Best Outdoor Sun Hoodies of 2025: Top Picks for Hiking, Fishing, and Everyday Sun Protection

Introduction: Why Sun Hoodies Are Essential for Outdoor Activities

Logically speaking, most people think that they should wear short sleeves when it's hot outside. However, over that past decade or so, wearing long sleeve shirts, and even hoodies, when venturing outdoors is gaining in popularity. Protecting your arms, neck, face, and hands from the sun is important to prevent sun burns and long term skin health. Oftentimes, wearing a long sleeve shirt or lightweight hoodie will keep you cooler than wearing a short sleeve shirt or tank top because the sun isn't hitting directly on your skin. The best part....you don't have to slather on a ton of sunblock every time you jump in a boat or go on a long hike.

What to Look for in a Sun Hoodie

There are a number of things you will want to look for when buying a sun hoodie. Some standard features include UPF rating, stretch & performance fabric, fit & style, and breathability. The most important thing to look for is a lightweight, performance fabric because you don't want to be hiking on a hot day in a traditional cotton hoodie. Pretty much every Sun Hoodie is made with ultralight materials, so you'll really want to focus on fit and features. We prefer a looser fit because it helps with breathability and extra long sleeves with thumb holes will help protect your hands from prolonged sun exposure. The fit of the hood specifically is also important. Some sun hoodie styles offer a tight fitting hood and others have a loose, oversized hood. The tighter hoods stay in place better, great for trail running or boating, and the looser hoods offer more comfort and breathability, great for hiking or casual wear. Another thing you'll want to consider is the overall style. At the end of the day, if you don't like the way you look, you won't want to pull the item out of your closet, so make sure you like the aesthetics when you make your purchase.

Top 5 Sun Hoodies

There are countless brands making Sun Hoodies, which only confirms their popularity. You can get them from popular brands like Patagonia, Columbia, or The North Face, but we prefer to support smaller, up-and-coming brands, so below are a few of our favorites.

Carson Sun Hoodies from FaultLine395 - We are bit biased in recommending our own brand in this article, but we spent a lot of time developing an awesome sun hoodie, so we wanted to include it in our list. Our version of this outdoor staple has a loose fit, thumb holes, a 3-piece hood, and it's built with cooling 4-way stretch fabric. They come in Men's and Women's fits and we used some unique prints for a little bit of style so you can wear them on and off the trail.

Buxton Tech Hoodie from Marsh Wear - Marsh Wear is a newish brand from Charleston, NC and they are known for their cool camo prints. Their Tech Hoodies run a little small, so make sure you size up if you go with one of their options. I like the Buxton Hoodie because it is made from a fabric that has a soft cotton feel and it is UPF40+ rated. They have a ton of color options to choose from, so you are bound to find something you like.

Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie from Free Fly - This brand is gaining popularity right now and you can find it at most major outdoor and sporting goods stores. They make a great sun hoodie that is ultra-light weight and UPF20+ rated. If you like a hood that is more fitted, this is one of the best options. The tighter fitting hood is best suited for traveling at high speed, like when on a fishing boat, because it stays in place better than a loose fitting hood.

Rivelin Hoodie from Rab Equipment - Rab Equipment is a European brand known for making top-tier technical outdoor gear. They have a great sun hoodie that is perfect for anyone looking for a super technical piece of outdoor apparel. It features raglan sleeve construction, mesh inserts under the arms, thumb loops, and ultra-premium tech fabric. The only negative is that Rab products are a little pricey, but their stuff is really nice.

Nash Sun Hoodie from Flylow - The Nash Sun Hoodie from Flylow is pretty unique in that it offers a traditional hoodie style with drawcords and a kangaroo pocket. Most sun hoodies are designed to be ultra lightweight and they skip those features in an effort to cut weight. While this style may not be as lightweight as the others listed, it is worth a look for those who want that traditional hoodie style.

Conclusion

You really can't go wrong in choosing a sun hoodie because the ultimate goal is to protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun. If you are currently wearing a short sleeve tee while hiking, fishing, or hanging out at the beach, then any sun hoodie is a huge upgrade. The keys to selecting the right one for you really comes down to preference. Tight hood vs. loose hood, stretch tech fabric vs. softer cotton-feel fabric, ultra lightweight performance vs. mid-weight durability. At the end of the day, we recommend buying a few styles because they really are an essential piece of outdoor equipment and you'll want to wear them often. Choosing a style and design you like is hugely important in our opinion because if you like how you look, you'll wear it more often. Good luck with your search, see you on the trail.