Best UPF Clothing for Protecting Your Skin, Tested by Experts

REI has outdone itself with this option, which comes as both a long-sleeve tee and a hoodie. In terms of breathing, drying, and wicking, the scores were high across the board. Even on a hot and arid day on the river, it felt like the shirt was air conditioned. The texture is as soft and welcoming as they come and some of the newer color options give it some flair.

I especially liked the thumb holes and hand protection, set at a great length to protect that oft-overlooked extremity without hindering finger movement. As one who fishes in the summer a lot, this is a a tremendous trait. The overall fit is among the best we tried and the hood, should you get that option, is of a proper size to offer a lot of extra UV-protection.

Cons? About the only thing we noticed was the garment didn’t deflect odor quite as well as some of the other options. But that’s hardly a knock given the superior venting, which keeps your core on the cool side. You have to work pretty hard to stink this one up. But if that does happen, fret not, it maintains all its integrity and lovely stretchiness even after many, many trips through the washing machine.

We liked it no matter what the test, from all-day fishing trip to intense bike rides on sunny afternoons. If I lived in Florida, this would be my summer shirt.

Read more: Best Workout Shirts

A lot of these UPF shirts and hoodies have similar weights and feels to them. But this new one from Path Projects was the first we’ve worn in awhile that made us say, “Huh, that’s different.”

And that difference is the Toray Fieldsensor Byokan fabric that Path Projects uses. It’s extremely lightweight but very durable—while it’s very supple, it provides a stretch more like a compression garment in that there is some resistance to the stretch. It wicks moisture incredibly well, and it provides a great fit. The welded sleeve cuffs mean you can push the sleeves up if you’re too hot and they’ll stay in place—something we can’t say for other options (though, yes, we know that defeats the purpose of sun coverage). And the hoodie snap helps keep it on during runs or when the wind picks up, which is a nice feature.

We’ve worn this one on trail runs, hikes, and even for gym sessions and have found it’s a stellar option when you want something without a ton of stretch that still has some give.

Here’s an all-purpose sun hat that looks great and fits like a charm, with an ideal brim that can fold to your liking. You get superb breathability through a series of upper vents and the synching strap keeps the hat where it should be, even in windy conditions. While protecting your face and neck, the hat is still not so big that it impairs your vision. That’s a big plus for fly-fisherman like me, who want the sun deterrent without anything obstructing your view of the river (or any extra deadweight for those long days on the water).

The hat performed like a champ, whether on the trail or in a drift boat. Hot? Just dunk it in the stream and throw it on for a flash of cool—one that won’t last long because it dries so quickly. About the only flaw is the fact that the hat should be packed flat at the base of your gear bag to preserve the shape. Otherwise, the bill can get jumbled and stay that way for a spell. A small negative for a hat teeming with plusses. Bend it to your liking if you want that worn-in, Indiana Jones sorta look.

It floats, there’s a built in band to tackle sweat, and that synching drawcord can be adjusted with just a single hand, leaving your casting hand to, well, cast for fish.

Specialty outdoor and technical apparel, like the best UPF clothing, can be expensive—but it doesn’t have to be. Hanes proves just that with its super affordable Long Sleeve Cool Dri T-Shirt. It boasts a dermatologist-approved UPF40+ protection and a two-pack is priced far less than the most premium picks we tested this year.

The basic design and selection of roughly a dozen solid colors make this a nice alternative to the “ready-to-go-sport-fishing” aesthetic of more tech-minded sun shirts. Still, this is a true UPF-protectant top perfect for high-intensity activities. The featherweight construction and quick-wicking, cool-to-the-touch fabric keep this one light and breezy, even on those brutal July days. It’s a solid pick for everything from hiking to cycling to working in the garden.

Our only gripe about this budget-friendly top is its mediocre feel. The 100% polyester construction gets the job done, but it lacks the premium, buttery soft, next-to-skin feel of pricier options from, say, Orvis and Free Fly. But, seriously, did we mention just how inexpensive a two-pack is? You can literally stock up with a different color for every day of the week and still spend less than you might on just one sun shirt from the best UPF clothing brands.

True to its name, Patagonia’s Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Short features a versatile design that’s perfect for anyone who might run in the morning, hit the trails in the afternoon, and tuck into happy hour after dark—all in the same day. It’s the ideal short for paring down your wardrobe or for travelers who like do-it-all summer bottoms that can go with them just about anywhere.

When I wanted to pack super light—like, only two pairs of shorts, for a recent trip to Texas—this was one of those pairs. The lightweight construction is soft and comfortable without weighing me down, yet durable enough to survive all-day desert hikes.

The roughly seven-ounce weight is light enough for hot summer days but substantial enough so it doesn’t look like a crispy, featherweight workout short. The four-way stretch fabric also moves with you more freely than most other UPF protection shorts, so it’s ultra-comfy no matter what sort of activity you’re getting into. We also dig that it’s treated with a PFC-free DWR (durable water-repellent) finish, so rain and sweat bead off quickly before either has time to sit on your skin.

