I’ve been using the Tahoe Sun Hoodie consistently in various outdoor contexts for over a year now, so I felt that I’ve had ample time to develop an informed opinion and provide a solid review. My primary usage has been running. I’ve logged countless miles (because I don’t actually log anything) wearing this hoodie and have been truly impressed with its comfort, breathability, and sun protection. I find this interesting because it wasn’t designed as a running shirt, but it’s largely put my other running shirts out of business.

I’ve also worn the Tahoe while backpacking in both alpine and desert landscapes where it performs admirably. In these scenarios, comfort of the fabric is its most noteworthy aspect, and that’s the main reason I bring this shirt on long-distance trips.

Just for the sake of narrative I'd also like to share that I skied, mountain biked, and attended a BBQ on the same day in this shirt! After that experience it has become a go-to for warm and sunny spring tours and hot singletrack rides alike.

What else—oh yeah, I’ve packrafted a decent amount in this shirt, too.

Full disclosure, I work at Backcountry and was given this shirt for free. But you already knew that. I hope that despite that obvious conflict of interest, this review will provide you with real-world data that’ll help you vicariously experience the Tahoe Sun Hoodie so you can decide if it should be in your gear closet, too. (I think it should.)

The main thing that’ll keep a shirt in warm-weather rotation (for me) is comfort. The Tahoe Sun Hoodie’s fabric is its secret sauce. Many sun hoodies have a plasticky, garbage bag sort of feel—but not this one. And if you look at it closely you can see why.

When I’ve used plasticky feeling shirts in the past I've noticed they are very smooth so large swaths of fabric sort of suction to my skin. The Tahoe fabric by contrast has an almost pitted look, similar to a jersey. When you look more closely you see that these depressions are tiny holes. This jersey knit increases breathability and breaks up the surface of the fabric, so it doesn’t cling like a piece of plastic to my skin. This results in a super soft feel, a feel that keeps me pulling on the Tahoe at the beginning of every biking, backpacking, or running day. I don’t climb, but my colleagues assure me the shirt is excellent for all-day cragging, too.

The weight of the Tahoe fabric is 145gsm, which is considered a mediumweight shirt fabric. But because it has a jersey knit, the overall thickness of the fabric is greater than what a 145gsm non-jersey-knit fabric would be. Because thickness is one factor that correlates with UPF rating, this shirt achieves a higher UPF rating than non-jersey-knit fabric at the same weight. Look around, jersey knit sun shirts are uncommon! Why? I have no idea.

Coverage-Focused Fit

The fit on the Tahoe Sun Hoodie is described as regular. I’d agree with that—it’s intentionally a bit baggy. This is ideal for hot and sunny activities. I love this roomy fit for running and backpacking in hot weather—when I get a little airflow under the fabric, it can really breathe. I’m 5’ 11” and weigh 160lbs and wear the medium. In my experience it fits baggier and is overall a bit larger than most other sun hoodies I've tried. I consider this to be a good thing.

The sleeves are long, so they don't ride up and expose my arms when I extend my hands to the handlebars. The thumb loops are placed fairly far back on the sleeve so there are several inches of fabric keeping my hands mostly covered. I do still wear sun gloves in conjunction with this shirt when backpacking, just to keep those fingers safe too.

The hood is fairly large and baggy. I appreciate this feature when it’s super hot and I want airflow, but I find it a little annoying when I'm running in windy conditions because the hood keeps blowing off. I have resorted to wearing my hat over the hood in these conditions. This might look a little silly, but it’s a good solution.

A product as simple and streamlined as the Tahoe Sun Hoodie is intentionally slim on items one might identify as features, such as pockets or zippers. And I’ve already covered most of the relevant features in the fabrics and fit portion of the review. The jersey knit fabric and the fit really are this shirt’s features—they’re what make it what it is. But on top of the aforementioned thumb loops, comfortable fabric, long sleeves, and roomy hood there are two last (but very important) notes: It doesn’t hold onto stink after washing, and it boasts a UPF 50+ rating.

In case you didn’t know, UPF 50+ is the highest rating you’ll find on a sun shirt. The designers of this hoodie told me that it actually tested a lot higher, but 50+ is the highest they were allowed to advertise. As I mentioned above, rating can be attributed to the largely polyester jersey knit fabric. And by the way, there are no UPF chemical treatments on this fabric. In short, this hoodie will protect you from the sun.

I’m including weight in this review just because this is a great backpacking shirt, and folks out there who are looking for their perfect UPF sun hoodie might consider this one—and they want to know weights.

The claimed weight is 7.2oz in the men’s size medium and 5oz in the women’s size small. These weights are lighter than other sun shirts with similar UPF ratings. This is partly because a certain thickness is needed to reach that 50+ UPF rating and the Tahoe utilizes a light, airy jersey knit to achieve that thickness. Plus, the lighter the weight, the cooler and airier it will feel. Bottom line here? The weight is great for what it is.

When the Tahoe Sun Hoodie turned out even better than expected and customers seemed to widely agree that it was excellent, we posed the question “what would happen if we made tank tops, dresses, and t-shirts out of the same amazing, jersey knit, UPF 50+ fabric?” Welp, that fabric would turn out to take over our entire summer wardrobe. Head over to our Tahoe Collection if you aren’t afraid of it taking over your summer wardrobe too.


Men’s Tahoe Collection
Tanks, Crews, Shorts & More Super Comfy UPF 50+ Apparel

Women’s Tahoe Collection
Dresses, Tanks & More Apparel In Our Fave UPF Fabric

For those who want the protection and function of a sun hoodie but the sophistication of a button up, the Backcountry Hybrid Tahoe Sun Hoodie is here to save the sunny day. It features the same amazing sun protection, wicking technology, and four-way stretch as the classic Tahoe Sun Hoodie, but makes you look a little more presentable, too—even after a long day on the water or on the trail. Plus, it has several features the minimalist Tahoe Sun Hoodie doesn’t. The back yoke vent keeps you cool with a little extra airflow, and the chest pockets add a little organizational accessibility.

Contact Us

If you need more information about choosing your sun hoodie, be sure to reach out to a Gearhead® Expert using our chat feature, or feel free to call at 1-800-409-4502. We also carry a vast selection of sun hoodies in our retail stores, find a store near you to try apparel on in person!

About The Author

Gearhead Dan spends his time off wandering Utah’s deserts and mountains testing backpacking, running, hiking, and packrafting gear.

FAQ About Sun Hoodies

Q: What makes a good sun hoodie?
 
A: Most sun hoodies are UPF-rated but few are undeniably cozy. Choose sun hoodies with a jersey knit UPF 50+ fabric and a regular (loose) fit
 
Q: When should I wear a sun hoodie?
 
A: Well, that's subjective, but we think you can wear a sun hoodie for biking, running, hiking, backpacking, climbing, and just about any other outdoor activity you can think of. Because sun hoodies are light, breathable, quick-drying, and UPF-rated, there’s not much they can’t do.

Q: Are sun hoodies comfortable?
 
A: Some sun hoodies are more comfortable than others. The most comfortable sun hoodies feature jersey knit fabrics and regular (loose) fits for that soft-against-the-skin feel.