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Spending hours outdoors? Ditch the giant tube of sunscreen and constant slathering in favor of one of today’s feature-laden sun shirts.
The latest women’s sun protection shirts are packed with useful technical features, yet stylish enough to keep you cool and comfortable from trail to town.
Historically, people have worn loose-fitting, full-coverage clothes instead of shorts and tank tops in desert climates. This is because it’s easier to stay comfortable and avoid burning in clothing that creates shade for you — and even better if it allows for good airflow without evaporating sweat too quickly.
Living in sunny, high-elevation Boulder, Colorado, I’m fully invested in owning the perfect sun shirt for every outdoor activity from biking to hiking to paddling to hanging out on a sunny patio.
For this review, we tested 17 shirts from 11 different brands to find the best new women’s sun shirts of 2024.
Our Top Picks: Best Women’s Sun Protection Shirts
- Best Overall Sun Shirt: Stio Eddy Shirt $129
- Best Lightweight Sun Shirt: Outdoor Research Astroman Air $99
- Best Budget Sun Shirt: Free Fly Apparel Bamboo Shade LS II $64
- Best Sun Shirt for the Water: Title 9 Sunbuster Hoodie $85
- Best Sun Shirt for Mountain Adventures: Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro $120
- Best Synthetic Sun Shirt: Outerknown Women’s Sun Shirt $88
- Best Natural Fiber Sun Shirt: Free Fly Apparel Bamboo Shade Hoodie II $74
Best Overall Sun Shirt
Stio Eddy Shirt $129
If having a hood isn’t important to you, this cute yet technical top is the one sun shirt to rule them all. Thanks to western wear styling combined with weather-resistant, quick dry fabric, Stio’s Eddy shirt outperformed all the other shirts in this review. You could happily sport this snap-front top mountain biking, hiking and river running. And it looks good enough to wear out to dinner (I got two compliments in an hour while biking around town).
The fit is athletic but allows plenty of airflow. A pair of snap chest pockets have space for lip balm, keys, and other essentials, but won’t hold a phone. When the sun is at your back, increase ventilation by unsnapping the front. This sun shirt is incredibly versatile, durable and looks great on. My husband is going to get sick of seeing me in this one.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Snug snap collar, double snap wrists, long hem
- Features: Pearl snaps, locker loop for hanging dry, western shirt styling, wind and water-resistant, two chest pockets
- Fabric: Constructed with 90% recycled polyester, 10% Spandex
- Fit: Athletic
- Weight: 221 g / 7.8 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Technical but with serious street style
- Pro: Wind and water-resistant
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Heavier than most
Best Lightweight Sun Shirt
Outdoor Research Women’s Astroman Air Sun Hoodie $99
A full-featured sun protection shirt that’s ultralight, super breathable, and can function as a base or midlayer? Yes please.
With a slim fit that lets you layer over it but remains roomy enough to layer under it, this is an easy option to always throw in your pack. Laser perforated holes along the sides and an extra deep zipper kept me comfortable on a cooler temp run and a hot and sunny hike. The fabric resisted picking or pulling even when repeatedly scrubbed against rough rock.
Bonus: This sun shirt boasts a waist zip pocket large enough to fit an iPhone 15. I loved this so much during testing that my husband now wants one, too.
- Sun protection: UPF 30-50 depending on color
- Coverage: 1/4 zip neck and snug, stretch hood
- Features: Zip pocket at waist fits a cell phone, locker loop for hanging dry
- Fabric: bluesign® approved 85% Recycled Nylon, 15% Spandex
- Fit: Athletic
- Weight: 156 g / 5.5 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Super lightweight
- Pro: Durable, abrasion resistant fabric
- Pro: Large pocket
- Con: Normal length elastic cuffs
Best Budget Sun Shirt
Free Fly Apparel Bamboo Shade LS II $64
It’s been a while since I tried a bamboo shirt, and this one is now definitely part of my new summer uniform. Designed for ocean fishing, I wore this sun shirt hiking, biking, and out to dinner. The relaxed fit skims the body in a way that’s flattering and offers plenty of airflow. A snug crew neck and extra-long cuffs with thumb holes provide excellent sun protection and fit very comfortably.
