Hi, my name’s Frankie, and I’m addicted to sun shirts. Seriously—once the UV Index hits 6, it’s rare I go on the water without one. Whether hiking to a remote alpine lake, sitting on a drift boat, or standing on the flats, you can bet I’ve got a sun hoodie or lightweight UPF tee somewhere on my body (or at least stashed in my bag). Sun shirts keep me cool, dry, and, most importantly, protected from getting torched after long hours under a blazing sun.
Over the years, I’ve worn, sweated through, and fished in dozens of sun shirts—and not all of them are created equal. The best ones feel like nothing’s there, dry fast, and offer enough coverage so you’re not constantly adjusting or adding sunscreen. After testing tons of options, these are my go-to picks for women who spend serious time on the water.
The best sun shirts for women, at a glance:
- Best for Everything: Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie, $75
- Best Fit: Fishewear Solstice Hooded Sunshirt, $89
- Best Lightweight: Marsh Wear Women’s Buxton Tech Hoodie, $49
- Most Durable: Stio Vescent Hoodie, $119
- Best Crew: Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Longsleeve II, $58
- Best Tee: Wild Rye Sloane Tee, $69
How We Tested These Sun Shirts For Women
UPF rating
Sun shirts are designed to protect you from the sun, and for that, I looked at UPF ratings. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, which is the rating system used to measure how much UV radiation (both UVA and UVB rays) a fabric allows to reach your skin. Think of it like SPF (Sun Protection Factor) but for clothing instead of sunscreen—the higher the number, the greater the protection. For example, shirts rated UPF 50 allow 1/50th of the sun’s rays through the material, while UPF 30 allows 1/30th of the sun’s rays through, and so on. Most of the sun shirts I recommend have a UPF 40+ to give you ample protection.
Comfort
There’s nothing worse than putting on a layer that’s hot when you’re already hot. You’re not inclined to wear something that makes you more uncomfortable; therefore, the recs on this list are breathable, quick-drying, and make your time on the water better, not sweatier.
Finishing Touches
Bonus points for sun shirts that have thoughtful touches you’ll use when you’re fly fishing, like thumbholes to keep your sleeves down, cross-over collars for added coverage, pockets, hanging loops, and more.
The 5 Best Sun Shirts for Women, Tried and Tested
Best for Everything: Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie, $75
Best for Everything
Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie
Key Features:
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colors: 4
Pros:
- Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying
- Thumbholes and a scuba hood for secure coverage
- Back stash pocket
Cons:
- Fabric can snag if you’re bushwhacking
- Slim silhouette—if you like a bigger fit, size up
If I could only pack one sun shirt for a season of fishing, it would be the Cotopaxi Sombra. It’s my go-to because it does everything well—it’s lightweight, breathable, fits like a dream, and the hood actually stays on when the wind picks up. It’s light enough for scorching days but still protective enough that I don’t get fried after hours on the water. The thumbholes are clutch when I want to cover the backs of my hands. My only gripe? The fabric’s a little prone to snagging if you’re hiking through brush, but on the boat or the flats, it’s perfection.
Best Fit: Fishewear Solstice Hooded Sunshirt, $89
Best fit
Fishewear Solstice Hooded Sunshirt
Key Features:
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Colors: 4
Pros:
- Inclusive sizing
- Thumbholes and scuba hood for coverage
- Ponytail cut-out in the hood
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited colorways
Many UPF shirts I’ve tried just don’t fit well—they’re often too big, chafe at the seams, and aren’t something you want to put on. That’s not the case for Fishewear’s Solstice Hooded Sunshirt, though. The fit is designed with women’s bodies in mind, so it’s cut to look and feel good in all the right places. I feel great wearing it, whether I’m wading, casting, or grabbing coffee post-fish. Details-wise, it has a cross-over hood, thumbholes, and even a cut-out in the hood for ponytails—so convenient!
