Clothing > Shirts
From Trail to Poolside: 10 Best Sun Hoodies for Men
Menswear is often a solutions-based category: Denim provides durability against dust and debris, the white T-shirt offers an easy, tough undershirt, aviator shades keep the sun out of your eyes, and so on. And the best sun hoodies are also a fine solution in the summer heat as far as protection and utility is concerned, with modern innovation top of mind all the while.
- Modern materials, old-school silhouette: The same design as the classic hoodie is top of mind here, but brands lighten things up in a major way with moisture-wicking, stretch fabric with UPF.
- Adventure-ready in the best way: For any pursuit that involves long hours exposed under the hot sun – from fly fishing to kayaking and hiking – a sun hoodie is going to go a long way at fighting solar power.
- Loungewear made all the better: Sun hoodies, although downright useful for adventures, are also an easy solution to throw on poolside, when the only goal is lounging around (and cracking open another cold one).
The old one-size-fits-all approach to suncare (a heavy dose of SPF) now gets some reinforcements thanks to the sun hoodie. These hoodies are ultra-lightweight and often made from performance fabric, then upgraded with UPF protection woven right in.
Don’t let the term hoodie fool you: These are lightweight, designed with plenty of coverage in mind (from your noggin to your fingertips), and made for summer pursuits on and off dry land. Don’t cast off without wearing one.
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Proof 72-Hour Merino Sun Hoodie
Proof gear is made for adventures across the globe, making use of hard-wearing yet soft merino fabric for moisture-wicking performance and all-day durability. The Huckberry-approved brand takes things a step further with a hoodie boasting helpful UPF 50+ technology in every fiber.
Arc’Teryx Cormac Hoody
If you want to talk performance as far as the best sun hoodies are concerned, Arc’Teryx is as fine a brand to shop as any. The company has a laser-sharp focus on innovative fabrication, including the use of proprietary 100 percent recycled, moisture-wicking fabric that also features UPF 40+ sun protection.
Champion Long-Sleeve Sun Hoodie
Best known for sturdy, thick and old-school-style sweatpants, Champion, one of the original brands to bring athletic gear to the masses, gets in on the outdoor action with a supremely lightweight sun hoodie priced incredibly affordably. Able to be worn on dry land or as a rash guard in the water, it also features UPF 20 protection.
Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie
The best sun hoodies are plenty useful on their own, and Outdoor Research notes that its UPF 15+-rated sun hoodie can also function handily as a base layer. For times when you might not think the sun is at its peak (say, during a day of fall hiking), use the hood as you layer it beneath a hardy trucker jacket.
Ridge Merino Lightweight Pullover Hoodie
While some traditional hoodies, particularly ones made from thick jersey cotton, can feel a bit cumbersome for outdoor pursuits, the ideal thing about the best men’s sun hoodies is the blend of lightweight stretch and mobility-approved fabric. In addition to wicking away moisture and fighting odor, this hoodie boasts a larger-than-average hood for increased protection.
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural Sun Hoody
Particularly as you criss-cross the globe and the high seas, protecting your skin from the sun in an efficient way should be high priority, hence Patagonia’s aptly named, adventure-minded sun hoodie. Natural beech tree pulp modal fabric delivers supreme softness and comfort, while the hoodie also includes thumb loops, allowing the fabric to cover your hands during hours on the water.
Rabbit UPF Deflector 2.0 Hoodie
While the best sun hoodies seem relatively simple on the surface, Rabbit retooled the lightweight silhouette in impressive fashion, kitting out this sun hoodie with underarm ventilation and a brimmed hood for maximum sun protection and performance. Thumb loops further amplify sun coverage on long runs, while a back right zip pocket is perfect for stashing your everyday carry.
Wellen Sol Performance Hoodie
When scouring the market for the best sun hoodies, you very well might want an option that performs under the sun as you might expect, all the while without feeling overly technical. It’s a tricky balance, but Wellen’s Sol Hoodie uses proprietary CoolSoft fabric for a cotton-esque feel that wicks away sweat and delivers UPF 40+ protection.
Free Fly Apparel Lightweight Sun Hoodie
Among the brands competing for space in your outdoor gear rotation as far as the best sun hoodies are concerned, Free Fly Apparel is a leader. With a special focus on performance menswear made for boating, kayaking and of course, fly fishing, this hoodie, in my experience, does a standout job at lightweight sun defense while wicking away moisture and wearing more than comfortably.
Willitt Long-Sleeve Sun Hoodie
Wearing a sun hoodie should aid you with speed and even style in your outdoor pursuits. And with flat-lock seams, a no-tag collar and UPF 50+ protection, this Willitt Sun Hoodie achieves that tricky mantle, and then some. Available in a vast array of colors and patterns, this sun hoodie should become your new go-to for boating, running, hiking and more.
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