Best of all, the eco-friendly bamboo fabric is incredibly soft, naturally odor-resistant, breathable, and quick drying (though dry time lagged by a few minutes compared to the synthetics tested in this review). Yet you wouldn’t know this was a technical shirt at first glance. Tip: Love the fabric but want a hoodie? Check out the winner for our ‘Best Natural Fiber Sun Shirt.’
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Close-fitting crew neck, extra-long cuffs, thumb loops
- Features: Backpack friendly set-forward shoulder seams
- Fabric: 68% Viscose from Bamboo, 29% Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Fit: Relaxed
- Weight: 180 g / 6.5 oz.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Super soft, eco-friendly fabric
- Pro: Light weight
- Con: No locker loop for drying
Best Sun Shirt for the Water
Title Nine Sunbuster Long Sleeve Hoodie – Mala Wauke $85
This hoodie is full featured and looks fabulous on. With an extra-long hem and cuffs, it provides the most coverage of any shirt tested. It’s also got a loose hood that’s surprisingly well-fitted and flattering (think more Princess Leia, less sperm head). And Title Nine went the extra mile by lining the hood with the print to match.
The hidden zip kangaroo front pocket is generously sized to fit essentials (or warm your hands after a cold-water session), though the fabric is too stretchy to comfortably hold a cell phone. The Sunbuster also dried quickly. It’s definitely going to be my first choice for paddleboarding this year.
While weight wasn’t listed on the manufacturer’s website, it felt like the heaviest sun shirt in my testing lineup. But if ounces aren’t a concern the Sunbuster is a terrific choice. The fun floral print is a stylish bonus that makes it easy to wear from beach to bike path to brew pub all summer long.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Generous hood, thumb loops
- Features: Drawstring hem, zip kangaroo pocket, backpack friendly raglan sleeves
- Fit: Relaxed
- Fabric: 84% poly, 16% spandex
- Weight: Not listed
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Extra coverage
- Pro: Flattering, looser-fit hood
- Pro: Large, zip kangaroo pocket
- Con: Heavy and bulky
- Con: Cell phone is too heavy for pocket
Best Sun Shirt for Mountain Adventures
Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody $120
Climbing mountain peaks requires every bit of your attention and abilities, so the last thing you want is clothing that distracts you. With plenty of stretch that won’t restrict your movement when you’re reaching for a tough hold — and a water-repellant finish to keep you comfortable when that sunny morning turns partly cloudy with intermittent drizzle — the Alpenglow Pro Hoody lets you keep your attention where it belongs.
The fit is loose enough to be a top layer over a tank or tee, but the fabric is soft and comfortable enough to wear on its own. It’s also the only sun shirt tested that’s designed to fit nicely with a harness, and has a hood that fits over a helmet instead of under. A well-thought-out zip chest pocket swallows a cell phone.
While the style is similar to their Alpenglow Hoody, the durable, stretch jersey fabric has a smooth facing vs a textured knit and didn’t pick or pull during abrasion testing. Technical and versatile, this lightweight sun protection shirt is destined for regular rotation in any mountain adventure wardrobe.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Over-the-helmet hood, 1/4 zip, thumb holes
- Features: Mesh underarm panels, zippered cell phone chest pocket
- Fit: Athletic
- Fabric: Nylon stretch jersey with PFC-free GTT Empel DWR finish (92% Nylon, 8% Elastane)
- Weight: 189 g / 6.6 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Weather-resistant fabric
- Pro: Over-the-helmet hood and harness-compatible fit
- Pro: Light weight
- Con: Expensive
Best Synthetic Sun Shirt
Outerknown Women’s Sun Shirt $88
This might be the silkiest synthetic sun shirt ever — and it’s a terrific technical shirt, too. The Outerknown Sun Shirt has an airy, body-skimming drape and a smooth, soft texture that made me immediately want to wear it. So I threw it on and headed out for an afternoon mountain bike ride.
It kept me cool in the hot sun, yet I didn’t get chilly when the sun dropped behind Boulder’s iconic Flatirons. And it was cute enough to wear to dinner after.
At Territory Supply, we also love Outerknown’s commitment to sustainability. This quick-drying top is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester (used plastic bottles and other plastic waste). Additionally, it is the only shirt tested that showed up in a translucent, recyclable paper bag and recycled paper envelope. Even their tags are made from recycled plastic.
