Why I Started Wearing Sun Shirts Out West | Patagonia Capilene Review
I didn't understand why people wore long sleeves in the desert. Then I started spending more time in Utah and Colorado.
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele and Patagonia
I didn’t own a sun shirt until I started spending more time out West. Then I started noticing them everywhere. Not just in Utah, but across Colorado, Arizona, Moab trailheads, desert hikes, mountain towns, and coffee shops. People stood in full sun, wearing lightweight long-sleeved hoodies in the heat.
At first, it looked completely backward to me. Long sleeves in the desert sounded miserable. But after hiking more in Utah and spending long days exposed to the sun with almost no shade, I finally understood why so many people wear them.
I ended up buying the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, and now I own a few in different colors because I wear them that often.
What Is a Sun Shirt?
A sun shirt is a lightweight long-sleeve shirt designed to protect you from the sun without feeling heavy or hot.
They’re made with built-in UPF sun protection, breathable fabric, and often a hood for extra coverage around your neck and ears.
The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody I wear is lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and has a deep hood for additional sun coverage. Patagonia does not currently list a UPF rating for the Cool Daily Hoody. If you're specifically looking for UPF-rated protection, Patagonia now makes the Capilene Cool Sun Hoody, which is rated UPF 40+.
Before spending time out West, I honestly didn’t even know this category of clothing existed. Or maybe I did, but never paid attention to it until I started seeing so many people wearing sun shirts out West. Now I understand why so many hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and guides wear them every day.
Pro tip: UPF is the clothing equivalent of SPF for sunscreen. It measures how much UV radiation the fabric blocks before it reaches your skin.
Why the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody Became My Go-To Sun Shirt
After seeing sun shirts everywhere out West, I started looking into which ones people actually wore most. The one I kept coming across was the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody. I met so many people who rave about Patagonia in general. Mostly on how the product holds up and lasts forever.
I liked that it didn’t look overly technical, unlike some outdoor gear. It felt simple enough to wear on a hike, around camp, or walking through town without looking like I was dressed for an expedition.
The fit also worked better for me than some of the other sun shirts I looked at. Lightweight without feeling paper-thin, relaxed without being oversized, and breathable enough that I never felt overheated wearing it in the desert.
After wearing it on hikes in Utah and mountain biking on slickrock trails, I quickly understood why people own multiple colors. I now own three in Smolder Blue, Light Violet, and Nouveau Green.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody Specs
Here are the details that matter most to me about the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody:
Lightweight stretch fabric
Moisture-wicking finish
Quick-drying
HeiQ® Mint odor control
Deep hood for additional sun coverage
Minimal seams to help reduce chafing
Regular fit
Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory
Women's version weighs 5.2 oz
Final Thoughts
The sun out West, especially in the desert, is legit. Spending time in places like Utah gave me a completely different perspective on sun exposure and why so many people wear sun shirts.
One thing I wish I had done when I was younger is not to bake in the sun as much as I did. Today, there are many more options to help protect us from too much sun while still staying comfortable outside all day.
That’s what made the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody stand out to me. It doesn’t feel overly technical or like gear you only wear on hardcore adventures. It’s an easy shirt to throw on when you're outside.
Whether I’m hiking, mountain biking, walking around town, or just spending time outside, it’s become one of those pieces I reach for when I know I'm going to be in the sun for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody have a UPF rating? Patagonia does not currently list a UPF rating for the Capilene Cool Daily Hoody. Patagonia's Capilene Cool Sun Hoody is the UPF-rated option and provides UPF 40+ sun protection.
Is the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody good for hot weather? It has been for me. I've worn mine hiking in Utah and mountain biking on exposed slickrock, and the lightweight fabric doesn't feel like a traditional long-sleeve shirt.
Why do people wear sun hoodies in hot weather? Lightweight sun hoodies give you more physical coverage while still using breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics. I didn't understand the appeal until I started spending more time outside in the intense sun of Utah and Colorado.
What do I use the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody for? I wear mine hiking, mountain biking, around camp, and casually. That's one reason I like it—it doesn't look so technical that I only want to wear it on the trail.
How many Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodies do I own? I own three in Smolder Blue, Light Violet, and Nouveau Green. I bought more after realizing how often I was wearing the first one.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares the gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to desert rides in the West. She values quality and craftsmanship and believes in buying less, but buying better. The gear she recommends is gear she uses herself.Some links on Overland Girl may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Michele may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.