The Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is a unique sun shirt that differs from the standard stretchy/fitted cut that many have. It almost looks like a windbreaker, but don't be mistaken, this shirt is incredibly lightweight and breathable. Perforated panels along the sides and a large central zipper increase airflow and maximize breathability, making this our go-to when we know the day is going to be particularly hot and humid. The darker color option also packs 50+ UPF protection, and the large hood, high neckline, and long torso effectively protect you from harmful UV rays during the peak of summer.
The Astroman Air Sun Hoodie puts a different twist on your average sun hoody design. Featuring a spacious hood, large central zipper, and elastic cuffs, this feels more like a versatile outer layer than your standard synthetic sun hoody. Constructed from ultralight, super-stretchy fabric and Bluesign-approved 85% recycled nylon and 15% spandex, this shirt is built to move with you rather than impede your range. Our testers found the fit true to size, with a little bit of extra length in both the sleeves and torso.
Although a synthetic construction, the ultralight fabric feels great next to your skin, while the extra spacing in the fit allows for cooling airflow to circulate inside the shirt while wicking away moisture. Perhaps our only complaint about the fit is that, rather than feature a functional thumb hole for better hand coverage, the Astroman Air opted for elasticated wrists, which, to be fair, remain in place but can be distracting while climbing or out for a trail run due to their tight fit. Overall, we think you'll love the “movement-mirroring” stretch and the maximized airflow.
The Astroman Air has a ton of excellent sun protective features, such as a larger hood that fits easily over a ball cap, long sleeves to cover the arms, and a longer torso length for full coverage during your outdoor downward dog. While it doesn't feature a button on the neck to secure the hood, the central zipper reaches all the way to the chin and does an excellent job securing the hood in high winds.
While the darker colors of this sun hoody feature 50+ UPF ratings, the light colors only feature a UPF rating of 30, which is unfortunate because lighter colors are much better for staying cool in the heat of summer. Therefore, we docked a few points for this metric. Our other complaint is the lack of thumb holes and hand coverage, which are fairly common features on other sun shirts. This top forgoes the thumb holes in favor of tightly bound elastic cuffs, which don't provide any protection for the back of the hands, and we found them distracting during rock climbs. To be fair, the sleeves are so long that it's easy to pull them over your hands while hiking or approaching your favorite routes, so for many non-climbers, this won't be as big an issue. All in all, the high neckline, full hood, long sleeves, and torso, along with a 50+ UPF rating, provide excellent sun protection, so long as you purchase the dark color choices.
The Astroman Air lives up to its “airy” name. Lots of breathability and a ton of airflow are to be had with this shirt. Laser-perforated sections of fabric run along the side of the torso from pit to hip to boost airflow, and when combined with the large central zipper, you can really drop a ton of heat and moisture when needed. While the shirt still absorbs some sweat, we love that the fabric doesn't stick to our skin; instead, it sits lightly on top and maintains airflow throughout the sleeves and torso.
Although the recycled nylon and spandex construction does retain a little sweat when pushing the pace on warmer days, especially when worn under a backpack, the fabric dries quickly when exposed to fresh air. For example, on longer hikes with a backpack on, the fabric gets less airflow, but the shirt dries within minutes of removing the pack and being exposed to ambient air. Quick-drying materials and strategically placed perforated panels create ample breathability, whether you're biking, climbing, hiking, or working in the garden.
Of all the sun shirts that we've tested, the Astroman Air is one of the most versatile, providing a fresh take on your basic sun shirt design. The ultralight fabric, central zipper, and longer torso almost give it the looks of an outer layer, and you could definitely wear it over a t-shirt or tank in cooler weather. But it can just as easily be worn as a standalone layer for days when it feels way too hot to wear sleeves. The ultralight construction, along with looser fit and perforated paneling, make it one of the most breathable options that we've tested.
While the top has a sporty look, its shape is quite flattering, offering a style that performs well and translates well across a variety of outdoor activities. Although the color choices are limited, we think the sun protection and breathability will have you reaching for this unique design throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Again, our only gripe is with the cuffs. We found them tight enough to be distracting at times, and we'd prefer a thumb hole for extra sun protection.
The Astroman Air is a high-quality design that features a combination of flatlock and minimal seams for increased durability and great comfort. Although ultralight, the zippers are super functional and easy to open and close without catching on the fabric underneath.
While we have no snags and tears to report, even after many days of rock climbing over sharp limestone in Spain, the fabric is super thin, and the looser fit that creates a more breathable construction is also susceptible to snagging on desert plants and tree branches. If you do find any compromise in the durable construction, Outdoor Research offers a performance guarantee for the lifetime of the product.
The Astroman Air features a front half-zip that's great for tightly securing the hood over a ball cap when closed, or increasing airflow when fully unzipped. It also has perforated side panels below the arms as well as a looser fit to increase airflow within the hoody itself. The three-panel hood is great for throwing over a ball cap or visor, while the zippered side pocket is just big enough to stash an energy gel and a car key during a run.
However, while we love the ability to stash some small items in the pocket, if you often wear a pack, or in our case, a climbing harness, the zipper and pocket sit right where the hipbelt of a backpack rests, as well as awkwardly beneath our climbing harness, which can be uncomfortable. Plus, it limits access to the pocket.
Overall, the Astroman Air includes key features to amplify breathability above all else, and this is the reason you would want this shirt. In fact, there is so much airflow in this unique design that our testers didn't feel as reluctant to put on sleeves when tackling bigger hikes or climbing approaches in hot, muggy summer conditions.
The Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie is a great choice for a highly breathable and sun-protective layer that's best for hot and humid climates. If you are interested in a more traditional sun hoody, check out the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve Hoody, it's got buttery soft fabric that feels cooling on hot days. If you want a sun shirt with a thicker fabric for year-round use in slightly cooler temps, the Patagonia Capilene Cool Sun Hoody is worth a look. And if you're in need of a budget-friendly design, the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie provides solid performance.
| Awards |  Best for Hot and Humid Climates |
|---|---|
| Price | $115 List Check Price at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This sun shirt features comfortable and stretchy ultralight fabric along with key features to increase breathability and sun coverage |
| Pros | Incredibly breathable thanks to perforated panels and large center zip, comfortable and stretchy fabric, wicking and quick drying, high quality |
| Cons | Lighter color ways have lower UPF ratings, limited color options, zippered pocket distracting, lacks thumb holes |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Ast... |
| Comfort and Fit (30%) | |
| Sun Protection (25%) | |
| Breathability (20%) | |
| Versatility (15%) | |
| Durability (10%) | |
| Specifications | Outdoor Research Ast... |
| Sun Protection Level (UPF) | 30-50+ (less sun protection with lighter colors) |
| Fit | Regular fit |
| Coverage | Long sleeve, hood |
| Odor Control Tech | No |
| Features | 3 panel hood, perforated holes for ventilation, zippered side pocket |
| Material | Bluesign approved 85% recycled nylon and 15% spandex |
| Available Sizes | XS - XL |
