Best Sun Shirts of 2026

Our team of gear experts has spent over a dozen years testing 50 sun shirts. From top brands like Cotopaxi, REI, Arc’teryx, and Patagonia, we’ve tested and reviewed the best of the best on countless hiking, backpacking, and trail running adventures.

Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on April 30, 2026, to add a few new picks to our list – including the Patagonia Tropic Comfort, Ridge Merino Solstice, and KETL NoFry – and update our coverage of some old favorites.

How We Test Sun Shirts

Our sun shirt gear analysts hike an average of eight miles a day, testing how clothing stands up to the dramatic terrain and weather of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the high desert of northern Nevada. 

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#1. Best Sun Shirt Overall

The Cotopaxi Sombra Hoodie (men’s / women’s) is the all-star sun shirt on our list not because it’s the most high-performing option, but because it puts it all together better than most. We’ve logged countless miles with the Sombra and still find its breathable, lightweight, protective design hard to beat.

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Quick Picks for Sun Shirts

Check out this quick list of the best sun shirts, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorites with in-depth reviews.

1. Best Sun Shirt Overall: Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie Men’s / Women’s ($75)

2. Best Sun Hoody For Everyday Wear: Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural Men’s / Women’s ($99)

3. Best Natural Fiber Sun Hoody: Ridge Merino Solstice Pro Lightweight Wool Hoodie Men’s / Women’s ($100)

4. Best Sun Shirt for Backpacking: Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down Men’s / Women’s ($95)

5. Best Technical Sun Shirt: Arc’teryx Cormac / Sunna Hoody Men’s / Women’s ($90)

6. Best Budget Sun Hoody: REI Sahara Shade Hoodie Men’s / Women’s ($60)

7. Softest Sun Shirt: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody Men’s / Women’s ($79)

8. Best Sun Shirts for the Whole Family: Milk x Whiskey Chaser ($39 – $99)

9. Best Lightweight Sun Shirt: KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie ($69)

10. Best No-Frills Sun Shirt: Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie Men’s / Women’s ($78)

Analysis & Results

Which Sun Shirt is the Best Value?

Value to us means a shirt that can handle most situations and sports so that your dollar stretches farther. The frequency and situations in which sun shirts may be worn are subjective, so you may find that you’d get more use out of a casual shirt than a technical one (or vice versa).

If budget is your driving factor, the REI Sahara Sun Shade Hoodie gets our vote due to its well-rounded performance and UPF 50+ protection in a very affordable package. It has the technical features we look for, fits well, and comes in a ton of colors – plus, you can often find it on sale during REI promo periods.

The KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie is another solid budget pick. It’s thinner than the Sahara Shade and has a lower UPF rating of 30+, but it’s also fairly easy on the wallet and comfortable to wear all day, especially in the summer.

Finally, our tester really liked the Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody – the women’s counterpart to the Cormac Hoody. Though more expensive, you get what you pay for: outstanding all-around performance, reliable protection, a relaxed feel, and high-quality materials that last. We consider this shirt worth every penny for folks who get out often and demand a lot from their sun hoody (although the lack of UPF rating is a notable downside that we hope Arc’teryx addresses soon).

Which Sun Shirt is the Most Comfortable?

Several of the sun shirts reviewed here received perfect scores for comfort, most of which are knitted designs. Knits generally have better drape, a more relaxed fit, and greater stretch compared to woven fabrics. 

Top performers for comfort were the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, Free Fly Bamboo Shade, REI Sahara Shade, and Milk x Whiskey Chaser. Each of these has a super soft hand feel, fits well, and offers a nice amount of stretch. The Crater Lake is especially noteworthy due to its silky-smooth fabric that’s the softest and lightest of the bunch. We were also impressed by the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural Sun Hoody. 

The most surprising on the list, however, is the Arc’teryx Cormac / Sunna Hoody. Its fabric doesn’t immediately scream “soft” like others do. It ranked so highly mostly due to stretch, offering the most pliable hand feel in our lineup.

