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What are the best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather?
There are not so many other experiences in life that are more enjoyable than a vacation in hot weather. Summer seasons around the world are different and so is the need for different hiking wear. While some lady travelers prefer short sleeve t-shirts, others go for buttoned closure. Our recommendation — anything long sleeve.
The harsh tropical sun rays can be very damaging to the skin.
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Table of Contents
Best Women’s Long Sleeve Shirts For Hot Weather – Our Favorite
Long sleeves and breathable fabric are the key.
It’s the ultimate combination for a comfortable summer hike.
1. BALEAF Women’s Long Sleeve (click for more details)
A soft ladies long sleeve shirt for summer outdoor activities.
Overall the best long sleeve hiking shirt for women, our favorite.
Skin friendly design – breathable and machine washable nylon fabric that wicks moisture away and dries quickly. Crew-neck with no-tag collar and flatlock seams make it extra comfortable. Not too tight. Quite stretchy to offer the movement freedom under the hot summer sun. Great for exercise, hiking or any other outdoor activities. And it’s also possible to wear these kind of ladies long sleeve shirts as an undershirt when the temperature cools down.
Forget about sunscreen, this long sleeve provides all the coverage needed.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
Best Hiking T-Shirt, Women’s – Our Favorite
You don’t want long sleeves? Check out the Under Armour women’s outdoor shirts!
2. Under Armour Women’s Tech V-Neck T-Shirt (click for more details)
An anti-odor quick dry t-shirt for outdoors.
V-neck design looks great on any body type. No doubt about that. These are the type of quick dry shirts women prefer for active physical outdoor activities. The shirt is comfy and has sweat wicking and quick dry properties. Although it is made out of synthetic fabric, it feels natural. Perfect for sporty activities and a 4-way stretch is ideal for movement freedom. Combined with sun protective arm sleeves it provides the perfect versatility for every occasion on a summer travel trip.
The best part of it is the anti-odor technology that prevents growth of odor-causing bacteria which is very convenient for longer hikes.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: Unknown
Best Women’s Hiking Shirts For Hot Weather
Check out these women’s long sleeve shirts for hot weather!
3. Toomett UPF 50+ Women’s Long Sleeve for Hiking (click for more details)
A well equipped safari women’s hiking shirt for hot weather.
The mesh lining at the back allows the breeze to keep the body temperature cool. It is lightweight and comfortable. The polyester fabric dries quickly and keeps the moisture away. The front pockets have zippers and a sunglasses hanger loop. The length of the sleeves is adjustable with the loops that keep the rolled up sleeves in place. This buttoned hiking shirt is machine washable.
Great choice for safari, fishing, hiking or any other outdoor activities. The button closure offers a polished look no matter what you choose to do.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
4. EZRUN Women’s UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt (click for more details)
One of the most sun protective women’s hiking shirts.
Great body coverage. The long sleeves have thumb holes to offer the maximum hand coverage. If you have ever experienced a sunburned neck or ears, you won’t question the need for a hoodie. Light weight, flatlock seams and no tag on collar add to the comfort of wearing the long sleeve hiking shirt for women. The fabric is moisture wicking, dries quickly and is machine washable.
No brainer if you are looking for the best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather with the maximum coverage for sun protection.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
5. HISKYWIN Womens Long Sleeve Half-Zip (click for more details)
A heightened collar hiking shirt for women.
If a hoodie is a bit too much, half-zipper closure that supports heightened collar may be the choice for you. This long sleeve hiking shirt for hot weather has thumb holes for maximum hand coverage. The fabric wicks the moisture away and dries quickly. The women’s long sleeve hiking shirt with flatlock seams and no tag collar is comfortable on skin and easy to take care of (machine washable, tumble dry).
A go-to option among the best hiking shirts for women with great neck coverage.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
6. Little Donkey Andy Women’s Fast Dry Long Sleeve (click for more details)
Long sleeve hiking shirt, women’s choice for feminine look and functionality.
Well equipped and functional buttoned long sleeve shirt for summer that has a ladylike look. It has mesh lined vents at the back. The front pockets have Velcro closure, a sunglasses hanger loop and reflective strips. The sleeves can be rolled up for a shorter length and secured with loops. The fabric is breathable, moisture wicking and dries quickly.
