This Patagonia Shirt My Favorite for Fall Hiking

There’s no hiding the fact that I’m not a summer girl: I just can’t get behind a season that involves getting fried by the sun and attacked by mosquitos every time I go outside. Fall, however, completely has my heart. There are few things that I love more than soaking in the much-needed return of cool, crisp fall temperatures, and the second the leaves begin to change and going outside actually feels enjoyable, I start planning long walks and hikes. And every good outdoors person knows that these experiences aren’t complete without the right hiking gear. 

I’m the kind of person who does a lot of research before I buy something, which can be both paralyzing and rewarding, but when I discovered the Patagonia Long-sleeved Self-guided Sun Shirt, everything changed. 

Patagonia Long-sleeved Self-guided UPF Sun Shirt

Now, I can’t imagine getting through fall without this Patagonia shirt. With 40+ UPF sun protection — which yes, you still need in the fall, especially if you have fair skin like I do — quick-dry fabric, open venting that keeps me cool, and a lens cleaner for my sunglasses, this $99 shirt, made out of 100-percent recycled polyester, truly has it all. It’s built for versatility and comfort, and it comes in two fun colors, Thermal Blue and Echo Purple. It’s great on its own, but it’s also easy to pair with a light sweater as temperatures drop. Buy it, and surprise yourself with how quickly it becomes a fall wardrobe staple.

Patagonia Long-sleeved Self-guided UPF Hike Shirt

Another excellent Patagonia hiking shirt is this alternative, which is made out of 100-percent recycled polyester — and it’s even $10 cheaper. The Long-sleeved Self-guided UPF Hike Shirt is super similar to the Sun Shirt: it has the same UPF protection and button-down style with chest pockets. But, it has a few key differences that might appeal to some hikers like its slimmer fit, that means you might be more likely to wear it off the trail too. And unlike the Sun Shirt, it’s available in white so it’ll go with everything, or the on-sale melon color that’s only $44.

Cotopaxi Sumaco Long-sleeve Shirt

I get excited when I discover product that feels uniquely convenient to what I need it for, and the Cotopaxi Sumaco Long-sleeve Shirt is just that when it comes to hiking. It packs into its own pocket, which makes it ideal for travel, especially if you’re flying standby or only taking a small overnight bag. With built-in UPF 50+ protection and a chest pocket with a zipper — which is perfect for storing your ID, keys, or gum — the shirt is a winner that comes in four unique colorways: a green called Fatigue/Lemongrass, a magenta called Sangria/Orchard Bloom, a deep orange called Faded Brick, and a self-explanatory Cream/Oatmeal. Combined with venting and quick-dry fabric, this Cotopaxi shirt checks all the boxes for an ideal adventure shirt.

Fjallraven S/F Sun Shirt

If you want to look cool while you’re hiking, biking, or soaking in any other wonderful fall activities — and let’s face it, who doesn’t? — the Fjallraven S/F Sun Shirt is a solid pick. Coming in navy and green, this shirt is one of the more simple and straightforward options on this list: think fewer bells and whistles, but the same comfort with some added style. It was created with biking in mind and is made with a light, stretchy fabric that’s ideal during the transition from summer to fall. You can wear it solo in the early days of fall, then pair it under a sweater as it gets colder.

REI Sahara Long-sleeve Solid Shirt

Convenience, sun protection, and sweat-wicking capabilities are the trifecta that seamlessly work together to keep me happy, cool, and relaxed while I’m hiking. With UPF 50+ sun protection, a back vent with a mesh underlay, a secure pocket with a zipper, and sunglasses keeper loops, the REI Sahara Long-sleeve Solid Shirt manages to be simple while still having it all. Bonus: it comes in fun, unique colors like Astral Purple and Harvest Sage.

Athleta Midday Relaxed Shirt

The Athleta Midday Relaxed Shirt is ideal for the person (me) who wants to squeeze in a walk or hike when it’s absolutely gorgeous outside — but you still have to work. It’s a great layer to grab and pull over a tank top if you’re going on a hike, but it’s also wonderful on its own, and it’s a natural staple for work, whether you’re hopping on Zoom or heading into the office. You could even get away with wearing it to dinner with friends. The shirt, which is available in white, navy, and olive green, dries quickly and has a stretchy wrinkle-free material that makes it easy to pack and super comfortable. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Get it in every color.

Columbia Summit Valley Woven Long Sleeve Shirt

The Columbia Summit Valley Woven Long Sleeve Shirt was created with dedicated hikers in mind. Similar to the Patagonia Sun Shirt, it comes with a built-in, conveniently-located sunglasses cleaning patch at the bottom right corner of the front of the shirt. It also has broad spectrum UPF 50 sun protection, and it’s made with a moisture-wicking fabric and vents in the back that will keep you cool while you work up a sweat on the trails. The small internal pocket is the perfect place to store your ID, and the roll-up sleeves with tabs make it easy to adapt to the weather when it warms up or cools down. 

