Merino Wool Sun Hoodies Offer Odor-Resistance & Enhanced Breathability
Choosing between merino wool sun hoodies is a matter of identifying your activity level and cross referencing it with the climate you expect be in most. We empirically tested 17 merino sun hoodies against 30 synthetic designs to determine top performers in terms of breathability, dry time, and heat escape. We then field tested all of them for a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment.
What we found is that there is no perfect option, and every model has strengths and weaknesses. The coolest and most breathable are also the least sun protective, while the quickest to dry held in the most heat. And all of them were much hotter and sweatier than thinner polyester alternatives. This round-up represents what we genuinely believe to be the best 10 merino wool sun hoodies within the pool of 17 we tested, and most of the best options currently on the market.
Merino Wool Sun Hoodies vs Polyester/Nylon
- Pros of Merino: Odor-resistant, superior breathability, natural materials
- Cons of Merino: Warmer, slower drying, less durable, more expensive, lower UPF
While you’re here, don’t miss our guide to all sun hoodies, merino joggers, fleece hoodies, and alpaca hoodies.
You make Adventure Alan & Co possible. When purchasing through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Here’s why you can trust us.
Light/warm colors absorb less heat.
Quick Picks: Merino Wool Sun Hoodies
- Current Editor’s Choice: Zpacks Evolved Mirage
- Editor’s Choice: Icebreaker 150 MerinoFine Ace
- Most Cool & Breathable: Ridge Merino Pursuit
- Most Quick Drying & Breathable: Outdoor Vitals Tern
- Best Physical Design: Voormi River Run
- Best UPF 50: Wuru Lightweight
- Top Pick, Versatility: Ridge Merino Solstice
- Top Pick, Versatility: Ibex Springbok
- Top Pick, Zipper: Ibex Indie
- Top Pick, Built-in Sun Gloves: Smartwool Merino Sun Hoodie
- Top Pick, UPF 50: Le Bent Feathertop
- Top Pick, UPF 50: Kuiu Ultra Merino 120
Data Visualizations
Click image to zoom in and view all graphs
Keep scrolling to the embedded spreadsheet where you can see descriptions of how each test was conducted and reference the raw data. Hop over to our complete guide to all sun hoodies for even more info about fabric and sun hoodie performance.
Merino Sun Hoodie Comparison Table
Mobile users rotate device for full-width table view
| Model | Price | UPF | Heat Escape | Air Permeability | Quick Dry |
| Icebreaker MerinoFine | 160 | 40 | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆ | ☆ |
| Zpacks Evolved Mirage | 100 | 40 | ☆☆ | ☆☆ | ☆☆ |
| Ridge Pursuit | 100 | 25/UR | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆ |
| Outdoor Vitals Tern | 85 | 36 | ☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆ |
| Voormi River Run | 139 | 30 | ☆☆ | ☆☆ | ☆☆ |
| Ridge Merino Solstice | 100 | 30 | ☆ | ☆ | ☆ |
| Ibex Springbok | 145 | 35 | ☆☆ | ☆ | ☆ |
| Ibex Indie | 170 | 40 | ☆☆ | ☆ | ☆ |
| Smartwool Merino | 130 | 40 | ☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆ |
| Le Bent Feathertop | 170 | 50 | ☆☆ | ☆☆☆ | ☆ |
| Kuiu Ultra 120 | 109 | 50 | ☆ | ☆☆ | ☆☆ |
| Wuru Lightweight | 116 | 50 | ☆☆ | ☆☆ | ☆ |
Polyester hoodies are much cooler than wool, and better for hot weather.
10 Best Merino Wool Sun Hoodies
Icebreaker 150 MerinoFine Ace
No merino wool sun hoodie is perfect, but Icebreaker 150 MerinoFine Ace is likely the most well-rounded. It’s thinner and cooler than average, despite maintaining an excellent UPF 40 rating and without compromising on breathability; only dry time. It’s also one of only a select few to be made with 100% merino. Perhaps its greatest flaw is limited availability in terms of color options and stock. Note, this model is a rare instance where our qualitative experience disagreed with the data – it wore cooler than it tested. Our tested wore this as his exclusive all-day base layer on the JMT last summer, and it performed great!
- Price: $160 | UPF Rating: 40
- Fabric: 100% Merino Wool
- Air Permeability: Average
- Heat Escape: Cooler than Average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: Better than average stats. One of a select few that are cooler than average. No plastic. Thumb loops.
- Cons: Limited color selection. Frequently out of stock. Very expensive. Slow dry time.