This pair is a little pricier than most others but still reasonably affordable, especially given the premium Patagonia construction. If you want to save some scratch on these, be on the lookout for used options over at Patagonia’s Worn Wear as well.

Read more: Best Hiking Shorts for Men

For the uninitiated, Florence Marine X is the byproduct of world champion surfer John Florence’s extensive experience putting all types of gear through the harshest conditions in the world. So everything the brand develops is put through real-world testing before it even reaches you.

Florence Marine X utilizes its Airtex fabric across the spectrum as its technical polyester blend, and the Short Sleeve Shirt is a great example of what this fabric can do. First off, it provides a 50+ UPF rating—surfers and sailers spend lots of time in the sun. The weave is slightly textured and the shirt does feel like it’s barely sitting on top of you. Toss in a job well done in moisture-wicking (and quick-drying for when you’re in and around the water) and you’ve got yourself one well-built UPF tee.

Nothing beats a legit hoodie for maximum upper-body sun protection. The full-coverage design (including a robust UPF 50+ rating) of Orvis’ Dri-Cast Hoodie combines buttery soft synthetic fabrics with a relaxed fit that’s light and airy in even the hottest weather. This is a perfect go-to shirt on its own or layered up with a light base layer on cloudy summer days.

“I practically lived in this hoodie on a recent trip to Big Bend National Park,” says one of our testers. “With brutal heat indexes and full sun every single day, it kept me as cool and comfortable as a single piece of fabric can.” Despite the long-sleeve design, it actually works to keep you cooler than a traditional T-shirt.

The hood is generously sized to fit larger heads without feeling too loose or sloppy. Raglan sleeves with elastic thumb holes also guarantee a just-right fit, even on your most active days. Our tester also loved that this shirt barely shows sweat. “No matter how hard I was pitting out, no one on the trail around me was the wiser.” Plus, this hoodie is more funk-resistant than most UPF clothing we tested, keeping odor and bacteria at bay for days so we could go longer between washes. We dig the color selection with mainstays like fern, black, and bleached blue, plus more ocean-inspired options like Brook Trout and Peacock Bass.

It’s reasonably priced, especially considering the Orvis branding. Plus, the combination of versatile design, great looks, and hard-working technicals means you might just be able to ditch the rest of your hoodie collection.

Like our go-to hoodie from Orvis, this lightweight alternative ticks all the essential boxes for our favorite UPF protection clothing. What sets this option apart is the natural bamboo fabric. Few materials flow as freely and feel as comfortable against the skin as bamboo. It’s also ultra-lightweight and naturally odor-resistant. This hoodie offers all of the above plus decent UPF 20+ sun protection, too, courtesy of a blended bamboo/polyester construction.

The only downsides? The UPF 20+ protection is among the lowest on our list. Still, you can easily add a thin base layer to maximize your coverage. But if weight is more of a priority than top-notch sun protection, this is your man. In our extensive testing, we also found that this garment shows sweat more than most. It’s not a deal-breaker for us (why hide the fact that you’re working hard?), but it may be for some.

If hoodies aren’t your look, Free Fly offers this bamboo top in a traditional, long-sleeve design with all the same great features.

Read more: Best Sun Hats

A surf cap is a great option when you’re specifically getting wet and need extra sun protection. Think surf or paddle sessions. Senior Gear and Commerce Editor Ryan Brower has worn this surf cap from Dakine for over three years for summer prone paddles in the creek and bay near his house, as well as some mellower summertime surf sessions.

As Brower says, “This one is my go-to option for my paddles around my home, as the bill is short enough that it doesn’t rub against the board when I’m flat out paddling.” He also notes that when he gets hot, he just dunks it in the water and it provides a little bit of relief.

The cap is fully adjustable in the back with a Velcro strap and the chin strap adjusts and clips. This is helpful for even wearing it in the surf, as it stays pretty secure in waves of inconsequence. If you’ve got water pursuits you go after, this is an easy option to pick up for yourself.

Columbia’s Silver Ridge Utility Lite Long-Sleeve is a classic, adventure-ready shirt. This top prioritizes function over flash, focusing on breathability, comfort, and versatility. But the real reason we love this shirt is its maximum UPF 50+ sun protection—perfect for hiking, travel, or your next sun-soaked safari.

The design combines 100% recycled polyester (props to Columbia here!) with three-point back ventilation, roll-up sleeves, and a relaxed fit. The result is a versatile, breathable button-down that wears well in any climate and protects your precious skin along the way. Easily accessible breast pockets also provide a just-right amount of storage for your essentials.

For a utility shirt, it’s hard to find much to complain about. It wrinkles a bit easier than other similar long-sleeve sun shirts we tested. Our only other gripe is that the silhouette of this long-sleeve button-down looks like an adventure shirt. It’s a bit too technical for casual wear unless your casual outings involve meetings with other avid outdoorsmen. But, for the price (especially considering it’s often on sale), it’s a near-perfect sun shirt for modern adventurers.