Summertime is finally here, and with it come snow-free trails, peak bagging expeditions and, yes, the occasional raw, pink shoulders and chest from forgetting to reapply sunscreen. Luckily, sun-protective UPF clothing has come a long way in recent years, with loads of breathable, lightweight garments hitting the market touting their UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) ratings so that savvy outdoorspeople can take care of their precious skin when the unrelenting sun is beating down on them at altitude.
Let’s face it: No one wants to slather their body in greasy creams or sprays multiple times a day while slogging up the edge of a summit, sweaty from the day’s exertion, and these days, your hiking shirt can do most of the heavy lifting for you. (Just be sure to apply a solid face sunscreen before you head out — we recommend EltaMD’s UV Clear Face Sunscreen.)
I’ve trekked across more than 230 miles of rugged Sierra Nevada topography on the John Muir Trail, journeyed to Africa on a week-long safari and hiked Alaska’s legendary fjords, and I’ve got to say that, after years of testing every sun shirt I could find, Rab’s Force Hoody has always stood out from of the crowd due to its ultralight fabric, comfortable fit and helmet-compatible hood. It was recommended to me by a climber bro at a random gear shop in the tiny town of Bishop, California, and, honestly, I owe that guy a beer.
Let’s get into what makes this the first piece I grab from my closet on big summer hikes.
A sleek, next-to-skin fit pairs with sun-protective fabric and a comfortable hood to make the Rab Force Hoody one of the best sun shirts I’ve ever tested. Plus, its ultra-light weight and superior breathability put it miles ahead of the competition. We tested the women’s version, but it comes in men’s sizes as well.
What we liked about it
Unlike its predecessor, the now-discontinued Rab Pulse Hoody, it’s not quite the lightest sun shirt on the market today (that honor goes to Outdoor Research’s 3.95-ounce Echo Hoodie). That being said, this sun shirt really stands out when it comes to breathability, moisture wicking and form-fitting comfort. Plus, it’s still pretty darn light at just 5.3 ounces.
Next-to-skin feel
The Force Hoody is more fitted than many sun shirts on the market right now, making it ideal for hikers, climbers and mountaineers who prefer a non-chafing, skintight feel that won’t snag on boulders or errant branches.
Made from Rab’s bespoke, quick-drying Motiv single jersey fabric (105 grams per square meter thickness), this top is also treated with an odor-control finish to keep you feeling confident on intense multiday treks. It’s also incredibly quick-drying: I stream-washed this baby every other day on the John Muir Trail, and it was always dry by bedtime.
Lightweight sun protection
Though Rab hasn’t released UPF-specific data for the Force Hoody (the company is based in the UK, which uses different standards than the US), my years of experience toting it into the backcountry well above the tree line suggest that it can compete at a similar level to a UPF 40 or 50 shirt. After getting UV poisoning and the flulike symptoms that go along with it on my first five days trekking the John Muir Trail, Rab’s sun shirt swooped in to save the day for the remainder of the long-distance hike, as I continued to camp above 10,000 feet for an additional 15 days.
New hood design
If I’m being totally honest, I loved the lighter-weight fabric of Rab’s previous sun shirt design, the Pulse Hoody, but its pull-over hood was overly tight (I’m guessing to be climbing-helmet compatible) and pushed my bangs and hair down in all sorts of strange ways. This redesign is a welcome change in that department, with a well-fitting (but not too loose) hood that protects the sides of my cheeks from harsh solar glare.
Thumb loops
Thumb loops are one of those features you’ll often find on technical clothing that don’t make sense at first, but once you’ve experienced them, you’ll never go back. Designed to keep your sleeves where you want them, even when it’s time to pull on an extra layer, the loops help hold your shirt (and its sun-protective fabric) in place. While thru-hiking the JMT, I also noticed that scores of hikers had high-coverage, uncomfortable-looking sun gloves on while above tree line to protect their skin from getting burned. With secure thumb loops, your palms and the backs of your hands stay safe sans gloves.
What we didn’t like about it
There’s a lot we loved about this recent redesign of an old favorite, but Rab could add in a few more features to make this sun hoodie truly great.
New model is heavier
As I mentioned before, Rab’s OG Pulse Hoody was the lightest in its class, at a scant 3.6 ounces. The Force, on the other hand, weighs in at 5.3 ounces. Still light, certainly, but no longer the lightest top in stores today. With that extra weight come added sun protection and durability, of course, but a big part of me still longs for the featherlight feel of the old design.
No official UPF rating
Unlike most North American companies, UK-based Rab doesn’t use official UPF ratings on this sun hoodie. That can make it tricky to do a one-to-one comparison of this shirt against others on the market. While the company could not provide CNN with ultraviolet protection ratings when asked, I’ve personally compared this shirt against UPF-rated competitors on hundreds of miles of high-exposure trails above 10,000 feet, and I have yet to suffer an unexpected burn.
How it compares
Rab’s Force Hoody is a high-performing, trail-focused beast when compared to its competition. In a similar weight range (5.2 ounces) is industry titan Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, which feels slightly warmer and heavier against the skin and does not offer secure thumb loops. If you’re not too worried about weight, Patagonia also sells the looser-fitting but more expensive Tropic Comfort Natural UPF Hoody (5.9 ounces), designed more for water sports, which boasts an impressive UPF 40+ rating.
If you’re interested in oodles of fun colors, a lightweight profile and a limited lifetime warranty on craftsmanship, Mountain Hardwear’s Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoody might fit the bill (5.6 ounces for a size medium), and this year, the brand released a smattering of funky prints to stoke your adventurous side.
For budget-minded shoppers, REI Co-op’s Sahara Shade Hoodie is a fan favorite, having been 5-star reviewed by hundreds of loyal shoppers. It boasts a top-of-the-line UPF 50+ rating, an antimicrobial odor-controlling treatment, thumbholes and Bluesign-approved fabrics. The only catch? It’s noticeably heavier at 7 ounces.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a flattering, form-fitting sun shirt with excellent breathability and quick-drying capabilities, look no further than Rab’s Force Hoody.
Sure, unlike its beloved predecessor, the Pulse Hoodie, it’s not the lightest on the market right now, but Rab’s superior performance fabric and well-designed hood combine to make this piece of sun-protective gear ideal for serious hikers, mountaineers and rock climbers, whether they’re training on a mellow day hike or sending their next big project.
