Best Sun Hoodies for Thru-Hiking
If you spend time hiking, backpacking, or thru-hiking and haven’t already made the switch, I strongly recommend investing in a sun hoody. Lightweight sun hoodies are excellent for a wide variety of conditions, and in addition to keeping you protected from the sun, they can keep you warm when the wind picks up.
Since hiking the Continental Divide Trail, I’ve been experimenting with every sun hoody I can find, and my collection has grown to an almost embarrassing level.
I have personally used all of the hoodies listed in detail here. The chart at the bottom includes some other (similar) hoodies available now. If you have a favorite you don’t see here, I’m always looking for another sun hoody to try out!
Best Overall: Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
+ 87% Merino, 13% Nylon
+ Lightweight, comfortable, breathable
+ Drawstring-adjustable hood
+ Easy to pull up sleeves to regulate temperature
– Color selection rotates
– Frequently out of stock
– No local try on (except in Mammoth Lakes, CA)
The Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie from Mammoth Lakes, CA-based Ridge Merino, is my top pick for backpacking hoodies. I have two of them (in blue and citrus – I got a second in citrus because this color wasn’t released until after I had my first one), and I love them both. I’ve recommended this hoodie to multiple thru-hikers and backpackers, and I have yet to hear anyone complain. The Solstice Hoodie sports thumbholes, a drawstring hood, and a UPF rating of 30+. Check it out here.
Runner Up: Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody
+ Made from 100% recycled materials
+ One of the most affordable (i.e. reasonably priced) options available
+ Thumbholes
– Current voluntary recall due to improper UPF rating
– 100% polyester can get stinky
The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody is another excellent choice. I have one that I used on the final leg of my Sierra High Route journey and numerous other high-altitude adventures since. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester, which is great because it’s environmentally friendly, but not so great because it can get smelly if you wear it for a week straight without washing. It has a medium-volume hood with a fixed closure. It’s relatively close to my chin, but not so much that it chokes me when pulled over my hat. It also has thumb holes and feels nice next to your skin. Check it out here.
The Expensive Option: Ibex Springbok Sun Hoodie
+ Large-volume hood with single button closure
+ Soft and comfortable next-to-skin feel
+ Sewn-in thumbholes
+ 83% Merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% elastane
+ UPF 35+
– Perhaps the most expensive option out there
– A bit thicker/heavier than other options (not necessairly a bad thing, but something to consider in warmer climates)
– Color options not the greatest
– Limited stock and no local try on
The Ibex Springbok Sun Hoodie is the most expensive option (I can find) out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also a great sun hoody. It’s made with 83% Merino wool, 12% nylon, and 5% elastane, giving it a soft and comfortable next-to-skin feel. The single-button closure on the high-volume hood allows for a bit more airflow when needed, but it may also be more challenging to keep the hood on in high winds. With a UPF of 35+ and sewn-in thumbholes, you can tell when holding the Springbok in your hands that it’s a well-built garment with a justifiably high price. Check it out here.
The Alternate Materials Option: Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie
+ Lightweight with a small amount of stretch
+ Sleeves easy to pull up
+ Nice feel against skin (70% viscose from bamboo, 30% polyester)
– Women’s version is slightly different
– Why is there a pocket?
– Hood a little tight to neck/chin
The Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie is the only hoody here made from a blend of 70% viscose from bamboo fibers and 30% polyester. The result is a slightly stretchy material that feels soft against the skin. This is the only hoodie listed here that has a chest pocket. What this pocket could be for, I do not know (maybe it could be helpful if I were wearing a sun hoody while out fishing – something I have zero knowledge of). Check out the Bamboo Lightweight Hoody here.
