If you’re spending time on the water, a good UV hoodie is as essential as your life jacket. It keeps the sun off your neck, arms, and ears without having to lather up every inch of your body in sunscreen – and it’s breathable enough to wear all day, even in the tropics.
Sure, you could drop $80 on a shirt from Patagonia or North Face – and they make great stuff – but you really don’t have to. I’ve found a bunch of budget-friendly UV hoodies that perform just as well for a fraction of the price, just by knowing where to look.
Here’s what I wear, when, and why.
Why UV Hoodies Belong in Every Sailor’s Duffle
- All-day sun protection without constant reapplication of sunscreen
- Lightweight, quick-dry fabrics that don’t get clammy or heavy when wet (on purpose or by accident)
- Built-in hood shades ears and neck (especially when paired with a baseball hat)
- Versatile use on and off the water—great for hiking, paddleboarding, and neighborhood walks
- Doubles as a base layer under a puffer jacket on bright but breezy days
What I look for
- Material: Look for a polyester/spandex blend. Shoot for around 90% polyester and 10% spandex. 100% polyester is ok too, but I found those shirts to be a little heavier and less breathable.
- Brands: I have great luck with 32 Degrees, Eddie Bauer (they often pop up for cheap at Costco), Habit (similarly stocked at Sam’s Club), Old Navy, Xersion from JC Penney, and Speedo.
- Features:
- Hoodie drawstrings are nice when the wind picks up. Without them, I find myself having to constantly pull the hood back on after it blows off.
- A kangaroo pouch pocket is nice if you want to give your hands a break from the sun. Otherwise, I don’t find much use for them, and they make the shirt look a bit more baggy around the mid-section.
- Thumb holes also allow you to keep the sleeves pulled over your hands a bit for a little extra sun protection. A nice option, but not a dealbreaker.
- Zip closure. Great if you really want to take your shirt of fast, but not really necessary.
- SPF Rating: Pay no attention to this. It has become trendy lately for clothing suppliers to advertise an SPF rating for their shirts, but I’ve never had any problem getting sunburn under my clothes. I’m sure there are dermatologists out there that will correct me, but as far as I’m concerned, all clothing is SPF-infinity.
- Search terms: Performance, Light Weight, SPF, UPF, UV, Hoodie
32 Degrees Cool Long Sleeve Hooded Tee
Just watch your favorite shopping sites for a sale and you should be able to find some great options under $20. Here are the ones I have on steady rotation in my sailing wardrobe.
| Shirt | Fit | Blend | Drawstring | Price Paid | |
| Speedo UV Swim Shirt Hooded Rashguard | Slim | 88/12 | Y | N | $18 |
| Eddie Bauer Performance Hoodie | Reg | 100/0 | N | N | $15 |
| 32 Degrees Cool Long Sleeve Hooded Tee | Reg | 90/10 | Y | Y | $12 |
| Old Navy CloudMotion Pullover Hoodie | Reg | 90/10 | N | N | $15 |
| Xersion Long Sleeve Hoodie | Reg | 100/0 | Y | N | $17 |
| Habit Hooded Performance Shirt | Reg | 95/5 | N | N | $17 |
Captain’s Word
If you’re putting together a sailing kit, this is one of the easiest wins. Buy 2–3 of these UV hoodies, stash them in your go-bag, and you’ll stay cooler, safer, and less sticky than the guy who forgot and is reapplying greasy sunscreen every 45 minutes.
And the best part? You don’t need to shell out $80+ for gear that’s going to get sun-bleached and salt-crusted anyway.
