Not enough people in the UK talk about sun protection shirts for outdoor activities. I don’t know if it’s because we don’t think we ever get nice weather, but it is so important to protect yourself from the sun. And why run the risk of your suncream wearing off – or having to remember to reapply – when you could let a fabric do the protection for you. I first encountered sun shirts while long distance hiking in the US, where everyone uses them, and I’m on a mission to bring them back to the UK!
I say all this as someone who has very fair skin and burns easily. I can safely say that I have never tanned in my life. There is no middle ground: either I’m fair or I’m burnt. My childhood involved a lot of being forced to wear long cotton shirts when it was far too hot for them. Then I went through a phase of just using very powerful suncream (my current favourite is P20 for sensitive skin). But I noticed that I’d get the odd new freckle if I wasn’t careful about thorough coverage – and that’s not the easiest thing to do in the middle of a 7 day expedition in the mountains.
Anyway, you’re here so you’re probably sold on the idea of a sun shirt or sun hoody. Let me help you navigate whats on offer and what to look for when you’re choosing.
SPF rating
The most obvious one is the SPF rating, aka how sun-proof the shirt actually is. Personally, I think that if you’re going to do it, you may as well do it properly and get a factor 50 (written SPF 50+). Note that actually a UPF rating is better than an SPF rating. UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays, while SPF only measures UVB rays.
Try to find out if the fabric itself is has the SPF properties or if it’s a treatment. You do sometimes hear about the SPF washing out of sun shirts – which isn’t great! Equally, if you wear out a fabric from sheer use, the sun will start to get through it. (That’s a classic PCT look: sunshirt full of holes as you cross the Sierras.)
Fit Options
There are a few approaches you can take with sun protection layers. Most come as simple baselayers. The assumption being that it’s already warm, so you’re just going to swap your standard baselayer for a sun protection equivalent. These come in both long sleeves and short sleeves. Back to doing it properly – honestly I’ve no idea why you’d go for a short sleeved sun shirt.
Another option is to have a boxy or roomy over layer that allows for more airflow. You can wear a t-shirt or vest top underneath, then put the sun shirt over the top. This is particularly good if you’re moving without a rucksack, as the straps kind of undo any breeziness of the shirt. So, for example, you could be cycling or popping in and out of multiple buildings or tents.
Finally, the other main option is a literal button down shirt. This has the benefit of a collar without going so far as a hood. So you get some neck protection without a full on hoody. This is a good mid-way point if you don’t want to have a hood up all the time. The only thing to be aware of is that the sun doesn’t peek through the gaps between the buttons/poppers. And if you are cycling, consider going up a size so that it still covers the length of your arms when you’re bent over the handlebars.
To hood or not to hood
really down to personal preference. If you’re going to be under the glaring rays of the sun – for example at high altitude for many hours and days, a hood really helps. Obviously it protects you from any sunburn on the top of your head, but also allows you to feel like you’re hiding/sheltering from the sun in a place that has no shelter. It also protects the back of your next, so you don’t have to wear as much suncream. I’d say it’s less sticky on balance but that really does depend on how much you sweat!
For lower altitude hikes, you can definitely get away without a hood. Not that we should care about such things, but it’s far less common to see sun hoodies outside of high mountain areas. And despite all the cooling properties they try to put into fabrics, the simple fact is you will be warmer with fabric over your head and neck than without it.
Some Examples of Sun shirts and Hoodies
Kathmandu SUN-Scout hooded shirt
This Kathmandu sun hoodie is, out of all the sun hoodies I’ve worn, the only one that’s the actual shape you’d expect from a normal hoodie. Unlike a baselayer or shirt-that-has-a-hood, it has the classic hoodie shape, with a pair of front pockets and poppers down half the front. It goes on over the head and although the pockets combine into the hoodie pouch, both openings have zips for closure. The inside of the pocket is entirely mesh so it’s not too hot on your skin (and if you leave the zips open there’s a nice breeze!
The fit is very boxy, like you’d expect from a classic hoody. If you want something to throw over you for protection – maybe at the beach or cycling – I think it’s a great choice. For me, I’d prefer something longer in the body and closer fitting for walking with a rucksack, but don’t let that put you off it!
It is rated up to UPF 50+ and is honest enough to put a note saying “excessive washing of the garment may decrease UV protection – wash garment less often to prolong its useful life”. The fabric is lightweight and thinner but stiffer than a baselayer material. More like a hiking shirt fabric. There are no thumb holes but the cuffs and edge of the hood have light elastication.
For more information see the Kathmandu SUN-Scout official page.
Kathmandu Sun-Stopper Long Sleeved top
Kathmandu do a full SUN-stopper range that includes tops, hoodies and t-shirts. The one I have is the long-sleeved top and, honestly, I wish I’d had the hoodie version for high mountain trekking. But it is great for summer trekking when you’re not going to be quite so hot and bothered as in North Africa! It has UPF 50+ protection with thumbholes and sleeves that are roomy in length but not width.
I wore this shirt in Morocco, though in the end it was mostly for apres-trek and days out of the high mountains. This was mostly because it’s quite warm to wear. The material is thicker than, say the Colombia hoodie below, but the fit is less snug. But for me it was too warm for trekking up and over passes at 3000m+ and made me want to roll my sleeves up (which defeats the point and is pretty hard to do with the slim sleeves).
On the other hand, the material does seem very durable and resistant to abrasion, so it might last longer than thinner/more breathable fabrics. It is very well made and has both thumb holes and a smooth edge around the neckline that doesn’t rub. The fit is definitely feminine without being at the body-hugging level of some other sun shirts.
More about the Women’s SUN-stopper range from Kathmandu on the official site!
Colombia Summit Valley Sun Technical Hoodie
The Colombia Sunmit Valley hoody provides good, breathable coverage. It is a high rated sun protection fabric (UPF 50 according to the website, 40+ according to the label). It has thumb holes and is very lightweight and simple (no pockets, zips etc).
The hood is very snug – great for if you are moving quickly and don’t want to wear a peaked cap. The neckline is also very high to keep it all in place. But I wouldn’t recommend it if you have really long hair like me! There simply isn’t anywhere to put your hair.
Although it comes in other colours this white colour has an unexpected property: it’s actually very bright even if you’re in dark areas like tunnels. A cyclist remarked that they thought it was reflective as they passed me. On the flip side, the white is ever so slightly see-through. Not in a way that would bother anyone in the UK, but not something you’d want to wear in, say, an Arabic country. The fabric is very breathable.
You can read all the details on the official Colombia Summit Valley shirt page
Others I’ve tried
Helly Hansen do a sun protection range. I bought a men’s one for a looser fit and hiked the John Muir Trail in it. If you want a classic alpine option with a hood, take a look at my Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro review. Also Craghoppers do a range of shirts with collars (e.g. pictured above with the bicycle) that come in a huge range of colours and are often have a treatment against mosquitoes as well. In women’s I’d suggest going up a size to normal in this range so that the sleeves are long enough, even when not cycling. The closer the fit the more likely it’s going to gape between the poppers too.
Anyway, hope all that was helpful! Let me know what you decide or what your favourites are in the comments.
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