The 9 Best Sun Protective Shirts (Our Recommendations)

Keeping the sun’s harmful UV rays at bay can be a challenge but the right clothing can give you peace of mind knowing your skin is protected. Whether you’re on the job or enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) clothing is a must-have. 

To help you expand your summer wardrobe, we’ve assembled a list of the 9 best sun protective shirts. Check them out below.

Enjoy UPF 50 protection and all-day comfort with this Men’s Cooling Short Sleeve Crew. Made from DriComfortⓇ GEO 365 fabric to wick away moisture and dry quickly, this shirt is both functional and fashionable. It also delivers enhanced protection against unwanted odor, to help keep you feeling fresh.

When it comes to sun protective shirts, this short sleeve crew is a must-have. Its classic design is stylish in all seasons and it’s available in three neutral colors: black, morel, and gray. Choose from seven sizes (ranging from small to 4XL) to find the perfect fit.

Designed with flat-lock seams and a crew neck, this shirt is comfortable for any activity. It’s a great option whether you’re hard at work or enjoying some leisurely time out in the sun. 

Features: 

• Stylish crew neck design

• Delivers UPF 50 sun protection 

• Flat-lock seams to prevent chafing

If you’re looking for an enhanced sun protection solution, this Men’s Cooling Long Sleeve Shirt might be an appropriate pick. It’s lightweight and fast-drying but features full-length sleeves to keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Advanced SunsheerⓇ technology provides UPF 50 sun protection while OdorsheerⓇ helps guard against unwanted odors.

Whether you’re at work or at play, this long sleeve shirt will keep you cool and comfortable. It’s made from mineral-infused fabric to quickly wick away moisture, improving temperature regulation on even the hottest days. Plus, it dries quickly so you won’t be left feeling damp or sticky.

Available in sizes Small through 3XL, this sun protective shirt is simple but effective. Choose from six stylish colors as well as a high-visibility option.

Features:

• Full-length sleeves and crew neck

• Mineral-infused fabric wicks away moisture

• Delivers UPF 50 sun protection

Perfect for everyday wear, this Women’s Cooling Shirt features a sporty V-neck design and short sleeves. Choose from four stylish colors and enjoy all-day comfort delivered by an array of advanced fabric technologies. Once you give this sun protective shirt a try, you’ll never go back to regular cotton clothing. 

What makes this shirt unique is the infusion of GEO 365 mineral particles which offer powerful moisture-wicking benefits. Paired with SweatsheerⓇ and OdorsheerⓇ technologies, this unique fabric keeps you feeling cool and fresh for hours on end. Most importantly, this shirt offers UPF 50 protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

Made from recycled polyester and spandex, this V-neck shirt is wrinkle-resistant and easy to clean. Flat-lock seams help prevent chafing while mesh panels on the sides, back, and underarms offer enhanced ventilation.

Features: 

• Stylish short sleeve, V-neck design

• Moisture-wicking fabric dries quickly 

• Protects against odor and UV rays

If you prefer a sleeveless design, give this Women’s Cooling Tank Top a try. This sporty tank is crafted from recycled polyester and spandex, making it a lightweight and comfortable option for exercise as well as leisure. Because the fabric is infused with DriComfortⓇ GEO 365 mineral particles, it dries four times faster than regular knits to keep you feeling fresh. 

Unlike standard clothing, this tank harnesses an array of mobile cooling technologies to improve your comfort. It wicks away moisture on contact and dries quickly, helping your body regulate its temperature no matter how hard you’re working. And OdorsheerⓇ technology offers enhanced protection against unwanted odors.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this tank top is enhanced with UPF 50 sun protection. Choose from four different colors and five standard sizes, ranging from X-Small to X-Large.

Features: 

• Fashionable sleeveless tank top design

• Delivers mobile cooling benefits

• Equipped with SunsheerⓇ UPF 50 protection

Whether you’re managing a job site or enjoying a day on the golf course, you can look good and feel good in this Men’s Cooling Polo Shirt. Made from DriComfortⓇ GEO 365 mineral-infused fabric, it’s rugged enough to withstand the elements but remains lightweight and flexible for all-day comfort. Plus, flat-lock seams prevent chafing while ventilated mesh panels at the sides and back promote air circulation. 

When it comes to keeping you cool, this sun protective shirt relies on permanent moisture-wicking, fast drying, and temperature regulating technology that’s embedded directly into the fabric fibers. It delivers UPF 50 sun protection with a little extra protection for your neck, thanks to the polo-style collar.

Ideal for both work and play, this cooling polo shirt deserves a spot in your summer wardrobe. Choose from two colors (black or blue) and seven sizes ranging from Small to 4XL.

Features: 

• Rugged but stylish design 

• Moisture-wicking fabric dries quickly

• Offers UPF 50 sun protection

If you’re looking for a solution that works as hard as you do, consider this Men’s Cooling Hi-Vis Short Sleeve Crew. It features a sporty short sleeve design with a stylish crew neck and comes in bright yellow for enhanced visibility on the job. Flat-lock seams support all-day comfort without chafing while mesh panels at the sides and back promote cooling ventilation. This shirt also delivers UPF 50 sun protection.