Like it should be for all the best womens hiking shirts, it packs very small and takes almost no space in your luggage.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
See also: Best Hiking Shirts For Hot Weather
Why Wear A Long Sleeve Shirt For Hiking?
Isn’t a t-shirt better for hot weather?
No, actually, not! Wearing a full coverage fabric layer on a hot summer day may sound like a super unpleasant idea. We hear you. That’s why it is important that the fabric is lightweight, breathable, moisture wicking and dries fast. A slightly loose top not only protects against damaging sun rays, but also allows airflow against the skin, and the sun shield helps to control the body temperature and avoid overheating.
Why wear a long-sleeve shirt when hiking in the summer?
1. It Will Protect You From the Sun
A t-shirt may offer you great ventilation, that’s cool.
But it won’t protect your arms from the sun. And this is not cool. Long sleeves, on the other hand, mean better coverage of your body. Your arms aren’t exposed to the sun, so they won’t burn. In addition to long sleeves, women’s summer hiking shirts often offer UPF 50+ sun protection. It’s a similar protection to the sunscreens. The main difference is, that the fabric not only protects you against UVB rays which cause skin cancer (the worst thing), but also against UVA rays which causes photoaging.
Sun protection is especially very important in the summer.
If you wear a long sleeve hiking shirt with UPF protection, you don’t need to use sunscreen. For example, I hate dealing with sunscreen when I’m out cycling or hiking on dusty gravel roads or forest trails. It’s just so, so nice when you don’t have to do it. Mostly, when wearing a long sleeve shirt, I will apply sunscreen only on my face and neck.
Also sunscreen makes you sticky, and it may add to your discomfort.
2. You Will Sweat Less
Wait, what?
Yes, despite having long sleeves, you’ll sweat less. When wearing a t-shirt, even a quality Merino wool t-shirt, your body is more exposed to the sun. You get hot faster, and as a result you sweat more. Your sweat evaporates faster, and your body is producing more of it, to cool you down. With a long sleeve shirt, you are less exposed to the sun. So, you sweat less.
Most of the best women’s shirts for hot weather offer also great breathability. They are designed for hot weather.
You should keep in mind that color matters too. You see, light-colored fabrics will absorb less heat. So if you are looking for a shirt for hot weather, do not choose dark colours. Otherwise, the shirt won’t cool you off. Quite the opposite – you’ll feel hot.
3. You Will Feel More Comfortable
Mostly it’s all about moisture management.
Fabrics used in activewear are built to be great at moisture management. To let just the right amount of sweat evaporate. And at the right speed. So, you are neither all wet at any moment, because of wearing a long sleeve, or sweating too much (and overheating). If you aren’t sweaty, you feel more comfortable. As simple as that.
Also, when you wear a long sleeve hiking shirt with UPF protection, there is no reason to apply sunscreen. For some, it’s a huge plus, because sunscreen makes you sticky, and it may add to your discomfort. For me, personally, it’s one of the main reasons to use a long-sleeve shirt when hiking on a hot and sunny day.
4. It Will Help Slow Down Dehydration
When wearing a long sleeve shirt, you don’t dehydrate as fast.
Your body sweats less, thus it loses water at a slower speed.
As a result, you need less water. And your body feels better.
5. It Will Keep Your Arms Clean
Outdoor adventures are not necessarily easy and, erm, clean.
When you hike in the wilderness, you will get dirty. Slipping in the mud. Hiking on a dusty trail. Getting whacked by dirty branches, etc. With long sleeves it’s easier to keep your body clean. And again, cleaner body equals more comfort for you. Add to that the fact that you are using less sunscreen (which makes your body sticky), and you’ll see, and feel, a big difference.
And of course, it also protects your arms.
6. It Will Protect Your Arms From Insect Bites, Scratches and Skin-Irritating Plants
Long sleeves protect your arms.
They protect you from scratches, small cuts, insect bites and other irritants. If you are hiking in the wilderness, you are exposed to insects and skin-irritating plants. That’s a fact. And while you can use a spray to ward off annoying mosquitoes and other insects, you can’t easily avoid getting scratched by twigs, branches and spiky plants. This is where long sleeves come in handy.
