Best sun hoodies?

Gordy Schafer wrote: ExOfficio Sol Cool Ultimate Hoodie

I live in mine. The major distinctive plus for this one is the hood zips up on to your face, & the mesh makes it easy to breathe through. 

This is the best one I have even seen/owned, but it hasn't been made for several years now and the replacement is nowhere near as nice. I wish I bought two. I don't understand why there aren't others on the market that zip up to completely cover the face like this one (think R1 balacava style) and zips down to vent more. Works great for protection from bugs too. All the other sun hoodies listed are nice but very similar to each other and don't have the face coverage part dialed. Seems like this is a crowded but growing market that has a lot of room for someone to come in and make a better mouse trap...

I own the Outdoor Research Echo Hoody. I wouldn't buy it again.

The garment itself is adequate and does exactly what it is supposed to. However, for my broad and stocky build the shirt fits tight across the chest. Additionally, the hand "mittens" on the end of the sleeves are nearly pointless except for keeping the sleeves in place on your wrist. The hood works fine but won't go up over a helmet.

I wore this over a 5-day yurt trip in the Pioneer Mountains and it kept me burn free. I'm surprised that it's rated only UPF 15 as I was out in the sun for 8+ hours and didn't develop any burns.

Again, it works like it's supposed to but I'd prefer something looser. 

I’m a huge sun shirt / sun hoodie user , just a thought ....Give a look at hooded running shirts aswell. Every major athletic brand has one depending on the season. Usually really light weight ... maybe to much so if you’re looking to incorporate it into a layering system.

One to check out though would be the Nike Vapor , I got 4 on clearance last year for like $17 each (down to about 2 1/2 now lol) .... it’s only downside as far as climbing might be is the hood isn’t very generous for sure couldn’t pull it up over a helmet.

Wilburn wrote: I own the Outdoor Research Echo Hoody. I wouldn't buy it again.

The garment itself is adequate and does exactly what it is supposed to. However, for my broad and stocky build the shirt fits tight across the chest. Additionally, the hand "mittens" on the end of the sleeves are nearly pointless except for keeping the sleeves in place on your wrist. The hood works fine but won't go up over a helmet.

I wore this over a 5-day yurt trip in the Pioneer Mountains and it kept me burn free. I'm surprised that it's rated only UPF 15 as I was out in the sun for 8+ hours and didn't develop any burns.

Again, it works like it's supposed to but I'd prefer something looser. 

I wore mine under my helmet and it was fine.  Was there a particular reason it needed to fit over the helmet?  Love the fit of the Echo, personally.

Marmot Sunrift.  Definitely not the lightest option but I love the fit and potential for layering when the temps drop. 

I bought a BD Alpenglow in 2017 or 2018, whenever they first came out I think. Quite baggy for its labeled size. I liked it anyway so I bought another from a more recent run, in the same size, and it's significantly more snug.

+1 for the Patagonia tropic. Lots of use and abuse and keeps me cool on the water and at the crag.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-tropic-comfort-hoody-ii/52124.html

I've had the Patagonia Sunshade technical hoodie for over a year now.  It's light and breathes quite well.  Absolute essential gear for desert adventures. 

It's my favorite piece of clothing I've bought in years. Absolute game changer. The terrible bugs of New England don't bite through it, either. 

It's getting pretty fuzzy, as I've definitely had it on for a fair bit of chimney and offwidth grinding, but no holes yet! 

NRS is very soft. Fits over and under a helmet. Softer, lighter and cheaper than the BDs.

Best I've found:
1. Voormi River Run Hoodie. "Micro-layer" of merino wool. Pretty Amazing. Somewhat durable, a little pricey. Got that beta from a guide on a raft trip in the Grand Canyon in the middle of the summer.
2. Another vote for Patagonia Sunshade tech hoody. Pretty tough in chimneys and OW surprisingly.

side note, has anyone tried the kor pre shell from Mountain Hardware? I wonder how much of a sun protecting layer it can be. Seems to be a bit much for a hot day, but im always looking for those layers than can do more than one thing.

Da Brim

anybody found a hooded one that also has some kinda insect shield or something like that?  most i've seen dont have a hood.

Jeremy Justus wrote: anybody found a hooded one that also has some kinda insect shield or something like that?  most i've seen dont have a hood.

most of the insect shield clothing is just permethrin treated and is lost after a few washings. you can do that on your own with anything.  Sawyers is good. That stuff works better if you treat everything. (tent, backpack, hat, clothes, shoes, etc)

I just bought both the Patagonia Cap Daily Hoody and the NRS sun hoody. The Patagonia is going back and I'll be keeping the NRS. The fit on the NRS is miles better for me than the Patagonia. The sleeves are nice and long, the hand coverage is excellent, and the hood fits very well. It felt like a real stretch to put the hood up on the Patagonia, and it definitely wasn't comfortable with a cap on underneath. It also didn't protect the face as much as the NRS.

