What is your favorite sun hoodie?

Breathability is the single most important factor for me personally in a sun hoodie, anecdotally the BD pro feels like I’m wearing a regular light sweatshirt. Has anyone found anything that breaths as well as the astroman?

Tanner James wrote:

 Has anyone found anything that breaths as well as the astroman?

Yes, the REI Sahara (don't judge because REI makes it) and Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily hoodies breath better and feel much better next to skin than the Astroman.

I love the Astroman (to be clear, I have two of the original Astroman's, not the current Air one with the side panels) on cooler, meaning not really hot days, over a t shirt, and it's more durable and has more features (half zip, and chest pocket). However, on really hot days, I'm using the Cool Daily (lightest and most breathable I've used) or the Sahara next to skin.

Tanner James wrote:

Breathability is the single most important factor for me personally in a sun hoodie, anecdotally the BD pro feels like I’m wearing a regular light sweatshirt. Has anyone found anything that breaths as well as the astroman?

I review sun shirts. The OR Echo is by far the most breathable sun hoody. It's the most permeable to air, it dries the fastest. It also has the worst sun protection (15-20 UPF). All the characteristics of a good sun hoody usually can only be gotten by compromising another characteristic/characteristics. Great sun protection? It's hot or heavy. Good breathability? Bad sun protection or heavy. Durable? Hot and/or heavy, and usually doesn't breath well at all. Figure out what you need and what you can live without.

The Ibex Indie Hoodie is great. It's wool, so it doesn't stink after several uses and it's a bit on the warmer end, so I use it for alpine days/ski touring. It has a good hood that can go over a helmet and a partial zip for extra cooling. Not baggy.

For warm days I like the Free Fly bamboo sun hoodie. Big enough hood for over a helmet. Holds on to water, so not really for alpine endeavors. Kinda baggy and free flowing, but nice and cool.

Long Ranger wrote:

I review sun shirts. The OR Echo is by far the most breathable sun hoody. It's the most permeable to air, it dries the fastest. It also has the worst sun protection (15-20 UPF). All the characteristics of a good sun hoody usually can only be gotten by compromising another characteristic/characteristics. Great sun protection? It's hot or heavy. Good breathability? Bad sun protection or heavy. Durable? Hot and/or heavy, and usually doesn't breath well at all. Figure out what you need and what you can live without.

Much like in your other activity of choice: "durable, light, cheap: pick two."

One for the capilene, it’s my favorite material by far. Silky smooth and keeps you cool. And one for the OR echo hoody. Nice material and pretty inexpensive.

Long Ranger wrote:

I review sun shirts. The OR Echo is by far the most breathable sun hoody. It's the most permeable to air, it dries the fastest. It also has the worst sun protection (15-20 UPF). All the characteristics of a good sun hoody usually can only be gotten by compromising another characteristic/characteristics. Great sun protection? It's hot or heavy. Good breathability? Bad sun protection or heavy. Durable? Hot and/or heavy, and usually doesn't breath well at all. Figure out what you need and what you can live without.

UPF 15-20?? That is terrible. The point of a sunshirt to me is to avoid sun exposure.

grug g wrote:

UPF 15-20?? That is terrible. The point of a sunshirt to me is to avoid sun exposure.

UPF 15 corresponds to allowing 1/15 or 6.6% of radiation allowed to go through the fabric. From trial and error, that is not enough for me in the summer here in Colorado at altitude if I'm outside all day. I can usually get away with a UPF 30 shirt. 

You gotta weigh a lot of things to see what would work for you. If I was hanging out by the water all day? I'd opt for a UPF 50 shirt. Same if I'm doing some snow climbing. Time out, environment factors (including altitude, latitude) really play a role in what you can work with.

i pretty much wear sun hoodies every day.  my favorite for hot weather, when i am not doing something that will shred it, is the (RIP) rap pulse. really light material.  if i am doing something that will wreck it, i usually just use cheap ones from amazon.

side note - WTF is with sun hoodies in dark colors?  it's almost hard to find light colored ones anymore.  ugghhh.

Dark colors give higher UPF.