7. With Long Sleeves, You Are Ready for Everything
Come wind, come sun, you’re ready for anything.
Well, almost anything.
Cool mornings, chilly nights, unexpected temperature drops, wind. Long sleeve shirts will keep you warmer than a t-shirt. It will also keep you prepared for unexpected temperature and weather changes. You will be better prepared for adventures, yay! Without a need to change a shirt or have another piece of clothing with you. A long sleeve is a way more versatile piece of clothing than a good, top-quality hiking t-shirt.
And if it’s a quick dry hiking shirt then it’s even better. Most of the best summer long sleeves are. If you get caught in the rain, the shirt will dry quickly, and you won’t feel discomfort for too long either.
With a long sleeve you feel good both in hot and cool weather.
Why Long Sleeve Makes You Sweat Less?
Mainly because of better moisture management.
You see, we all sweat. Sweating is how our bodies cool down. Body produces moisture (sweat) to make itself cool down. To make you cool down. When you heat up due to hot weather and / or high intensity activities, your body starts producing sweat. To cool you down. To prevent your body from overheating. This is how our bodies work.
When you wear a t-shirt, or only a sports bra or top, you let the sweat evaporate faster. You are more exposed to the sun. It’s easier for sweat to evaporate. That results in more sweat. Because the faster your sweat evaporates, the faster your body produces more of it. That also leads to dehydration. You sweat more. And you dehydrate faster.
You sweat more because you let the sweat evaporate too fast.
When you wear a long-sleeve shirt, you slow down this process. When you wear a quality long-sleeve hiking shirt designed for hot weather and outdoors, you let the shirt be in control of moisture management. A quality shirt balances it. It lets just the right amount of sweat evaporate. And at the right speed.
And you… sweat less. While staying fresh and feeling confident.
And also — better protected from the sun.
How to Find the Best Women’s Hiking Shirt for Hot Weather For Yourself?
How to find the best women’s hiking shirt for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Coverage
Sun protection should be one of the main criteria.
Especially when choosing a summer shirt for hiking.
Who wants to return from holidays with half-arm tan lines! Not only having long sleeves matters. Some fabrics offer UPF 50+ sun protection, while others provide a lighter shield. UPF protects from the sun rays’ negative effect on the skin. Also, wearing fabric to cover up prevents excessive sweating and helps to control the body temperature better.
2. Material
You may want to look for breathable and light fabric.
Lightweight fabric not only is comfortable for physical activities, but also takes a smaller space in luggage. You may also want to keep an eye on fabrics with moisture wicking and quick-dry properties. This will let you stay as dry as possible even in sweaty circumstances. Polyester is the most popular material for the women’s hiking shirts, however, the new generation fabrics are soft and have a natural feel on the skin.
3. Design
You don’t need to look shabby to protect your skin.
Many warm weather long sleeve shirts both look great and are extra functional. In fact, most of the best breathable long sleeve shirts for hot weather are also pretty.
There are plenty of different choices to have a lightweight long sleeve shirt for summer that has a look that you desire. Either it’s simple and clean or ladylike and buttoned, it should suit your needs. But let’s keep an eye on the functional features like thumb holes, front pockets with a loop for sunglasses etc. as well. Some long sleeve warm weather shirts not only provide great sun protection, but also comfort like the flatlock seams that avoid scratching against the skin.
4. Care
Let’s talk about sweat. Yuk!
We all sweat when being active under the sun, but nobody wants to walk around stinky. Machine washable fabric seems like the perfect choice. But it won’t make sense when being on a week long mountain hike without access to a washing machine. Anti-odor technology can be super handy in a situation like that. Also, fabrics that keep moisture away can save a day too.
Besides avoiding skin rash, another reason why most of the best hiking shirts for hot weather are a little loose is because it allows extra breeze that keeps the humidity near the skin low. So, don’t go for a smaller size than necessary. They are meant to hang on your shoulders a bit.
What is your experience with hiking shirts? What are the best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather you have tried so far? Were they long sleeves?
Featured photo by Krivec Ales from Pexels
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