8 High-Performing Merino Sun Hoodies For Outdoor Adventure

Merino sun hoodies are trending among outdoor adventurers, and in some sense it’s easy to see why. Full-coverage sun protection is important for skin health, and merino wool is beloved by those of us who go many days without showering.

When I’m out in the wilderness for days or weeks at a time, there’s nothing I’d rather wear than merino thanks to its excellent moisture management, wide thermal range, and magical anti-stink properties.

But merino does have its drawbacks: durability, cost, and the challenge of making a truly lightweight fabric that’s comfortable in the heat. I’ll admit that when I first started seeing merino sun hoodies everywhere, I was skeptical.

Over the last two years, however, I’ve gradually come around. I value sun protection, especially as I get older, and synthetic hoodies just don’t work for me on rugged multi-week journeys where showers and laundry machines are few and far between.

By now I’ve thoroughly tested several of the best merino sun hoodies out there. I’ve bikepacked and backpacked in them for weeks and months through the western United States, Central Asia, and Northern Africa, to name a few.

I’m still on a mission to find the all-around best merino sun hoody, but I’ve found several pretty darn good ones and learned a lot about what makes this unique garment successful. This roundup includes all the hoodies I’ve personally tested plus a few still on my wishlist. I hope it helps you find the perfect merino sun hoodie for your next adventure.

Why Wear A Merino Sun Hoodie?

A sun hoodie, in general terms, is a lightweight long-sleeve shirt with a hood. Compared to a regular shirt it offers better sun protection for your arms, neck, ears, and even face, especially when combined with a hat. Since sunny weather is often hot weather, most sun hoodies aim to be light and cool while still providing meaningful coverage. Many are made from synthetic fabrics which are often lighter, cooler, and cheaper than merino.

A merino sun hoodie is, as you would expect, a sun hoodie made from lightweight merino wool or often a merino-synthetic blend. This has many benefits for outdoor adventure — odor resistance, temperature regulation, moisture management — but also some significant drawbacks. Compared to synthetic sun hoodies, here are the major pros and cons of merino sun hoodies.

Advantages of merino sun hoodies:

• Odor resistant
• Excellent breathability and moisture management
• Wide thermal comfort range
• Natural sun protection

Disadvantages of merino sun hoodies:

• More expensive
• Less durable
• Often a bit heavier and warmer

Makers of merino sun hoodies need to minimize those disadvantages in order to make a compelling product. Fortunately a number of brands are stepping up and striving to develop light, durable, and affordable garments we can all appreciate.

What to Look For

As you’re shopping for the perfect merino sun hoodie, consider these factors.

Fabric weight: Typically denoted as “GSM” or “grams per square meter,” this is a measure of fabric weight and therefore warmth. For warm weather look for lower GSM values. Heavier merino sun hoodies, though still very breathable, are best for cooler temps.

Hood shape and size: Some hoods are sized large for more face coverage or to fit over a helmet, while others are designed to be smaller and sleeker.

Thumb loops: Depending on the activities you use your sun hoodie for, you might appreciate these loops that pull the sleeves down over your wrists. They’re also very helpful when adding layers atop your hoodie.

Shape and fit: There’s loose and boxy, trim and athletic, and everything in between. Your preferred fit will depend on your body, the activities you do in your hoody, and whether you like to layer other shirts below or above it.

Color: Largely a matter of personal preference, but some hoodies come in muted colors while others are bright. Light colors are generally best for hot weather since they absorb less heat, but they also show stains more easily and can be a bit see-through when thin.

Shoulder seam placement: If you plan to wear your hoodie with a backpack, it’s important that the seams don’t chafe your shoulders. Many brands offset their shoulder seams for this reason, though non-offset seams can work fine too if they’re well-constructed.

Ethical wool sourcing: Merino wool comes from merino sheep, and no one wants to be wearing the product of an animal’s suffering. Check for details from the specific brand to see how they’re committing to cruelty-free and ethical merino wool.

More Outdoor Adventure Resources

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these:

• How to Easily Wash Clothes While Backpacking
• Thru Hiking the Arizona Trail: Essential FAQ
• Bicycle Camping: How to Get Started

Or, visit the hiking and bikepacking sections for more!