Sun Shirts
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Outdoor Research Echo Sun Hoodie (men's)
(click here for the women's shirt) (Amazon Links)
Check them out on Backcountry.com for even more color options (links below)!
Price- $85
Weight- ~5.2 oz (size dependent)
This has been our favorite sun hoodie for the last few years. I know shirts have UPF ratings these days and this one is technically only a 15, but even after months with a continuous UV index of 11 in the Sonoran desert I've never experienced any sunburn, or even tanning under the shirt. (Not medical advice, skin cancer is serious, I'm just saying I've never been burned through this shirt..) AND the women's shirt features a ponytail hole in the hood! Samantha has loved this and its been the envy of many a hiker when they've seen her pass by with her ponytail swinging in the breeze and her hood comfortably over her head!
The Good- The microgrid AirVent fabric allows the lightest breeze to pass through and it feels nearly weightless. It has a well-tailored hood that stays on in a breeze, practical thumbholes in the sleeves and the material has never caused any chafe, even in more humid conditions.
The Bad- The cut is very slim; this works well in arid environments, but when the humidity climbs, the pits and more snug areas can feel a little clammy. The thin material that makes it so comfortable and breathable is prone to wearing out on the shoulders after about 1000 miles of heavy hiking.
(seen here on Moose and Bugs at the monument at the Northern terminus of the Arizona Trail)
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie
Backcountry.com Links
Price- $69
Weight- ~6.3 oz (size dependent)
I’ve tried to wear this one out but I can’t. I may opt for a lighter weight shirt in summer temps but this shirt is always my go to in cooler temps. I use it for winter slogs, warm PNW skiing and snowshoeing, rainy early spring training hikes and everything in between, at least until the mercury really starts to rise. There's not much more to say, buy it once, that's all you have to do with Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee. This shirt is also offered in this same material without the hood and with short sleeves.
The Good- Like a lot of Patagonia's gear, this shirt is almost indestructible and backed by their Ironclad Guarantee. It doesn't stretch out over time, and it's remarkably odor-resistant for a polyester material. I have hundreds of days of hard use on mine and it shows almost no wear.
The Bad- Because it's so durable and slightly heavier, it tends to be better suited for cooler temperatures, rain, and snow rather than serving as a dedicated, ultra-breathable layer for scorching summer days. This opinion is heavily subjective, they market it as a summer layer, and I do tend to run on the hot side when active. Shorts in the snow anyone? (me)
(seen here on Moose and Bugs on Mt. Baker)
Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie
Backcountry.com Links
Price- $75
Weight- ~5.6 oz (size dependent)
This is a new addition. Anticipating more humid conditions in the Caucasus on our hike of the Transcaucasian Trail, especially in Northern Georgia in the Greater Caucasus, I added a sun shirt with a looser cut. This shirt is incredibly well-stitched and built with a slightly more durable material than my OR Echo Hoodie.
The Good- The fit and the material are great, with a looser cut that allows for better airflow in sticky weather. The durability to comfort ratio is amazing. The large scuba hood is very airy and the thumholes are great.
The Bad- (Pre-hike observation) I'll have to come back for a long-term review after I put this one through the wringer to see if it holds up to extended trail abuse! TCT Update- After 73 continuous days of use I have only a few observations. The scuba hood can blow off in a strong breeze, the shirt can get a little sticky in extreme humidity, and backpacking, I found very little utility in the small zipper pocket on the back of the shirt.
UPDATE: The shirt survived the entire 1000 miles of the TCT intact and without so much as a stain! Light, highly breathable with a roomy comfortable fit this shirt performed exceptionally well in almost all conditions. It only struggled when we were approaching the Black Sea near the end of the TCT during the end of July and the relative humidity was hovering around 90 percent and the temperature about the same. I'm not sure anything would have been comfortable in those conditions. I give this a solid 9/10. Awesome shirt.