Eddie Bauer Women’s UPF Guide Long-sleeve Shirt

Eddie Bauer prides itself on making this shirt that’s lighter on your skin and cooler in the heat. They thought through everything when it comes to keeping you cool: even the shirt’s collar lining — which covers part of your neck, a spot that easily gets overheated during hikes — was created to give off a cooling effect. You’ll be protected from the sun with the UPF 50+ fabric, and it comes in eight colors, including shades of pink, blue, and purple, plus neutrals like white, beige, and gray.

Columbia Women’s PFG Bahama Long Sleeve Shirt

If you’re spending the day on hiking trails that weave in and out of the sun — or you’re the kind of person who jumps between feeling hot and cold very easily — you need a shirt that can do it all, and the Columbia Women’s PFG Bahama Long Sleeve Shirt is perfectly flexible. The shirt’s snap tabs are ideal for helping you keep your sleeves rolled up and easily rolling them back down after you cool off, and the fabric provides UPF 50+ protection, keeping your skin safe from the sun. The fabric is also quick-drying, and it features vents for breathability, plus interior mesh pockets — all of which make this Columbia shirt super versatile and useful. 

L.L. Bean No-fly Zone Shirt Long Sleeve

Nothing takes the fun and joy out of the hiking experience quite like getting completely attacked by mosquitos. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s pretty miserable. Luckily, bugs don’t stand a chance against the aptly-named L.L. Bean No-fly Zone shirt. The slightly fitted shirt, which has a little bit of a stretch to it for added comfort, is treated with permethrin, a synthetic form of a naturally-occurring bug repellent, that helps block you from pesky bugs; and with 50+ UPF protection as an added bonus, it’s the perfect choice for a bug-hater’s day of hiking. The shirt comes in four fun colors: Blue Aster, Faded Sage, Sand Dune and Wild Salmon.

Columbia Cirque River Vented Woven Long Sleeve Shirt

This shirt is all about keeping you cool, which is crucial when you’re hiking, no matter what season it is. Columbia’s special Omni-Freeze Zero Ice technology is on full display with the Cirque River Vented Woven Long Sleeve Shirt, keeping you cool and regulated when you inevitably sweat. The shirt keeps you dry by pulling moisture to the fabric’s surface, which evaporates and in turn, makes you feel more comfortable. The shirt’s sunglass cleaning patch is small but mighty, and the internal ID pocket comes in clutch for storing important items. Similar to many of the other options on this list, you have the convenient option to roll up your sleeves and keep them secured with tab holders. The shirt only comes in one color, Eve, which is a vibrant blue that is unique and easy to spot on the trails.

L.L. Bean Tropicwear Shirt

The L.L. Bean Tropicwear shirt is the definition of a classic. It was introduced in 1992, and there’s a reason why it’s been a hiker favorite ever since. Initially created to focus on protection from the hot tropical sun, the Tropicwear shirt has a soft, stretch woven fabric with solid ventilation and it provides UPF 50+ sun protection. Bonus points go to the shirt’s wrinkle-free fabric that makes it easy to pack and simple to grab straight out of the dryer. It notably comes with a sunglasses microfiber wipe, similar to many of the other shirts that are mentioned on this list.

Eddie Bauer Women’s UPF Guide 2.0 Shirt

Made for camping and hanging out rather than going on an intense hike, the Eddie Bauer UPF Guide 2.0 Shirt is lightweight with convertible sleeves and secure chest pockets that are ideal for storing your keys and wallet while you’re exploring. It features a polyester and nylon blend fabric and has a nice universal fit that isn’t too slim nor too relaxed. Plus you can get it on sale in four colors: deep blue, light gray, light purple, and olive.

Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long-sleeve Shirt

The PFG Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt is lightweight with a snap-front with an antimicrobial treatment that prevents the fabric from bacterial growth when you’re inevitably sweating during your adventures. This Columbia shirt has roll-up sleeves, a UPF 40 sun protection, and venting in the back that helps keep you cool and comfortable. It comes in seven fun colors — ranging from a coral pink to an icy blue — with an easy button-up front.

Hikerkind Trail Sun Shirt 02

Much like the previous shirt, this one from Hikerkind also has antimicrobial properties, which is particularly important if you’re a big sweater who’s worried about back and chest breakouts. Along with this impressive feature, the Hikerkind Trail Sun Shirt 02 has UPF 50+ protection and moisture-wicking capabilities, keeping you protected and cool. Its roomy structure makes it a great choice for hiking and other outdoor activities, and the breathable design is intended to give off a cooling sensation while you’re enjoying the great outdoors. The button-down shirt — which is available in a light blue, light yellow, and beige — looks more style-forward than some of the other options on this list, so you can also feel good about throwing it on for a Zoom call.

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