Long Sleeve Performance Tops

Featured review by G00se

Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoodie is an ideal alternative to the grease and chemicals of sunscreen. Weighing in at 4 ounces, the Echo Hoodie provides SPF15 sun protection, with material that wicks sweat and keeps you comfortable when the sun is beating down on you. This hoodie and a ball cap completely negated my need to carry sunscreen (and bug spray) over the summer.

The Echo Hoodie became my go-to shirt for all outdoor activities this summer. I hiked in it—a lot. I ran in it. I rappelled into a cave in it. I mowed my yard and took a follow up nap on my deck in it. I even wore it on a winery tour for style and sun protection.  Balk Knob, Shawnee National Forest Rock Island State Park, Tennessee Cumberland Mountains, eastern Tennessee Initial Impressions Right out of the package, I was surprised by how light and thin the hoodie was. The shirt packed down to the size of a softball in my hand and only weighed 4 ounces.  The fit was just right.

Read more: Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie reviews (2)

Reviewed by Mary Beth Skylis

The Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie is a terrific outdoor companion to anyone who values high-quality activewear made from natural fibers. The midweight, wool hoodie is great at moderating temperatures and resisting odors, while providing you with an eye-catching, cozy mid-layer. It's also a versatile piece for year-round performance—as a nighttime layer around a summer campfire, as a hiking layer in cool temps, or as part of a system of winter layers.

Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie If I could make every garment I own out of wool, I probably would. I love the material for its sustainability, efficiency, and general comfort. And the Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie is perfectly demonstrative of these points. Available in men's and women's sizes, the hoodie is made from 230 gsm, midweight merino wool, which is an environmentally, biodegradable fiber (although some dyes prevent previously biodegradable fibers from degrading). Plus, it’s one of the coziest garments that I own.

Read more: Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The OR Astroman Sun Hoodie is an extremely lightweight, long sleeve, hooded shirt designed primarily as a sun layer for climbers. However, I believe this shirt has uses far beyond that—biking, exposed peaks, glacial travel, on the water/ paddling, travelling, and as a wind layer. The shirt boasts a UPF rating of 50+, full coverage hood, packs tiny, and weighs in at 6 ounces (no reason to leave it at home!). The thin fabric requires a little extra care around rough rocks, thorns, etc to ensure it lasts.

 *This review is for the Astroman Sun Hoodie (available in men's and women's), however Outdoor Research also makes an Astroman S/S Sun Shirt and an Astroman L/S Sun Shirt, both in men's and women's.*   As you can see the fit is quite boxy, not much tailoring, great for airflow.  FIT/ COMFORT The fit of the Astroman Sun Hoodie definitely airs (pun intended) on the boxy side. There is plenty of room underneath for air movement to keep the user cool. I've worn the hoodie both directly against the skin (it's uber soft) and with a thin merino tee, with a high level of comfort in both.

Read more: Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The Montane Dart Zip-Neck is a long-sleeved synthetic shirt that is an ideal year-round base layer (a short-sleeved tee is also available). It wicks moisture away from the body very quickly, is exceptionally tailored, and protects the skin with a high UPF factor. If you’re looking to start your cold weather kit from skin out, I’d highly recommend it.

Long-sleeve Dart Zip Neck on the left, short-sleeve Dart T-Shirt, also reviewed, on the right FIT AND COMFORT The Dart fits exactly as I would design an active base layer to fit. Slim, without being restrictive, and with a little extra length in the hem. I am 6 foot, 170 lbs and the size large fits perfectly. This is one of the main selling points to me, compared to a cheaper competitor's synthetic shirt. There is no extra baggy fabric around the stomach/chest/arms to bunch up and the extra length keeps it tucked in under a waist belt or harness.

Read more: Montane Dart Zip-Neck review (1)

Reviewed by Lori Saldana

Smart design, adjusts to changing temps: Hood up for cold mornings, down as the sun rises and activity level increases. Breathable wool is naturally odor-resistant, can be used longer between washings if traveling . Durable, functional, stylish and well-made. Recommended for active/exercise wear, travel, and layering.

