10 Best Sun Protection Shirts of 2026

Best Sun Shirts

UPF: 50+ | Features: Helmet-compatible hood, thumb holes, zippered chest pocket

Who it is best for: The Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody offers some of the highest UV protection we've measured, while still managing to stay breathable and flexible. This makes it great for men who are on the move and want a shirt that can handle some sweat, stretch without restricting, and recover in time for the next adventure. It's not the most breathable shirt we tested, but every shirt that offers better airflow also has significantly reduced sun protection. When faced with a long day on an exposed trail, and the option between the Alpenglow Pro and a more breathable (but less protective) shirt, we'd pick the Alpenglow every time.

Why we love it: The Alpenglow Pro Hoody is about as featured as it gets for something that looks like a basic shirt. One of our favorite such features is the panel of perforated fabric that runs from the armpit down to the elbow. This is huge in providing ventilation on sweaty hikes; the zippered front also helps. The stretch fabric offers a UPF 40+ rating (that punches above its weight according to our testing), and an elasticated hood snugs right up under the chin, protecting your neck. Lastly, the fabric is treated with odor control tech; our tester wore it on a multi-day spring backpacking trip in the Rockies, and he didn't smell quite as bad by the end of the trip.

Should you buy it? This hoodie is a true workhorse, but it sacrifices some creature comforts; most noticeably, the skin feel of the fabric was just ok. It wasn't bad, but it just doesn't compare the the stretchy sleek fabrics that many other sun shirts sport. That said, the build quality, durability, and sun protection are top-notch, and we consider this to be near equivalent to two lesser shirts. If you want the absolute best sun hoody available and don't mind paying a high ticket price for it, the Alpenglow Pro Hoody is a worthwhile investment for those who just want to forget about what they're wearing so they can focus on the next objective.

Read more: Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody review

UPF: 50+ | Features: Extra large hood, thumb holes, waist drawstring, zippered pocket

Who it is best for: Over the years, we've tested multiple versions of the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve Hoody, and after each season, our team agrees that this is the best all-around sun shirt for women. It has a bomber 50+ UPF rating, ranking it among the top performers in sun protection, and we can't emphasize enough how much we love the buttery-soft, super-light, and highly breathable fabric. It has the best next-to-skin feel we've tested, and is comfortable enough even for hammock naps in the backyard. Although ultra-cozy, it doesn't sacrifice performance, and we love wearing it just as much for trail runs, desert hikes, and stand-up paddleboarding during the heat of the day.

Why we love it: In our opinion, the best sun shirt design is the one that you'll actually wear. And the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake is definitely the hoodie we found ourselves in the most, thanks to a super-soft synthetic fabric that offers enough stretch to support your full range of motion while still offering a flattering fit. The lightweight fabric is so breathable that it almost feels cooling during hot days. This shirt is so unbelievably lightweight that our testers said, “It's the closest you can get to being shirtless while still getting solid UPF protection.”

Should you buy it? We love the fit and feel of the Crater Lake Hoody, but you should be aware that the material is thin enough to show the texture of anything you have on underneath, like a bikini or a sports bra. We also found that some of the lighter colors were slightly see-through when wet. Despite a few concerns, we think you'll love this sun shirt as much as we do. This is a great layer for women who want to spend as many days as possible outdoors and want to avoid the hassle of reapplying SPF on their upper body every 2 hours.

Read more: women's Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody review

UPF: 40+ | Features: Detachable hood, thumb loops, full snap front, pockets

Who it is best for: Button-down lovers may look at a hooded sun shirt with part skepticism that it's worth wearing, being so thin, and part jealousy, as covering up your head and hands is a useful thing for a shirt to do. With the Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Hoodie, you don't have to choose exactly which style you want, because this shirt does both. Starting with a classic button-down, Patagonia added a detachable hood and thumb loops to make this shirt super at sun sheltering.

Why we love it: Knowing you'll never be without sun protective headwear is so powerful when you're out on a day that gets much sunnier than you were anticipating. But being able to detach the hood to wear in more casual situations is a really nice plus. Likewise, with the thumb loops, whose presence can really make or break a day when the sunscreen starts running out.