While Outerknown does not claim to be a sport specific outdoor brand, this shirt is equally comfortable hiking, biking or paddleboarding as it is traveling or hanging around town.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Close-fitting crew neck, extra-long cuffs, thumb loops
- Features: Bungee key holder hidden in the cuff, backpack friendly raglan sleeves
- Fabric: 100% post-consumer recycled polyester made by converting waste materials headed for landfills into new polyester fiber
- Fit: Relaxed
- Weight: No weight given
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Buttery soft, eco-friendly synthetic fabric
- Pro: Buttonhole “locker loop” on hem for drying
- Con: Does not come in a women’s hoodie version (because I would buy that too.)
Best Natural Fiber Sun Shirt
Free Fly Apparel Women’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie II $74
MMMMMMmmmmm…soffft. Free Fly’s shirts are the first bamboo performance wear I’ve tried in many years and I’m officially a convert. This is the hoodie version of the shirt that won Best Budget Sun Shirt in this review, and it’s a terrific option for long, sunny days on the water or trail.
The supple fabric drapes with just the right amount of room between the shirt and your skin. I appreciated the long cuffs with thumb holes protecting the backs of my hands while biking around town. And while the slightly relaxed fit of the hood might not tuck under a helmet as well as some, it provides plenty of shade, stays in place, and looks cuter than most.
It took a few more minutes to dry than most of the other shirts in this review, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When it’s scorching out, a shirt that wicks and holds some moisture is quite cooling and pleasant. The renewable, eco-friendly bamboo fabric is naturally odor resistant. Plus, this top is good-looking enough to wear around town.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Relaxed crossover hood, extra-long cuffs, thumb loops
- Features: Tagless neck
- Fabric: 68% Viscose from Bamboo, 29% Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Fit: Relaxed
- Weight: 180 g / 6.5 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Super soft, eco-friendly natural fabric
- Pro: Light weight
- Con: No locker loop for drying
- Con: Dries slower than synthetic fabrics
Best of the Rest
Women’s Columbia Summit Valley Hoodie $55
Designed for hiking, this is the kind of classic, lightweight sun shirt you’ll want to wear all summer long. It’s got a full suite of features like a well-fitted hood, extra-long cuffs, thumb holes, and a locker loop for drying.
This shirt came close to taking the prize for best budget option. However, when I treated it to abrasion testing against rough rock, the fabric picked and pulled more than most of the shirts in this review (and it also heavily pilled beneath backpack straps). While the length looked fine on, I kept wanting to pull it down — especially while biking and hiking with a pack.
Fit note: It also runs a smidge tighter in the torso.We’d recommend sizing up for added comfort and airflow.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Hood w/ high neckline, extra-long cuffs fully cover knuckles, thumb holes
- Features: drop hem, locker loop for hanging
- Fit: Athletic
- Fabric: 56% Recycled Polyester, 44% Polyester
- Weight: Not listed
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Full featured
- Pro: Great price
- Con: Runs small
- Con: Fabric not as durable against rough rocks
Black Diamond Alpenglow Sun Hoody $95
Whether you’re spending days in the desert, or searching for routes on sun-drenched peaks, this low fuss technical shirt has a soft, quick-dry fabric that held up surprisingly well during abrasion testing.
With its airy weave, it kept me cool even when working up a sweat on an afternoon run with my dog in sunny Boulder. So maybe there’s something to be said for Black Diamond’s proprietary fabric that is supposed to reflect 71% of near-infrared rays.
A wide stretch hem holds the shirt in place without ballooning fabric at the belly, and the simple high neck is comfortable and provides solid sun protection. The snug, under-helmet hood fits well, and the credit card pocket is a handy addition, It’s also got Polygiene odor control to keep the stink at bay. I only wish the sleeves had longer cuffs with thumb holes for even more sun protection.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Under-the-helmet hood
- Features: Underarm gussets for added range of motion, zippered credit card hip pocket
- Fit: Athletic
- Fabric: Polyester Stretch Textured Knit (87% Polyester, 13% Elastane)
- Weight: 245 g / 8.6 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Airy, breathable, quick-dry fabric
- Pro: Nice fitting hood
- Pro: Small pocket for essentials
- Con: No thumb holes
Patagonia Women’s Tropic Comfort Natural UPF Hoody $99
Packed with features, this sun shirt is an excellent choice for days on the water. The eco-friendly modal fabric of the Tropic Comfort is cool to the touch, soft and breathable, though it holds wrinkles more than any other shirt in this review. It also took longer to dry than many of the other shirts, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when it’s 102 with little humidity.
