Do Sun Hoodies Work in the Summer Heat? Our 6 Picks

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It seems like every major outdoor brand is selling a hooded sunshirt this summer. There’s a good reason: It’s a pain to coat yourself in sunblock every time you head outdoors for a hike, fish, paddle, or float. Throwing on a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt with a hood that covers the back of your neck is a quick and easy sun-protection solution. But is it comfortable to wear a long-sleeve shirt in the summer heat? Functional? Practical? I decided to find out.

My family of four just spent 12 days in Costa Rica, where temperatures range from hot to hotter, with jungle humidity permeating all the way to the coast. Heck, the ocean water is even hot. Before the trip, I ordered sun hoodies from a range of outdoor companies and packed them up with the rest of our stuff.

For nearly two weeks in the Central American tropics, my two teenage sons, my husband, and I tested sun hoodies as we visited friends and adventured around the country’s Pacific Coast and interior. Our experiential testing proved that, yes, wearing sun shirts in even scorching temperatures is more than doable—it’s smart.

While traveling, we each developed our own approaches for the when, where, and how to wear a long-sleeve sun shirt in the heat.

• My strategy: Get wet and stay wet. I’d dunk myself in a pool, the ocean, or a cold shower while wearing a sun shirt, and kept it on while I hiked, kicked a soccer ball around, or did a superman zipline.
• My husband, who’s not as water-obsessed as me, decided to put the shirts on dry. He’d end up wet with sweat as he wore them to the beach and on a couple of rugged mountain bike rides, testing breathability, mobility, and overall comfort.
• My older son wore his whitewater tubing and fishing in lieu of coating himself in sun block, and my younger wore his when the rest of his clothes were filthy and his mom told him to put on something clean—he then realized, like his brother, the benefits of not having to cover his arms and torso with sunscreen and that a thin, lightweight hoodie can be quite comfortable.

Here’s how our testing of the sun hoodies shook out:

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Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie

$75 at Outdoor Research (women’s) $75 at REI (men’s)

Of the six shirts we tested, this is the lightest-weight and most airy-feeling of the bunch. It’s made out of thin, breathable 100 percent recycled polyester that was comfortable both wet and dry. I dunked in the ocean with it on and then went for a short run on the beach and was perfectly comfortable, despite 90-something-degree heat and major humidity. I also wore this one dry while ziplining because of its airiness (some of the others felt hot for me unless wet). This one is rated only 15 UPF (the dark colors are 20 UPF), but packs down the smallest of the lot.

Rabbit UPF Deflector 2.0

$70 at Rabbit (men’s) $70 at Running Warehouse (women’s)

I wore this shirt on a dreamy hike along a river (after dunking myself to start off wet) and through rolling pastures—horses and all. The shirt’s lightweight polyester, recycled polyester, and spandex blend felt soft and slick against my skin. Perforated holes under the armpits add breathability and the hood has a little brim that serves as a tiny shield from the sun. A watch window cut-out on the sleeve let me check the time without baring my wrist, and a back zippered pocket held my lip balm but could also fit a key, money, or credit card. The only downside to this one for me is that the thumb holes are placed too short for my monkey arms—the sleeves feel short, and the overall fit of a women’s medium is smaller than the others of the same size. (I prefer sun shirts to fit long and loose.) 50 UPF.

Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural UPF Shirt

$99 at Patagonia (women’s) $99 at REI (men’s)

While “cozy” isn’t necessarily a desirable adjective for a sun shirt worn in the heat, I love how the 96 percent modal (made from beech tree pulp) and 4 percent stretchy spandex feels soft and comfy like cotton against the skin and stays wet longer than the others. (I’m planning to take it on my next summer river trip in intense heat for that reason.) I took a cold shower wearing this shirt—I’m dedicated to gear-testing, and to staying cool—before a hike in 92-degree temps, and stayed comfortably damp for almost an hour. Getting the sleeves wet in a creek kept me cool for another half hour. I love how the hood can transform to a neck gaiter with a simple toggle. I also love the added loop at the arm cuff that lets you pull the sleeves over the tops of your hands. 40 UPF.

Stio Hylas Hooded Pullover

$89 at Stio (men’s) $89 at Stio (women’s)

This recycled polyester and spandex blend top feels slick and smooth on the skin and dries quickly. My 16-year-old son preferred this one for its comfort and fit that’s not too snug, not too loose. The material doesn’t cling to the body, but hangs loose, allowing airflow. My son wore this river tubing and fishing and loved feeling cool in Stio—both in temperature and style. His one complaint: The hood is a bit “too roomy.” And when his mother asked, “Even with your poofy hair?” (Parents of teenage boys, you know what I’m talking about), he said yes. I concur, the hood is huge. I also agree that the feel and styling of the Hylas is a win. Another bonus is it’s multi-functional and fashionable enough to be worn casually. 50 UPF.

REI Sahara Shade Hoodie

$50 at REI (women’s) $50 at REI (men’s)

At just under 50 bucks, this is the best deal of the lot. The Sahara Shade Hoodie lacks a pocket (that I don’t miss) but is rated 50 UPF like some of the pricier tops in this round-up. It’s made out of a soft, stretchy knit polyester and spandex blend, and feels like cozy cotton, similar to the Patagonia top. The women’s cut features a dropped tail and front that forms a curved hem that is both flattering and functional—it provides protection from a pack and from riding up, though it does bow out a bit. The 3-panel hood is neither too roomy nor too tight, and the thumbholes seem well-placed, even for my particularly long arms. This is a simple, functional top that feels great on the skin and stays cool when wet.

Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie

$75 at Cotopaxi (men’s) $75 at Backcountry (women’s)

My husband wore this shirt more than any others on our trip because he says it’s “lightweight, no frills, and fits well.” The hood isn’t as baggy as some of the others (a good thing according to him). He chose this one for a hike in the jungle and a mountain bike ride in a coastal area on what he said was “an insanely hot, 105-degree day.” He kept it on during the ride and felt protected, he reports. “I was completely soaked from sweat but that added coolness,” he said. We both appreciate how this one’s 100 percent recycled polyester breathes well and is extremely stretchy for full mobility (like, reaching for mountain bike handlebars). The contrast piping boosts durability and style points. 50 UPF.