Hiking is an activity that requires proper gear and clothing to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.
When it comes to hot weather, choosing the right clothing becomes even more crucial.
However, not all long sleeve shirts are created equal and finding the best one for hot weather in 2023 can be a daunting task.
Well, it turns out that using a long sleeve shirt or the right hiking button down shirt can drastically reduce the effects of hot weather on your body when hiking, seeing that it provides more coverage coupled with its Sun Protection Factor plus other factors.
In today’s post, I will show you the best long sleeve cool shirts for summer that can help you achieve this with these factors and recommend some of the best options available in 2023
Long Sleeve Shirts for Men
- Columbia Tamiami Long Sleeve (best collar t-shirt)
- Amazon Essentials Men’s Tech Stretch Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (best Stretch shirt)
- Baleafs Men Shirt Long Sleeve (best round-neck t-shirt)
- Columbia Silver Ridge Long Sleeve
- ExOfficio Men’s Long Sleeve
- Denali Performance Long Sleeve
- Naviskin Outdoor Long Sleeve T-Shirt
- Hanes Adult T-Shirt (highly recommended)
Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts for Women
- Columbia Women’s PFG Tamiami II (highly recommended)
- Baleaf Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt
- Jesse Kidden Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt
- Willit Women’s Hoodie Long Sleeve Shirt
- Columbia Women’s Silver Ridge Lite Shirt
- Mabove Women’s Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt
Top 7 Men’s Long-Sleeve Hiking Shirts for Hot Weather
Columbia
Columbia Men’s PFG Tamiami II
This particular shirt is custom-made with Omni-Shade. The Omni-Shade is a Sun deflector that uses the body’s natural cooling process to evaporate the sweat around instead of the normal cooling fabrics.
It has a UPF of 40 which means that one-fortieth of the sun’s UV rays reach the skin which also means that the radiation passing through the fabric is very low.
In addition to the Omni-Shade, it also has Omni-Wick that makes the fabric (polyester) quick to dry, extremely lightweight, and keeps your skin cool.
The fabric has antimicrobial treatment and it’s a roll-up sleeve.
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PROS
- UPF 40 sun protection
- Quick drying with antimicrobial properties
- Good breathability
- It can be worn on and off trail
CONS
- Brightly colored therefore stains can be seen easily.
- Be cautious of size misinformation
Columbia
Columbia Silver Ridge Long Sleeve
This shirt is made of polyester fabric. It also features wicking technology which enables moisture to be taken away from the body which leads to the quick evaporation of sweat.
As with the others, the collar can be lifted for extra UV protection. The UPF is 40/50.
It also features antimicrobial treatment.
PROS
- Dries out quickly
- Ultra-light
- Very good breathability
CONS
- Not durable
- A bit pricey
ExOfficio
ExOfficio Men’s Long Sleeve
Its fabric material is made mostly of nylon (it’s an important cause of its elasticity, resistance to mildew, strength, etc.) and polyester.
Its Sun Protection Factor remains intact up to about 40 washings i.e UPF 30.
This shirt is highly loose fitting thereby making it very comfortable.
Just like the Columbia Silver Ridge, it features a Sun collar for extra UV protection.
PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Absolutely comfortable.
- Dries fast and keeps cool
CONS
- It’s see-through
- Quality issue
Hanes
Hanes Men’s Long Sleeve Cool Dri hiking shirts for hot weather
It features UPF 50+ which means that one-fiftieth of the sun’s UV rays reach the skin. This also means that at least 97.5 – 98+ percent of Ultraviolet radiation is blocked every time the shirt is exposed to the sun.
The fabric is 100 percent polyester which as you already know is very good for hiking in hot weather.
PROS
- Dries very fast
- Accurate size measurement
- Low priced
CONS
- Made of very thin material
Denali
Denali Performance Long Sleeve
It features a UPF of 50+. I guess you already know what this means.
Plus every other thing we’ve been talking about since; moisture management system, antimicrobial properties, stain release technology.
Another thing noteworthy is its Melanoma International Foundation seal of approval.
The Melanoma International Foundation is an organization that promotes melanoma (malignant skin cancer) treatment.
Therefore, every product which has its seals must have undergone rigorous testing at an independent laboratory and is proven to be effective in preventing sun damage to the skin.
PROS
- Very durable
- Comfortable
- Highest UV protection
CONS
- Fashion is boring
- It doesn’t fit as wanted
Amazon
Amazon Essentials Men’s Tech Stretch Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
Well, it’s more of a jacket than a shirt. As with other jackets for summer, it has both membrane, backing, and face fabric.