They just started rating them differently the last couple years.

I have several of the types already mentioned.   If it's a touch cool out,  the Voormi river run hoodie is my favorite.  I have 3 , one of which is 6 years old.  They're extremely durable yet very comfortable.  Voormi is pretty tough to beat if you're a merino wool fan.

If it's warm, the Alpenglow pro is what I prefer.  I like the zipper plus the length is such that it stays put under a harness.  It's about a year old and already shows a good deal of wear though.

I just got the Sahara shade from REI and it fits pretty nicely, plus I prefer the V hood collar over the scuba collar.

I have the alpenglow pro but it’s already pilling after a few days under a harness and the fit is weirdly baggy, I wouldn’t buy another one.

Does anyone have the NW alpine sun hoody? Wasn’t sure how breathable it is. 

I’ve been using a NW Alpine sun hoodie for a few years now. The UHMW fabric blend pills a bit and has similar breathability and feel to similar merino layers I own. The fit is a bit tight compared to my other sun hoodies, but that’s my only gripe. Highly recommend for durability,  function (no burns yet) & the USA made factor. 

I’ve been really pleased with the two Patagonia Tropic Comfort II Sun Hoodies that I own.  Though I have not tried the current version, the Tropic Comfort Natural Sun Hoodie (or something along those lines).  Most notably it features a fabric change, switching to primarily some type of natural fiber that I am not familiar with.  
I really like the collar and the single button that provides some more sun protection for the front of your neck, in addition to securing the hood, when buttoned.
It would be great if Patagonia would use the Capeline Daily fabric for a sun hoodie with the features of the Tropic Comfort II (thumb loops and that same type of collar/hood with the button).  

After doing a bunch of river trips in the desert, my fav is the Mammut sun hoody, never got burned, keeps ya cool when wet and easily fits over a ballcap (or helmet)

https://www.mammut.com/us/en/products/1016-01430-50604/selun-fl-sun-hoody-women?adword=google/(c_usa)(l_en)(b_goo)(e_cross-network)(f_pmax)(g_commitment)(t_feed)(i_80-b-200-med-roas)(css_gs)(a_mam)//&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-69H6tZWXAja9K7rgoFris0Q7S9U4788snoID0cU0STU03japJmyrgaAl13EALw_wcB

Most breathable sunhoody I have and affordable compared to BD, Arc, etc. LL bean sunsmart hoody.(some sweet stripe patterns, but they have solid colors too)
They make a bunch of sunsmart branded clothes, the ones that have TENCEL (lyocell) in the fabric are the ultimate for airflow / cooling. I love it...even the lightest breeze feels amazing, oh and doesnt get super "sticky" when sWEaT.
Highly recommended, especially for the tall folks out there, they have tall sizes which not a lot of the climbing brands offer.

 If I know its not going to be too hot or want a little bit of wind resistance, the dead bird Cormac is awesome and surprisingly durable.

Tanner James wrote:

Yep that’s the updated I guess. I have 3 and they’re the only sun hoodies I wear all summer I think they’re notably cooler and lighter than both of the BD options 

Does it work well over a helmet?

I personally spent hundreds of days in my Patagucci Capilene and I have never felt the need to complain once. It can be worn multiple days in a row and still feels light and clean on the skin. I will say it can get a little warm (I have the dark blue color) but this is a fair price to pay for how well it protects from the sun. Another plus for Patagonia, after wearing my Capilene for literally hundreds of days out, I was able to take it back and have it replaced after some off-width chimneys chewed it up really good. 

Philippe Queiroz wrote:

I just bought a bassdassh hoodie, fishing brand. 

Very light and cool, hood and mask with mesh on the mouth, top of the head and armpits. It also has thumb holes and it only costs $29.98(you can find for $24 on aliexpress) very good quality for price.

https://www.bassdash.com/collections/sweatshirts-men/products/bassdash-men-s-long-sleeve-fishing-shirt-with-uv-neck-gaiter-sun-protection-hoodie?variant=41815566352582

That’s the price point I need for a good sun hoodie! I work outside and have a hard time paying over 50 for something that is going to last a month. Thanks