Outdoors & Fitness
The Best UV Protective Shirts: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four long-sleeve sun shirts on the UPF rating the maker states, fabric blend, fit, and collar or hood coverage.
The short version
The Coolibar Aricia is our best overall: it states UPF 50+, has a hidden sun flap at the collar, and looks fine in a restaurant. The Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee is the value pick, with a stated UPF 50+ and a listed 94% polyester, 6% spandex blend. The Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is the depends pick: soft and good for neck coverage, but the maker states only UPF 20+. Skip the Simms Guide Shirt for sun protection, because its product page lists no UPF at all. Pair any of these with a hat and sunscreen on the face and hands. Best for: hikers, anglers and boaters who want a shirt that states what it blocks.
Our picks at a glance
- Coolibar Aricia Men's Long Sleeve Shirt - Buy. A button-down travel and trail shirt rated UPF 50+ with a hidden sun flap at the collar.
- Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee - Buy. A stretchy polyester tee with a stated UPF 50+ rating and thumb holes, at the low end of the field.
- Free Fly Men's Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie - It depends. A soft bamboo-blend hoodie with full-neck coverage, but with a stated UPF of only 20+.
- Simms Men's Guide Fishing Shirt - Skip. A well-made fishing shirt whose maker page lists no UPF rating at all.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Stated UPF
- Fabric blend on page
- UPF durability claim
- Neck coverage
- Hands
- Style
A long-sleeve shirt is the easiest sun protection to wear all day, because it never rubs off or needs reapplying. The catch is that a shirt only protects as much as its fabric allows, and not every shirt that looks technical states a rating. We picked four long-sleeve shirts for hiking, fishing and water days from Coolibar, Outdoor Research, Free Fly and Simms, and judged them on what each maker actually prints. This sits next to our guides to sun hats and mineral sunscreens, which cover the parts a shirt does not.
A button-down travel and trail shirt rated UPF 50+ with a hidden sun flap at the collar.
Best for: Anyone who wants one shirt for travel, day hikes and boat days that also passes for normal clothes.
- Coolibar states UPF 50+ and says all its products are tested and verified at that level.
- The button-down collar has a hidden sun flap, which covers the back of the neck without needing a hood.
- Vents at the shoulder seams and underarms, snap-tab roll-up sleeves and a chest pocket make it easy to manage heat.
- The product page leaves the fabric composition field blank, so you cannot see the fiber blend before buying.
- Some owners report inconsistent sizing, with a medium feeling tight for a few.
- No hood and no thumb loops, so hands and neck below the collar rely on the shirt design and sunscreen.
A stretchy polyester tee with a stated UPF 50+ rating and thumb holes, at the low end of the field.
Best for: Hikers and runners who want a light, cheap long sleeve with a rating they can read.
- The page states UPF 50+, the top of the rating scale it shows.
- The fabric is listed as 94% polyester and 6% spandex, so you know what you are wearing.
- Thumb holes pull the cuffs over the backs of the hands, and the maker covers it with its lifetime Infinite Guarantee.
- The page says nothing about how long the UPF rating lasts through washing.
- It is a crew neck with no collar or hood, so the neck stays exposed.
- Some colors and sizes were sold out when we looked, so availability varies.
A soft bamboo-blend hoodie with full-neck coverage, but with a stated UPF of only 20+.
Best for: Someone who wants a comfortable casual hoodie for shade, boats and evenings and will add sunscreen on exposed skin.
- The crossover hood covers the neck and fits over a cap.
- The fabric is a listed 70% bamboo viscose and 30% polyester knit, soft enough to wear all day.
- Thumb holes and a chest pocket sized for sunglasses are built in.
- The maker states UPF 20+, well below the 50+ that the sun shirts above state.
- The page gives no claim about UPF holding up through washing, and it notes the shirt will shrink.
- It runs slim and small by the page's own fit rating, and the viscose blend is not built for immersion or hard sweating.
A well-made fishing shirt whose maker page lists no UPF rating at all.
Best for: An angler who loves the pocket layout and already covers up with a separate rated layer.
- Zippered pockets and roll-up sleeves are properly built for a day on the water.
- The fabric is a quick-drying polyester blend according to the maker's product data.
- Simms is an established fishing brand, and the shirt is in current production.
- The product page states no UPF number, so you cannot tell what protection you are buying.
- The description sells pockets and fast-dry comfort, not sun protection.
