Gear Picks
Sun Shirts: Your First Line of Defense Against UV Rays
Some even have a bit of style to boot
Featured
$49.00
from REI
The Mountain shirt has the understated style and technical chops that make you want to wear it day after day. Good thing it has a Polygiene antimicrobial treatment to cut down on stink. There’s a bit of spandex in the polyester-nylon blend for added mobility, and the whole package has a UPF 40 rating to keep you unburned.
$99.00
from REI
This is the fancy UPF 45 shirt you wear for the lunch date that might include a long stroll on the beach. The sleek Skyline is made from a breathable polyester that won’t wrinkle (so it’s perfect for travel), it dries fast, and it has a surprising amount of stretch.
$40.00
from REI
O’Neill goes casual with this long-sleeved slim-cut top, which is made from a light polyester with plenty of stretch, so you can wear it all day, whether you’re surfing, fishing, or just sitting in a beach chair. The notable UPF 50+ rating is one of the highest we found in a sun shirt.
$75.00
from Amazon
The Terminal Deflector offers top-notch protection for long days in the sun, with a hood and a built-in turtleneck-like gaiter. In addition to the UPF 50 rating, the fabric is loaded with metallic dots on the outside that reflect sunlight. And Columbia’s Omni-Freeze treatment, which reacts with your sweat to cool down, is also a fun trick.
$89.00
from Backcountry
As the name implies, this UPF 40 shirt is built with fishing in mind, but you don’t need to be carrying tackle to appreciate the details. It’s made from a light polyester-nylon blend that’s puckered like seersucker so less material touches your skin. A sunglasses cleaner built into the hem is a nice, user-friendly hit.
$65.00
from Amazon
ExOfficio blends Tencel, a natural fabric that has a cooling effect on your skin, with cotton to make this supersoft top that wicks well and has a UPF 40 rating. Pop comes courtesy of the Hawaiian-inspired floral print.
All Gear
$99
$49
from REI
51% off
These gloves are a staple in columnist Jakob Schiller’s year-round gear rotation. “With a waxed and baked leather outer, waterproof-breathable membrane, and Thinsulate insulation, they’re great for frigid resort ski days while being breathable enough for long backcountry missions,” he writes. “Once summer rolls around, I use them to collect firewood or move burning logs in the campfire.”
$100
$75
from REI
25% off
One of our editors just bought on of these for use on family camping trips and swears by it. Why? No more hiding behind trees or being surprised by guests while going to the bathroom in busy areas. It has a steel hook for hanging a water bag and four drain holes so you can use it as a shower too. Plus, it’s a breeze to set up.
$500
$400
from REI
20% off
This version of the popular action cam was the one that finally converted one of our testers—a professional photographer—to add one to his kit. “It’s ideal for ultrarunners, mountain bikers, surfers, kayakers, scuba divers, dirt bikers, and climbers who want to dip their toes in pro-level photo and video editing, without dropping thousands to get their feet in the door.”
$40
$30
from REI
25% off
This trusty headlamp has gotten Outside editors through many adventures both close to home and far afield. It’s easy to use, compact, and runs on three AAA batteries (we like to use rechargeables). The red light mode is great for not blinding tent mates and the IPX8 waterproofing has proven itself time and again in downpours.
Sponsor Content
Revo Descend N
$199
Revo's best-selling Descend N glasses features NASA-based polarized lens technology with a rimless design with panoramic views for when you need to see it all.
$70
$56
from Backcountry
20% off
Once you try a changing poncho, you’ll never go back to a normal towel—they’re that useful. This 100 percent cotton number from Vissla is soft, absorbent, and makes swaps to bathing suits a breeze. And you can’t go wrong with the halcyon, ‘70s-inspired print.
$550
$330
from Outside Shop
40% off
You’d be hard pressed to find a better adventure companion than the Fenix 6. This do-everything GPS watch is packed with features for every kind of activity, whether in town or high in the mountains: wrist-based heart rate, a gajillion sport modes, smart notifications and of course, excellent navigation.
$200
$160.93
20% off
Worn by two Canadian marathon runners in the Tokyo Olympics, these road running shoes are known for their soft roll and comfortable upper. As one of our testers noted, "I was pleased to have these late in the test because they are a blend of many of the best qualities of super shoes with stride-lengthening zippiness paired with float, cushion, and an exceptionally comfortable upper."
$100
$70.97
29% off
Bring style and warmth to the campfire with the Poler Poncho. We love the fun color combos and the fact that it offers a kangaroo pouch pocket to keep your hands warm, plus two snap pockets to stash all your cargo. The Thermastuff synthetic insulation acts like a blanket but with a bonus hood for ultimate coziness. O+ members can also use their additional 10% off perk on top of the sale.
$150
$74.93
50% off
Stay safe and cool on the trails with this polycarbonate helmet. The Lightweight 360° size adjustment system, plus SPIN technology to reduce rotational motion during impact, allows riders to find a snug and exact fit for improved protection.
$189.99
$161.49
15% off
These durable, breathable, and ultra comfortable hiking boots are Biocircular, meaning they are made only using materials with 100% proven paths back to nature. They also feature deep 6.0mm tread lugs to support stability over rocky, loose desert terrain. Save 15% sitewide with the exclusive code OUTSIDEJUNE22.
Gear Picks is a curated selection of products we’ve tested and heartily recommend. We stand by this gear—and the brands that sell it—and many of our editors and writers use this stuff weekly. Whenever possible, we provide a link to a past review so you can make sure it’s something that suits your lifestyle—ideally at a steeply discounted price. Happy shopping—and gear-picking.