The membrane is made of 95 percent polyester which means it is breathable and lightweight.
Although it does not have an official UPF rating, it still protects against UV rays. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), clothes without an official UPF rating usually have a UPF of 30+.
Other than this, fabric wetness (wetness reduces UPF rating), wear (worn fabric is less effective) and stretch also reduce UPF rating.
But this jacket is water resistant, it’s not worn out, and do not stretch.
PROS
- Dries out quickly
- Very cheap
- Lightweight
- Very good breathability
CONS
- No UPF rating
This shirt has all the qualities you are looking for. UPF of 50+ which means it is capable of shielding you from ultraviolet rays.
It’s made of 100 per cent polyester with a great quality build which makes it very breathable and quick drying
PROS
- Dries very fast
- Accurate size measurement
- Low priced
CONS
- Made of very thin material
Naviskin
This shirt has all the qualities you are looking for. UPF of 50+ which means it is capable of shield you from ultra-violet rays.
It’s made of 100 percent polyester with great quality build which makes it very breathable and quick drying.
The fabric is smooth with a good feeling when it touches the skin.
PROS
- Dries very quickly
- Extremely lightweight
- Low priced
CONS
- Inconsistent sizes
- Neck fit problem
Top 5 Women’s Long-Sleeve Hiking Shirts for Hot Weather
Columbia
Columbia Women’s PFG Tamiami II
Without further ado, let me quickly outline the huge benefits of this long sleeve hiking shirt for hot weather.
The material is made of 90% polyester and 10% spandex. Polyester makes it easy for the shirt to wick appropriately while the spandex allows it to stretch.
One thing that is obvious about this shirt is that it is bright color and it feels great to wear.
It has a UPF of 40+
PROS
- It’s comfortable to wear
- The price chart is consistent with what you see
CONS
- Overheats at times
Baleaf
Baleaf Women Long Sleeve Shirt
I’ll quickly list the many advantages of this long sleeve hiking shirt for hot weather now. I’ll quickly list the many advantages of this long sleeve hiking shirt for hot weather now.
90% polyester and 10% spandex are used to create the textile. With the help of polyester and spandex, the shirt can wick moisture effectively.
The vivid color and comfortable fit of this shirt are two things that immediately stand out about it.
It has a UPF of 40+
PROS
- It’s comfortable to wear
- The price chart is consistent with what you see
CONS
- Overheats at times
Jessie Kidden
Jessie Kidden Women Long Sleeve Shirt
The qualities of this shirt are innumerable.
This shirt has a UPF rating of 50+ and I can bet you know what that means already. Now, what’s so fascinating about the UPF of this shirt is that it has an SPF-added technology called Omni-Shade.
This shirt has a mesh lining which ultimately allows for good breathability or/and wicking.
Other features of this shirt are a sunglasses hanger, button-down closure, and the ability to roll the long sleeve up to make it short.
PROS
- Keeps you cool and dry
- Perfectly sized
CONS
- The length can be very long
Mabove
Mabove Hoodie Women Long Sleeve Shirt
This shirt has a UPF of 50+. which means it is designed to repel ultraviolet rays effectively as you hit the trail during hot weather conditions.
It features a hoodie design that makes it provides an extra layer of protection during use. The hoodie is also fitted with SPF technology.
The fabric is made of 100% polyester which ultimately makes it the ideal shirt for you.
PROS
- Dries very fast
- Its wicking technology does not allow overheating.
- Guaranteed to prevent sunburn.
- Very Cheap
CONS
- The size chart is sometimes not accurate.
Columbia
Women Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve Shirt
The material is made of 100% polyester.
Wicking polyesters for hiking are woven differently. This is why it is used for hot weather hiking instead of cotton. This also makes them highly breathable and extremely comfortable.
It has a button-up style.
PROS
- Makes you comfortable in full sun.
- Lightweight
- Fits as expected
- Cheap
CONS
- Size chart might be a problem sometimes
Willit
The material is made of 100% polyester with a UPF of 50+. It’s very comfortable, easy to use, and soft.
The hoodie provides an extra layer of protection.
PROS
- Makes you comfortable in full sun.
- Lightweight
CONS
- tight fitting
The Importance of Having a Long-Sleeve Hiking Shirt
Let’s start with the most obvious.
- Reduces excessive sweating which could lead to fainting.
- For better protection from sun rays.
- Protection from blowing sand and thorny bushes.
- Protection from scratch when going over boulders.
- Protection from insect bites.
- It can easily be turned into a short sleeve when rolled up.
- You can easily pair up a long sleeve shirt with shorts, trousers or jeans, etc.