- It is priced at the top of this field, where the other shirts here state their rating.
| Criteria | Aricia Men's Long Sleeve Shirt Top pick | ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee | Men's Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie | Men's Guide Fishing Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Anyone who wants one shirt for travel, day hikes and boat days that also passes for normal clothes. | Hikers and runners who want a light, cheap long sleeve with a rating they can read. | Someone who wants a comfortable casual hoodie for shade, boats and evenings and will add sunscreen on exposed skin. | An angler who loves the pocket layout and already covers up with a separate rated layer. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium |
| Stated UPF | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ | UPF 20+ | None listed on page |
| Fabric blend on page | 3Ddri fabric, composition not listed | 94% polyester, 6% spandex | 70% bamboo viscose, 30% polyester | Polyester blend (maker data) |
| UPF durability claim | Maker site: up to 40 wash cycles | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Neck coverage | Collar with hidden sun flap | Crew neck | Crossover hood | Shirt collar |
| Hands | No thumb loops | Thumb holes | Thumb holes | No thumb loops |
| Style | Button-down | Pullover tee | Pullover hoodie | Button-front fishing shirt |
| Fit as described | Mixed sizing reports | Standard fit | Slim, runs small | Not described |
| Best use | Travel, trail, boat | Hiking, running | Shade, casual | Fishing pockets, not rated sun |
Which one is right for you?
- Anyone who wants one shirt for travel, day hikes and boat days that also passes for normal clothes. Buy it Coolibar Aricia Men's Long Sleeve Shirt
- Hikers and runners who want a light, cheap long sleeve with a rating they can read. Buy it Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee
- Someone who wants a comfortable casual hoodie for shade, boats and evenings and will add sunscreen on exposed skin. It depends Free Fly Men's Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
- An angler who loves the pocket layout and already covers up with a separate rated layer. Skip it Simms Men's Guide Fishing Shirt
How we judged the field
Five things matter in a sun shirt. First is the UPF rating the maker states, because it is the only number that tells you how much light the fabric blocks. Second is the fabric blend, since tight knits and polyester or nylon hold a rating better than thin cotton. Third is whether the maker says the rating lasts through washing. Fourth is fit, because a shirt stretched tight across the shoulders passes more light. Fifth is neck and hand coverage, through a collar flap, a hood or thumb holes.
The field splits into three kinds. Dedicated sun brands like Coolibar print a rating on every garment. Outdoor brands like Outdoor Research print one on their sun line. Lifestyle and fishing brands often sell a handsome shirt first and sun protection second, and some print no number. We picked one of each so you can see what the page tells you. All claims below come from the maker pages we read.
The Coolibar Aricia is the one we would hand to a friend. Coolibar states UPF 50+ and says all its products are tested and verified at that level, and on its sun-protection page it says protection is guaranteed for up to 40 wash cycles, depending on care and how often you wear it. That is the only wash claim in this group. The button-down collar has a hidden sun flap, so the back of your neck is covered without a hood. Vents at the shoulder seams and underarms, snap-tab roll-up sleeves and a chest pocket keep it practical. It looks like a normal shirt, which is why people wear it for travel as much as trail. The trade-offs are modest. The page leaves the composition field blank, so you cannot see the blend, and some owners report sizing that runs tight. There are no thumb loops. Buy it if you want one rated shirt that works from a trailhead to a dinner table.
The ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee is the value pick because it gives you a stated UPF 50+ and a printed fabric blend of 94% polyester and 6% spandex at the lowest tier here. Outdoor Research describes ActiveIce as a technology that cools the body as temperature rises, and the shirt is breathable, quick-drying and stretchy, with thumb holes and side slits at the hem. It is a crew neck, so your neck stays exposed and you will need a buff, a collar-up jacket or sunscreen. The page does not say whether the rating holds through washing, and the maker backs the shirt with its Infinite Guarantee for performance over the product’s lifetime. Some colors and sizes showed as sold out when we looked. Choose it for hiking and running days when you want a light layer with a rating you can read and a cuff that covers your hands.
The Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie is the shirt people reach for because it feels good. The fabric is listed as 70% bamboo viscose and 30% polyester, a soft knit with a crossover hood that covers the neck and fits over a cap. Thumb holes and a chest pocket sized for sunglasses are built in. The catch is the rating. Free Fly states UPF 20+, which it describes as lightweight sun protection, compared with the 50+ the Coolibar and Outdoor Research shirts state. The page makes no claim about the rating lasting through washing, says the shirt will shrink, and fits slim and small by its own fit rating. We would not rely on it as your main protection in strong sun or on open water. It suits shaded trails, boat decks and evenings, with sunscreen on anything exposed. Buy it for comfort and neck coverage, not for the highest protection.