This cooling shirt is made from recycled polyester and spandex, infused with mineral particles to deliver powerful moisture-wicking properties. This fabric makes sweat evaporate four times faster than traditional knits, helping keep you cool, dry, and feeling fresh for hours on end. 

As an added bonus for long days on the job, this shirt utilizes OdorsheerⓇ technology to guard against odor causing bacteria and microbes. Plus, it’s easy to clean and designed to remain wrinkle-resistant through many washes.

Features: 

• High-visibility design for job safety

• Quickly wicks away moisture to keep you dry

• Equipped with SunsheerⓇ for UPF 50 protection

When sun protection is your top priority, coverage makes all the difference. Designed to deliver UPF 50 sun protection, this Men’s Cooling Long Sleeve Hoodie covers your entire upper body and includes a hood to shade your face and head. If you’re concerned about comfort, don’t worry—it’s lightweight, fast-drying, and designed with flat-lock seams to prevent chafing. 

Whether you’re working in the field or engaging in exercise, this long sleeve hoodie will keep you cool and dry. DriComfortⓇ GEO 365 mineral-infused fabric offers permanent moisture-wicking power and dries four times faster than typical fabrics. This shirt is also engineered to resist unwanted odors caused by bacteria and microbes.

If you want to enjoy cooling comfort without sacrificing sun protection, this long sleeve hoodie is worth considering. It comes in two colors (blue or black) and several sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

Features: 

• Added sun protection from sleeves and hood

• Lightweight and fast-drying for all-day comfort

• Helps resist unwanted odors 

If you’re looking for full coverage with added breathability, this Women’s Cooling ¼ Zip Long Sleeve Shirt might be the right fit. It features extra-long sleeves with thumb holes, so you’ll never have to worry about accidental exposure. And a structured collar offers added protection for your neck. 

What makes this long sleeve shirt unique is the ¼ zip design that enables you to cool off a little without compromising protective coverage. You’ll also enjoy cooling ventilation from mesh panels on the back, sides, and underarms. 

In addition to offering full coverage and UPF 50 protection, this cooling shirt is infused with Odorsheer technology to guard against unwanted odor. Sweatsheer fabric delivers enhanced moisture-wicking properties as well, to help keep you cool and dry as you enjoy the sun.

Features: 

• Extra long sleeves with thumb holes

• Moisture-wicking, fast-drying material

• ¼ zip design with high collar

For even greater coverage than the previous pick, consider this Women’s Cooling Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt. On top of extra-long sleeves and thumb holes, it features a contoured hood to help protect your head and face. Thanks to Sunsheer technology, you’ll enjoy UPF 50 protection for all your favorite outdoor activities. 

This hoodie may offer extensive coverage but it’s also designed to help keep you cool. It’s made from lightweight DriComfortⓇ GEO 365 mineral-infused fabric to deliver permanent moisture wicking and fast drying properties. This proprietary technology is embedded in the fabric itself, so it won’t wash out. 

Whether you’re layering up for cool mornings or just want to maximize your protection, this hoodie is a great option. Choose from six stylish colors and five sizes to find the one that best suits your needs.

Features: 

• Contoured hood protects your face and neck

• Moisture-wicking fabric dries quickly

• Ventilated mesh panels for added cooling benefits

We all love soaking up the sun but it’s important to be smart about it. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer. And sometimes sunscreen just isn’t enough. That’s where sun protective shirts come in, offering an added layer of protection you don’t have to reapply every two hours. 

When shopping for sun protective clothing, here are some key factors to consider: 

• Material - Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are more effective in blocking UV rays than natural materials like cotton and help, though special treatments can be added to increase the UPF of any material.

• Color - It may seem counterintuitive to wear dark colors in hot weather but darker and more saturated colors are more effective in blocking UV rays than light colors and pale hues.

• Coverage - Sun protective shirts range from sleeveless tanks to long sleeve hoodies. Choose the appropriate level of coverage for your activity and consider wearing other sun protection gear like hats or neck gaiters for added protection.

• UPF Rating - Look for a UPF rating as high as possible to optimize your level of protection. Materials rated below UPF 15 are generally not considered protective against UV rays.

• Fit - Proper fit is essential for optimizing sun protection but the clothing should still enable you to move comfortably. Avoid anything that’s too tight, as stretching can reduce the material’s ability to block UV rays.

Whatever sun protection clothing you choose, be sure to care for it properly to avoid reducing its UPF. Check the care label on the item for washing instructions and follow them as closely as possible. While fabric finishes may wash out over time, engineered materials that deliver UPF should maintain their efficacy until the fabric wears out.

Choosing the right sun protective gear doesn’t have to be a chore. With so many options to choose from, you can fill your closet with UPF clothing to accommodate all your favorite activities. Whether you’re working construction, playing sports, or simply enjoying the outdoors, keep yourself protected with UPF shirts from Fieldsheer.

Shop sun protective shirts for women and men on Fieldsheer.com.