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Looking for the best hiking shirt for hot weather hike or workout?
Long sleeves are great. They protect you from the sun. But what to look for when choosing the best long sleeve hiking shirt for your next trip? The answer is easy. Fabric. The fabrics that are made for sun protection garments have a UPF score that is similar to SPF score for sunscreens. The main difference is that fabric not only protects you against UVB rays which cause skin cancer, but also saves from UVA rays that come in greater dosage compared to UVB and cause photoaging.
Here is a list of some of the best hiking shirts for hot weather.
Table of Contents
Best Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt For Men – Our Favorite
Don’t ever have sunburned shoulders from another hiking trip.
Check out these cool to sophisticated looking thin long sleeve shirts for summer!
1. BALEAF Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt (click for more details)
A long sleeve hiking shirt for men with great price-performance balance.
Overall the best long sleeve shirt for men, our favorite.
This lightweight long sleeve shirt for summer checks all the boxes to look for in a long sleeve hiking shirt. The polyester fabric lets the moisture out, dries quickly and has good breathability. It is designed to avoid any chafing – flatlock seams, no tag collar and not too tight. Machine washable (cold wash; no softener). The 4 way stretch makes it flexible and supports any exercise or outdoor activity movements.
Want to feel comfortable under the hot summer sun? You have an option.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
Best Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt For Women – Our Favorite
Here’s only our favorite women’s long sleeve shirt.
We have more in a separate guide here.
2. 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, the long sleeve shirts for sun protection provide all the coverage needed.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
The best long sleeve shirts for men and women are selected by taking in consideration their material, breathability, comfort, additional functionality and overall look. Either you are hiking in the woods, yachting in the Caribbean, backpacking Southeast Asia or doing chores at your backyard garden — all of them will protect your skin from the sun rays and feel good on your body.
Read more: Best Women’s Hiking Shirts For Hot Weather
Best Hiking Shirts For Hot Weather (for Hiking, Outdoors, Work Outside and Travel)
What are the other options? And which one to choose?
Here are a few more hot weather hiking shirts for men. All of them great breathable long sleeve shirts for hot weather.
3. Hanes Men’s Long Sleeve Cool Dri T-Shirt (click for more details)
A simple thin long sleeve shirt for summer that offers great sun protection.
This long sleeve shirt for hot weather has a clean look. No prints or branding if that’s what you are looking for. Also, the narrow ribbed collar adds a neat finish to the look. The polyester material offers moisture wicking and dries quickly. Comfortable on skin – not too tight and breathable. Machine washable.
A great choice for a minimalistic looking sun protective breathable shirt.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
4. Columbia Men’s Bahama II (click for more details)
Arguably the best buttoned long sleeve shirt for hot weather.
Nylon material makes it super durable and therefore it will last forever. Also, it is breathable and hidden vents at shoulders make it even more comfortable. The chest pockets may become super handy on the go. Imagine, being on a fishing trip and having your favorite lures in your pockets or being on a waterfall hike and having no reason to worry about water splashes because the fabric also dries fast.
It may be a bit pricier, but the neat look of this buttoned long sleeve shirt for men won’t let you down even at the end of a day when you want nothing more than having a cold drink at a beach club.
MATERIAL: 100% Nylon
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 30
5. Willit Men’s Sun Protection Hoodie (click for more details)
A long sleeve shirt for summer sun protection with great coverage.
Have you ever experienced sunburned skin on ears or the back of the neck? If so, you won’t question the need for a hoodie. And the thumb holes will make sure that the sleeves stay in place and your hands have the maximum coverage. The machine washable material wicks moisture like sweat away and dries quickly to make sure that you stay dry even in hot weather.
Soft fabric feel, flat lock seams and no tag collar makes this lightweight long sleeve shirt for summer comfy.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
6. Merino.tech Merino Wool Base Layer (click for more details)
An ultra lightweight Merino wool base layer.
A long sleeve wool shirt for summer? I kid you not. Natural material brings it to the next comfort level when it comes to touch. Forget about itching! It’s very fine, very lightweight and highly technical (great with moisture, dries fast, keeps the smells away). Another good part of it being made out of wool is that it helps to regulate the body temperature.
Although it is machine washable (delicate cycle advised), it won’t wear off as quickly when hand washed. On the pricier side, but comes with a lifetime warranty.
MATERIAL: Superfine 17.5 Micron Merino Wool
SUN PROTECTION: UPF 50+
Read more: Best Merino Wool Base Layer
7 Top Reasons to Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts in the Summer
Isn’t it better to wear a t-shirt for hiking in the summer?
When cycling, kayaking, doing sports, or when doing work outside in the sun? Why do so many people wear long-sleeve activewear shirts in the summer? Here are some of the top reasons (in short — it’s a very good choice):
1. Long Sleeves Protect You From the Sun
It’s obvious, isn’t it?
Long sleeves mean better coverage of your body.
