Shirts

Featured review by G00se

Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoodie is an ideal alternative to the grease and chemicals of sunscreen. Weighing in at 4 ounces, the Echo Hoodie provides SPF15 sun protection, with material that wicks sweat and keeps you comfortable when the sun is beating down on you. This hoodie and a ball cap completely negated my need to carry sunscreen (and bug spray) over the summer.

The Echo Hoodie became my go-to shirt for all outdoor activities this summer. I hiked in it—a lot. I ran in it. I rappelled into a cave in it. I mowed my yard and took a follow up nap on my deck in it. I even wore it on a winery tour for style and sun protection.  Balk Knob, Shawnee National Forest Rock Island State Park, Tennessee Cumberland Mountains, eastern Tennessee Initial Impressions Right out of the package, I was surprised by how light and thin the hoodie was. The shirt packed down to the size of a softball in my hand and only weighed 4 ounces.  The fit was just right.

Read more: Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie reviews (2)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

This lightweight sun shirt keeps sunburns away, breathes extremely well, and dries quickly. Stretchy fabric and a loose fit makes it very easy to wear this shirt all day. The minimal adjustments—snaps at the chest and sleeves and one small chest pocket—are consistent with this pullover’s minimalist vibe. My only minor beef is that without a ballcap, the hood tended to block my vision. Easily my favorite shirt for being outside this summer.

THE BASICS Shows the little hole to stash sunglasses and front view The Vescent hoody is a pullover built for sunny days. The fabric, which Stio describes as “Dot Air®, Stretch Plainweave, 84% Nylon, 16% Spandex, 126 g/m2 with 4-Way Stretch, a Wicking Finish and UPF Protection,” has a decent but not excessive amount of stretch, lets wind and breezes go through easily, and has a slight grid appearance. It can get damp and a little clingy during hot weather walks and hikes, but it dries quickly.

Read more: Stio Vescent Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by PhilNC

An excellent and sustainable work-shirt for days in the sun and other weather. I was comfortable in non-summer conditions in the southeast US. This is not a hiking shirt, but a functional shirt for those in outdoor jobs also suitable for casual office situations. Excellent design with functional pockets and a good fit, along with what initially seems like solid durability. Best thing I can say is I am about to order two more after testing this one.

  Patagonia Light Farrier's Shirt I began testing the Patagonia Light Farrier's shirt in Fall 2023 through the winter for work outdoors as a natural resource consultant in the southeast US.  My uses included field reviews, wetland delineations, and species surveys in all sorts of terrain, vegetation and weather. I can honestly say it is now my favorite field shirt between October and April in my area (when days are typically not higher than 70's (deg F). I am planning on buying two more this summer, which is the highest recommendation I can make.

Read more: Patagonia Light Farrier's Shirt review (1)

Featured review by Adam Jepson

I've had this fleece since 5th grade. I'm now four years out of college (that's 15 years!) and it hasn't begun to show wear. Just buy one.

For those of you who still want to know more about this fleece after reading the opening summary, it is true...I've had this thing for 15 years and I've worn it in all sorts of weather doing all sorts of activities. Yard work, hiking/camping, wearing it to football games, you name it. This thing has been with me through lots of life — campfires with friends, long hikes for contemplation, a first date with my (at the time) future wife, and it collected all of the shedding hair from the puppy we brought home a few years back.

Read more: Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Pullover reviews (5)

Featured review by Ashleigh

The Patagonia R1 is the ultimate mountain shirt. It is great as an insulating piece in cold weather and a great stand-alone fleece in cool weather. It can be used for almost any cold weather activity. I personally used it mostly for backpacking and hiking, but I have also seen many climbers wearing R1 Pullovers and hoodies.

The Patagonia R1 is a staple in my backcountry gear. It goes on every trip with me. I love it so much that I bought two! I wear it as a stand-alone fleece from 45-59 degrees. I could wear it while hiking/running at 20-40 degrees. I wear it as a baselayer (under a puffy) when the temperature drops into the 30's. It is a very minimalist piece that has no pockets, hood or adjustablilty, but it only weighs 9.7 oz. If you are interested in a hood, try the R1 Hoody. If you are interested in pockets and would like a little more room, try the R1 Full Zip Jacket.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Pullover reviews (4)

Reviewed by Daniel Oates

The Vargo Slag is a lightweight, short-sleeve tee which works well as an all-purpose shirt, though it does have a trim fit design. The biggest claim for this shirt is its TiFusion (fabric infused with Titanium) technology which allows the fabric to dry quickly and reduce that classic “trail stench.” I’ve found that the Slag meets my expectations of being quick drying and also smelling fresher longer than my other (both similar and different fabric types) shirts. If you’re active and prefer slim fit shirts, it’s hard to go wrong with the Vargo Slag.