Should you buy it? The tightly woven fabric is sensationally good at blocking out the sun's harmful UV rays, and that alone should have the River Rambler on the short lists of everyone who absolutely needs serious sun protection from their clothing. Rated at 40+ UPF, this shirt should block at least 97% of light, but our own UV card testing suggests that even this is a conservative estimate. The versatility of a button-up also can't be ignored, and the trail-to-stream-to-table opportunities of the River Rambler are easily apparent.

Read more: Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Hoodiea review

UPF: 50 | Features: Chest pockets (Velcro), tab sleeves, mesh-lined back vent, sunglasses loop, seamless armpits

Who it is best for: The REI Co-op Sahara Long Sleeve features a high collar, long hemline, and a button-up style that's perfect for ladies after UPF protection from the sun without the sporty look of a hoody. While you can wear it over top of a t-shirt or tank, we preferred to way it on its own, which allowed for the mesh-lined vented panel on the back to help circulate airflow inside the shirt. We also like wearing it as a cover up near the river or the beach when we've had too much sun. The latest iteration has more stretch in the design than its predecessors, but still features a similar amount of durability and structure, much more so than the thin and lightweight sun hoodies in the lineup. This button-up has a great combination of style and performance, making it the perfect choice for days that take you from the hiking trail straight to the brewery.

Why we love it: This shirt is definitely a throw back to a more traditional style before sun hoodies became so popular, yet still strikes an excellent balance between all-day comfort, style, and breathability within a durable construction. We love the thicker, more structured fabric for its UPF sun protection along with its ability to create a barrier against bugs, thanks to the tighter weave and looser fit that sits above our skin. And while the shirt doesn't have a hood or thumb holes to cover the palms, the sleeves feature a longer length along with a curved drop cuff that reach beyond the wrist and help cover the back of your hands. The sleeves can also be rolled up and secured with a button tab for days when you're out in the garden or working with your hands in the sun. The shirt also includes underarm panels that are specifically designed to prevent chafing and discomfort without limiting your full range of motion, a big plus if you're wearing this shirt with a daypack on especially hot days.

Should you buy it? If you're summer activities are pretty low key and you prefer a more traditional style, the Sahara Long Sleeve Solid should be high on your list. The design is less sporty than the more popular sun hoodies in the lineup, and fits in a lot better around town if you plan on meeting friends for dinner after an afternoon on the trail. The fabric features a 50+ UPF rating, however, it doesn't have a hood or thumb holes, leaving more skin exposed to the sun. Overall, it stands apart from the rest thanks to its versatile, button-up construction that's well-suited for a variety of outdoor activities whether you're hitting the trails, covering up at the beach, or headed to meet friends after a day in the sun, this shirt combines performance and style.

Read more: REI Co-op Sahara Long Sleeve - Women's review

UPF: 50+ | Features: Hood cinch, breathable fabric, long cuffs

Who it is best for: The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is an enticing hooded sun shirt for anyone that loves to spend tons of time outdoors enjoying bright sunny days, but who still want to stay covered and protected from getting dosed with too much sun exposure. Hikers, long distance backpackers, bikepackers, and anyone else who is on the move from dawn to dusk will certainly benefit from wearing the Sahara Shade, care of its UPF 50-rated fabric. Breathability and comfort are also both excellent and we ourselves never forget to pack this hooded sun shirt no matter if its for the afternoon, the weekend, or for the whole summer.

Why we love it: Built-in hoods on sun shirts are flippin' awesome as they really help you protect your neck and the sides of your face from sun exposure. But some hoods don't reliably stay in place when the wind or your own speed picks up. Thankfully, the Sahara Shade solves this annoyance with its simple neck cinch, allowing you to tighten the hood snug against your face, where it'll stay there comfortably. Thumb loops on the ends of the sleeves are can also be found, helping keep the sleeves in place and your hands covered as well. Extra long cuffs means coverage goes up to your knuckles. A long torso length also makes sure that your lower back and belly are covered up even when your hands are raised up in cheer while spectating a race, or when clutching onto those crux holds far up a deep water solo climb.

Should you buy it? With some many excellent details found on the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, it's been pretty easy for us to persuade anyone to go out and grab one for themselves. In the future, we'd love to see an iteration that includes a quarter zip or snaps on the front to allow one to open up the front when things gets really hot, or a pocket to hold essentials. But these additional features are optional when it comes to sun protection, and may eat away at one of this sun shirt very best features: the Shade Hoodie is being sold at an excellent price for such a quality piece of gear which packs a wallop of so many excellent details.

