When it comes to dressing for the summer heat, “less is more” seems to make the most sense. Less clothing means less trapped body heat, and that makes for a more comfortable you. For the most part, that works. But this equation doesn’t account for protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
For outdoorsy types – we’re talking the most adventurous kind, like trail runners, hikers, kayakers, mountain climbers, and so on – wearing less clothing while spending a significant amount of time in the sun can actually do more harm than good. Sure, sunscreen is a thing, and you should definitely keep using it. But that’s also where another problem arises: In order to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, sunscreen — even the best natural, reef-safe sunscreen — needs to be slathered on regularly. And, if you’re spending more time outdoors than in, that gets expensive, too. That’s where good sun-protective shirts (a.k.a. “sun shirts”) come in.
For the style-conscious outdoors person who’d like to stay ultra-safe under the sun, we bring you the best sun protection shirts (all of them with a UPF of at least 25+) that can take you from bushwhacking in the morning and back to the bar in time for evening drinks.
Best Overall: Orvis DriCast Hoodie
A featherweight design, cotton-like softness, UPF 50+ sun protection, and versatile good looks make Orvis’ DriCast Hoodie our new go-to summer top. Despite this hoodie’s buttery soft feel, it’s actually made with an eco-friendly performance blend that’s mostly recycled polyester. So, it looks great dry or wet (and hides sweat spots!) while keeping odor at bay, even on your longest summer days. Plus, raglan sleeves and concealed thumb loops ensure the perfect comfortable fit.
Best Bamboo: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Long Sleeve
Free Fly’s original sun protection shirt is still one of our favorites. As the name implies, the Bamboo Lightweight Long Sleeve is incredibly lightweight (just 140 GSM) with a blend that leans heavily on bamboo viscose for a soft, feels-great-against-the-skin design. It’s also naturally breathable, so you’ll never feel like you’re weighed down with a long-sleeve shirt.
Best Logo T: Carhartt Force Sun Defender Lightweight Long-Sleeve
The OG workwear brand never goes out of style. This basic long-sleeve T weighs just four ounces but features UPF 50+ sun protection thanks to a 100% polyester jersey knit. It’s purpose-built for long summer days with a fast-drying, quick-wicking construction and odor-control tech, so you can wear it more between washes. Plus, we love the iconic Carhartt logo sleeve.
Best Active T: Eastern Mountain Sports Sea Spray UPF 1/4-Zip
For summer days when you’re paddling, beach-going, fishing at the lake, or doing pretty much anything in, on, or around the water, we love this quarter-zip sun shirt from Eastern Mountain Sports. The EMS Sea Spray 1/4 Zip features a lightweight, 90/10 polyester/spandex blend for a snugger, more active fit. The UPF 40+ protection is more than enough for all but the sunniest days.
Best Button-Up: KUIU Intrepid LS Shirt
For “badass backcountry” good looks, we love KUIU. The brand’s all-new Intrepid LS button-up shirt features a sleek, vaguely military-esque aesthetic that’s equally at home on the trail, at the ranch, or during your next Friday night happy hour. The mostly nylon construction adds just enough spandex to stretch where you need it most. It’s quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant, plus the UPF 40+ protection keeps the sun’s rays off your skin, even on the longest days.
Best Everyday: Cotopaxi Sombra Long-Sleeve Sun Shirt
Colorful and lightweight with UPF 50+ sun protection, Cotopaxi’s Sombra is the perfect summer top. Thumbholes and side panels with flatlock seams ensure a snug, no-chafe fit. Plus, the 100% recycled polyester construction features a Polygiene anti-odor finish to keep your usual sweaty summer day funk at bay. Bonus: It’s also available as a hoodie!
Best Casual: Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Lite Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt
You’d have to do a double take to realize that this casual button-up is built for the outdoors. In addition to Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protection, it incorporates Columbia’s Omni-Wick technology to keep moisture away from the body so your sweat evaporates faster. Throw in breathable back vents, and this number makes for the ideal odor-obliterating piece that saves face as you head to your next post-wilderness happy hour.
Best Polo Shirt: Solbari Long Sleeve Polo Shirt UPF50+ Active Collection
Okay, maybe you wouldn’t pick a crisp polo top for a dusty hike, but if you’re a businessman on the run (literally and figuratively), you never know where you might end up. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a classic office shirt that requires zero ironing. If that doesn’t convince you, take solace in the fact that a UPF of 50+ guarantees you won’t get pierced by the sun, even if you’re only heading out to grab your next coffee.
Best for Hiking: Patagonia Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Hike Shirt
These days, the American outdoor apparel brand can be seen on nature-lovers as often as on trendy city slickers. This sun-protective hiking shirt, with a classic button-down collar, features all the bells and whistles, like patch chest pockets with button-and-loop flap closures and mid-back vertical vents for extra aeration. It’s also fair trade certified, so you’re helping the planet, too.
Best Insect-Repellent: L.L. Bean No Fly Zone Long-Sleeved Shirt
L.L. Bean’s No Fly Zone shirt has a UPF of 50+ and is treated with synthetic insect repellent to beat the bugs on your outdoor excursions. Its MCS Adaptive technology controls moisture, while Bioguard protection prevents odors caused by bacterial growth from following you to your next engagement.
Most Comfortable: Outdoor Research Astroman Long-Sleeved Sun Shirt
The Astroman shirt is solid in its specs and rightfully named after the great rock climb in Yosemite National Park. Made of a lightweight, flexible, and exceptionally sturdy fabric, it also boasts UPF 50 sun protection and quick-drying technology, ensuring you safely reach all sorts of new heights.
What is UPF (ultraviolet protection factor)?
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is a measurement that indicates how much ultraviolet radiation can penetrate a fabric to reach your skin. This is a different metric from the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreens, which measures the time it takes for the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to redden exposed skin. It’s also worth mentioning that UPF gauges both UVA and UVB rays, whereas SPF only takes into consideration the latter.
To put this into perspective, your average white tee has a UPF of around 7, and that drops to just 3 when it’s wet, which is about as good as no protection at all. A dark, long-sleeved denim shirt boasts a much higher UPF of about 1,700, which The Skin Cancer Foundation rates as providing “complete” sun protection.
How do the best sunshirts protect against the sun’s harmful rays?
Since wearing something like the above-mentioned denim shirt while out adventuring is far from pleasant, the makers of sun-protective clothing have found a solution: They’ve developed high-tech apparel using the most advanced fibers and fabrics to ensure you’re safely covered while at the same time kept as cool as possible. A UPF rating of 50+ is considered adequate for all-day protection, although it’s still recommended to wear sunscreen on your exposed body parts, especially your head, neck, and face.
