Outdoor Research

ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie - Men's

Bought this for a hiking and backpacking trip last in southern Utah. I needed something for sun protection and cooling features and this worked great.

Cooler than REI Sahara

It actually feels cooler than the REI Sahara hoodie by 2-3C, even though they're both the same weight. I think this shirt has better thermal conductivity. It also absorbs sweat faster which helps increase evaporation. You can check by dunking both shirts into a tub of water. I felt much more comfortable with this in 30-40C temperatures with high humidity. I can feel the difference under a helmet. It's more stretchy, and greater horizontally compared to vertically so you have to be careful not to stretch it too far in order to keep it's UPF protection so I wear a loose fitting size. The fabric isn't as durable as the REI Sahara, as it has more pilling after a few months of wearing 2-3 days a week. The wrists seem to be more stained. It has more facial coverage along the neck and side cheeks near the ear because it has a smaller opening for the face. It's a round opening so it sits fairly symmetrical compared to the REI Sahara which has an overlapping stitch at the neck that causes the hood to twist to one side. It doesn't have a drawstring but since the opening is smaller, the wind doesn't really blow it off, unlike the REI Sahara which needs it's drawstring to be cinched to resist the wind. The only benefit of the REI Sahara is possibly greater sun protection from the side rear angle due to how the hood drapes, but less protection from the side front angle; cheaper price; higher durability.

great sun shirt

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

large

I live in Florida and this shirt is great for being outdoors in the sun.

It does the things it should do

And it does it well. 10/10 for the hood, the sleeves and the torso. Protects from the sun - just as it says it does.

A little thicker than I'd like, but still a good sun shirt

I have a lot of different sun shirts as I live in a hot, sunny place and work outside. I was excited to try this one out, but I've found that it feels a decent bit hotter than the Astroman sun hoody (which is my favorite by far) or even the Echo sun hoody (a close runner up). The material just feels thicker on my skin, I get less of a breeze coming through, and I find myself wishing I had worn a different sun shirt. Good price though.

Great shirt

This is a nice hoodie. It's a little thicker and heavier than the Echo, but that's also the point. It feels sturdier too. Shades nicely and cools well - don't feel hot. The fabric feel is great too.

Works as advertised

I wear the echo line of active wear when I'm working out of fishing. The level of cool I get from wearing the ActiveIce appearal is unlike anything I've tried before. It keeps me cool and I'm not sweating as much as I do with the echo fabric. It does come with the trade off of being a bit heavier than the echo and not as breathable feeling since it's a thicker fabric. I will choose to wear the echo fabric when it's a cooler day doing a lot of activity and the ActiveIce fabric when it's really sunny and warm.

Loves these shirts

These are great for working out, hiking, walking, etc. in warm or cool weather.

Active Ice Spectrum Sun Hoodie

The Active Ice Spectrum Sun Hoodie fits like a dream, with just the right amount of stretch to move with me without feeling restrictive. The hood on this hoodie is a game-changer. With a UPF 50 rating, this hoodie is like armor against harmful UV rays. Not only does it provide additional coverage for my neck and head, but it's also designed to stay put, even during high-intensity activities.

I will be buying another couple shirts

Love this material, it makes your skin feel cooler even when in direct sunlight. I know this will be a great addition to spending long hours fishing on the boat this summer.