What's the deal with sun hoodies?

After never hearing about them for my entire life, just about every person seems to have one.  What gives?  Is it just a fad, or do they provide some sort of benefit that a collared shirt and/or bandana does not?

They're comfy, protect you from the sun and mean you don't have to slather on sunscreen - what's not to like? 

I can’t imagine a more practical baselayer for all the reasons the inverse of my name above mentioned. 

Great for when your heart rate is slow in the Sun, ie: rock climbing. Imo, Bad for when your heart rate is high (running).

If you’re a climber, get one. They’re awesome. 

Casey J wrote:

They're comfy, protect you from the sun and mean you don't have to slather on sunscreen - what's not to like? 

While they do provide good protection when wearing the hood one's head can get a hot as a mild breeze is blocked. Also while one's face may be shaded yer still getting plenty of reflective sun.

And harnesses! They’re sposed to protect you, but they only work if you’re tied into a rope. Like what if your bouldering.  Plus you still have to wear a helmet. 

They’re great for alpine environments where wind is also a concern, and they work well with a helmet and trucker cap, or just as a basic lightweight baselayer. For desert stuff, at least if I’m not wearing a helmet, I appreciate the extra ventilation of a caped hat.

Literally one of the best inventions of all time for comfort and sun protection. It’s hard to imagine wearing a t shirt or long sleeve again.

I have a couple and wear them but they really are not any better than a long sleeve collared shirt with a hat; worse in fact because they are very hot with the hood up especially when it is very hot.

EDIT:  My hat is my helmet which has a dabrim on it which is much cooler than an hat.  I wear my helmet the entire time I am out including the hikes to and from the climb.

Ball caps are practically useless for protecting yourself from the sun, you need a hat with a full brim.

El Duderino wrote:

After never hearing about them for my entire life, just about every person seems to have one.  What gives?  Is it just a fad, or do they provide some sort of benefit that a collared shirt and/or bandana does not?

I really like my Cotopaxi because it has some kind of silver particles embedded in the fabric so I hardly ever have to wash it. It's also spf 50 and really thin so I can wear it on super hot days and avoid having to put on as much sunscreen. 

I was skeptical but at the suggestion of a friend tried one (from Black Diamond) on a spring trip to the Everglades with my family. It was nice not to have to put on much sunscreen (face only, basically). Putting the hood up in direct sun was noticeably cooler on my neck than having it down. The BD fabric is an open knit and even slight breezes moved through it. The shape of the hood meant my neck was shaded but the fabric was not touching my skin.

I’ve since used it on hot hikes (ambient over 90F with humidity over 60%, mid-Atlantic summers). Once the shirt fabric gets wet, it feels cooler than bare skin. That can be from sweat or dumping water onto it.

I later picked up another one, on sale from Bight Gear (RIP). That fabric is more solid, more like a synthetic t-shirt. In high heat it is too stuffy and hot. I reserve that one for cooler temps. So I would say the concept is solid, but the fabric makes a big difference in how it feels. 

El Duderino wrote:

After never hearing about them for my entire life, just about every person seems to have one.  What gives?  Is it just a fad, or do they provide some sort of benefit that a collared shirt and/or bandana does not?

You must love putting lotion on the skin 

Gumby King wrote:

You must love putting lotion on the skin 

climber pat wrote:

I have a couple and wear them but they really are not any better than a long sleeve collared shirt with a hat; worse in fact because they are very hot with the hood up especially when it is very hot.

EDIT:  My hat is my helmet which has a dabrim on it which is much cooler than an hat.  I wear my helmet the entire time I am out including the hikes to and from the climb.

Ball caps are practically useless for protecting yourself from the sun, you need a hat with a full brim.

Do you not sweat? Cotton is just bonkers to wear as a top layer. They are also way cooler than cotton in my experience. 

I'm from Seattle. I had never heard of them until 5 years ago. I had always used sunscreen and a bandana under a hat. 

After getting baked on short multipitches in SoCal (in the winter) I realized why I had been seeing so many sun hoodies. I ordered one and the rest is history. Nowadays, if I use any sunscreen at all it's just a bit on my face. Love 'em.

El Duderino wrote:

After never hearing about them for my entire life, just about every person seems to have one.  What gives?  Is it just a fad, or do they provide some sort of benefit that a collared shirt and/or bandana does not?

I think they come with the Sprinter van when you get one

Casey J wrote:

Do you not sweat? Cotton is just bonkers to wear as a top layer. They are also way cooler than cotton in my experience. 

You can get long sleeve collared shirts in high tech materials.

Edit.  The lack of buttons on sun shirts is also a problem.  Buttons ventilate some.  I find the lack of air flow with sun shirts make them hotter than I like especially with the hood up. I didn't think sun shirts are bad I just don't find them to be any better than traditional shirts.  I never have worn t-shirts which have been the common wear for most people for decades.  Sun shirts are better than T-shirts especially cotton T-shirts.  Given the choice I would choose a button up collared long sleeve shirt over a sun shirt if the materials were the same. fortunately outdoor research make such shirts or at least they used too 

climber pat wrote:

You can get long sleeve collared shirts in high tech materials.

Edit.  The lack of buttons on sun shirts is also a problem.  Buttons ventilate some.  I find the lack of air flow with sun shirts make them hotter than I like especially with the hood up. I didn't think sun shirts are bad I just don't find them to be any better than traditional shirts.  I never have worn t-shirts which have been the common wear for most people for decades.  Sun shirts are better than T-shirts especially cotton T-shirts.  Given the choice I would choose a button up collared long sleeve shirt over a sun shirt if the materials were the same. fortunately outdoor research make such shirts or at least they used too 

Jolly gear makes button down sun hoodies, kinda pricey but I want one.

https://jollygear.com/products/triple-crown-button-down-long-sleeve-trail-madness

Pearl snap cotton shirts ftw when it’s hot out. Your temperature for hot may vary 

Why do desert people around the world, like the Bedouin, wear long, loose fitting layers? Because keeping the sun OFF of you keeps you cooler. A hood over your head may *feel* hotter but it’s actually keeping you cooler, kinda like the inverse of alcohol making you feel warmer even though it cools you.

Jiggs Casey wrote:

Why do desert people around the world, like the Bedouin, wear long, loose fitting layers? Because keeping the sun OFF of you keeps you cooler. A hood over your head may *feel* hotter but it’s actually keeping you cooler, kinda like the inverse of alcohol making you feel warmer even though it cools you.

A well ventilated hat with a wide brim serves the same purpose and is more comfortable and in my opinion more effective.  See the large hats of Asia.  I suspect the Bedouin are not into high intensity exercise during the heat of the day. 

When I was climbing in Peru I build a curtain for my helmet to protect my neck from the reflected sun off the snow fields and glaciers.  I was amazed at how much heat that curtain retained which was advantageous in that circumstance.