Best Lightweight: Marsh Wear Women’s Buxton Tech Hoodie, $49
Best Lightweight
Marsh Wear Women’s Buxton Tech Hoodie
Key Features
- UPF Rating: 40+
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colors: 9
Pros:
- Thumbholes and scuba hood for secure coverage
- Made from recycled materials
- Affordable
Cons:
- Fabric can snag if you’re bushwhacking
- Slim silhouette—if you like a bigger fit, size up
For days where it’s so hot you’d almost rather get burnt than layer up, I can’t recommend Marsh Wear’s Buxton Tech Hoodie enough. This thing is shockingly lightweight—like, I-forgot-I-was-even-wearing-a-shirt lightweight. It’s quickly become my go-to when the air feels heavy and sunscreen is already sliding off my face. Even when I’m dripping sweat, it doesn’t cling or turn into a soggy mess, and it dries super fast. It’s not the softest sun shirt I own, but honestly, I don’t care—I’m just grateful it keeps me covered without cooking me alive. It’s also the most affordable shirt on this list, making it that much more impressive.
Most Durable: Stio Vescent Hoodie, $119
Most Durable
Stio Vescent Hoodie
Key Features:
- UPF Rating: 40+
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colors: 4
Pros:
- Relaxed fit
- Snappable hood
- Concealed zip front pocket
- Sunglass loop
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited sizing
If you’re the type of angler who frequently finds themselves bushwhacking or hiking up to some hard-to-get-to, hidden creek, you’ll want a sun hoodie that keeps up. Enter Stio’s Vescent Hoodie, a tough layer that’s built to protect you from the sun, thorns, twigs, bramble, and more. The fabric is thicker than most sun shirts, almost like a wind shell, which automatically gives it a more durable feel. But it’s still breathable, and dries crazy fast when it gets wet. It’s also loaded with thoughtful touches most sun shirts don’t have, like the concealed pocket, snap hood, and even a sunglass loop. Yeah, it’s pricey, but you’re paying for something that can hang with you season after season.
Best Crew: Free Fly Women’s Bamboo Lightweight Longsleeve II, $58
Best Crew
Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Longsleeve
Key Features:
- UPF Rating: 20+
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colors: 4
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Breathable and quick-drying
- Relaxed fit
- Thumbs up and high collar for extra coverage
Cons:
- Less UPF coverage than other products
- Can stain easily/clings to fish slime
Sometimes you just want something soft, simple, and super comfy—that’s the Free Fly Bamboo crew. This thing is buttery smooth, and on mellow days when I’m not feeling a hoodie, it’s perfect. It’s not the most technical shirt in the lineup, but it breathes well, feels good against my skin, and dries relatively fast. Just be careful—the bamboo fabric will cling to fish slime. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of “hugging” a wiggly bluefish to my chest to snap a photo in one of my Free Fly crew necks, and the oil stains have never gone away. I recommend these shirts for less slimy encounters and/or casual wear.
Best Tee: Wild Rye Sloane Tee, $69
Best Tee
Wild Rye Sloane Tee
Key Features:
- UPF Rating: 50
- Sizes: 0-14
- Colors: 3
Pros:
- Relaxed fit
- Made from recycled materials
- Wide range of women’s sizes
Cons:
- Less coverage than hoodies/long sleeves
If I’m going out for a few hours and I know there’s going to be some shade nearby, I’ll throw on my Wild Rye Sloane Tee, which has become a staple in my fishing wardrobe. Wild Rye is a women-founded brand that makes clothing specifically for women who get after it outside—no awkward fits, no weird shrink-it-and-pink-it energy. The Sloane moves well when I’m casting or netting fish, and it dries quickly, so I don’t feel damp all day. Sure, you lose a little coverage without a hood or thumbholes, but sometimes you just want to let your arms breathe.
FAQs
Q: Do sun shirts replace sunscreen?
Not entirely. Sun shirts are your first line of defense, but you’ll still want to apply sunscreen on exposed skin, like your hands, face, and ankles.
Q: Can you wear sun shirts for things other than fishing?
Absolutely! I wear mine for hiking, paddling, walking the dog, brunching—pretty much any time I’m outside.
Final Thoughts
I love the sun as much as the next person, but I’m not trying to get roasted every time I fish. These sun shirts provide ample coverage without weighing me down or sweating me out—even when the temps start to reach the top of the thermometer. Choose your fighter, and stay sun-safe out there.