Among all the sun shirts tested, it’s the only one with a hood specifically designed to fit over a baseball cap. But it fit well even without a hat – neither super tight nor too loose. This shirt also features both thumb holes for added coverage, and loops for keeping cuffs in place.
A thoughtfully placed neck button lets you increase or decrease ventilation and coverage whether the hood is up or down. It’s also got a zip side pocket sized to easily fit lip balm, cash or credit card, and a key.
- Sun protection: UPF 40+
- Coverage: Over-a-ballcap hood with single button neck, thumb holes and thumb loops, long cuffs
- Features: Zip pocket on side for essentials, locker loop for hanging dry
- Fabric: Engineered from 96% modal sun (renewable, natural Beech tree pulp), 4% spandex in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
- Fit: Relaxed
- Weight: 220 g / 7.75 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Hood designed to fit over a baseball cap
- Pro: The modal fabric is cool to the touch
- Con: More expensive
- Con: Held wrinkles
Stio Women’s Hylas Hooded Pullover $89
Silky, quick dry fabric, raglan sleeves and an athletic, body skimming cut made this shirt a terrific choice for days on the water, the trail, and my bike. The Hylas was so comfortable I wore it hiking and didn’t take it off until long after dinner al fresco in the evening sun.
The longer length of the hemline and well-fitted three panel hood provided excellent coverage. It also dried quickly, and the lightweight fabric wasn’t prone to picking or pulling during abrasion testing. The only real negative might be that the cuffs are a little short for a shirt with thumb holes, so they didn’t provide much coverage and the fabric tended to bunch in the crease of my thumb.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Close-fitting hood with crossover neck, bonded thumb loops
- Features: Backpack friendly raglan sleeves, locker loop for hanging dry
- Fabric: Constructed with 90% recycled polyester, 10% Spandex
- Fit: Athletic
- Weight: 221 g / 7.8 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Flattering fit and cut
- Pro: Longer hem
- Pro: Eco-friendly, quick dry fabric
- Con: Cuffs are short for a shirt with thumb loops
Helly Hansen Women’s LIFA® Active Solen Graphic Hoodie $85
For my first bike-shuttled whitewater kayaking run of the season, I pulled on the Solen. It skimmed my skin without being tight or restricting. And the tiny holes in the fabric let plenty of air flow through. The three-panel scuba hood is snug but fits perfectly.
The hem of my shirt got damp thanks to my wet boating shorts when I got off the river, but it dried fast on the three-mile bike ride back to the car. I loaded wet boats and gear, headed home, and didn’t take it off the rest of the evening.
It’s really no surprise I liked it, though. Helly Hansen has been making quality polypropylene garments since they invented their original Lifa top in the 1970s. Their fabric has been modified and improved 50 times in the past ten years alone, including an eco-friendly update by infusing it with used coffee grounds to provide UPF 50+ sun protection without the use of chemicals.
- Sun protection: UPF 50+
- Coverage: Hood w/ crossover neck
- Features: Locker loop for drying
- Fit: Athletic
- Fabric: 60% Polyester (Recycled), 40% Bluesign-certified Polypropylene
- Weight: 240 g / 8.4 oz
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Well-fitting hood
- Pro: Eco-friendly fabric
- Con: No thumb holes
- Con: Fabric proved a little less abrasion-resistant than some
Buy at Helly Hansen
Minus33 Woolverino Women’s Wool 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie $110
I love wool and I live in Colorado, where even summer weather at elevation can feel more like winter. So, this made-for-cooler-temps microweight merino sun hoodie seemed like a no-brainer to add to my mountain adventure kit.
A full-featured sun shirt, the Woolverino has a generous zip chest pocket that fit my phone, and a port for a headphone cord. I like the horizontal thumb holes, though I wouldn’t mind a slightly longer sleeve/cuff as this one tended to bind a little tightly around my thumb while hiking.
The size small fit well as a base layer or under a rain shell. However, the princess seaming and stretch make it a touch snug in the torso for layering over a tank or tee. It might be worth sizing up if that’s important to you. Tradeoff: It only has UPF 20, which is lower than some other shirts on this list.
