I love the look of Tailored Sportsman, EIS, etc. sun shirts and have a couple in my closet but I’m always in search of more. I know they are essentially the same thing as quarter-zip golf shirts; has anyone been able to find them in the $50 or less range?
These Target tops are a great deal but I can’t tell if they’re cooling or just long-sleeved.
I just bought an Ariat Sunstopper shirt from Farmhouse tack for $49.95. Have not wornit yet though. I look for the kind with the mesh under the arms. EIS doesn’t fit me and I don’t want to spend that much for a lesson shirt. I also bought the TS from Farmhouse tack…that was I think either 55.95 or 59.95.
I have one of the Target ones, and it’s useful but not a cooling shirt - more like a compression type material. Its cut slim and long, so stays tucked, and I think it looks tidy and doesn’t attract hair during shedding season:) Like all my Target activewear, the wrists are quite tight.
Material isn’t nearly as thin/silky as the sun shirts, and no mesh. I really like the Bette and Courts, which I know are on sale right now at Equus Now, but they’re still not cheap.
Ovation makes one for $40 that is really nice. I don’t have a link but I am sure you can find it plenty of places; Ovation is everywhere. I have it in “orchid” and the color is quite pretty. FF, I think you have described yourself as tall and slim so I cannot personally vouch for the fit on you; I’m 5’2" and 118 lbs., and I wear something between the XS and the S. If I had not been blessed with “the girls” I definitely be the XS but I took the S to make room there.
The best way to get one of these shirts on a budget is to buy them off season. Prices are great in fall and winter. 
Another option is to keep watching at places like Sierra Trading Post, which tends to get random things in clearance quantities.
For the most part, my experience is that the shirts that retail in the $60 range really are much better than the others. They have better fabrics and more complicated construction to add in the venting fabric.
I was reluctant to pay this much for shirts, but now I’m a believer. I have a couple and I wear them all the time.
Want another alternative? I just bought some “sleeves” to wear with my polos (which I button up at the neck when out in the sun) and they are great! Gives the same sun coverage as the long sleeved shirts. Keeps you covered from the sun and then you can pull off the sleeves if you are in the barn. Once they are on for a minute you don’t notice them. Also I sometimes soak them before putting them on (it’s already near 90 degrees here in South Florida) and that really helps keep the temp down on your body. I looked up “arm coolers” (which is what my husband’s Ironman buddies call them; they all wear them on the bike) and there was a lot to choose from.
I have the Ariat SunStopper shirt in the pink, navy, and light blue. I love them, and for the price, they are great! Much better option than the $90+ EIS.
I also have the Kerrits ones in coral and white, which I find a little more comfortable than the Ariat shirts.
I also really love my Ariat Sunstopper, but get the lighter colored ones – I have a navy one and it’s good for a hot, overcast day, but I do get warm in the direct sun.
I’m a TS SunShirt addict. I like the fit and find they’re worth the money.
I like the Dover brand. They are around $55 I think.
I was browsing the closeouts at VTO, saw these, and thought of this thread:
You can also buy end-of-season closeouts. And don’t limit yourself to just “horsey” brands like Ariat or Kerrits. I have at least one from Ex Officio and a Marmot brand too that I love.
REI has a limited selection of long-sleeved cooling shirts on sale right now. The timing is good for anyone who has a member dividend coming to them, too.
I don’t know about the quality/how they compare to equestrian-aimed brands, but I just picked up a few shirts that were retail $100-ish for $40-50-ish each. Hopefully they are worth it.
How about these from LL Bean? Great price and free shipping.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/82562?feat=sun%20shirt-SR1&page=beansport-quarter-zip-pullover
I have a hard time finding non-horsey brands that have the mesh under the arms. I know Bette and Court makes them but they do not fit me.
Someone posted in December the shirts from Old Navy. I have some of them for winterish riding. They have been great and cheap.
Great options, thank you. I will have to try some of these and report back.
Blinky, I believe I was one of the posters singing Old Navy’s praises with regards to their quarter zip shirts. They are so great; I wish they made a summer version.
ahhh…Yea I bought two of those after your posted them! Would love a summer version. I love how long they are. They never come untucked!
This one is a moisture wicking fabric with the mesh under the arms and UPF50. It’s $55 but Coolibar stuff is very good quality with reliable sun protection and will last you a long time.
I am a sun shirt addict and I really like the ones from Target. Some have mesh on the back but it depends on the style. I just purchased 2 Noble Outfitters sun shirts for 20.00 each on the FB group English Tack Trader. They are brand new and the person selling them has lots of styles/sizes. I haven’t received them yet but they looked very nice. I tried a friend’s TS Icefil one and loved it. It will be my next purchase. I love the Under Armour ones too. I also have one from Aerion (Greenhawk’s brand) that I really like but wish I had sized up as it’s a tiny bit snug.
I have several sun shirts from Sports Authority that I love (and one from SmartPak that I hate). They are super breathable and dry really quickly, which is great for both sweat and drying after a horse bath gone wrong. I don’t see the exact ones I have online now but I got them for something like $20 on sale during summer. http://www.sportsauthority.com/Columbia-Womens-Silver-Ridge-Long-Sleeve-Shirt/product.jsp?productId=12986447&cp=3077569.52418156.52418766&fbn=Taxonomy%7CLong+Sleeve+Tops&view=all&fbc=1&lmdn=Category&f=Taxonomy%2FTSA%2F52418466&parentPage=family and http://www.sportsauthority.com/THE-NORTH-FACE-Womens-Cool-Horizon-Long-Sleeve-Woven-Shirt/product.jsp?productId=24132916&cp=3077569.52418156.52418766&fbn=Taxonomy%7CLong+Sleeve+Tops&view=all&fbc=1&lmdn=Category&f=Taxonomy%2FTSA%2F52418466&parentPage=family are both good looking, budget friendly options.
$40 for vented long sleeves.
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