I know a lot of paddlers who use the NRS hoody for long days out touring and absolutely swear by it. Will be interesting to see how it does climbing and backpacking here in CO. 

Doug Hutchinson wrote:

This is the best one I have even seen/owned, but it hasn't been made for several years now and the replacement is nowhere near as nice. I wish I bought two. I don't understand why there aren't others on the market that zip up to completely cover the face like this one (think R1 balacava style) and zips down to vent more. Works great for protection from bugs too. All the other sun hoodies listed are nice but very similar to each other and don't have the face coverage part dialed. Seems like this is a crowded but growing market that has a lot of room for someone to come in and make a better mouse trap...

I have a 2 Large grey ones new with tags for $75 anchorage.craigslist.org/sp…;

Retail price was $95. I'd include shipping in that $75, or maybe bump it to $80. PM me if interested.

Agreed, I love mine (but it's medium)

Still have two of the original Patagonia Sun Hoody (white and olive green).  One of them gets brought on every backcountry trip, and I work outdoors in temps above 90F in the white one.   Durability and breathability have been excellent,  and they're still hoping up well 8 years later.

Bought an OR Echo hoody this year to try out.  Its way more form-fitting which isn't something I desired.   And while functional,  I highly doubt I'll get the same durability out of it vs. Patagonia Sun Hoody.  Hope I'm proven wrong.  

Michael S wrote: Perfect timing!! I'm looking for a sun hoodie right now too.  Anyone used  a RAB Pulse or the  Arc'teryx  Phasic Sun Hoodie? They are pricey but look good.  I've had great luck with Arc'teryx fabrics. They are superb for their durability and fad resistance.

Based on this thread, I looked into the Rab Pulse (among the other mentioned sun hoodies), as my wife and I find their tops to be pretty awesome, especially at closeout prices... so I found a decent enough deal on the Pulse Hoody to try https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/mens-clothing-c1/mens-baselayer-c71/all-baselayer-tops-c214/pulse-hoody-p11661 For some reason once you select shipping, the price dropped to £34.99 in the cart (~$44 plus any forex fee you might get hit with) - so I ordered one. From my research, sounds like the same fabric as their Interval baselayers, which provide 30-35+ UPF, which is higher than the OR Echo lineup, which is only 15 UPF, with a very similar fabric, supposedly. 

I also grabbed a Borealis, which also got the price reduced in the cart/checkout process (VAT reduction?). I really like the Boreas and Ventus I have now, so I figured I'd try the newer version now that the price hit my % off MSRP requirement  ;)  [Both shirts were $107 shipped]

For those comparing, the OR Echo and Rab Pulse weigh in the 4.x oz category vs 6-8+ for most of the competition, I believe.

I haven't found a single review out there for it yet but the Bight Gear Solstice Graphene looks interesting.  

LINK

I second the Patagonia Sunshade tech hoody. Just did 4 days of mountaineering/alpine climbing in the Coastal Range of BC. I am basically albino so this piece of gear was crucial and didn’t disappoint. It was hot on the glaciers and cold in the shadows. Even beat it up with body belays. Just put on a Houdini over it to glissade or softshell hooded adze for belays. I was in this hoody for 99% of the trip. Works well layered over a regular capilene t shirt too. Also like the zip up chest pocket, location works great for a camera or cellphone that doesn’t interfere with my HL pack straps. Definitely recommend this but make sure you get the “tech” model with visible seams, button hood, and zip pocket. Hope this helps.

Matt N wrote:

Based on this thread, I looked into the Rab Pulse (among the other mentioned sun hoodies), as my wife and I find their tops to be pretty awesome, especially at closeout prices... so I found a decent enough deal on the Pulse Hoody to try https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/mens-clothing-c1/mens-baselayer-c71/all-baselayer-tops-c214/pulse-hoody-p11661 For some reason once you select shipping, the price dropped to £34.99 in the cart (~$44 plus any forex fee you might get hit with) - so I ordered one. From my research, sounds like the same fabric as their Interval baselayers, which provide 30-35+ UPF, which is higher than the OR Echo lineup, which is only 15 UPF, with a very similar fabric, supposedly. 

I also grabbed a Borealis, which also got the price reduced in the cart/checkout process (VAT reduction?). I really like the Boreas and Ventus I have now, so I figured I'd try the newer version now that the price hit my % off MSRP requirement  ;)  [Both shirts were $107 shipped]

For those comparing, the OR Echo and Rab Pulse weigh in the 4.x oz category vs 6-8+ for most of the competition, I believe.

Sweet thanks, yes price dropped for me too!! Although, They only have medium... Do you know how RAB tops run? I can wear a Medium or Small depending on brand(In Arc'teryx I wear small)  I'm 5'11" @160lbs and have long skinny arms. For more of a climbing top I really don't want it to run baggy like my beach and summer hiking tops. I haven't had the pleasure of owning anything RAB but hear good things.