested
We tested the Sunna Hoody throughout multiple days in weather that ranged from the high 50s to low 80s, both with and without layers overtop (including a puffy jacket). We wore it for a 1-mile trail run as well as two separate four-mile hikes. We paired it with a loaded daypack for a portion of our testing and wore it on its own for the rest.
Quick Specs
Arc’teryx Men’s Cormac / Women’s Sunna Hoody
Best Technical Sun Shirt
CleverHiker Rating: 4.2/5.0
Price: $90
UPF Rating: None
Weight: 6 oz. / 4.9 oz.men’s / women’s
Fabric Weight: 110 GSM
Fabric: 100% recycled polyester
Pros
- Great technical fabric
- Exceptional wicking
- Dries quickly
- Made from recycled content
- Great for year-round use
Cons
- No UPF rating (yet)
- Pricey
- Not as breathable as prior versions
Comfort
The Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody’s fabric is a real standout. It’s made from 40-denier polyester, which offers great strength for its weight. The fabric features four-way stretch and a waffle-knit texture (called Solotex Circular Knit Waffle), allowing for great breathability and moisture wicking.
The Solotex fabric has amazing shape retention – it feels like it snaps back into place after being stretched. It’s also resistant to shrinking, even after continued washing and drying. The fabric feels smooth against the skin, and though it doesn’t boast the plush silkiness or brushed softness of other sun hoodies in our lineup, it feels very pleasant overall.
The Sunna’s fit offers added room in the shoulders and back compared to the past-generation Taema. Though the fabric still hugs the arms and back in spots (especially at the forearms), the Sunna’s stretch allows for very comfortable movements. Even with our arms extended and thumbs through the thumbholes, the fabric didn’t dig into our hands or cause discomfort.
Sun Protection
The past-generation Taema Hoody had UPF 50+ protection, but the latest Sunna (and men’s Cormac) are not currently UPF-rated. We reached out to Arc’teryx to get the details on whether or not it will get a rating in the future, but we were unable to confirm before publishing this review.
Until that happens, we hesitate to recommend the Sunna/Cormac for those in need of top-level sun protection. On the bright side, the sleeve length and thumbholes have been improved. The Taema featured straps for the thumbs, but the sleeves covered less than half of the hand when in use. The Sunna has very comfortable, low-profile thumbholes that pull the sleeve to the knuckles, covering the entirety of the hand.
Finally, the hood fits great with or without a hat underneath. It stays in place and doesn’t fall into our face when running. Even when the hood is down, the neck is partially protected from the sun with a built-in gaiter – and it’s even more comprehensive with the hood on.
Breathability & Wicking Power
Although we love the Sunna’s fabric, it has a denser weave that lacks some airiness compared to the Taema Hoody. That said, it’s still an excellent performance piece with impressive wicking abilities and a quick drying time.
We tested this shirt during a trail run/hike in an exposed area with temperatures in the low 80s. Air didn’t feel like it was reaching our skin as much as we hoped, but we also didn’t feel like we were overheating or sweating excessively. In fact, sweat seemed to be pulled away from our body and evaporated quickly from the fabric, leaving very little odor or claminess. Even in spots where sweat saturated the fabric, the shirt doesn’t feel weighed down.
We were even more surprised by the shirt’s performance on a hike in full sun with temperatures in the low 60s. We had a light puffy underneath and a loaded daypack, and we were able to keep on the mid-layer for the entirety of our four-mile hike.Though warm at times, we were not uncomfortable. Sweat gathered on the shirt, but only in places where the pack touched our back – and it dried quickly once we returned to the trailhead.
Versatility
The Sunna is a great year-round piece thanks to its technical fabric that wicks moisture (i.e., sweat) effectively and maintains its shape over time. The fit also works well for pairing under a mid-layer. For summer adventures, the fabric is breathable and odor-resistant enough to last multiple days between washings. It also helps that the shirt’s construction is hardwearing and built to last – unlike some thinner and more delicate shirts that we tested.
Should You Buy The Arc’teryx Sunna/Cormac Hoody?
The Sunna is an excellent all-around choice. Some technical sun shirts feel too specialized for the average hiker, but the Sunna manages to pack in a healthy dose of performance in a very approachable package. The price point is on the higher end, but the shirt’s overall quality and versatility make it a solid value – especially for those who spend a lot of time in the mountains.
The polyester fabric is smooth, durable, and retains its shape over time. We experienced no snagging, pilling, or other signs of wear throughout testing. It also has a healthy dose of stretch, dries quickly, and resists odor to an impressive degree, making it a great choice for multi-day trips.
In addition to being on the pricier side, the Sunna isn’t the softest sun shirt available. It’s also a little less breathable and airy than the past-generation Taema Hoody, although sweat buildup wasn’t an issue. Overall, it’s a very capable piece with great all-around performance.
What Other Sun Shirts Should You Consider?
Before you make a decision, be sure to check out our guide to the best sun shirts. Here are a few options that are similar to the Sunna Hoody:
KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie Review: If you’re looking for an ultralight design that breathes well, dries extremely fast, and feels silky-smooth against the skin, the NoFry fits the bill. This is the thinnest shirt in our lineup at 79 GSM, translating to a very airy and barely there feel. The biggest drawback is the lack of longevity: The NoFry is relatively delicate and prone to snagging, making the Sunna the better long-term investment.
Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie Review: The Sombra is another sun shirt that puts it all together pretty well. Compared to the Sunna, the Sombra tacks on a zippered pocket at the side and costs less. However, it does not dry as fast, wick as effectively, or breathe nearly as well as the Sunna, nor does it layer as comfortably for winter activities due to its shorter cut.
Ridge Merino Solstice Pro Lightweight Wool Hoodie Review: Made from mostly merino wool, the Solstice is a slightly less technical but still entirely capable alternative to the Sunna. This sun shirt breathes well, fits and feels comfortable, effectively regulates body temperature, and keeps odor to a minimum. However, it can’t compete with the Sunna’s stretch, wicking abilities, or long-term durability.