A final design worth noting is the Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down. Though it lacks stretch in the arms (the body is a stretchy mesh), the overall fit is roomy enough that no fabric touches your body unless pressed against it by a backpack.

Which Sun Shirt has the Best Sun Protection?

The Skin Cancer Foundation recently increased their requirements for clothing to be awarded its Seal of Recommendation. Previously, any fabric with a UPF value of 30+ was included; as of 2026, the foundation has upped the threshold to 50. That said, they still consider a UPF of 30 to 49 “very good protection.” 

Though we’d recommend any of the models on our list for protecting you from harmful rays, some are more protective than others, including the Cotopaxi Sombra Hoodie, REI Sahara Shade, Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, Milk x Whiskey Chaser, and Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie. All of these shirts boast UPF ratings of 50 or 50+, feature protective hoods with good neck coverage, and have thumbholes to keep the backs of your hands covered. 

It’s worth noting that the KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie rated the lowest for its protective qualities, starting with its UPF rating of 30+, which is the lowest on our list (not counting the non-UPF-rated Arc’teryx Cormac / Sunna Hoody). It also lost points with our gear expert because it didn’t offer a neck gaiter or sleeves that covered the entire hand. 

Which Sun Shirt is the Most Breathable?

The Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down and KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie had the highest scores for breathability. The Triple Crown features an open mesh design on the body that allows for airflow, while the loose-fitting style and button-up front further boost circulation. The KETL has an awesome fabric constructed into a grid-knit pattern that essentially creates little pockets of loft and airflow. The result is a barely there feel, even on very hot days. 

If breathability is a must-have for you, stay away from shirts with less technical fabrics. Although air still passes through the Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie or Milk x Whiskey Chaser, their constructions will start to feel heavy as temperatures rise.

Which Sun Shirt Dries the Fastest & Wicks the Best?

Technical, woven fabrics tended to wick moisture and dry faster than their knit counterparts. At the top of our list this year are the Arc’teryx Cormac / Sunna Hoody, Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down, and KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie. All three dried within 10 to 15 minutes (or less) after stopping activity. Our gear expert couldn’t discern sweat on the Sunna Hoody at all during testing, making it an excellent choice for high-output activities that get your heart pumping.

Though not top performers, there were a couple close runners-up, including the Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie and Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody. Both shirts dried within 30 minutes in the sun, which should be plenty fast for many outdoor uses. 

Which Sun Shirt is the Best at Resisting Odor?

After hard days on trails, the shirts that smelled the least were the Arc’teryx Cormac / Sunna Hoody, Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie, and Ridge Merino Solstice Pro Lightweight Wool Hoodie. 

We were pleasantly surprised by the odor resistance of the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural Sun Hoody and a little disappointed by the KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie. We expected the Tropic Comfort to take on smell as readily as it does sweat. However, even after all-day wear and five miles of hiking, the shirt wasn’t offensive. On the other hand, the NoFry smelled much worse than even our own body after similar tests – surprising given how lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying it is. 

Although odor resistance isn’t a make-or-break metric for us, a shirt with good stink prevention can provide greater value in the long run. Not only does a better-smelling shirt cross over more easily for everyday activities, it also requires less frequent laundering. Washing degrades fabrics over time, which isn’t great for gear that already takes a beating on the trails.

Which Sun Shirt is the Most Versatile?

Versatility is perhaps the most important metric for determining value. If a shirt only wears well in a few conditions, it isn’t a great buy, in our opinion. Sun shirts are, by design, quite versatile. So we had to get nitpicky about style, features, seasonality, layering comfort, and conditions and sports they work for.

The only two that didn’t rank high in versatility were the Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down and Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake. Both pieces are best suited for summer temperatures with lightweight constructions and fits that don’t pair well underneath mid-layers for winter activities. On the flip side, the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural and REI Sahara Shade received perfect scores for versatility, offering excellent year-round and multi-sport appeal.

How to Choose a Sun Shirt

Are Woven or Knit Fabrics Better?

