I'm on my second summer of running in a long-sleeved sun shirt—yes, even in the hottest weather. Especially in the hottest weather. I now enjoy my summer runs a lot more, and I spend a lot less money on sunscreen. I even managed to snag a Rabbit UPF Deflector hoodie before they sold out this year, and it's even better than the Amazon sun shirts I started with.
I don't recall exactly why I bought my first one, but it was probably a "what the hell, this can't get any worse" kind of thing. It wasn’t a fancy one. Everybody on Reddit says to get a that Rabbit hoodie, but it wasn’t in stock when I went looking. Instead, I ended up getting this UPF 50+ rashguard from Amazon for under $30, and a second shirt I didn’t end up liking as much. I started wearing them on my runs. Two years later, here's what I've learned.
When it comes to UV protection, they definitely work. Dermatologists, including those at the American Academy of Dermatology Association, actively recommend wearing sun-protective clothing, in addition to seeking shade and using sunscreen. When you’re out on a run, shade may not be an option, and you’ll still need some sunscreen to cover your face and hands. But when it comes to your torso and arms, a sun shirt offers some pretty significant advantages over slathering on sunscreen:
You don’t need to reapply (as much) sunscreen on long runs, which can feel nearly impossible when you’re sweaty.
If you use a spray sunscreen like I sometimes do, you won't have to deal with its sticky feel, and the fact that you're supposed to rub it in anyway.
Aside from these objective points, the thing that really sold me was just that I hate the feeling of that suncreen-and-sweat slime dripping down my arms. It's gross, it gets on everything, and I do not want it.
What it feels like to run in a sun shirt (a lot less sweaty)
I put on the shirt for an evening run first, sunscreened only the parts of me that weren’t covered (face, hands, lower legs), and ventured out. On balance, I don’t think I was hotter or cooler than I would have been without the shirt, but the slime situation was much improved. The shirt also absorbed and (sort of) wicked away my sweat. On the one hand, that means I’m running in a damp shirt. On the other: no dripping.
I did have one further “aha” moment. On one of my runs, I noticed that the shirt was long enough that it bunched up a bit around my hips. That extra fabric wasn’t doing me any favors, so I got out a pair of scissors and cropped the shirt just below my waistline. Now I get a bit of a breeze on my torso, while still keeping my skin out of the sun.
What to look for when buying a sun shirt
The ideal running sun shirt will have most or all of these features:
Wicking or “cooling” fabric.
Thumb holes, which means longer sleeves, the better to protect your hands.
A moderately loose fit (although this is up to preference). If you normally buy from the women's section, consider the "men's" styles too—you might prefer the way they fit.
After running all last summer in sun shirts made for surfers, I finally picked up that Rabbit hoodie I mentioned. It cost a lot more—$70 for Rabbit versus $30 or less for the cheap ones I'd used in the past. The material on the Rabbit shirt is much lighter weight, and it has laser-cut holes at the armpits for venting. It also has a hood with a built-in visor (the better to cover your neck and the sides of your face) and, as a bonus, a zippered pocket at the side. Unfortunately, besides being expensive, it also sells out quickly. I bought mine in April; as I write this in June, most sizes seem to be already sold out for the season. As an alternative, I've heard good things about Outdoor Research's Echo line.
With all that in mind, here are some sun shirt options, in a variety of styles and price ranges, that fit the bill. If you aren’t totally sold yet, start with a cheaper one and see how you like it. You might just join me in the less-slimy runners club.
The one I have TSLA Women's UPF 50+ Rash Guard Long Sleeve, UV/Sun Protection Swim Shirts, Water Beach Surf Swim Top, Side Henna White, Large $19.95 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $19.95 at Amazon Cooling Patagonia Men's Capilene® Cool Daily Graphic Hoody $75.00 at Patagonia Shop Now Shop Now $75.00 at Patagonia Rabbit Men's UPF Deflector 2.0 $70.00 at Rabbit Shop Now Shop Now $70.00 at Rabbit Columbia Women's PFG Uncharted Hoodie, Cirrus Grey Uncharted Waters, Small $45.00 at Amazon $60.00 Save $15.00 Shop Now Shop Now $45.00 at Amazon $60.00 Save $15.00 This one has a face guard! BALEAF Mens Sun Protection Hoodie Shirt, UPF 50+ UV SPF T-Shirts with Mask Rash Guard Fishing Lightweight, 01-gray, Large, Long Sleeve $29.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $29.99 at Amazon Full zip Soothfeel Women's UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie Jacket Lightweight Long Sleeve Sun Shirt for Women with Pocket Hiking Outdoor Green S $25.49 at Amazon $29.99 Save $4.50 Shop Now Shop Now $25.49 at Amazon $29.99 Save $4.50 SEE 3 MORE Read More Details
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