The Simms Guide Shirt is a good fishing shirt that we would skip as a sun shirt. Simms builds it with zippered pockets, roll-up sleeves and a durable fast-dry fabric, and its product data lists a polyester blend. What the page does not list is any UPF rating. The description talks about pockets and comfort, and nothing states how much UV the fabric blocks. Simms does sell other shirts, such as the SolarFlex line, that state UPF 50+, which makes the missing number here more noticeable. A shirt with no stated rating may be fine, but you are guessing, and sun shirts are bought to remove guessing. It also sits at the premium tier. If you love the pocket layout, wear it with a rated layer or sunscreen underneath. If sun protection is why you are shopping, buy a shirt that prints a number instead.
Coolibar Aricia Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt vs Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee: which should you buy?
The Aricia and the ActiveIce Spectrum tee both state UPF 50+, so the choice is about how you wear them. The Aricia is a collared button-down with a hidden sun flap, vents and snap-tab sleeves. It is the better shirt for travel, boats and anywhere you want to look put together, and it is the only one here where the maker states a wash guarantee, of up to 40 cycles. The ActiveIce tee is a stretchy crew with thumb holes at a lower tier, and it lists its blend of 94% polyester and 6% spandex.
Pick the Aricia if neck coverage and a normal-shirt look matter, or if you want the wash claim. Pick the ActiveIce tee if you run hot, move a lot, or want the cheaper option with a hand cover. If you are on the fence, buy the Aricia for mixed use and the tee for sport, and add a wide-brim hat from our sun hats guide either way.
What to look for
- A stated UPF number: Look for UPF 50+ on the maker’s own page. The Skin Cancer Foundation says UPF 50 blocks about 98 percent of the sun’s rays, and a page that lists no rating gives you nothing to check.
- Fabric and weave: Tight knits and synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon tend to hold a rating better than thin, loose cloth. Read the composition line when the maker prints one.
- Wash and wear claims: Few makers say how long the rating lasts. Coolibar states up to 40 wash cycles, so treat that as the benchmark and ask when a brand is silent.
- Fit that does not stretch tight: The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that stretched or wet clothing loses some protection. Size so the fabric lies relaxed across your shoulders and back.
- Neck and hand coverage: A collar with a flap, a hood or a crew neck each cover different skin. Thumb holes cover the backs of your hands, which get a lot of sun on a boat or trail.
- Color and ventilation: Darker or brighter colors absorb more UV, and vents, mesh panels or a lightweight knit keep you from overheating. Check whether a rating changes by color, as it does on some Outdoor Research styles.
Our final take
Buy the Coolibar Aricia if you want one rated shirt for travel, trail and water that states its UPF, has a sun-flap collar and even carries a wash guarantee. Buy the Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum tee if you want the same stated rating at a lower tier with thumb holes and a listed fabric blend. Pick the Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie only if comfort and neck coverage matter more than the highest rating, and add sunscreen. Skip the Simms Guide Shirt for sun protection, because its maker page lists no UPF. Whatever you choose, cover your face with a hat and use sunscreen on skin the shirt leaves out.
Questions, answered
What UPF should a sun shirt have?
Look for UPF 50+, which the Skin Cancer Foundation says rates as excellent and blocks about 98 percent of the sun's rays. UPF 30 to 49 is described as very good protection. A shirt that states a number is better than one that only says sun protection. If a page lists no rating, treat it as an ordinary shirt.
Does a UPF rating last through washing?
It depends on the maker, and most do not say. Coolibar states its protection is guaranteed for up to 40 wash cycles, depending on care and how often the garment is worn. The Outdoor Research, Free Fly and Simms pages we read give no wash claim. Wash cold, skip bleach and fabric softener, and replace shirts that look thin or stretched.
Does a wet or stretched shirt protect less?
Yes. The Skin Cancer Foundation says stretched or wet clothing loses some of its protective ability, and gives a wet cotton T-shirt as an example of a rating falling sharply. That is why a stated rating on a polyester or nylon shirt matters more than a thin cotton one. Size so the fabric does not pull tight across the shoulders.
Do I still need sunscreen with a long-sleeve shirt?
Yes, on any skin the shirt does not cover. That means face, ears, neck below a crew collar, and hands unless you use thumb holes or gloves. The CDC recommends covering arms and legs and adding sunscreen where clothing is not practical. See our mineral sunscreens guide for what to use.
Is a hoodie better than a collared shirt for sun?
A hood covers more of the neck and can fit over a cap, but it traps heat on hot days. A collar with a sun flap, like the Coolibar Aricia, protects the back of the neck and stays cooler. For the face and ears, add a wide-brim hat, which we cover in our sun hats roundup.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Coolibar Aricia Men's Long Sleeve Shirt vs Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Long Sleeve Tee.
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