Zpacks x Evolved The Mirage
Because merino wool sun hoodies are warmer than polyester, venting is extra valuable. And among those with zipper vents, the Zpacks x Evolved Mirage is our favorite. It has solid air permeability and heat escape, and a UPF rating of 40, ready to handle high altitudes on the CDT (for which it was designed). On the other hand, many (including the author) find that quarter zips in general (not this one specifically) chafe at the neck area, ultimately decreasing net comfort despite the ventilation boost. Whether or not you like this feature is fairly subjective, but it seems like a majority do.
- Price: $100 | UPF Rating: 40
- Fabric: 96% Merino, 4% Spandex
- Air Permeability: Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Average
- Pros: Zipper vent. Solid stats. Good UPF. Nearly 100% merino. Good colors. Good price.
- Cons: All quarter zips have chafing potential. Slow dry time.
Ridge Merino Pursuit Ultralight
For the single coolest and most breathable merino wool sun hoodie, we recommend the Ridge Pursuit Ultralight. Those characteristics makes it an extremely attractive option, given that merino’s greatest drawback (as a sun hoodie material) is that it’s warmer than polyester. But the devil is in the details. For starters, Ridge designed it with a balaclava hood, which stays on well in wind but unnecessarily restricts airflow around the head. Furthermore, it’s mostly available in dark colorways that will make the wearer warmer, undoing the benefits of a thinner/cooler fabric. And while the dark colors score UPF 25, the single colorway isn’t UPF rated, meaning it scored below UPF 15. Ergo, all color choices are bad choices.
- Price: $100 | UPF Rating: 25 dark colors, Light colors unrated
- Fabric: 84% Merino, 16% polyester
- Air Permeability: Better Average
- Heat Escape: Cooler than Average
- Quick Dry: Average
- Pros: Exceptionally good fabric stats. Single coolest and most breathable merino option. Good price. Thumb loops.
- Cons: Forced to choose between dark color or UPF unrated light colors. Balaclava hood lacks airflow. Thinner fabric less durable.
Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight
The Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight performed better in our empirical fabric testing than any other merino sun hoodie; it’s a total stats beast. Thanks to the Nuyarn material, it was the single fastest drying merino option, and second most breathable, all without compromising on a respectable UPF 36 rating. That being said, there are downsides. It was also warmer than average, making it a bit less desirable to use as a base layer in hot climates. The stretchy, open knit structure was also more prone to superficial pilling, and more susceptible to snagging. Lastly, it doesn’t have thumb loops, the hood coverage is a bit small, it’s only available in unisex/men’s sizing, and two of the three colorways are dark.
- Price: $85 | UPF Rating: 36
- Fabric: 63% merino, 29% polyester, 8% nylon
- Air Permeability: Better than Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Faster than Average
- Pros: Exceptionally great fabric performance stats. Great price. Fastest drying merino fabric tested.
- Cons: Warmer than average. Lower durability. Pilling. Men’s sizes only. No thumb loops. Two out of three colorways are dark.
Voormi River Run
Voormi River Run has the single best physical design of out of all 47 sun hoodies we tested, not just the 17 merino wool options. That’s because it’s a hooded henley, meaning you get the ventilated cooling effects of quarter zip base layer, without any of the rubbing, chafing, or scratching against your neck. Its fabric performed respectably well across the board in our testing, with no major flaws. However, those shopping for merino should note that this fabric is half polyester, meaning it won’t actualize the anti-microbial odor resistance benefits quite as well.
- Price: $139 | UPF Rating: 30
- Fabric: 52% Merino, 48% polyester
- Air Permeability: Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Average
- Pros: Non-zipper mechanical venting. Thumb loops. Solid fabric performance.
- Cons: Expensive. Half polyester. Runs a bit warm.
Wuru Merino Lightweight Hoodie
The Wuru Merino Lightweight stands out for being 100% merino – no filler, and for being UPF 50. An unlikely combo, but welcome if you’re seeking that specific combination of characteristics. It wears cooler than it looks, but I could tell that is was neither the coolest nor most breathable due to the tightly knit structure required to achieve UPF50. Nonetheless, it is allows for better heat escape than the other UPF50 alternatives we tested.
- Price: $116 | UPF Rating: 50
- Fabric: 100% Merino (170 gsm)
- Air Permeability: Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Below average
- Pros: 100% natural. No feature flaws. Coolest UPF 50 option.
- Cons: Higher UPF means lower breathability. On the slower side of dry time. A bit warmer than average.
Ridge Merino Solstice
Ridge Solstice is the original merino wool sun hoodie, and thus one of the most popular and highly regarded options on the market. However, two years of empirically testing this design have proven it to be warmer, less breathable, and slower to dry than average, ergo it’s not what we recommend for active use like hiking or running. That said, it is the model we wear most for everyday use and travel, and we love the generous-yet-cinchable drawstring hood; airy when temps are hot, cinchable when cold or facing the wind.
