The 10 Best Men's Sun Shirts
This wiki has been updated 39 times since it was first published in April of 2015. You can look stylish and keep your cool when wearing one of these fashionable and functional men's sun shirts. Using a combination of innovative design and advanced fabric technology, they are specially made to protect you from harmful UV rays and wick away moisture while remaining breathable. They are ideal for golfing, hiking, fishing, swimming, or simply strolling around town on a summer's day. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Vapor Apparel Performance
2. O'Neill Basic
3. Columbia Bahama II
Editor's Notes
June 07, 2020:
Whether you tend to often forget your sunscreen, or simply don't like to wear the stuff, you can still ensure your skin stays protected from harsh UV rays with one of the sun shirts on this list. In addition to identifying high-quality options that will generally last through a lot of use, it was also important to us to find a variety of different styles, so we could be sure there would be one to fit every need.
Those who are in search of a rash guard for surfing will want to look to the O'Neill Basic, since it fits nice and close to the body. Of course, we realize that some people may find a very tight fit to be uncomfortable. If this describes you, consider the Vapor Apparel Performance. Though it isn't as tight as the O'Neill, it isn't so loose that it will move around too much, so it is still effective at reducing the chances of chafing.
When it comes to fisherman, a few definitely stand out as being smart choices. The Columbia Bahama II is equipped with a rod holder on the front, which can make tying on your hooks and lures much less of a hassle. It, along with the Columbia Tamiami, also boasts a number of pockets to hold valuables and other items, and they are equipped with mesh-lined vents to let in a bit of the breeze. Another great thing about these two options is that they are casual and stylish enough to wear to the tiki bar for some drinks after you get back to shore. We also like the Koofin Gear Fishing Hoodie for anglers. It has an integrated hood that can keep the sun off your ears and the back of your neck, so you may not need to go out and spend extra money on a fishing hat.
The Columbia Silver Ridge is a good all-purpose shirt for hiking, wandering around town, or anything else you may need to do outdoors when you prefer not to look like you are wearing something better suited to the beach. Conveniently, it has button tabs for those times you want to roll up the sleeves and keep them secure.
For golfers, the Coolibar Men's Agility Performance Polo is a no brainer. With the standard look of a traditional polo, it will meet the dress code at most country clubs, but it will keep you significantly cooler, drier, and more protected than the standard ones.
The Vapor Apparel Performance, O'Neill Basic, Amazon Essentials Short-Sleeve, Baleaf Outdoor, and Hanes Cool Dri are all crafted from quick-drying materials that make them suitable to wear while swimming.
Special Honors
Patagonia Capilene Sketched Fitz Roy Tarpon This offering from Patagonia has the look of a normal shirt you could wear around town, but offers the benefits of a sweat-wicking construction, a UPF 50+ rating, and odor-controlling technology. It is made from recycled polyester fabric and fair trade certified. patagonia.com
Costa Del Mar Hooded Technical As the name implies, the Costa Del Mar Hooded Technical features a hood to keep your head, ears, and back of the neck protected. It is made from a 4.1-ounce, 100-percent microfiber polyester that is just enough to block those UV rays, while still being lightweight enough to remain breathable. costadelmar.com
4. Coolibar Men's Agility Performance Polo
5. Columbia Tamiami
6. Columbia Silver Ridge
7. Amazon Essentials Short-Sleeve
8. Baleaf Outdoor
9. Koofin Gear Fishing Hoodie
10. Hanes Cool Dri
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.