One of the largest differences in sun shirts is the construction type and fiber content. These components affect how the shirts move, breathe, and wick. Knits are generally going to have softer fabric that drapes easier and stretches more. They also typically absorb water more readily than woven fabrics, though this is a bit nuanced and depends largely on the specific fiber content.

Woven fabrics often have a more structured look and feel. This is very apparent when comparing them side-by-side with a knitted shirt. Woven fabrics are also more breathable than knits, which makes the shirts in this category very lovely during big climbs. Finally, woven fabrics are generally more durable than knits – a characteristic that was very apparent in testing. Several of our knit shirts showed pilling or small holes, while woven shirts did not.

Which Materials are Best for Outdoor Activities? 

First, consider what type(s) of outdoor activities you enjoy. If you need a sun shirt to perform from dawn to dusk, throughout heat-soaked climbs up thousands of feet, you might want to opt for a sun shirt made from synthetic materials. If you hike a few times a week to get the dogs out or explore after work, you don’t need to relegate yourself to synthetic fibers only – natural alternatives like merino wool or bamboo can do the trick.

Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon have a reputation for being quick-drying and effective at wicking moisture (i.e., sweat), making them well suited for a range of outdoor adventures. They are also more durable and long-lasting than natural fibers and don’t absorb sweat as readily. This is why they say cotton kills: It soaks up moisture and holds on to it, causing clothing to stay wet, which can be uncomfortable or downright dangerous as the temperature drops and your body loses heat. 

That said, some natural fibers perform better than others. For example, some wool-heavy sun shirts we’ve tested are prone to absorbing sweat but dry relatively quickly and are highly effective at regulating temperature (i.e., keeping you warm when you need it and dumping heat when you don’t). Another exception is modal, which is fiber derived from beech trees that’s long-lasting but more absorbent than most synthetics.

How Do I Identify Breathable Fabrics?

Breathability is a characteristic derived from a shirt’s construction and fabric thickness. In general, natural fibers tend to be more breathable than synthetics, but there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, some grid-knit polyester fabrics – especially those with thinner compositions – can outperform natural fibers like wool and modal.

Look for low GSM counts and gridded or waffle-patterned fabrics. You can often see this just by looking at the shirt. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can then compare the material makeup, keeping in mind that a blend with natural fibers (like wool, modal, viscose, or cotton) will breathe better. 

How Much Sun Protection Do I Need? 

We suggest investing in UPF clothing with a rating of at least 30 for your outdoor adventures. Other features, like a hood and sleeves that cover the hands, are nice to have but not all that helpful if the shirt does not meet this minimum standard for sun protection.

For reference, The Skin Cancer Foundation only gives its Seal of Recommendation to clothing with a minimum UPF rating of 50. However, they stipulate that ratings between 30 and 49 offer “very good protection.” It’s important to note that some shirts have lower UPF ratings in lighter colorways. Similarly, those with looser constructions can have lower ratings, as well. 

Why Trust CleverHiker

Gear Analyst Helena Guglielmino has thru-hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail and John Muir Trail, giving her a deep understanding of the need for clothing that performs day after day, from morning frost to sizzling afternoons along granite ridges. She also spent a summer working full-time on a local trail crew, destroying a number of sun shirts. Quality and value for investments are high markers of her analysis. Off trail, Helena has studied fabric types and constructions as well as the unique benefits of fibers for a copywriting job at a sustainable women’s-wear brand. 

Testing Methodology

How Do We Assess Comfort?

The most important metric in a sun shirt is its comfort. Our reasoning is simple: If you don’t find a shirt comfortable, you won’t wear it. 

As much as comfort is subjective – and highly dependent on how a shirt fits your unique shape – this metric was determined by three factors: fit, hand feel, and stretch. We evaluated each of these characteristics by hiking five miles in each shirt with a loaded overnight pack. Some of these may be more or less important to you depending on your particular needs, which is why it’s important to understand how our testers rated each one. 

Hand feel or next-to-skin feel is simply the quality of the fabric against the skin. Most of these shirts had a pleasant hand feel. Though not the biggest determinant of a shirt’s inclusion on our list, it can tip the scales if we’re stuck between two styles. 

