I am in Alabama- land of the humidity and heat. I have a nasty habit of getting sick when I ride before dusk and after dawn (delicate flower, I know), and right now, all I’m doing is taking lessons. I have an EIS sun shirt, but I really don’t think it has helped that much in the humidity. I usually ride in Nike Drifit T-shirts, but sometimes, it’s not enough.
Can someone recommend a good sun shirt for a humid place?
Disclaimer: The worst conditions I ever ride in are about 95 degrees with 70-80% humidity. Any more than that, and I tap out. You might be dealing with worse conditions in Alabama.
But the only thing that’s worked for me, even among UPF shirts, is Patagonia Capilene Level 1. Ironically, it works better for me. I get heat stroke and heat rash easily, so having more of my body covered is optimal. I wouldn’t normally have thought to buy Capilene since it’s better known as an insulating base layer (Capilene Levels 3 and 4), but a backpacking friend pointed out that Capilene Level 1 is designed for super-hot conditions and encouraged me to try it. I bought mine from REI, which has a no-questions-asked return policy within the first year because I wasn’t convinced that it would work. Let’s just say that after a week of wearing my first Capilene Level 1 shirt, I went back and bought another one.
Disclaimer: The worst conditions I ever ride in are about 95 degrees with 70-80% humidity. Any more than that, and I tap out. You might be dealing with worse conditions in Alabama.
But the only thing that’s worked for me, even among UPF shirts, is Patagonia Capilene Level 1. Ironically, it works better for me if it’s long sleeved, which seems counter intuitive when conditions are really hot. But I get heat stroke and heat rash easily due to sun exposure, so having more of my body covered is optimal. I wouldn’t normally have thought to buy Capilene since it’s better known as an insulating base layer (Capilene Levels 3 and 4), but a backpacking friend pointed out that Capilene Level 1 is designed for super-hot conditions and encouraged me to try it. I bought mine from REI, which has a no-questions-asked return policy within the first year because I wasn’t convinced that it would work. Let’s just say that after a week of wearing my first Capilene Level 1 shirt, I went back and bought another one.
I really like Under Armor’s Charged Cotton t-shirts for riding. They dry quickly and don’t get soggy with sweat. And I sweat a LOT! 
Try a short sleeve shirt with the riders sleeves that you can dunk in water before you ride. I’ve heard a lot of people love it.
If I tapped out at 95, 70-80% humidity, I would never ride faster than a walk. 
The lessons are short and sweet so the horse doesn’t over heat. I wish my trainer offered early morning or late evening lessons, but I know she has a life too!
When my horse was sound, I would ride either late in the evening or early early in the morning to beat the heat so this is all new to me.
Hopefully I can try some of these things out, and see if they will help. I’m that rider who will be like “Ground’s not frozen- let’s ride! It’s not thundering? Let’s ride!”, but I do. not. do. heat.
I am in Alabama as well… (In auburn, from mobile). So I grew up with the heat and humidity. I’ve been riding really early in the AM before classes. But I usually just wear a underarmor (or the like) tank top. I going to keep an eye on this thread bc there are times when a tank top is not appropriate, and I would love to see anyone else’s suggestions.
I have serious heat tolerance issues and so far my best combo is…
A vented egg helmet, in a light color. (I have something similar to http://www.doversaddlery.com/irh®-equi-lite%3f-dial-fit-system%3f-schooling-helmet/p/X1-36191/ <-- this in silver.)
An enlarged helmet visor that keeps the sun off my face.
A Kastel sun shirt. I’ve tried a bunch (have an EIS on dock to try tomorrow) and the Kastel is by far the coolest for me. Bonus coolant - wet the sleeves down before you ride. The slightest breeze almost causes a chill.
We also have a barn ice vest that I have worn while riding and it does help, but the particular model we have is bulky. It’s not designed for riding, but works very well. It velcros in the front and the ice packs slip in on the front and backsides.
Good luck! It’s already too hot here in Texas.
I agree with Jo, the Kastel shirts are wonderful. I think the “coolest” shirts are the Kerrits Ice Fil Mesh long sleeve shirts though. The mesh gives you great airflow!
[QUOTE=leighbo009;8198586]
I am in Alabama as well… (In auburn, from mobile). So I grew up with the heat and humidity. I’ve been riding really early in the AM before classes. But I usually just wear a underarmor (or the like) tank top. I going to keep an eye on this thread bc there are times when a tank top is not appropriate, and I would love to see anyone else’s suggestions.[/QUOTE]
I really like the Nike Dri-Fit V-neck tees for early morning/late night summer Auburn rides. Right now, I’m mostly riding lesson horses during afternoons because of my trainer’s schedule, but when I handwalk/walk my personal horse I wear those and I love them!
