Pros, Cons, and Marketplace Comps for REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie
This review is sponsored by REI Co-op but the opinions are my own
REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie is the brand’s newest sun protection shirt, and represents a major performance upgrade over the beloved Sahara Shade Hoodie; the two will be sold side-by-side. While Sahara was notable for its soft, highly stretchy, everyday wear fabric, users will appreciate Flash for its performance-oriented, thin, cool, quick drying composition, complimented by a ponytail port on both the men’s and women’s version. The only major drawback compared to similar sun hoodies from other brands is that some breathability was sacrificed in order to achieve a UPF50 rating; max sun protection necessitates tightly knit fabric which reduce air flow.
- Price: $70 | UPF Rating: 50+
- Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Breathability: Below Average
- Heat Escape: Above Average
- Drying Performance: Above Average
- Consider its peers: REI Co-op Sahara Shade, Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, Black Diamond Alpenglow, The North Face Direct Sun, Patagonia Capilene Cool, Outdoor Research Echo
- Pros: Max sun protection rating. Thin & cool. Quick drying. Good thumb loops. Ultralight. Stretch without Spandex. Carbon capture. Pony tail port. Full coverage hood. Plus & tall sizes.
- Cons: Below average breathability. Hood opening lacks stretch. Short center back. Confusion about ShadeFactor™ vs UPF.
See more in our complete guide to the best sun hoodies, and best merino wool sun hoodies.
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Measuring breathability with an anemometer and fan blowing 14mph
Expanded Pros Review
Max sun protection rating: UPF 50+ is as much sun protection as you will need in any possible outdoor scenario. So you can safely enjoy the Himalaya mountains or Atacama Desert.
Thin & cool: The REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie does a superb job of heat transfer via conduction because it is very thin, and polyester does not insulate well.
Quick drying: While not among the elite tier of fastest drying sun hoodies we’ve tested, Flash Shade did dry faster than average. Out of the 50 sun hoodie test cohort, it came in around 15th, or at the 70th percentile marker.
Good thumb loops: The ergonomically designed thumb loops are well support to take on the pressure of reaching while wearing the sleeves
Ultralight: REI Co-op Flash Shade is a lighter than average sun hoodie, which makes it easy to stow in a pack or bag.
Stretchy without Spandex: We love when stretch is derived mechanically from the knit structure without Spandex. Spandex adds weight, smelliness, slows dry time, and decreases breathability. No thanks!
Carbon capture: Even better than recycled polyester, LanzaTech carbon capture converts industrial gas emissions into fabric.
Full coverage hood with pony tail port for M’s & W’s: The large scuba hood offers full face and neck coverage, and includes a ponytail port on both the men’s and women’s.
Plus & tall sizes: It’s nice that more people can wear fit this hoodie.
Even the men’s version has a ponytail port
Expanded Cons Review
Below average breathability: The biggest drawback to REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie is that it isn’t very breathable. We conducted our standard breathability test by blowing 14mph wind through the fabric, and seeing what the anemometer reads on the other side. It scored 0.9 mph, which is only marginally better than Sahara Shade (0.8 mph), and solidly placed into the low breathability category. It was among the bottom 25% of 50 sun hoodies tested, with the average being around around 1.5mph, and highly breathable sun hoodies in the 2-3mph range.
The subpar breathability is a direct result of its UPF 50 rating. In order to block maximum UV, the structure of the fabric must be tightly knit with little to no gap space in between the threads. This compromises breathability in the sense that air’s ability to pass through the fabric is significantly reduced. For this reason, we usually avoid UPF 50 fabrics, because the amount of sun protection is overkill in most situations, and seriously compromises breathability. UPF 30 is sufficient for nearly everyone in most scenarios. Note, this is not an issue specific to Flash Shade, but endemic to all UPF 50 fabrics.
Hood is hard to to take on/off: I found the hood rather difficult to take on and pull off, which is because the opening isn’t large, and the stitching around it is static and won’t stretch. The end result isn’t a major issue, but will unintentionally move hats or headbands as the hood is pulled over them.