Read more: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie review

UPF: 50+ | Features: Ponytail hole in hood, flat seams, thumb holes, strategic seams to eliminate chafing

Who it is best for: The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie fits the bill for anyone who wants to save a few bucks, but still wants a decent-looking shirt that will protect their skin and last for more than a few seasons of wear. It offers all the features quickly becoming standard on most sun shirts, like thumb loops that don't pinch your joints and a hood with a secret drawstring and ponytail hole. Plus, the 50+ UPF rating holds up with the best of them.

Why we love it: While you can find shirts that are more breathable, stretchier, or more (insert superlative here), the Sahara Shade Hoodie nails it for the casual adventurer who simply wants to protect their skin. It doesn't look too technical to wear around town on a normal day, but we also enjoy wearing it on hikes, as long as the day doesn't get too hot or the trail too steep. We wore it on a few hikes into the alpine and didn't have any problems with chafing under backpack straps, though by the end of the trip it had gotten a bit stinky, and we were wishing the fabric had some sort of odor control treatment.

Should you buy it? Many people will find that the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie is the best shirt for the job, simply because it fits well into their daily lifestyle. It's comfy, roomy, and though it runs a bit warm, this actually extends its wearability into the spring and fall seasons. If you want a do-it-all sunshirt, and aren't battling extreme heat or humidity where you live, the Sahara Shade Hoodie is a no brainer. Plus, you'll save enough that you can buy lunch after hitting the trails.

Read more: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie review

UPF: 50+ | Features: 3-panel hood, perforated holes for ventilation, zippered side pocket

Who is it best for: For days when you walk out the door and instantly start to sweat, the Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is the only long sleeve we want to pull on. It is an incredibly breathable shirt that would work well for anyone living in a hot, humid climate or planning a trip to one over the summer. The ultralight fabric lets in even the slightest breeze and allows airflow around the skin. In terms of coverage, the hood has an elastic rim that keeps it close to your face, and when the 1/4 chest zip is fully closed, the collar reaches up to the chin, providing top-notch coverage for the entire upper body. The only thing left to do is smear some SPF on your face.

Why we love it: The structured fabric of the Astroman holds itself away from the skin enough to allow some airflow, preventing that clammy “cling” you feel when you start sweating in a stretchy workout top, and panels with small perforations run down each side of the torso and under the armpits to further encourage airflow. The fabric also dries incredibly fast. The only time we accumulated sweat was when we were wearing it with a daypack, and the shirt dried out on our back just a few minutes after taking the pack off. We love it for the hottest, most humid weather, but the fit is relaxed enough that this top could be worn with a t-shirt or tank underneath, extending its use to slightly cooler weather.

Should you buy it? This shirt is a good balance between a stretchy casual pullover and a more traditional button-down sun shirt. The fabric has the structure and airflow of a button-down, but it has a much more sporty-casual look for those who aren't into the hiking apparel aesthetic. Elastic wrist cuffs replace thumb loops, reducing hand coverage, and our tester found them a bit too snug around the wrist. Darker colors of this shirt offer excellent 50+ UPF, but lighter colors offer closer to 30 UPF, so keep this in mind when choosing your style. Aside from this, we really didn't have much to complain about and would recommend this shirt to anyone who needs reliable sun protection in 80°/80% humidity weather.

UPF: 20 | Features: thin and breathable fabric, half snaps on front, cavernous hood

Who is it best for: Clothing that's made to block out the sun runs a difficult compromise between sun protection and using fabric and materials that breathe exceptionally well. The Ketl Nofry Hoodie sides on the latter, with thinner knit fabric than many other shirts, which lets more air permeate. If maximum UV-blocking protection isn't the priority but comfort while wearing a hooded sun shirt is, the Ketl may be right for you.

Why we love it: Maximized breathability makes the Ketl feel special, and is one of the reasons we often grab for it if the UV Index isn't at its maximum. The half-length snaps on the front enhance the breathability of the shirt, giving you a way to quickly shed some heat from your chest by opening up the front. If you're finding you're getting too stuffy in some sun shirts, the Ketl should feel much fresher.

