The Best Sun Hoodies to protect you this Summer
Summer Mini-ReviewsRather than go on and on about a piece of gear, we’ve prepared these mini-reviews to quickly illustrate what we like or dislike about a piece of gear that you might be in the market for. These are quick-read-format reviews that won’t take more than a couple of minutes to read so that you can quickly get up to speed on the good, the bad and the ugly of gear we’ve tested.
Sun protection is crucial to stay not only comfortable in the summer heat but also to avoid health issues like skin cancer. While sunscreen will protect from the sun's harmful rays it’s not always the most desirable and in some opinions healthy option. This is why I opt to wear a Sun Shirt or Hoody and I’ve been on the hunt for the best ones on the market. After testing out a handful of hoodies I narrowed the field and came up with a short list of the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie and the KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie.
Both of these sun hoodies are made from a blend of merino wool and for good reasons, Merino wool is not itchy and provides a natural temperature regulation which insulates when it’s cold and lets heat escape when temperatures rise. Unlike synthetic fibres which tend to trap heat. Merino wool also has natural moisture management and wicks away moisture away from your skin to prevent clamminess and when it gets wet it is still able to thermoregulate. Probably the best feature of Merino wool is that it doesn’t stink due to its natural antimicrobial properties, Merino wool naturally and permanently resists odour without the use of chemicals which is something polypropylene and other synthetics cannot say.
The Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie provides a natural UPF of 30+ and has a longer hem in the back for more coverage. The lightweight, breathable material is comfortable to wear with a relaxed fit to keep you from overheating in the summer sun. The built-in thumb loops keep your sleeves in place and the sun off your hands while the loose-fitting hood fits easily over a hat or can be cinched down to keep the sun off your forehead.
The KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie uses Nuyarn Merino Wool which is the lightest and toughest Merino wool in the industry. This natural fibre excels at thermoregulation and odour control which allows you to wear it in hot conditions for multiple days without washing it. Its less relaxed fit provides maximum airflow without being baggy and isn’t weighted down with features you may not use, its clean style performs well in summer as a sun shirt or in winter as a base layer.
Features:
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
- Split and dropped hem for more coverage and ease of movement
- Woven drawstrings for the hood
- Thumb holes
- Hanger loop
- (m)Force™ Merino fabric is 87% Merino wool and 13% Nylon 145g/m²
- 17.5M Merino wool
- Made from Merino wool, enhanced with (m)Force Technology for increased durability and shape retention
- Merino wool sustainably sourced from the McKenzie Basin in New Zealand
- Sun Protection - UPF 30+ certified
- Hood for added sun protection, warmth, and concealment
- Flatlock seams for added comfort
- Optimized shoulder seams for added comfort under shoulder straps
- Nuyarn Merino Wool comprised of 70% Merino / 30% Nylon 120g/m²
- 17.5 micron New Zealand Merino wool
- 50+ UPF Sun Protection
Verdict:
Merino wool is an amazing fabric and it is only made better with the addition of a small amount of nylon to increase its strength and durability. This is why these two sun hoodies are in my opinion the best on the market. Most other sun hoodies are made from pure nylon or polypropylene which is much cheaper to purchase but will stink to high heaven the second time you wear it, it also won’t breathe as well as merino wool. In my opinion, a merino wool blend is the only way to go and both the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie and the KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie use a merino wool/nylon blend to ensure that their hoodies are functional, tough and also breathable. I chose the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie as one of the best due to its relaxed fit, lower price point, fun colours and features like the built-in thumb loops and drawstrings for the hood. The KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie made this short list of best sun hoodies thanks to its use of Nuyarn Merino Wool and the fact that it has a great fit and uses flat lock seam construction so it works well under a pack or PFD. While the KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie is slightly thinner and more breathable in really hot temperatures it is also much more expensive. The Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie on the other hand has more features and a little more merino in its fabric blend so it performs just as well despite its thicker fabric. Overall, these are both great sun hoodies and why they are the only two on this shortlist. If you are looking for sun protection and don’t want to slather your skin in sunscreen then consider either of these two merino wool options as you won’t be disappointed with either—plus they also work well as a base layer for ski touring in winter!
Pros:
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
87% Merino wool with 13% Nylon so you get more of the benefits of Merino wool.
Thumb loops and drawstrings for the hood.
Vibrant colour selection.
KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie
More sun protection at 50+ UPF.
Uses Nuyarn Merino Wool which is lighter, faster drying and stronger than pure Merino wool yarns.
Thinner and lighter fabric for increased breathability.
Flatlock seam construction.
Cons:
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
Slightly thicker fabric which is less breathability.
Not all seams are flat-lock construction.
KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie
No thumb loops or drawstrings for the hood.
Expensive.
Specs:
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
Price: $119.95CAN / $84.95US
Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Wild Sage, Sierra Cement, Summer Spice, Blue Sky, Coyote, Fire Red, Outerspace
Weight: 246g / 8.7oz
KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie
Price: $169CAN / $109US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
Colours: Valo, Verde, Vias, Bone, Olive, Stone, Storm, Verde Green
Weight: 162g / 5.7oz
Rating: 9/10 and 9/10
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
Innovation: 2/2
Function: 1.5/2
Fit 1.5/2
Features: 2/2
Quality/Price: 2/2
KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT LS Hoodie
Innovation: 2/2
Function: 2/2
Fit: 2/2
Features: 1.5/2
Quality/Price: 1.5/2