+ High volume hood that doesn’t feel like it’s choking you
+ Made of a lightweight 120 gsm wool blend (stink resistant)
+ Comfortable and breathable, even in hot conditions
+ Four bottons to adjust airflow and comfort
– Hood can be tricky in the wind and buttons can be tough with gloves
– Rougher feeling on skin than some of the other wool blends
– One of the more expensive options
The Voormi River Run Hoodie is one with which I have a love-hate relationship. I wore one for over 700 mi / 1,127 km through the desert in one of these and can’t say I hated it. That said, Voormi has updated the hoodie since I took it on that first trip, and many of my initial gripes have been addressed. It can still feel a bit itchy or scratchy before you use it seriously (and wash it a few times), but I like the improved thumbholes (no longer just some weird elastic band things) and the addition of buttons on the hood. It’s slightly heavier than some of the other options (more akin to the Ibex Springbok Sun Hoodie), but still an excellent choice for trips when you’re not expecting to be in the blazing heat and instead need a versatile hoodie for sun protection (e.g., in the alpine). Check it out here.
The Stretchy Option: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
+ Lightweight and incredibly stretchy
+ Thumbholes
+ Feels silky smooth on skin
– Women’s version is completely different – has a drawstring waistband and a zippered pocket for some reason
– Gets incredibly, next-level stinky
The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody is the stretchiest hoodie I’ve ever used. It’s stupidly stretchy. It’s also one of the stinkiest hoodies I’ve ever worn. When using one, I would not recommend sweating profusely for multiple days, or even a single day. It feels silky smooth next to the skin – definitely one of the silkiest-feeling hoodies I’ve used. Did I mention how absurdly stretchy it is? Check it out here.
Sun Hoodie Detailed Breakdown
| Hoody | Weight | Price | Fabric Weight | Materials | UPF | Thumbholes | Hood Closure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Merino Solstice | 8.7 oz / 247 g | $85 | 145 GSM | 87% Merino, 13% Nylon | 30+ | Yes | Drawstring |
| Ridge Merino Solstice Pro | 9 oz / 255 g | $99 | 150 GSM | 87% Merino, 13% Nylon | 30+ | Yes | Drawstring |
| Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily | 6.3 oz / 179 g | $65 | N/A | 100% Recycled Polyester | 20+ | Yes | None |
| Free Fly Elevate | N/A | $88 | 175 GSM | 83% Recycled Polyester, 11% Lyocell, 6% Spandex | 30+ | Yes | None |
| Voormi River Run | 7 oz / 186 g | $139 | 100 GSM | Blended Wool | 30+ | Yes | Button |
| Ibex Springbok Sun Hoodie | $145 | N/A | 83% Merino, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane | 35+ | Yes | Button | |
| Smartwool Hoodie | 8.1 oz / 230 g | $100 | N/A | 50% Merino, 50% Cotton | 40+ | Yes | None |
| Smartwool Active Mesh Hoodie | N/A | $100 | N/A | 53% Merino, 47% Lyocell | N/A | No | None |
| Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake | 4.2 oz / 119 g | $70 | N/A | 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane | 50 | Yes | None |
| Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural UPF | 9.35 oz / 265 g | $99 | N/A | 96% Modal Sun, 4% Spandex | 40+ | Yes | Button |
| Backcountry Tahoe | 7.2 oz / 204 g | $69 | N/A | 74% Polyester, 14% Cationic Polyester, 12% Spandex | 50+ | Yes | None |
| REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie | 8.8 oz / 250 g | $50 | N/A | 92% Polyester. 8% Spandex | 50+ | Yes | None |
| NRS H2Core Silkweight | 11 oz / 312 g | $75 | N/A | 85% Recycled Polyester, 15% Recycled Spandex Blend | 50+ | Yes | Button |
| Kuiu Gila LS | 6.7 oz / 190 g | $79 | 135 GSM | 92% Polyester 8% Spandex | 50+ | No | None |
| éclipse 37.5 Hoodie Shirt | 7.9 oz / 224 g | $93 | N/A | 87% 37.5 Polyester, 13% Spandex | 50+ | Yes | None |
| Town Shirt Sun Hoodie | 8.5 oz / 241 g | $85 | N/A | 88% Polyester 12% Spandex | 50+ | Yes | None |
| Beyond Clothing Geo-T LS | 8.2 oz / 233 g | $30 | N/A | 84% Polyester, 8% Ionic, 8% Elastane | 50 | Yes | None |
| Western Rise Session Sun Hoody | 5.2 oz / 147 g | $88 | N/A | 100% Polyester | 50+ | No | None |
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