Should you buy it? Those suffering from “sunxiety” should steer clear, as this sun shirt won't deliver you maximum coverage. But if you're looking for a moderate amount of sun protection, the Ketl Nofry Hoodie has got it. The UPF 20 rating sounds much lower than UPF 50, but it just means 95% of harmful UV rays are blocked, rather than 98%. Feeling cooler and more comfortable in the Ketl may actually translate into you wanting to wear this hooded sun shirt more than any other.

Read more: Ketl Nofry Hoodie review

UPF: 50 | Features: Ponytail hole in scuba hood, full coverage for the palms, ventilated panel beaneath arms, watch window

Who it is best for: Janji Sunchaser 50 Hooded has the most stay-put coverage out of all the shirts we tested. The 50+ UPF fabric, extra long sleeves, and scuba hood that comes right up under the chin cover the entire upper half of your body. Unique and clever watch windows allow you to monitor your route, time, and pace without exposing your wrist or hand to the sun. The fabric is very thin and feels cooling on the skin, and the perforated panels beneath the arms are also clutch for anyone trying to move quickly in the heat.

Why we love it: If you spend long days out in the sun and hate reapplying sunscreen throughout your activity, the Janji Sunchaser 50 is the perfect way to maintain sun protection. The fit runs true to size and also features extra length in the torso and sleeves for more coverage, and we like that it doesn't have the smock-like feel of baggier sun shirts. Despite being a very lightweight construction, the design is well-made, featuring thoughtfully placed flatlock seams meant to reduce chafing and discomfort, while also bumping up the durability.

Should you buy it? If you want maximum coverage, but hate feeling bogged down by a ton of fabric, the Janji Sunchaser 50 should be at the top of your list. It's one of the more expensive options that we've tested. As with any stretchy fabric, the material of the Sunchaser is more prone to snags, which is the only thing we foresee going wrong. With care, we think the construction will last more than a season of consistent use. If you spend a lot of time in the sun and want coverage without worrying about sunscreen for anything but your face, we highly recommend the Janji Sunchaser 50.

Read more: Janji Sunchaser 50 Hooded review

Why Trust GearLab

This review was a team effort, with Trish Matheny holding down the fort on the women's side, while Justin Simoni tested the men's shirts. Trish spends most of the year living outside in Yosemite National Park, where she is a member of the Search and Rescue Team. She spends the majority of her free time scaling the Big Walls around Yosemite and hiding from the California sunshine. She tested the most recent round of sun shirts in sunny Southern Spain. Justin has worked closely with outdoor gear companies for over a decade, and spends a significant amount of time on ultra-long-distance self-supported missions at high altitude in the mountains around Boulder, Colorado. Both testers are year-round sunseekers and recognize the impact that proper sun protection has on skin health.

How We Tested

Each round of testing begins with a deep dive into the hundreds of sun shirts on the market today. We research materials, marketing claims, and coverage styles from some of the most popular brands. From there, we buy the most promising options at full price, and start testing. Our testers wear each sun shirt for everyday activities, like drinking beers at a brewery, and outdoor adventures, like hiking and rafting.

To test the effectiveness of the materials used, we wore the sun shirts to the beach, on kayaking trips, while alpine climbing, biking, and even on casual dates. Throughout weartime, we carefully keep track of how each shirt performs for each activity, noting if we overheat, experience any chafing, or just feel uncomfortable in the cut.

Our men's and women's teams tested sun shirts across the same five metrics in both our men's review and our women's review:

• Comfort and fit
• Sun protection
• Breathability
• Versatility
• Durability

Why Buy A Sun Shirt

Chances are, if you love to hike, bike, or paddle, you're regularly exposed to sunlight and are more at risk for sunburn and certain skin cancers. Enter the sun shirt. This garment does more than just cover your skin; it is made with fabric that provides a higher level of sun protection through a tighter weave or knit, specialized materials, and, in some cases, UV-absorbing chemicals. This adds up to a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating that can be anywhere from 30-50+. For reference, a standard cotton tee has a UPF rating of about 5. Yeah…

But not all UPF-rated clothing is created equal. Dermatologist and lead researcher, Dr. Elizabeth Berry and her team noted this study, “The degree of protection depends on the color, material, fiber, yarn and fabric structure. Fabric structure is one of the most important factors, with the least porous material providing the greatest protection. Synthetic fabrics have demonstrated the highest UV protection. Dark colors absorb more UVR [ultraviolet radiation] and thus provide higher protection than light colors. Other factors that impact penetration of UVR through the clothing include: stretch, wetness, wear (from use or washing), color loss (bleaching), UVR-absorbing additives, and yarn morphology.”

