REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Women's Review

The Sahara Shade Hoodie is a simple sun hoody designed with a looser fit and lots of sun protection. You won't find any flashy features here, just a sun shirt that effectively keeps you from getting fried like a shrimp. The UPF 50+ fabric combines with a drawstring hood, comfortable thumb holes, and a longer straight hemline to keep you covered without the use of sunscreen. The thicker fabric is not breathable enough to keep up with fast-paced runs or mountain bike rides; we prefered to pull it on for the cooler months of spring and fall or more casual summertime activities.

Comfort and Fit

The Sahara Shade has a very relaxed fit. Our testers describe it as an almost sweatshirt-like fit. This improves comfort, but sacrifices style and structure. The fabric is thicker than most sun shirts that we tested, though it is still pretty stretchy with a 91% polyester and 9% spandex blend. It's easy to move in, and the excess fabric never got in the way, but if you prefer a slimmer fit, we recommend sizing down.

Previous iterations have included a drop hem, which our testing team liked; they felt it added a bit more style and shape to the design. The hemline is now straight, which removes some feminine flair, but it layers better with a hip belt on a backpack or a climbing harness.

But REI uses flatlock seams (keeping fabric flush against the skin rather than overlapping) where it counts, like on the shoulders and under the arms, and we never experienced any chafing in these areas, even after hours of repetitive motion when hiking. While you may not receive a ton of compliments on the Sahara Shade, it is super comfortable and features thumbholes that are actually comfortable enough to wear all day.

The ponytail hole in the hood is great for increasing comfort by removing itchy hair and bulk from the hoody.   Credit: Trish Matheny

The long sleeve and stretchy fabric combine with thicker thumb loops that are so comfortable, you can wear them all day long.   Credit: Trish Matheny

The hood isn't tight or restrictive but does expose more of the neck to the sun.   Credit: Trish Matheny

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Sun Protection

The Sahara Shade features a proprietary ShadeFactor 50+ fabric that is spun into the polyester and spandex material. Unlike some shirts, which rely on chemical treatments for their UPF protection, this material will never “wash out” of the design. The UPF rating is good for the life of the shirt.

The hood is large and provides ample coverage for the head and back of the neck, however, the front-crossed design can expose some of the neck, that is if you don't cinch down the integrated drawcord that's tucked inside the hood to be discreet and out of the way when not in use. Still, we prefer scuba-style hoods that frame the face without needing any adjustments.

The loose-fitting design also includes thumbholes that provide great coverage for the entire hand, as well as sleeves long enough to cover the wrist if you're not actually using the thumbholes. It also scored a low (good) rating on our UV intensity card, letting only a small amount of UV light pass through the fabric.

Breathability

The Sahara Shade gets most of its UPF protection from the tightly woven fabric, rather than chemical treatments. The good news is that it can't wash off over time. The bad news is that the tight weave is not very breathable, and it can feel stuffy on mid-summer hikes. While other sun shirts have innovated with perforated paneling or ventilation to help release sweat during fast-paced activities, the Sahara Shade Hoodie skips these features to keep costs low. All in all, it's not our first choice for hot and humid climates.

While testing this design in Yosemite Valley during the peak of summer, our entire back got soaked just walking a short distance up to Middle Earth, even though we were on a mostly shaded trail. Once we took our pack off, the shirt dried in a decent amount of time, although the loose, oversized fit only caught airflow once we removed our backpack for a break from the heat. While it's definitely not our first choice for midday runs or other fast-paced activities, the thicker synthetic fabric would be great for fall hikes during leaf peeping season.

Versatility

When it comes to style, the Sahara Shade isn't winning any fashion awards. It definitely has a more relaxed and athletic look rather than a sophisticated or flattering design that could double as a casual top. That said, not everyone loves a slim fit or a shirt that hugs their curves, so if you're into the baggy, comfy, and oversized look, the Sahara Shade should be at the top of your list.

Durability

The fabric of the Sahara Shade is well-constructed, as are the thick and durable flatlock seams. After months and months of testing multiple iterations of this sun shirt, we have no major complaints. In fact, we're still wearing past versions years after our “official” testing period has ended. The polyester and spandex combination fabric successfully resisted snags from branches and damage from a heavy backpack.

Like most of the synthetic designs in the lineup, this shirt does not include an antimicrobial treatment and quickly absorbs body odor. We noticed this especially during several backpacking trips when we had to wear the shirt a few days in a row without washing in between. Otherwise, this basic design held up well to trail runs, rock climbs, hikes, and backpacking trips without showing any major signs of wear.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie?

The Sahara Shade is an excellent choice for ladies on a budget who are ok with a looser-fitting design and don't need the most airy-feeling shirt. There's not a ton of extra features, but the 50+ UPF fabric does a good job of protecting your skin from UV damage, even if you're spending hours outside. However, we'd keep it for more mellow outdoor activities like easy hikes, paddleboarding, or dog walks during the heat of the day. If you're the kind of woman who can't slow down, you'll want to consider a more breathable option for summer runs or bike rides.

What Other Women's Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

If most of your summer activities are gonna take place in hot and humid climates and you're interested in a thinner and more breathable design than the Sahara Shade, check out the Baleaf UPF 50 Hoody. The Baleaf is even more affordable and includes a thinner construction, as well as ventilated panels on the back and beneath the arms to circulate airflow in warmer climates. The Janji Sunchaser 50 Hooded is another great option when it comes to breathability as well as sun protection thanks to perforated panels beneath the arms that combine with a scuba-style hood, extra long sleeves, and full coverage for the hands to help you hide from the sun.