This is the main purpose of long-sleeve summer shirts, to protect you from the sun. A thing you may have never heard of is that some hot weather shirts, including most you see in this guide, offer UPF 50+ sun protection. They offer similar protection like sunscreens. The main difference being, that fabric not only protects you against UVB rays which cause skin cancer, but also against UVA rays which causes photoaging.
2. You Sweat Less With Long Sleeves
Wait, what? You sweat less with long sleeves?
Yes, that’s right. You see, we all sweat in hot weather. This is how our bodies work. When your body heats up, it starts producing sweat. By sweating our body is cooling down itself. Now, let’s assume, you are out hiking in the woods, and you are wearing a Merino wool hiking t-shirt. Merino wool is a great material for activewear, there’s no denying in that. Merino wool clothing is awesome for outdoors. But, with a t-shirt your body is more exposed to the sun. Accordingly sweat evaporates faster.
As a result, your body is making more sweat. It wants to cool down the body. It wants to cool down you. So, you don’t overheat.
It isn’t happening with long sleeves. That’s why — you sweat less.
3. You Feel More Comfortable
Even though, you might be thinking of the opposite.
You may think — I sweat less, but also sweat evaporates slower, … isn’t it making me more sweaty? No, it doesn’t make you more sweaty. Because, you see, it’s all about the balance. Fabrics meant for hot weather and / or high intensity activities are designed to keep that balance. This is what makes activewear what it is. Activewear. Clothing meant for hot weather and / or high intensity activities.
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).
4. It Helps to Slow Down Dehydration
Wearing a long sleeve, you dehydrate slower.
Because your body sweats less. It loses water at a slower speed.
So you need less water. And your body feels better.
5. It Makes Things Easier
Because with long sleeves you need less sunscreen, yay!
It’s another thing I, personally, like about the built-in sun protection. The fact that you need less sunscreen. Depending from the conditions, you may not have to apply sunscreen on your arms anymore. And that makes things easier. That adds to your personal comfort level. 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, I will apply sunscreen only on my face.
And with long sleeve shirts you often don’t need it that much.
6. Long Sleeves Keep You More Clean
If you’re hiking or cycling in a dusty environment, it matters.
If you’re out doing work outside in the sun, it matters. With long sleeves it’s easier to keep your body clean. And cleaner body equals more comfort for you. Add to that the fact that you are using less sunscreen, and you’ll see (and feel) a big difference.
7. You Are Ready For Everything
Cool mornings. Chilly nights. Unexpected temperature drops.
With a long-sleeve outdoor shirt you’re ready for all of that. You are prepared for all of that. Without a need to change a shirt or have another piece of clothing with you. Well, let’s clarify a bit here — more prepared than if you would be out wearing only a t-shirt. A long sleeve is a more versatile piece of clothing than a good, top-quality hiking t-shirt.
A long sleeve will keep you more warm on cool mornings than a t-shirt. Same like a long sleeve will keep you more warm, when the temperatures drop because of an oncoming storm. All the while offering all the cool features we already discussed above — better temperature control, less sweating, sun protection and comfort.
Why You Sweat Less With Long Sleeves?
The short answer would be — because of better moisture management.
Doesn’t make any sense? So, let me clarify.
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, go shirtless, or wear a sports bra or top, you let the sweat evaporate faster. The faster it evaporates, the faster your body produces more sweat. 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 for hot weather (designed for hot weather), 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. So, you are neither all wet at any given moment, or sweating too much and overheating.
That’s why you feel more comfortable and sweat less.
Because your shirt controls that.
And you dehydrate slower. And feel better.
Finding the Best Long Sleeve Shirt For Hot Weather
How to find the best long sleeve shirt for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Coverage
Long sleeve summer shirt’s main purpose is to protect you from the sun.
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.
If you plan to spend long hours under harsh sun rays, you may also want to think of additional solutions to protect your head and palms too.
2. Material
Polyester, nylon and micro wool are the most convenient choices.
Most of the best long sleeve shirts for hot weather are made of these materials.
For a shirt that will be worn in hot weather you may want to look for breathable and light fabric. Also, it may make a big difference if the fabric has moisture wicking and quick-dry properties. This will let you stay as dry as possible even in sweaty circumstances. Our list of the best hiking shirts for hot weather contains garments of both – natural and synthetic fabrics.
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.
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 presentable and buttoned, it should suit your needs. But let’s keep an eye on the functional features like thumb holes, chest pockets etc. as well. Some long sleeve 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.
One of the solutions could be wool fabric because of its moisture wicking and odor resistant properties. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics that keep moisture away can save a day too. And don’t forget to pack a biodegradable soap for camping.
Besides avoiding skin rash, another reason why most of the best long sleeve hiking shirts 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. The long sleeve shirts for summer sun protection are meant to hang on your shoulders a bit.
Having long walks with exposed skin under direct sun rays in tropical weather shouldn’t be a considerable option. If you own a summer shirt like theses ones in the list you are good to go.
What is your experience with hot weather hiking? What are the things you pay attention to the most? Is there something all the best hiking shirts for hot weather you have tried so far have in common? Find it, and you’ll always make great decisions!
Featured photo by Sergei Akulich from Pexels
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