My coolest sun shirts are the Columbia Omnifreeze ones. The material is super thin and when its wet and there is a breeze you are definitely chilled. No mesh underarms but I find that I don’t really need it because the fabric does its job. You can find them at places like Sports Authority for pretty cheap when they’re on sale (or if you find a promo code).
Second coolest and probably my favorite overall are the Kastel. Its more flattering to me than the Columbia ones. Also, better color selection and would be show appropriate (which the Columbia ones are not-too sporty looking)
I feel ya about the EIS shirts! I had such high hopes and while the meshing area is awesome the shirt itself did not change my world …
I recently saw a Kastel Denmark sun shirt was really impressed. I’ve never tried one but they look amazing. My friend has the Tailored Sportsman Icefil shirt and she loooves it.
The Kastel’s are the best. I am photo-sensitive and have to wear sleeves. These are the only ones that keep me cooler than a tank top.
[QUOTE=jn4jenny;8198143]
Disclaimer: The worst conditions I ever ride in are about 95 degrees with 70-80% humidity. Any more than that, and I tap out. You might be dealing with worse conditions in Alabama.
But the only thing that’s worked for me, even among UPF shirts, is Patagonia Capilene Level 1. Ironically, it works better for me. I get heat stroke and heat rash easily, so having more of my body covered is optimal. I wouldn’t normally have thought to buy Capilene since it’s better known as an insulating base layer (Capilene Levels 3 and 4), but a backpacking friend pointed out that Capilene Level 1 is designed for super-hot conditions and encouraged me to try it. I bought mine from REI, which has a no-questions-asked return policy within the first year because I wasn’t convinced that it would work. Let’s just say that after a week of wearing my first Capilene Level 1 shirt, I went back and bought another one.[/QUOTE]
Not seeing a shirt marked “Level 1”, is this kind of what you are referring to?
http://www.rei.com/product/885391/patagonia-capilene-crew-neck-long-underwear-top-womens
I live in Houston, where its consistently 90-100 and 500% humidity, and love the Kastel shirts. Tailored Sportsman Ice Fil is a close second. A little boxier cut and less clingy than Kastel. I personally like my sun shirts close fit, so Kastel is my pick.
I also really like my Coolibar shirts. They are a bit thicker material, so I was dubious that I would like them, but they dry very quickly and are super comfy
I love my EIS shirts but to me that’s only part of the strategy. I am someone who mostly distributes heat from my head so my face turns purple and my hair is soaked once I take my helmet off. I can’t go in a sauna either… darn Scottish complexion. I love the silly little cooling or ice bandanas and I also think wetting down the sleeves of my shirt and hosing my head with cold water before I put my helmet on all help. Creating evaporative cooling when your body isn’t doing it well enough. A cold wash cloth and standing under the fan with my horse when I’m done also helps. Good luck. I use to ride at sunrise when I lived in Scottsdale, AZ but I’m still suffering heat issues in Virginia humidity. Ugh.
I have several brands and my favorite is the Kastel. The colors are nice, the fabric is soft and the fit is the best. EIS shirts I think are hot. I just ordered a Taylored Sportsman ice fill I am curious to try.
A friend the other day was wearing a cooling scarf which I thought was a fabulous idea. Not only did it look super nice on her but she said it worked good.
Something like this - http://www.rei.com/product/691097/kafkas-kool-tie
I am going to get one since it has been so hot here lately.
I think this one is super cute -
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cooling-Scarf-Look-good-and-stay-cool/
When its really hot up here, I put a small ice pack under my helmet. If my brain isn’t overheating, I do better.
There are a number of options = one is to grind up some ice, put it in a ziplock bag, put your helmet on and go.
You can also purchase some pre made ice bags that are specifically sized and made for placing under a helmet. Then when you are done, just toss it back in the freezer for the next time. I too get overheated easily. While having ice on your head may seem odd, it clearly does help me. Then I wear breathable shirts AND on really hot days, I wear only the paddock boots on my feet- nothing on my calves. No half chaps or tall boots. On those really hot days, both my horse and I tend to do a lighter workout anyway so riding without extra material on my legs helps.
Love, love, LOVE this shirt! I use it for running. It is sooooo light! Like wearing a feather! I got it on the recommendation of someone on COTH, in fact!
https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/womens-ua-shader-50-long-sleeve/pid1253625
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