Sun Protective Clothing for Hikers | Hike Tee

What Is Sun Protective Clothing, and Why Does UPF Matter?

Sun protective clothing is clothing designed or tested to block ultraviolet radiation from reaching your skin. The key rating to look for is UPF, which stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UPF measures how much UVA and UVB radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. A UPF 50 fabric blocks about 98% of the sun’s rays, allowing only 1/50th through. The Skin Cancer Foundation considers UPF 30 to 49 very good protection and UPF 50+ excellent protection.

That is why most serious hiking shirts labeled for sun protection are UPF 30, UPF 40, UPF 50, or UPF 50+.

UPF vs. SPF: Quick Trail Translation

• SPF applies to sunscreen.
• UPF applies to fabric.
• SPF mostly measures protection from UVB rays that cause sunburn.
• UPF measures protection from both UVA and UVB rays through clothing.

So if you are shopping for a hiking shirt, do not look for SPF clothing. Look for a UPF shirt, sun shirt, or sun hoodie with a lab-tested rating. For a deeper sunscreen comparison, see our guide on whether a UPF hiking shirt can replace sunscreen.

Where to Buy Sun Protective Clothing for Hiking

The shopping part can get overwhelming fast. There are hundreds of shirts called sun shirts, but not all are ideal for hiking. Some are better for fishing, swimming, yardwork, travel, or casual wear. Useful? Absolutely. But maybe not what you want for a steep, sweaty climb with a backpack.

Here’s a practical breakdown by retailer, budget, and hiking use case.

Best Outdoor Retailers for Technical UPF Hiking Shirts

REI

REI is one of the best starting points if you want to compare many brands in one place. Their sun protection buying guidance recommends looking for a garment’s lab-tested UPF rating whenever available, rather than assuming all lightweight clothing protects equally.

Use filters like:

• UPF rating: UPF 30, UPF 50, UPF 50+
• Activity: hiking, backpacking, paddling, travel
• Sleeve length: long sleeve for more coverage
• Features: hood, thumb loops, ventilation, quick-dry fabric

Best for: hikers who want easy comparisons, reliable return policies, and multiple price tiers.

Typical price range: $35–$100+

Columbia

Columbia is a strong value pick for hikers who want sun protection without spending premium-brand money. Many Columbia sun shirts use Omni-Shade UPF technology and are common in hot-weather hiking, fishing, camping, and travel.

Look for:

• UPF 40 or UPF 50 labeling
• Lightweight synthetic fabric
• Vented designs if you overheat easily
• Button-up hiking shirts for airflow and collar coverage

Best for: budget to midrange buyers, hot-weather hikes, family camping trips, and casual national park travel.

Typical price range: $25–$70

Patagonia

Patagonia is a good place to shop if durability, comfort, and sustainability matter to you. Their UPF guidance explains that a UPF rating represents the level of UV protection a garment provides while you are wearing it, and many of their technical shirts are built for fishing, hiking, climbing, and travel.

Look for:

• Lightweight technical sun hoodies
• Durable synthetic blends
• Relaxed fits that layer well
• Clear UPF labeling on product pages

Best for: long-term use, backpacking, climbing approaches, travel, and folks who would rather buy one great shirt than five meh ones.

Typical price range: $55–$100+

Outdoor Research, KÜHL, Mountain Hardwear, and Similar Outdoor Brands

These brands often make some of the best sun shirts for hiking because their designs focus on movement, heat, and trail features, not just beach lounging.

Look for:

• Stretch panels
• Underarm gussets
• Hood designs that fit under hats
• Thumb loops
• Lightweight fabric with odor control
• Backpack-friendly seams

Best for: regular hikers, desert hikers, backpackers, and people who need performance fit.

Typical price range: $45–$110

Best Budget Places to Buy UPF Shirts

Uniqlo

Uniqlo offers affordable UV protection tops that work well for everyday travel, casual hikes, road trips, and layering. They may not always have the same trail-specific features as outdoor brands, but they can be a smart budget option.

Best for: easy walks, travel days, van life, casual national park exploring, and low-intensity hikes.

Typical price range: $20–$40

Lands’ End

Lands’ End carries UPF-rated basics, including long-sleeve tops and swim or travel styles. These can be useful for family trips, camping, beach-to-trail vacations, and people who prefer classic fits.

Best for: casual hiking, family outdoor trips, broad size availability, and everyday sun protection.

Typical price range: $20–$60

Amazon

Amazon can be useful if you know exactly what to filter for, but it is also where vague claims go to frolic unsupervised like raccoons at a campsite.

Use caution and look for:

• A specific UPF rating, not just sun protection claims
• Clear fabric details
• Reviews from hikers, backpackers, or travelers
• Return-friendly listings
• Photos showing fit, length, and hood coverage

Best for: bargain hunting, backup shirts, family multipacks, or trying different fits.

Typical price range: $15–$50

Premium UPF Brands and Specialty Sun Clothing Shops

Brands like Coolibar, Solbari, and other sun-protection-focused companies often prioritize maximum coverage and verified UPF ratings. These can be especially helpful if you have sensitive skin, a history of skin cancer, or simply want the most coverage possible.

Best for: high sun exposure, medical-grade sun protection priorities, desert travel, boating, and all-day outdoor work.

Typical price range: $50–$120+

What Clothing Is Best for Sun Protection?