- Price: $100 | UPF Rating: 30
- Fabric: 87% Merino, 13% Nylon
- Air Permeability: Less than Average
- Heat Escape: Warmer Than Average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: Large airy drawstring hood. Great aesthetic. Great price. Thumb loops.
- Cons: Poor performance stats for active use; warm, clammy, slow drying.
Ibex Springbok
The Ibex Springbok is a thoughtfully designed, aesthetically pleasing merino wool sun hoodie for all-purpose use. It has a great feature set with thumb loops and a neck clasp for use in strong wind or low angle sun. The 83% merino fabric allowed for decent heat escape and blocks UV well, but wasn’t particularly breathable, nor quick drying. Furthermore, the design is expensive, and two of the three available colorways are dark/hot. All said and done, this is a great daily driver, but we don’t recommend for high exertion activity.
- Price: $145 | UPF Rating: 35
- Fabric: 83% Merino, 12% nylon, 5% elastane
- Air Permeability: Less than Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: Great aesthetic. Neck clasp and thumb loops.
- Cons: Mediocre fabric performance for active use. Expensive. Limited colorways are mostly dark.
Ibex Indie
Ibex Indie holds appeal as one of a select few 100% merino sun hoodie options with zipper venting. It’s soft, comfy, and elegantly crafted. That being said, the 185 gsm fabric is heavier, thicker, warmer, and slower drying than average, meaning this is a better option for use in cold dry weather, or perhaps used as mid-layer. We also note that it is only available in dark colors, which makes an already warm base layer even warmer.
- Price: $170 | UPF Rating: 40
- Fabric: 100% Merino
- Air Permeability: Less than Average
- Heat Escape: Warmer than average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: 100% merino. Zipper venting. Thumb loops.
- Cons: Most expensive. Runs warm, very slow drying, should be more breathable. Only available in dark colors.
Smartwool Merino Sun Hoodie
There’s lots to like about the Smartwool Merino Sun Hoodie, especially its 150gsm, 88% merino/12%nylon fabric blend. The material is extremely breathable, a bit cooler than average, and available in light/warm colorways. While all merino is some degree of slow drying, a major drawback to this one is that it’s particularly slow; ergo not recommended for sweaty pursuits in damp climates. For most prospective buyers, whether or not you want built-in sun gloves will be the crux of the decision. And by that we mean the extra long sleeves with double layer thumb-looped cuffs. The advantage of this is that they comfortably protect the back of your hand without pulling, and the double layer fabric reduces stress on the thumb loop stitches. The major drawback is that the combination of long sleeves and heavy cuffs are simply too much fabric, and will frequently slide down over your hands, even when you don’t want them in sun glove mode. The double layer cuffs also create a hot sweaty zone over your wrists. As such, we only recommend these if you intend to use them in sun glove mode for at least 90% of the time. When not in use, this well-intentioned feature is simply too annoying to deal with.
- Price: $130 | UPF Rating: 40
- Fabric: 88% Merino, 12% nylon
- Air Permeability: More than Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: Excellent breathability. Elongated arms/cuffs grant built-in sun gloves.
- Cons: Long sleeves and double layer cuffs are really annoying when not used as sun gloves. Very slow dry time. Hood is not secure.
Le Bent Feathertop
French outdoor brand Le Bent offers a pretty unique merino sun hoodie called the Feathertop, comprised of 60% merino and 25% bamboo. Its Nuyarn fabric proved to be the single most breathable out of all 47 models we tested; also very soft, comfy, stretchy and maximum UPF. However, it was relatively warm compared to others, slow to dry, low durability, and mostly available in dark colors which absorb extra heat. We also note that it lacks thumb loops and the hood was too loose and prone to blowing off in strong gusts of wind.
- Price: $170 | UPF Rating: 50
- Fabric: 60% Merino, 25% bamboo, 15% nylon
- Air Permeability: More than Average
- Heat Escape: Average
- Quick Dry: Slower Than Average
- Pros: Hyper breathable. Very soft.
- Cons: Very expensive. Mostly available in dark colors. Slow drying. Hood is too loose, easily blows off. No thumb loops.
Kuiu Ultra Merino 120 LT
The Kuiu Ultra 120 LT is one of a select few merino wool sun hoodies to score a UPF 50 rating. It’s also more breathable, more stretchy, and faster drying than average thanks to Nuyarn spinning technology. However, it’s also hotter than average, which can be challenging for an activewear base layer, lacks thumb loops, and the hood is prone to blowing off. At time of publication, it’s only available in a men’s cut. But if you want camo and/or max UPF protection, Kuiu has you covered.
- Price: $109 | UPF Rating: 50
- Fabric: 70% Merino, 30% Nylon
- Air Permeability: Average
- Heat Escape: Warmer than Average
- Quick Dry: Average
- Pros: UPF 50. Solid fabric stats. Available in camo.