Vargo's Slag short-sleeve shirt has piqued my interest in Vargo. The Slag is a lightweight shirt (though Vargo describes it as midweight) which I have been able to use for numerous activities from disc golf to trail running. The slim fit design makes it best for any type of  physical activity with high mobility, though the tighter fit may not suit all body types. The quick dry time and odor fighting fabric also makes it easy to choose the Slag when you need only one shirt for multiple days while at the same time being very durable.

Read more: Vargo Slag Short-Sleeve Shirt review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The OR Astroman Sun Hoodie is an extremely lightweight, long sleeve, hooded shirt designed primarily as a sun layer for climbers. However, I believe this shirt has uses far beyond that—biking, exposed peaks, glacial travel, on the water/ paddling, travelling, and as a wind layer. The shirt boasts a UPF rating of 50+, full coverage hood, packs tiny, and weighs in at 6 ounces (no reason to leave it at home!). The thin fabric requires a little extra care around rough rocks, thorns, etc to ensure it lasts.

 *This review is for the Astroman Sun Hoodie (available in men's and women's), however Outdoor Research also makes an Astroman S/S Sun Shirt and an Astroman L/S Sun Shirt, both in men's and women's.*   As you can see the fit is quite boxy, not much tailoring, great for airflow.  FIT/ COMFORT The fit of the Astroman Sun Hoodie definitely airs (pun intended) on the boxy side. There is plenty of room underneath for air movement to keep the user cool. I've worn the hoodie both directly against the skin (it's uber soft) and with a thin merino tee, with a high level of comfort in both.

Read more: Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The Smartwool Merino 150 Pocket Tee is an active wear, base layer made up of 87% merino wool and 13% polyester. The high wool content maximizes one of nature's greatest insulator's ability to regulate temperature, ward off the multi-day stink, and manage moisture, while the polyester content adds durability and comfort. A lightweight wool tee allows for an endless amount of uses—from a thin sun shirt on hot summer days, to an excellent next to skin layer as part of a clothing system in winter. I've worn this from the trail, to the crag, to the pub, to the lake, to chasing the kids around the yard; it is really just that versatile. The fit is a little baggier than I would like, but that one constructive criticism is more than offset by the comfort, function, and versatility of this tee.

  First off, a disclaimer—I am an unabashed wool fan. It's amazing to me that man has made so many "revolutionary" fabrics designed to do, well...exactly what wool does. Mother Nature has shown us the exact fibre to be using for years. Our ancestors knew it, most experts that make a living outdoors know it, walk through the Scottish Highlands/Canadian North/Siberia, and see what their clothes are made off- natural materials.  Wool is, by nature, "scratchy" to some people. It has come a long way from the ragg wool of past, and high quality, low micron wool, like the kind used in this tee, are a lot softer.

Read more: Smartwool Merino 150 Pocket Tee review (1)

Featured review by LoneStranger

This warm base layer is perfect for those who go where it is really cold and those who just feel really cold whatever the temperature. It wicks, breathes, and dries well allowing it to handle the hot and steamy that cold weather activity can create. Can be combined with other layers as part of a passive insulation system, but excels in active applications.

                                           Active fit follows body contours.Specs: Hang Tag Weight 280g/9.9oz for Large Scale Weight: 309g/10.9 for Large (post testing) Sleeve Length: roughly 21" from pit to thumb hole, unstretched Back Length: roughly 26.5” from nape to hem, unstretched Back Length roughly 23” from yoke to hem, unstretched MSRP: $135 US           Sleeves that don't end at the waist and room for broad shoulders or barrel chests.

Read more: Mountain Equipment Eclipse Hooded Zip-T reviews (3)

Reviewed by Shane

This Alpha Direct fleece hoodie is one piece of kit that I take on almost all my backpacking trips. It’s lightweight, warm, breathable, comfortable, and it dries super quickly. I won’t leave home without it!

Wearing the BTT Rip-Back Hoodie in the Sierras. This hoodie is a game changer for me: The Beyond the Trailhead Gear Company (BTT) Alpha Direct Rip-Back hoodie. I purchased it from BTT just over two years ago and it’s been on every one of my backpacking trips since then. BTT is a small company that makes these Alpha Direct shirts to order. You can pick a few different options on their website. The customer service at BTT is good and I’ve purchased other gear from them.  A closeup of the  Alpha Direct fleece.

Read more: Beyond the Trailhead Alpha Direct Rip-Back Hoodie review (1)