Stretch is a desirable quality, but it is not standard across sun shirts. The amount of stretch has to do with the fabric construction and fiber content, and opting for a shirt with more stretch might mean giving up other qualities like breathability. Generally, woven shirts won’t stretch as well as knitted designs. However, woven shirts typically breathe better, dry faster, and last longer.

How Do We Evaluate Sun Protection?

Sun-protective features include UPF rating, hoods with neck gaiters (or at least good neck coverage), and cuffs that cover the hands. This five-point metric was rated against these three qualities. Each gets a point for a total of three points. 

For UPF, half points are awarded to UPF under 50+ but above 29. Zero points are awarded to anything under 30. Half points are awarded for a hood without a neck gaiter. Half points are awarded to thumbholes that don’t pull the sleeve to cover knuckles. Finally, zero points are awarded to sleeves that cover less than half of the hand. 

Let’s break down UPF ratings here a bit more. UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin through the fabric. Having a sun shirt with a high UPF rating is better than SPF, as it blocks both UVA and UVB rays (SPF only measures protection against UVB). UPF ratings top out at 50+, which blocks 98% of solar radiation. To qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, a fabric must have a UPF rating of at least 50. For comparison, a basic cotton T-shirt has a UPF rating of about 5 to 7.

UPF protection can be affected by the color of a top, with darker colorways typically outperforming lighter options. It can also decrease when the fabric is stretched across the skin or gets wet. However, research for efficacy when wet is not comprehensive, nor does it note how much the rating decreases. 

How Do We Test Breathability and Moisture Wicking?

Breathability denotes air circulation, while wicking is about actively pulling moisture away from the skin. We also included dry time as a part of wicking, as a fabric labeled “wicking” should be able to pull sweat to the outer part of the fabric and dry quickly. 

These two metrics are the hardest to test, as it was mostly recording how each shirt felt during activity. Our gear analyst put each shirt through three tests: a five-mile hike with a fully loaded overnight pack, a three- to five-mile hike with a fleece or jacket overtop, and 20 minutes of intense stationary biking. Through each of these tests, we recorded how much air we felt getting to the skin, how much sweat was pulled away from versus pooled on our skin, and how comfortable we felt overall. At the end of each bike ride, we recorded the time it took for every shirt to dry. 

How Do We Measure Versatility?

Versatility is an indication of how much you can get out of your shirt. This metric was based on the following factors: the shirt’s ability to perform in a variety of sports, warm-weather wearability, cold-weather wearability, features like pockets, and how well the style translates from trail to town. This metric is all about measuring how well rounded each shirt is. 

The ideal shirt would be able to go to a casual work meeting and then immediately out for a hike, run, or bike ride, allowing you to stash keys and snacks in unobtrusive pockets. It would help you keep you cool in the summer and layer well in winter. It should be able to work in as many situations as possible to maximize your investment and make your life easier.

What Other Considerations Matter to Us?

Price is an obvious one here, and these shirts can hurt the wallet. From the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie (cheapest) to the Ridge Merino Solstice Pro Lightweight Wool Hoodie (most expensive), you have to consider where you are in your budget to afford this. Take into consideration the most important qualities. For someone on a budget, the REI is a great choice that provides excellent sun protection and is highly rated for comfort and versatility. However, going cheap often comes with compromises in areas like longevity, breathability, and moisture wicking. 

Odor was another fun consideration. Knowing just how bad we can smell after a hike, it would be nice to know if there is a shirt that can transition from trail to town without causing everyone to leave the brewery screaming. Some sun shirts are treated with anti-odor finishes. Wool-based fabrics are naturally odor-resistant.

Conclusion

Although a sun shirt might not seem like the most important piece of gear, it contributes to your comfort and safety when on trail. Each sun shirt provides benefits to fit specific needs and wants. With dedicated research, our gear analysts are confident that the information we’ve found can help you buy the sun shirt that will fit your preferences. From backpacking and trail running to biking, these picks can join on your adventures.