KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie Review

Bottom Line

The KETL NoFry Hoodie is a specialty sun shirt made for those who like maximum breathability and are willing to sacrifice some protection to achieve it. This thin, lightweight design is supremely comfortable and airy, offering a barely there feel when hiking in warm weather.

One trade-off to the highly breathable construction is that the fabric is relatively delicate and prone to snagging. In other words, don’t expect a super long lifespan. But for the price, the NoFry is a great option for those looking for a summer-ready sun shirt. For more options, check out our sun shirts gear guide.

How We Tested

We wore the NoFry Sun Hoodie on a number of three- to five-mile hikes, as well as a couple short ski tours and resort days. We closely examined how the shirt worked in each situation, testing it with and without layers underneath.

Comfort

Overall, the NoFry Sun Hoodie scores high marks for comfort due to its approachable fit, very pleasant hand feel, and great stretch. After throwing this shirt into our daily rotation, we gravitated towards it over and over again because of its silky, drapey fabric. 

The fit was spot-on for our female gear tester. The shirt is only sold in men’s sizes, which leads us to believe that some men might experience tightness across the back and shoulders. We confirmed this via online reviews, meaning those with a broader chest or shoulders may want to consider sizing up.

Importantly, this didn’t detract from the shirt’s lightweight, silky-soft feel. Of all the sun shirts we reviewed, this one had the thinnest fabric at 79 GSM. For comparison, the average “lightweight” fabric is about 100 GSM, and only one other shirt we reviewed – the Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down – came close at 85 GSM for the UL designs and 95 GSM for the printed styles. 

The NoFry’s fabric is a high-performance, grid-knit polyester that offers great stretch, outshining most of the competition in mobility, as well. However, when compared to the Arcteryx Cormac/women’s Sunna Hoody, we noticed the NoFry’s lack of four-way stretch and elasticity. Though it moves extremely well, it could be more prone to getting caught on other layers, equipment, or abrasive surfaces.

Sun Protection

The NoFry offers solid protection for such a lightweight and breathable design, but it’s not a standout in the market. For reference, it boasts a UPF 30+ rating, which The Skin Cancer Foundation calls “very good protection.” Only shirts with UPF 50+ qualify for their Seal of Recommendation, but the KETL still blocks around 97% of harmful UV rays, allowing just 1/30th to pass through the fabric.

As far as features go, the hood is loose-fitting and has no method of tightening or cinching. While hiking on a windy day, it kept falling off our head. During hikes in favorable weather, the hood still partially blocked our eyes and face. With a cap underneath, however, the hood stayed in place as we drove 60 miles per hour with all the windows down. 

The NoFry lacks a neck gaiter, and the sleeves don’t fully cover the hands. This was true even when we used the thumbholes to keep the sleeves in place. That said, we did appreciate the four-snap closure at the neck, which allowed for quick venting or added protection (depending on what we needed most). KETL also offers the design with a single snap for the same price.

Breathability & Wicking Power

The NoFry Sun Hoodie really shines for its breathability, wicking, and quick-drying powers – just don’t count on it smelling pleasant after a full day out. Before donning this shirt, we noted the unique construction, which features a gridded texture that allows for air to pass through (almost like mesh). Unlike other sun shirts we’ve reviewed, this ultralight weave is not see-through. In the field, this translated to an airy, barely there feel whether we were skiing or hiking, with or without a layer overtop.

The NoFry was also the fastest to dry out of all the sun shirts we tested. It dried so quickly in the field that we didn’t even think about sweat once – that is, until we arrived back at the car and smelled ourselves. We found that even wearing this shirt around town to run errands caused the fabric to stink under the arms. Oddly enough, the shirt seemed to take the brunt of the odor – we smelled decent after we changed clothes. 

Versatility

Though the NoFry works well as a base layer, it doesn’t have the staying power of many other sun shirts in our lineup. In other words, after a summer of moderate hiking, wearing packs, or scrambling, don’t expect the shirt to look like new.

After a month and a half of having this shirt in our weekly rotation, there were significant snags along the sleeves and body, especially at the cuffs. Though we wore it for skiing, day hikes, and running errands, we didn’t subject it to intense adventures that warrant snags.

This shirt absolutely needs a layer overtop when temperatures drop below the mid 50s. Even when we took this out for a short (one-mile-ish) ski tour, we felt cold on the uphill approach despite working hard. On the flip side, this shirt could make a decent base layer on less intense but still sweaty winter adventures, such as resort skiing or snowshoeing. 

Should You Buy The KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie?

All things considered, this is a great shirt. It balances technical performance with comfort and lightness with sun protection. We consider this a comet in the proverbial sky of sun shirts, burning brightly but quickly. It’s a great choice for summer hikers in particular but crosses over well for winter adventures with a mid-layer overtop. 

If long-term durability is at the top of your priority list, the NoFry is not the best choice. The lightweight fabric is relatively delicate and prone to snags, deteriorating more quickly than denser weaves. The shirt’s UPF 30+ rating also falls at the lower end of the spectrum, although it blocks around 97% of harmful UV rays. 

What Other Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

If you’re still wavering on whether the KETL NoFry Sun Hoodie is for you, check out the three options below, or head to our full lineup of recommendations in our guide to the best sun shirts.

Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody Review: Those looking for a technical and durable option will find a lot to like in the men’s Cormac / women’s Sunna Hoody. The fabric is a bit thicker than the NoFry’s (110 GSM) but dries quickly, wicks moisture effectively, has a nice amount of stretch, and offers better year-round versatility.

Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down Review: The Triple Crown Button Down offers improved durability in a similarly lightweight and breathable design. The only evidence of a full summer of backpacking – including a seven-day trip through the Eastern Sierra – are dirt stains at the cuffs. However, the Triple Crown is pricier than the NoFry, and not everyone will like the button-up style.

Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody Review: The Crafter Lake combines a soft, lightweight fabric with excellent sun protection (UPF 50+). This comes at the cost of the NoFry’s near-instant drying time, though the Crater Lake’s breathability and wicking powers are far superior than most other knits.