UPF rating aside, if you consider yourself part of the aforementioned outdoorsy crowd, your sun shirt needs to perform on par with your regular athletic wear. Days when you head out on a day hike, or to paddle your heart out in your kayak or paddle board are the times when you need sun protection the most. The best sun shirts are made of lightweight, breathable material that stays cool when worn in hot temperatures and doesn't restrict your mobility. Secondary features include hoods that provide protection for your ears when pulled up, and thumb holes that keep the sleeves pulled down over your wrists and hands. Some have neck gaiters that can be pulled up over the nose for maximum coverage.

Four Things To Look For In A Sun Shirt

The first thing to check is that the shirt you're looking at is in alignment with the kinds of activities you do the most. Different shirts have features that make some better for days on the water, and others better for days on the trail.

Difference Between Men's and Women's Shirts

The easiest way to narrow down your choices is to decide if you need a men's or a women's shirt. Aside from different color options, the main difference between men's and women's sun shirts is the fit. Men's sun shirts are wider in the shoulders and the waist, and have a longer length down your torso. The sleeves of a men's shirt will also be a bit longer than a women's shirt. Women's shirts will be a bit more fitted through the waist, and often have a slight flare near the hips. Sometimes women's hooded sun shirts are more likely to have a hole in the back of the hood for a pony tail to exit. Other than that, the technical aspects of men's vs. women's sun hoodies are all the same, so if you are a woman who prefers the men's sizing, or vice versa, you should simply buy the shirt that makes you feel most confident, regardless of your gender.

The chart below shows the full lineup of men's and unisex shirts we tested. These were all tested by our men's team, but some of the unisex options listed here were also tested by our female team, and scores may differ slightly.

There are also some cases where we tested both the men's and women's versions of these sun shirts; for the most part, different versions of the same shirt score pretty similarly. A full lineup of scores for the women's shirts we tested can be seen below.

How Long Do You Typically Spend In the Sun?

The next step is to decide how much coverage you need. Any self-respecting sun shirt will cover your arms and torso, but some go the extra mile by including features like a hood, pop-able collar, and thumb loops to keep your hands covered. Hoodies offer more comprehensive coverage, including protection for your head, ears, and neck (provided you wear the hood), but have a closer cut and a stretchy, relaxed fit that may be too casual for some settings. Button-down options tend to feel more functional, with more pockets and venting options, but they don't usually have hoods, meaning you're missing out on key sun protection for your ears and head. If you're set on a hoodless option, we recommend pairing it with a sun hat.

Every shirt we tested provides acceptable baseline coverage, but without a doubt, the most impressive sun protection came from the Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Hoodie as its design started out as a button down shirt, which was added a removable hood of its own, as well as thumb loops to help you cover your hands. This gives you some of the best features of both button down and hooded sun shirts in one top!

When thinking about sun exposure – especially during a time-intensive trip like a long-distance thru-hike – remember that time under the sun accumulates over the entire course of your trip. So, using a much lighter weight, low UPF sun shirt may work out well if you're only out for a few hours a few days of a week but you may appreciate a slightly heavier, higher UPF sun shirt if you're serious about your skin's health over the course of a summer's length trip.

Do You Prefer Dry Land or Water Sports?

Most of the sun shirts we tested are great for a variety of purposes, specifically the men's REI Co-op Sahara Shade and the women's Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake can be worn for just about anything you do under the sun. But if you are buying a sun shirt with a specific activity in mind, you can find one that has cool, purpose-built features. If you are going to spend all day in the water surfing, bodyboarding, or waterskiing, you'll want a shirt that lies close to the skin, reducing drag and preventing you from getting tangled in your own clothing. This type of shirt rarely has a hood, but if it does, you'll want it to be tight-fitting. The O'Neill Basic Skins L/S Crew is the best options here. If you are going to be running, hiking, or climbing under the summer sun, it's likely you're going to sweat; breathability and mobility are the topmost priorities here. If you want to go straight to the bars after our hike, a button-down style would be our go-to.