- Cons: Runs hot. No thumb loops. Bad hood. Only available in men’s sizing.
2025 Testing Data & Scoring
This spreadsheet reflects the results of empirically testing 47 sun hoodies (17 merino, 30 synthetic). Jump over to our complete guide to all sun hoodies for more about how tested and what we found. View the google spreadsheet.
Expanded Pros & Cons of Merino Wool Sun Hoodies
*Relative to Polyester*
- Pros of Merino: Odor-resistant, superior breathability, natural materials
- Cons of Merino: Warmer, slower drying, less durable, more expensive, lower UPF
Pro: Odor-Resistant
At a microscopic level, the fiber structure of merino wool discourages bacterial growth. This is what makes merino less stinky than polyester after sweating in it, and why it is preferable for use on multi-day trips without the ability to wash your garments.
Pro: Superior Breathability
Merino wool sun hoodies are almost always more breathable than their polyester counterparts. This is due to the looser knit structure of woolen textiles with larger openings between each strand of yarn. This creates better air permeability and helps to reduce heat build up while moving or in wind.
Pro: Natural Materials
Merino wool is not made of plastic/petroleum, which may be deal breaker to buyers concerned about shopping sustainable and reducing microplastic pollution.
Con: Warmer
For use in a sun hoodie, the biggest disadvantage to merino wool is that it’s warmer than polyester. To achieve the same durability and UPF rating, a merino sun hoodie must be thicker than a similarly durable and UPF rated polyester garment. As we know from fleece and puffy jackets, thicker fabrics are warmer. And so the crux of choosing a good merino sun hoodie is in choosing from among the thinnest coolest options that are still adequately protective from the sun.
Con: Slower Drying
Another downside to merino is that it’s slower drying than polyester. Simply put, it absorbs more water and holds onto it for longer. On average in our testing, wool dried 50% slower than 100% polyester fabrics.
Con: Less Durable
Because of their open knit structure, merino wool fabrics are more prone to snagging and ripping than polyester. They are also more susceptible to abrasion damage. And don’t even think about running your merino through the drier! That being said, merino wool sun hoodies are adequately durable for most people most of the time. But if you are really hard on your gear and want to use it for many many years, consider a thicker option or something made of polyester/nylon.
Con: More expensive
It goes without saying that harvesting wool from sheep and converting it into fabric is more expensive than manufacturing polyester at a factory.
Con: Lower UPF
In terms of relative UPF protection, natural fibers like merino wool don’t block as much UV as synthetics. That’s not to say merino wool sun hoodies cannot be adequately protective; two garments in this round-up score UPF 50 and the average among all ten is closer to 30. However, if you compared two equally thin garments, one merino and one polyester, the poly version will score a higher UPF rating. This is why many merino hoodies are not UPF rated.
When to choose a merino sun hoodie
Dry climates
One of merino wool’s greatest weaknesses is that it dries much slower than polyester. But in many environments, especially the American southwest, drying speed is a non-issue since everything dries quickly. If you primarily use wool in dry air, you can enjoy all of its benefits while negating a major downside.
Cold-to-warm conditions (not hot)
Even the coolest merino wool sun hoodies are warmer than the average polyester model. In cool-to-cold temperatures, this can be highly advantageous. In moderate-to-warm conditions, it might sometimes be an advantage and sometimes be a disadvantage. For us, the cutoff tends to be once temps enter into the 80s (F).
Multi-day trips
Because of their odor-resistant properties, merino wool base layers are the superior for choice for multi-day trips. You will feel fresher, cleaner, and smell better in merino than polyester; improving quality of life in the backcountry.
When not to choose a merino sun hoodie
Hot weather
Merino wool is warmer than the thinnest polyester base layers, which is why recommend against it for use in hot weather, ie temps in the 80s (F) or higher. The thinnest polyester options dump heat significantly faster and are perceptibly cooler to the wearer. It’s not worth the heat exhaustion.
Damp conditions
Merino dries slowly, which is why it’s a poor choice for damp climates. While wool does a good job of insulating while wet, you’d rather be just be dry in the first place. Being cold and wet in the backcountry is extremely unpleasant. Based on our test data, 100% polyester base layers dry 50% faster than merino wool, and are a better choice for use in damp air.
Concluding Merino Wool Sun Hoodies
For extended travel in dry climates and cold, moderate, or warm (but not hot) temperatures, nothing beats merino wool. This is thanks to its superb breathability and natural anti-microbial properties (AKA odor-resistance). Merino wool sun hoodies are our go-to backpacking base layer, and we only pass over them in truly hot weather. Happy trails!
Share this entry