The best clothing for sun protection is usually:

• UPF 50 or UPF 50+
• Long sleeve
• Tightly woven or technical synthetic fabric
• Not see-through when stretched
• Comfortable enough that you will actually wear it
• Designed with good coverage at the neck, wrists, and shoulders

A long sleeve UV protection shirt for hiking is usually more protective than a short-sleeve tee because it covers more skin. A sun hoodie gives even more coverage by protecting the back of your neck and ears, especially when paired with a brimmed hat.

For hot hiking days, many people assume less clothing is better. But in strong sun, a lightweight long sleeve UPF shirt can actually feel better than exposed skin slathered in sunscreen, especially when the fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking.

Best UPF Shirt Features for Hikers

For hiking specifically, prioritize:

• UPF 50+ rating for long sun exposure
• Quick-dry fabric for sweat, rain, and creek crossings
• Moisture-wicking material to reduce that soggy-shirt feeling
• Breathable weave or ventilation panels
• Hood or collar for neck protection
• Thumb loops for hand coverage
• Flat seams to reduce backpack strap irritation
• Relaxed but not baggy fit

If you are backpacking, the dream is a lightweight sun shirt for backpacking that can handle long mileage, dry overnight, resist stink reasonably well, and not turn into a clingy swamp blanket by mile six. If you want to understand how sweat-moving fabrics work, read our full guide to moisture-wicking fabric.

Does Sun Protective Clothing Really Work?

Yes, sun protective clothing really works when it has a verified UPF rating and enough coverage.

The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that a UPF 50 fabric blocks approximately 98% of UV rays. Cleveland Clinic also notes that UPF-rated clothing can be an effective way to protect skin because the fabric blocks UV radiation before it reaches you.

But there are a few trail goblin details to know:

• Fabric may protect less when it is stretched tight.
• Some fabrics lose protection when wet.
• Thin, loosely woven fabric may allow more UV through.
• Old, worn-out shirts may not perform like new ones.
• A shirt only protects the skin it covers.

That last point is important. A UPF shirt does not protect your face, hands, lower legs, or that weird triangle of neck skin your backpack strap exposes. You will still want sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Think of UPF clothing as your base layer of sun defense, not your entire battle plan.

Sun Shirt, Sun Hoodie, or Hiking Shirt: Which Should You Buy?

These terms overlap, but they often point to slightly different designs.

Sun Shirt

A sun shirt is usually a lightweight long-sleeve top with a UPF rating. It may be crew neck, quarter zip, button-up, or hooded.

Best for:

• Day hiking
• Camping
• Travel
• Warm-weather layering
• People who prefer simple, versatile gear

Sun Hoodie

A sun hoodie is a long-sleeve UPF shirt with a hood. It is popular with hikers, climbers, anglers, backpackers, and desert wanderers.

Best for:

• High-altitude hiking
• Desert trails
• Backpacking
• National park trips
• People who hate sunscreen on their neck

A sun hoodie can look a little desert wizard, but that is part of the charm.

Hiking Shirt

A hiking shirt may be a button-up, quarter-zip, tee, or long-sleeve layer. Not every hiking shirt is UPF-rated, so check the label.

Best for:

• Trail versatility
• Bug protection
• Backpack compatibility
• Variable weather
• People who want one shirt for trail, town, and campground tacos

If your goal is sun protection first, choose a hiking shirt with a UPF rating clearly listed.

Best UPF Shirt Features by Outdoor Lifestyle

For National Park Trips

Choose:

• UPF 50+
• Long sleeves
• Odor resistance
• Comfortable town-to-trail style
• Packable fabric

National parks often mean long days, shuttle lines, exposed overlooks, and surprise just one more viewpoint detours. A sun hoodie or clean-looking hiking shirt works well.

For Camping With Family

Choose:

• Budget-friendly UPF shirts
• Durable fabric
• Easy washing
• Fun colors so kids are easier to spot
• Comfortable fit for camp chores

This is also where a casual graphic tee can shine around the campfire after the sunny part of the day is done. Your UPF layer handles the rays; your 5 Billion Star Hotel Shirt handles the campground vibes.

For Van Life and Road Trips

Choose:

• Shirts that dry quickly after sink washing
• Neutral colors that mix and match
• UPF 50
• Odor control
• Lightweight packability

A good sun shirt becomes your hiking shirt, driving shirt, laundry-day shirt, and I-swear-I-am-not-wearing-the-same-thing-again shirt. For relaxed travel days or post-hike town stops, a soft cotton or cotton-blend graphic tee like the Adventure Awaits Shirt is an easy layer to keep in the duffel.

For Backpacking

Choose:

• Technical sun hoodie
• Minimal seams
• Quick dry fabric
• Thumb loops
• Hood that works under a hat
• Excellent breathability

Backpacking is where quality matters most. A cheap shirt that chafes after 12 miles is not a bargain. It is a tiny fabric villain.

For Casual Day Hikes

Choose:

• UPF 30–50
• Comfortable fit
• Lightweight fabric
• Easy styling
• Reasonable price

If you are mostly walking shaded forest trails for one to three hours, you may not need the most technical option. Just make sure the UPF rating is real and the shirt feels good enough to wear often. For shaded strolls, picnic loops, or coffee-after-the-trail plans, a casual hiking graphic tee such as the Are We There Yet Hiking Club Shirt brings the personality; add sunscreen, a hat, or a UPF layer when exposure increases.