7 Greatest Solar Shirts of 2024, Examined for UV Safety

The Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie (men’s / women’s) has been our go-to sun shirt for years since it’s ultralight, highly breathable, and incredibly comfortable. The hood and thumbholes provide ample coverage, while the fabric – quite frankly – feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. The light fabric sacrifices a bit of durability to remain cool and breathable, so you’ll want to treat it with care to make sure it lasts for years. That said, we’ve worn ours extensively without issues and think it’s an awesome choice for those who prioritize comfort above all else.

The Columbia Silver Ridge Lite (men’s / women’s) is our favorite button-down sun shirt because it’s comfortable, affordable, and the fabric keeps you cool. The lightweight polyester breathes well when you’re working hard on the trail, and it wicks moisture effectively if you work up a sweat. This shirt looks stylish and resists wrinkles as well to keep you feeling your best both on and off the trail. The Silver Ridge Lite is one of the lightest and most affordable shirts on our list, so it’s a great value for hikers who prefer the button-down style.

The awesomely affordable Baleaf Triumph Hoodie (men’s / women’s) was an instant win for us. Its thumbholes, well-fitted hood, and built-in face mask/neck gaiter provide a ton of coverage on exposed trails. The main material is a bit heavier than some, but this shirt is still plenty breathable in hot conditions thanks to the venting fabric on the sides and underarms. It really was a toss-up for us between this shirt and our top pick, the OR Echo Hoodie (men’s / women’s). If you want maximum protection, go with the Baleaf. For those who value low weight and breathability the most, go with the Echo Hoodie.

Ever wished you could rock the casual and cooling style of a button down shirt but still have the full protection of a sun hoodie? Enter the Triple Crown Button Down from Jolly Gear. This hoodie has a great mix of everything – breathability, protection, durability, and style. This young company is barely off their first run of shirts, but they’re already making a big splash in the thru-hiking world and beyond thanks to their fun patterns and unique design. You can’t help but feel happy when you wear the Triple Crown Button Down, and we highly recommend it for anyone gearing up to log some serious miles in the sun.

The affordable Sahara Shade Hoodie (men’s / women’s) from REI has a buttery soft feel and provides excellent coverage. The hood can be cinched to get a perfect fit, and the thumbholes give you some nice coverage on your hands. We found the women’s version to be a bit less breathable than some of the lighter options on our list. But overall, the Sahara Shade Hoodie is a great choice for hikers on a budget who don’t mind trading a bit of added weight for dollars saved. We think this hoodie is especially appealing for those who live in mild climates and need a little bit of extra warmth for their adventures.

The Mountain Hardwear Canyon (men’s / women’s) is equally at home in the backcountry and on the patio of your favorite brewery. Button downs make it easy to keep cool on hot days, since you can unsnap the front and secure the sleeves at half length with the button tab. This shirt doesn’t provide head, neck, or hand coverage, so it’s not our first choice for long hikes with a lot of sun exposure. But if you prefer a classic look that transitions well from trail to town, the Canyon button down is a stylish option.

The style-forward prAna Lost Sol Hoodie (men’s) / Sol Searcher (women’s) are ready to do the work on your next sunny vacation. The incredibly soft fabric is comfortable enough that you’ll never want to take it off and durable enough to withstand repeated stints of multi-day wear. Sorry guys, the women’s Sol Searcher is a little better with its ¼ length button-down front and kangaroo pocket. But the men’s version still has the same flattering and comfy relaxed fit. We feel the Lost Sol/Searcher shirts are better suited to casual use since the fabric is a bit heavy and warm for high-output activities. But we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to strut your stuff on the trail in it.

The Voormi River Run Hoodie (men’s / women’s) is made with a unique wool/polyester blend, so you get the natural comfort and moisture wicking of wool plus the UV protective and quick drying properties of polyester. This fabric is a bit less breathable and a touch on the warm side, so we think the River Run Hoodie works best in cooler spring/fall weather and for active winter days. It has a comfy loose fit, and the buttonable hood and thumb loops allow you to adapt the coverage to the conditions. While the River Run Hoodie is pretty spendy, we think the impeccable quality and the fact that it can insulate and protect is worth the cost if you’re in the market for a nice looking sun shirt to wear in cooler weather.