Found the original design of this jacket at an excellent price several years ago, on sale at a local outdoor specialty retailer. I bought it primarily with travel in mind. I also liked the technical aspects of the jacket that make it functional over a range of conditions and activities. (FYI—the new design—the "Quantum II"—has changed a bit.) It's heavier than what I usually wear at home. IceBreaker considers it a medium weight (260) technical jacket, that can be used under a heavier outer layer for "alpine" activities in cold weather.

Read more: Icebreaker Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hood review (1)

Reviewed by Jon Reinschreiber

A comfortable, technical hoody that keeps you cool and blocks biting bugs and the sun.

I purchased my first Simms Bugstopper Hoody, last spring. Although I bought it specifically for fly fishing, the Bugstopper quickly became my go-to choice for sun and insect protection for all of my outdoor activities. The Bugstopper is a technological marvel of clothing. The polyester fabric is treated with several of the latest in high tech fabric treatments. These include; Insectshield, a process that binds the organic repellant permethrin tightly to the fabric. It is very effective in repelling almost all biting insects and Simms guarantees the treatment to last the lifetime of the garment.

Read more: Simms BugStopper Hoody review (1)

Reviewed by Matt

This shirt is a super soft, warm, stretchy quarter-zip layer that's perfect for wear around the house or in camp on a cool fall day. I wear mine when I'm working remotely or to and from adventures, but for big days in the mountains or on the trail, I reach for something else.

This is a good representation of the color...The other photos are a little washed out The Baritone quarter-zip is a heavy-weight baselayer or a lightweight mid-layer designed to be stretchy and soft for ease of movement and comfort. The men's and women's versions of the shirts are refered to as the Baritone and the Melody, respectively, if you're looking for the same product for your wife/girlfriend. OR's website describes it as "perfect for cold weather activities that demand warmth, stretch, movement, and moisture management", and I've found this statement to be generally true aside from the "moisture management" part.

Read more: Outdoor Research Baritone Quarter Zip review (1)

Reviewed by Daniel Oates

A midweight, quarter zip long-sleeve shirt, the Bedrock is a durable option for any cooler time of the year. It’s a tight fit for slimmer bodies, but is fleece lined and breathes well due to side stretch panels and ability to unzip collar. The fleece holds sweat, but the TiFusion (titanium infused) fabric wicks and fights odor really well. I’d recommend for any non-summer (at least non-humid) season for any activity where durability and constant use is a factor.

There are a lot of similarities between Vargo’s short-sleeve, lightweight Slag Short-Sleeve (review here) and this quarter zip long-sleeve Bedrock. Like the Slag, the Bedrock is durable on the outside, comfortable on the inside and breathes well from its mesh side panels. The Bedrock is best suited for fall, winter, or spring seasons, though it shouldn’t be worn as the sole insulating layer in winter. Vargo claims this to be a three-season shirt, but I found it too hot to wear for a time other than morning or at night during the summer.

Read more: Vargo Bedrock 1/4 Zip review (1)

Featured review by Joseph Renow

A lightweight layering piece with a versatile and expansive temperature range...easily one of my favorite pieces of clothing...and a reliable companion on my many adventures.

Ibex Hooded Indie In my closet things are basically settled and calm in the base-layer and shell regions...in these areas of my closet everyone knows their place...Pax Romana...and I hardly give a second thought to what piece is going with me when the time comes to pack and go. The mid-layer region however is much less settled...it is where the action is...it does not take a lot to make the team (I easily have more layering pieces than any other)...but the starting line-up is a competitive free-for-all...a crucible of fire where articles of clothing are laid-waste to and never heard from again.

Read more: Ibex Indie Hoodie reviews (4)

Featured review by _Christine

If you're tired of stiff performance shirts, this shirt is a great soft and lightweight option. The bamboo polyester blend feels more like a cotton shirt than other performance tops I've found. It is so comfortable that I also wear this shirt around the house and to bed (in addition to hiking, biking, and backpacking). I don't do that with other performance tops.

I've had two of these shirts for over three years and I love them. They have no bells or whistles (outside of UV protection). They are just straightforward, comfortable active tops.  I opted for the men's version rather than the women's because 1) I didn't want an overly fitted top and 2) I didn't want the extended length in the sleeves or the thumbholes (also the men's version was on sale).  Water Resistance/Breathability/Moisture: Not water resistant at all!! But it is very breathable, dries really fast, and wicks moisture.

Read more: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Long Sleeve reviews (2)