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Hiking is a fun activity, but too much exposure and heat from the sun can make it detestable. While you cannot control the weather, you can control what you wear. We always recommend wearing clothing that protects you from weather elements such as the sun’s harmful rays. What’s more, long sleeve sun protection shirts and sun hats, help shield our precious skin from the sun’s harmful elements.
Here are our top picks for long sleeve sun protection shirts and all you need to know to choose the best one for you. Jump to our Men’s sun protection shirt and women’s Long Sleeve Sun Protection Shirts.
What is a Sun Shirt?
A sun shirt is meant to block the sun’s harmful UV rays, which may cause sunburn. Check the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating when looking for a sun shirt. The rating measures how much radiation can go through the fabric.
The fabric from which the shirt is made can protect you from the sun in different ways. Woven materials such as denim are a good sun blocker. Cotton and linen shirts rate at UPF 5, so 95% of UV rays can still go through them. Regular polyester shirts have a UPF rating of more than 30.
The color of the shirt you are wearing also lends some level of protection against radiation. For example, choosing dark and bright colors is recommended because they can absorb ultraviolet radiation before reaching your skin.
UPF 30 is the minimum rating for clothing to qualify for the official recommendation of the Skin Cancer Foundation. Meanwhile, UPF 50+ is the highest rating you can see from manufacturers. To check whether a sun shirt works well, hold it to a light source. If you see the light through it, it is not a good shirt to wear to block the sun.
Benefits of Long Sleeve Sun Protection Shirts
Protection
Having protection from the sun is the most important advantage of sun shirts. Specifically, the clothing has been designed to ensure that you have some level of protection from sun damage. Because it has been tested, you are aware that you are indeed protected.
Keeps You Cool
The fabrics used on long sleeve sun protection shirts are usually lightweight and breathable. They also have moisture-wicking ability. These attributes allow you to stay cool even during hot and humid conditions.
Expert-Approved
You can see from trusted brands that experts and dermatologists approve their products. Wearing a UPF 50+ shirt is equivalent to having an SPF50+ sunscreen on your skin. Thus, you have protection from at least 98% of the dangerous UV rays.
Decreases Skin Aging
It is common knowledge that sun exposure increases skin aging. Wearing sun protection shirts helps limit your skin’s exposure to the sun. This prevents sunburns and other skin damage that may occur.
Good for Your Health
According to the American Dermatology Association, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Indeed, collective sun exposure can cause basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer. This is why protecting yourself by wearing long sleeve sun protection shirts can limit the chances of skin cancer from developing. It also prevents you from developing severe sunburns that may result in melanoma in your later years.
Things to Consider Before a Purchase
Comfort
Hiking can be an intense activity, especially on a challenging trail. This is why you need to wear something comfortable to move freely and without restriction.
Fabric
Fabrics with a dense and tight construction like denim, wool, or canvas are the best options for a sun shirt because these fabrics block out sun rays most. Polyester is also a good choice, but cotton, hemp, and rayon are not ideal since they have low UPF ratings unless they undergo added treatments.
UPF Rating
Always check the UPF rating of the sun shirt you want to purchase. The minimum approved rating is UPF 30, while the best rating is UPF 50+.
Fit
Fibers play an important role in blocking off the sun. If you wear tight clothes, then the fibers are stretched and decrease the protection provided by the clothing. Hence, loose-fitting clothes are ideal.
Coverage
Long sleeve sun protection shirts are better than short sleeves. Long sleeve shirts cover a wider skin area, thus, giving you more protection against the sun. Similarly, it is better to wear long pants for hiking than shorts.
Treatments
Treating the fabrics with chemicals and dyes make them more effective in blocking off harmful rays. Always check for added treatments to see whether the shirt is worth your purchase.
Men’s Long Sleeve Sun Protection Shirts
1. Solbari Long Sleeve Polo Shirt UPF 50+ – Active Collection
Solbari takes pride in their comfortable sun protection shirts. From Solbari’s Active Collection, we love this long sleeve polo shirt that has UPF 50+ rating. Indeed, this rating is the highest possible score that sun shirts can get, which maximizes your protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The lightweight and versatile long sleeve polo shirt has a collar and is stylish. You can wear it during hiking escapades, but you can also wear it as your casual daily wear. We like that it is made from 88% polyester and 12% elastane.