- Sun protection: UPF 20+
- Coverage: Under-the-helmet hood, horizontal thumb loops
- Features: ¼ zip neck, locker loop for drying, zip chest pocket big enough for an iPhone 15
- Fabric: 84% eco-friendly, renewable Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, 4% Spandex
- Fit: Slim
- Weight: 227 g / 8 oz.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Light weight
- Pro: Great for cooler temps (As low as 30°F while active, and 60°F and up while inactive)
- Pro: Naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking and quick drying
- Con: UPF is only 20
Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need To Know about Women’s Sun Shirts
Fit Key
- Slim – Fits close-to-skin
- Athletic – Follows your shape but with a little room for airflow
- Relaxed – A flattering drape with plenty of room for airflow
What to Know When Buying a Sun Shirt
The most important aspects of any quality sun protection shirt are the UPF rating, the fit, the overall coverage, durability and features.
To qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, fabric must have a minimum UPF of 30. A fabric with UPF 30-49 provides very good protection. UPF 50+ is considered excellent sun protection.
A good sun shirt shouldn’t be too snug or need to stretch to fit your body unless you’re moving. You want room for airflow since stretched fabric reduces its UPF protection. Since fabrics also lose UPF when wet, quick dry materials are a must. And, darker fabrics generally provide higher UPF protection than lighter colors.
For maximum sun protection, consider a shirt with a hood and long cuffs with thumb holes. Optional features like pockets and weather-resistant fabrics abound these days, but a locker loop for hanging dry is an almost must-have add-on.
Why Buy a Name Brand Sun Protection Shirt?
Sure, any piece of clothing offers some UPF protection. And, any polyester fabric automatically provides a UPF ranging between 15 and 45, depending on fabric weight and color.
However, to earn The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, a fabric must have a UPF of at least 30. UPF 50 is considered excellent sun protection. Brand name companies have developed light weight, technical materials with increased UPF.
A purpose-designed sun protection shirt also offers more skin coverage than your average, budget polyester top. Features often include extra-long sleeves with thumb holes to protect the backs of your hands and close-fitting collars and/or hoods to keep the sun off your neck and head. Whether you want a sun shirt with added coverage, weather-resistance, light weight, pockets, or eco-friendly or natural fabric, we’ve got you covered in this review.
What’s the Difference Between UPF and SPF?
UPF measures both UVB and UVA rays and the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. SPF is based on the amount of time it takes for UV-exposed skin to turn red. While you might not burn through a lower UPF shirt, a fabric that lets in more UV can still allow for more sun damage to your skin even if you don’t turn pink or look like a lobster at the end of the day.
More About UPF
Most sun shirts typically offer between 4-150 UPF. Lighter, loosely woven fabrics have the least protection and a dark, tightly woven fabric like denim has the most. Stretching and wetting fabric reduces UPF, as does wearing and pilling.
Most polyester fabrics automatically provide between 15-40 UPF without additional treatments. However, many sun shirt manufacturers add safe, durable treatments to the yarn during milling, so even light-colored and thin clothing have higher UPF ratings.
Why Trust Us
Stacy Karacostas has been writing about technical outdoor clothing and gear since 2000. She purchased her first UPF rated sun shirt — an ExOfficio insect repellent button-down — almost twenty years ago to alleviate the need for bug spray on backpacking trips.
She quickly discovered how nice it was to skip the sunscreen too — especially as an avid aficionado of alpine lake plunges where the chemicals in sunscreen can negatively impact the pristine environment.
Living in sunny Colorado, Karacostas spends her days walking, running, and hiking with her dog, and biking around town for transportation. You can also find her mountain biking, paddleboarding, and running whitewater every chance she gets. This means she puts sun protection clothing to the test daily, including all the shirts in this review.
Testing Methodology
Writer and tester Stacy Karacostas is 5 foot 6 inches tall and 130 lbs. All shirts were women’s size small.
Every sun shirt in this review was tested for the following categories:
- Comfort
- Fit
- Features
- Durability
- Style
In each category, each shirt was assigned a score on a scale of one to five for a total possible score of 25.
Over six weeks, Stacy wore them hiking and running and mountain biking and more. She did her best to get them sweaty and then threw them in the laundry at least three times. Each shirt was also rubbed against rough rocks and checked for pills and pulls.
The highest scoring shirts made the best of lists. The Best of the Rest are still worthy of consideration and may very well have the right mix of fit and features to meet your needs.
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