Sun shirts...

[seabreeze]

Which sun shirts are your favorite for hot, sticky southern misery? Anything that actually makes you feel cooler (a stretch, I know)? Or at least doesn’t stick to you and make you feel hotter when sweat is running off of you like you’re in the shower? I’ve always used the synthetic fabrics geared for exercise, but everything I have is short-sleeved without a collar. I need something that I could show in (unrecognized…colors okay). My show shirts are not technical fabrics, and this summer has convinced me it’s time for an upgrade.

Thanks!

[Gardenhorse]

I really like the Kastel shirts for every day summer riding. They are really light and comfortable, but they can be a little bit clingy so are not always the most flattering. I also have a navy EIS shirt that I have shown unrecognized in and like a lot.

[Guyot]

I have many different brands as I am now allergic to sunblock. I find the ariat to be the coolest. A slightly looser fit then normal is even better for me.

I even find them cooler then a t-shirt in the air conditioning. I feel slightly chilled and usually need to add a layer or change.

[amm2cd]

I like the fit of the Doublin sun shirts. The sleeves are a little bit looser. That being said, I have all the brands: Dover, Doublin, Irideon, Ovation… really beyond details like cuffs v thumb holes, they all do the job of keeping the sun off and leaving me not quite so drenched in sweat. I find them much cooler than Nike or other sport shirts (but that could just be me).
I keep an eye on TOTD, or similar sales sites, to keep my collection up to date.

[SonnysMom]

Kastel is my favorite. Kerrits are nice too. I am not necessarily cooler in them but when my forearms sweat I at least don’t end up with dirt and sand stuck to there. I made the mistake of wearing a short sleeved tech shirt last night for the lesson. I had ring sand all over my arms after the lesson. The ring was wet so I got sand on me from cleaning Carson off after the lesson. Ick.

[L00kAtMeN0w]

I third the Kastel shirts. You can often find them on sale on their website, if you know your size. they’re definitely a favorite.

I have an ariat one I really like, and the dover house-branded ice-fil ones are good too. The only one I have tried that I cannot use in the heat in the Tailored Sportsman one. It just doesn’t breathe enough, so it is Spring/Fall wear for me.

[JenEM]

Third Kastel, really love the ones I have from them. I just got one from Horze that’s quite nice, too, and cut a little less clingy than the Kastels. I find the Noble Outfitters ones a little too think and heavy for my tastes. Branching out from the riding wear, I also like Patagonia’s Daily Capilene as a long sleeve option in the summer, they’re cut like a longsleeve tshirt, so a bit more forgiving than the cut on the Kastels.

[HJdaydream]

Kastels are by far my favorite. That being said- no sun shirt is going to be super cool in really humid weather. I feel they work best for dry heat. Thankfully I live in a relatively low humidity area so I LIVE in my Kastels during the summer!

[Magicboy]

I wear Coolibar shirts and like them very much. Good fit and easy care

[TMares]

I have a Kerrits and it does help - just not letting the sun hit your skin is a bonus. It does seem color that my under armour ‘technical’ shirts that I usually wear. You’re still hot, but you’re not roasting.

[mroades]

I have tried them all and EIS is the only one I think helps at all. YMMV

[skipollo]

Ariat long sleeve sunstoppers. I have them in almost every color. They’re fitted but not tight/clingy, and they keep me comfortable even when it’s in the 90s. If you sweat, it wicks the moisture away. They’re fairly affordable and so far have been really durable, wash well, etc. They do run big, so I’d go down one size if you order them. I’m normally S, but I have to get XS. I’m swimming in S.

I know they’re super popular and everyone loves them, but I’m not a fan of Kastel. The shirts look pretty, but the material feels really cheap and clingy, They aren’t nearly as cool as my other sun shirts, and they’re more expensive. They do have pretty details/logo/colors, but that’s about it. They’re true to size and are very fitted, so if you want a looser fit I’d go up one size. I got one shirt from them on sale, and it’s size S, and it looks nice but it’s very very fitted.

[SarahandSam]

My faves have been the Kastel, EIS, and Noble Outfitters. I feel like my Ariat one is heavier and doesn’t feel quite as cooling–I like the mesh under the arms best. I’m so glad these are so widely available now… I love them to death.

[cruisecontrol]

I love my Ariat and Kastel, I have Kerrits and TuffRider as well as some off brands but they are heavier and I don’t like them nearly as much as the first two. The Kastel run small so I always size up and they seem to fit me well I hose mine down before I ride and they seem to keep me cool the entire ride. I think since the Kastel is a bit more fitted it will be comfier in the long run versus a looser shirt that would cling in different areas. I am from North Texas so it’s not super humid but we do have some weird days with very high humidity and the Kastel will still keep me comfortable.

[Woodsperson]

San Soleil Shirts. I like the SolCool fabric for cooling. They aren’t cheap but they last longer than other brands I’ve tried.

[uncanny580]

I have several Kastel that I really like, but I think the one that does the best job are the Ariat Sunstoppers. I only have one for some reason, but it is definietely the coolest.

Noble outfitters ones I found were HOT, I had a Cool Shirt, and its pretty meh.

[Samantha37]

I’m obsessed with sun shirts and find the Ariat Sunstoppers to be the hands down best in humid VA. Kastels are nice but they are clingy and not attractive if you have any fluff

I cannot recommend the Ariats strongly enough.

[Redlei44]

I own ariat sunstopper, Kastel, and Horze. The horze is more relaxed fit and has mesh inserts, but less breathable/heavier fabric. Kastel has nice long arms and the manufacturing/fabric quality is excellent. They are the clingiest, but I am between sizes anyway so just sized up and it works out. For overall value, flattering style, and breathability, Ariat wins hands down. Be warned that the white Ariat shirts (show or plain) are basically see through, though.

I mainly use them for sunblock purposes, as I am in a very humid region and the quick-dry cooling thing doesn’t happen except if a breeze happens to kick up or you stand in front of a fan. But it is still extremely nice to be able to wear long sleeves without being hotter than if I wear short sleeves.

[Falconfree]

My favorite sun shirt is Smart Pak’s Sun Shield. Wearing it right now, actually. It gets used straight out of the dryer most of the time, because I live in Florida.
Ariats are great too.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

I have Kerrits IceFil, Ariat Sunstopper, EIS, Tailored Sportsman, IcyKul and San Soleil.
San Soleil does an amazing job blocking a blazing sun, but Kerrits still gets my vote for coolest in high humidity.