If you're instead stationary on a boat where both the sun and wind are two weather elements you're battling with, you may actually appreciate a less breathable woven sun shirt that better blocks wind to keep you comfortable.

Less breathable woven fabric More breathable knit fabric

Button-up shirts are often made of woven material perfect when you're not working up a sweat. Look into shirts like the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility II and Mountain Hardwear Canyon Long Sleeve.

What Does it Look Like to Prioritize Comfort?

If a shirt is so uncomfortable that it never makes it out of your closet, it's not doing your skin any good. In general, the biggest differentiator in the comfort of any sun shirt is the material. Most are made with synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, spandex, or some blend of the three. While you won't get the easy-breezy feel of cotton or linen, you can still find synthetic shirts with a fabric that is soft on the skin and has well-placed seams that won't chafe when swimming, or when worn under backpack straps while hiking. sun shirts typically have a more athletic fit, but different brands often offer slightly different cuts that work better for certain body types.

The majority of the sun hoodies we tried have fairly stretchy fabric that moves well with the body. Button-down options also have some stretch, though not as much as pull-on styles, so you'll want to make sure to grab a size that allows a full range of motion through your shoulders. Rash guards are the outlier in terms of fit. Rash guards are specifically made to be super tight-fitting, so they don't bunch up while actively moving through water. Because of this, they can be difficult to get on and off (especially when wet), but there should be enough stretch in the material to allow your arms to reach and retract while swimming.

Beyond skin-feel and fit, breathability is a huge factor in comfort. Most often you'll be wearing a sun shirt because you are preparing to spend a significant amount of time in the summer sun. Besides just protecting your skin from UV rays, you also need to make sure you don't overheat while wearing long sleeves. Venting options can range from ultrathin fabric to perforated panels under the arms to vent flaps on the back that increase airflow.

FAQs

Other Notable Sun Shirts

• Baleaf UPF 50 Hoody: If these prices are giving you sticker shock, just know that effective protection can be had at a lower price. The men's Baleaf, and the women's Baleaf Sun Hoody both have a 50 UPF rating that we trust to protect our skin even on long exposed days. You might have to give up a few features, but we actually think both of these shirts offer great value for what you pay.

• Patagonia Capilene Cool Sun Hoody: This sun hoody is one of our favorites for all-season use thanks to the thicker fabric. It's not the lightest in our lineup, but it works great for shoulder season bike rides and adventures into the high alpine. It features a button to secure the hood in high winds, a zippered side pocket beneath the right arm, and full hand coverage thanks to thumb holes and a unique elastic attachment for the middle finger.

• Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie: This sun hoodie is built with an ample amount of breathability, meant to perform during high-output activity. The hood features a unique hole for the ponytail to reduce bulk, while long sleeves and thumb holes provide excellent coverage. We just wish it had a higher UPF rating.

• Marmot AirExchange UPF 50 Hoody - this high-performing sun shirt quickly became one of our top choices for the alpine thanks to its lightweight and breathable fabric that was easy to wear for hours on end. The short torso may not be for everyone and can be difficult to layer with a climbing harness or waist belt of a backpack, but the thumb holes are comfortable while providing excellent coverage. The scuba-style hood stays in place in high winds without a button closure or cinch cord. This hoody offers great value and excellent performance.

Conclusion

We wore these sun shirts for chill days at the beach, kayaking on the river, on hikes, in the garden, and during high-output activities like mountain biking and alpine climbing. The benefits of wearing a sun shirt rather than applying sunscreen were very clear across the board. While climbing, it was extremely helpful not to have to get our hands greasy from rubbing in sunscreen. During water activities, the sun shirts got wet and remained just as protective as they were while dry - no need to reapply anything! And while hiking and biking, the lightweight fabric wicked moisture away from our bodies, which actually kept us cooler than we would have been without a layer on. We hope this review helps you select the perfect sun shirt for your lifestyle and needs, so you can go safely soak up the sun.