The polyester fabric is also odor-resistant to keep you smelling good all day long. It is also moisture-wicking, which keeps sweat away from your body.
What We Do Like:
- No need to be ironed
- Moisture-wicking
- Does not shrink
- Soft on the skin
- Lightweight
- Anti-odor
- UPF 50+
What We Don’t Like:
- Small sizing
2. Coolibar Arobello Polo UPF 50+
Coolibar’s Arobello Polo shirt boasts a UPF 50+ rating which ensures you are protected from the sun. The design details are exemplary as it has a hidden placket and thumbholes. The shirt has a trademark Active Diamond fabric with jacquard knit construction.
It gives the shirt excellent moisture-wicking abilities to ensure that it dries easily and keeps you cool. The nylon-spandex blend is a good choice for a breathable, soft, and lightweight shirt whether you are out for hiking or other active sports you want to enjoy.
The recommendation of The Skin Cancer Foundation also says a lot about this shirt. Coolibar takes pride in being the first clothing company to secure The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation! That puts the company on a pedestal, and thus it is ideal for tennis, golf, and other outdoor activities like hiking.
What We Do Like:
- Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation
- Nylon and spandex blend
- Double layer cuff
- Quick to dry
- UPF 50+
What We Don’t Like:
- Not recommended for swimming
3. Patagonia Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Hike Shirt
Long sleeve sun protection shirts are essential to shield you from the sun. If you are traveling light or are on a hiking trail, then this Patagonia sun shirt is a good choice. The versatile shirt is made for trail and travel due to its lightweight construction.
What’s more, it is made from recycled ripstop polyester, making it a sustainable pick from the other shirts on our list. With a UPF 50+ rating, we promise you’ll get the highest level of protection against the harmful sun’s UV rays.
The shirt features a classic button-down collar, full-button placket, and patch chest pockets with a left pen pocket. If you want to roll the sleeves up, it has self-fabric tabs so that you can easily button the cuffs.
And if you are into supporting fair labor, then Patagonia is one of the companies with a Fair Trade Certified label. This means that the people who made these shirts are fairly compensated for their hard work.
What We Do Like:
- Fair Trade CertifiedTM Sewn
- Pure odor control
- Well-ventilated
- Sustainable
- UPF 50+
- Durable
What We Don’t Like:
- Sizing may not be accurate
4. Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Shirt
Amazon price: $110.00, See prices on Backcountry, Outdoor Research
The Astroman Sun Shirt is Outdoor Research’s best-selling sun shirt. It has a high UPH score of 50+ and is stretchable enough for most outdoor activities. It is also lightweight so that it feels soft on your skin. The synthetic construction is breathable so that you can still enjoy many outdoor adventures, even on hot days.
The button-up shirt has an inner back yoke, an integrated chest pocket, and a regular fit. Due to the fabric blend of 85% nylon and 15% spandex, this guarantees durability as well. Outdoor Research also provides a lifetime warranty for this shirt, which says a lot about its quality.
What We Do Like:
- Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty
- Great for many outdoor activities
- Ultimate stretch
- Best-selling
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- UPF 50+
- Durable
What We Don’t Like:
- May pill
Amazon price: $95.00
Amazon price:
Amazon price:5. KÜHL Ryzer UPF 50 Sun Protection Crew
KÜHL’s Ryzerong sleeve shirt combines luxury with sportswear. This long sleeve UPF 50 sun protection shirt is made from a combination of polyester and spandex fabric. Additionally, this shirt has an athletic fit, and great for those who don’t need extra fabric around their mid-section.
With its natural ability to help resist moisture and odor, this sun protection shirt is a top choice. Furthermore, it helps the body properly regulate the temperature so that you won’t feel too hot and sweaty. It provides a better fit compared to other sun shirts, thanks to the shirt’s sleeves 5-panel articulated pattern.