What to Look for When Choosing a Long-Sleeve Hiking Shirt for Hot Weather
When looking for a nice long sleeve for hiking in hot weather, you must carefully look out for certain criteria first.
The shirts you choose must satisfy these conditions so you would know you have your money’s worth.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor
First and foremost, the UPF. This is the bane of everything. There’s no other reason to look for long sleeves for hot weather if not this.
The ultraviolet protection factor in itself is not what protects you from the rays of the sun but it’s the number that determines the ratio of sunburn caused by UV rays.
The UPF rating goes up from 15 to 50+ which denotes that the UV radiation blocked also goes higher from 93.3 to 98+
In a test done by Consumer reports, they said that protective fabrics typically have a UPF rating of 30.
Therefore, this is the number or higher you should look out for. That is why we have recommended the best UPF shirts for hot weather in this article.
Material
Anything hot weather including this one should be made from materials that allow breath-ability (the ability to allow moisture vapor to be drawn away from your body through the material). It should be lightweight.
The material should be flexible enough that it doesn’t restrict your movement. This means the material must also be stretchable so it can adjust as you move with it.
One such material that can do this is high-tech polyester. Avoid cotton!
The other thing to look out for is if the material has antimicrobial properties.
Antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.
Without it, the shirt will be contaminated leading to odor when in use.
The durability of the shirt will also be compromised.
Style
It’s already established that you need a long sleeve.
In addition to this, the long sleeve provides more coverage and adds an extra layer of protection for your arms when the rays of the sun hit you. This is called Sun protective measure.
The only constraint here is if you want a long sleeve that’s a T-shirt (neck-saving collar) or a button front along with pockets.
Cooling Features
This is already contained in the material section when we talked about breathability etc.
Nevertheless, there is certain technology put in place for hot-weather clothing called Cooling-compound technology.
In 2012 the first cooling shirt that lowers body temperature was made. As perspiration evaporates, it draws heat away from the body, then wicking fabrics facilitate this process by distributing sweat evenly over the fabric so that it dries more quickly.
Conclusion
The importance of wearing long sleeves when hiking in hot weather conditions cannot be overemphasized.
It’s paramount that you keep yourself calm and comfortable.
The ball is now in your court. Make your decision from the list of long sleeve shirts we’ve highlighted for you.
FAQ
Can I get heat stroke from wearing these long sleeve shirts while hiking during the hot weather?
No. wearing these long sleeve shirts while hiking during the hot weather can not give you heat stroke.
Heatstrokes are characterized by a rise in body temperature to about 106°F and higher within a short period of time.
When affected by heat stroke, your body no longer controls its temperature, the sweat mechanism of the body fails, and there’s an increasing rise in the body’s temperature.
This condition could be aggravated by wearing garments made of non-engineered synthetic materials. These materials cannot breathe well enough and will trap heat and make you feel hot.
These recommended long-sleeve shirts for hiking are made up of lightweight hydrophilic materials that are highly air-permeable and keep the wearer cool and dry.
How do you wear long sleeves while hiking without sweating?
We agree that sweating can be a huge discomfort, more so sweating while on a hike.
It is indeed possible to control sweating while wearing long sleeve shirts during a hike in hot weather. To achieve this, ensure you wear the recommended materials as they are air-permeable materials that will keep you dry and feeling cool.
These materials are hydrophilic and absorb water from your skin to keep you dry.
Should you wear long sleeves in the sun?
Contrary to the popular thought that less clothing is needed during the hot season when hiking during the hot season you definitely do not want to wear less clothing.
Long sleeves while hiking during the hot weather is good because they protect your skin from the UV rays you are exposed to under the sun. In addition, wearing long sleeve shirts while hiking will protect your skin from insects and thorny weeds.
In order to prevent heat and sweating when wearing long sleeve shirts while hiking during hot weather, refer to the answer provided in the previous question.
What is the best long sleeve shirt for hot weather?
If you are looking for a way to avoid discomfort while hiking in your favorite countryside, you should know this.
The best long sleeve shirt for hot weather is one that is made with materials of the following characteristics:
- The long sleeve shirt must be made with material that is breathable
- The long sleeve shirt must be made with material that is lightweight
- Most importantly, it must be made with material that has a UPF rating of 30 and above.
Are hot weather button up shirts good for hiking?
DEFINITELY! Get yourself a cool hot weather button up shirt when next you’re out shopping for long sleeve shirts for hiking in hot weather.
Make sure they meet up with the criteria for a good long sleeve hiking shirt. Refer to the answer provided in the previous question to know these criteria.