What’s more, it also features thumb loops to make it easier for you to layer garments whenever needed and prevent the sleeves from bunching up. If you need to layer, then the stitching pattern allows you to wear extra clothing without creating bulk.
Another favorite from KUHL’s lines of sun protection shirts is the Engineered Krew, both in short sleeve and long sleeves. Read the Engineered Krew shirt review from our adventure journalist, Owen Clarke, and see why this is his new favorite shirt.
What We Do Like:
- Odor and moisture resistant
- 5 panel articulated sleeve design
- Soft
- Light
- Natural antimicrobial properties
- Not itchy
What We Don’t Like:
- Shirt can be too long
Women Long Sleeve Sun Protection Shirts
6. Solbari Long Sleeve Polo Shirt UPF 50+ – Active Collection
Amazon Price: $75.00, See prices on Solibari
Solbari’s Active Collection for Women is one of our favorite long sleeve sun protection shirts for ladies. Like the men’s shirt from the same collection and brand, it also has a UPF 50+ rating. This maximizes sun protection to shield you from dangerous UV rays. It is made from 88% anti-odor polyester, which has moisture-wicking properties and is 12% elastane.
The comfortable and versatile shirt is not only a sun protector but also a stylish choice for active women. It does not pill or shrink. The shirt also does not need to be ironed because of its synthetic construction. This is a no-fuss sun shirt that every on-the-go gal should have.
What We Do Like:
- With hidden thumbholes
- No need to be ironed
- No shrinking
- Breathable
- Versatile
- Anti-pill
- UPF 50+
What We Do Like:
- Runs small
7. Coolibar Devi Long Sleeve Fitness T-Shirt UPF 50+
Amazon price: . For more prices and colors: Coolibar
One of the things we like the most with Coolibar’s Devi long sleeve shirt is the wide selection of colors and prints. It also keeps you safe from the sun with UPF 50+. The Cooltect Technology wicks moisture away to let you stay dry at all times while keeping your body cool.
This athletic fit shirt features flatlock seams, a back zipper pocket, and a breathable mesh underarm panel. It also has a bonded eyelet inside the pocket where you can insert a headphone cord to keep you entertained while hiking.
What We Do Like:
- Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation UPF 50+
- Antimicrobial protection
- Increased air circulation
- Wide color selection
- Reduced odor
- Lightweight
- Versatile
What We Don’t Like:
- Not meant for swimming
8. Outdoor Research Activelce Spectrum Sun Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
Amazon price: . For more prices and colors:
A UPF 50+ rating is just one of the few amazing features of Activelce Spectrum Shirt from Outdoor Research. It has a self-cooling technology that automatically adjusts depending on your body temperature! What’s more, this unique feature lets you stay cool all the time, thanks to Activelce technology containing a special additive that fast tracks the cooling process. This makes the shirt breathable and quick-drying, especially when the weather is hot.
It is made from a 94% polyester and 6% spandex blend. The shirt further features movement-mirroring stretch, thumbholes, and a drop-tail hem. It has a flat-seam construction and a chaff-free design to withstand washing and drying.
What We Do Like:
- Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty
- Activelce Cooling Technology
- Quick-Drying
- Lightweight
- Regular fit
- Breathable
- Anti-odor
- Wicking
- UPF 50+
What We Don’t Like:
- None
Conclusion
What helps us enjoy hiking to the fullest is shielding ourselves from the elements, and the sun’s rays are one of the most harmful. When outdoors, wearing a long sleeve sun protection shirt is the best way to keep the dangerous rays away from direct contact with the skin.
A sun shirt is a good investment for all hikers should have in their arsenal. It will not only keep you safe from sunburns but will also keep your skin healthier and protected.
Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
Here are some links to our most popular articles:
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- Guide to Best Lightweight Backpacking Quilts
- Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking for a Comfortable Night
- Best Lightweight Tents for Backpacking
- 11 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags under 2.0 pounds
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- Best Backpacking Stoves
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Last update on 2022-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API