Short center back: Another minor issue is that I would have preferred a slightly longer center back length. REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie’s 28” measurement is a bit short, and there isn’t much or any droptail. So if you have a long back and/or you want to tuck the shirt into your pants, or simply want enough overlap to ensure that a backpack never touches your lower back directly, this may not be a good choice.
Confusion about ShadeFactor™ Rating: According to the product description, “ShadeFactor™ 50+ fabric provides UPF 50+ sun protection.” So why is ShadeFactor relevant at all, if it’s the same thing as UPF, which is already being listed?
Full neck coverage when hood is on
Nice thumb holes
Who Should Choose It or Avoid it
Choose REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie if…
- You will be in high and/or prolonged UV exposure, because of the UPF 50+ rating
- You will wear it in warm weather; because it is thin and cool
- You want a high performance sun hoodie and need plus or tall sizes
- You want a men’s hoodie with a pony tail port; this is one of the only options
- You are shopping Co-op label and want the better of two sun hoodies; it’s technically superior to Sahara Shade for active use
- You care about sustainability; the polyester is derived from recycled materials and industrial gas
Don’t Choose REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie if…
- You want something soft, easy, and better suited to non-active everyday wear; in which case choose Sahara Shade instead
- You want a highly breathable sun hoodie. Air does not pass through this fabric well because it is tightly knit in order to achieve a UPF 50 rating. If you want breathability and UPF 50 choose, Black Diamond Alpenglow, or merino wool for even more air flow
- You want the lightest, fastest drying fabric possible; in which case choose Outdoor Research Echo
- You care a lot about odor resistance and/or prefer natural fibers (in which case choose a merino wool sun hoodie)
- You have a long back; it has a shorter than avg center back length and minimal drop tail
- You want demand a quarter zip for mechanical venting; in which case choose The North Face Direct Sun
I’ve now tested over 50 unique sun hoodies, and merino hoodies
REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie Vs the Competition
REI Co-op Sahara Shade vs Flash Shade
Compared to Sahara Shade, Flash Shade is thinner and cooler to wear, and quicker drying. Sahara Shade is softer and stretchier. They are both UPF50+ rated and thus have below-average breathability.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake vs REI Co-op Flash Shade
Compared to Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, Flash Shade is quite comparable. Both are very thin and cool, in addition to max UPF. Between them, Flash Shade is faster drying and less expensive, whiel Crater Lake is softer and stretchier.
Black Diamond Alpenglow vs REI Co-op Flash Shade
Compared to BD Alpenglow, Flash Shade is quicker drying, cooler, and significantly less expensive. BD Alpenglow is more breathable and stretchier.
The North Face Direct Sun (and Sunriser) vs REI Co-op Flash Shade
Compared to The North Face Summit Series Direct Sun (& Sunriser which uses the same fabric), Flash Shade is extremely comparable. The biggest difference of course is that Direct Sun has a massive half zip vent. Apart from that, Flash Shade has a slightly higher UPF rating and slightly lower price, while TNF Direct Sun has slightly better breathability. Both are cool, high UPF, and quick drying.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily vs REI Co-op Flash Shade
Compared to Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily, REI Flash Shade has more stretch, higher UPF, and is quicker drying. Capilene Cool is more breathable and less sporty looking. Both are thin and cool.
Outdoor Research Echo vs REI Co-op Flash Shade
Compared to Outdoor Research Echo, Flash Shade offers significantly higher UPF protection and is less expensive. OR Echo is thinner/cooler, much more breathable, and much faster drying.
REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie Review Conclusion
Given that it’s cooler and quicker drying than most UPF 50 alternatives, REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie is a good option worth considering. It is clearly superior to Sahara Shade from a performance perspective. However, we question the need to have made this UPF50 in the first place; maxing out UPF to the highest level has significant diminishing returns on UV protection, while the textile density required to achieve that rating seriously degrades breathability. Ergo, we think this would have served runners and hikers better better if it had been an airier UPF30 fabric. Nonetheless, it’s hard to dislike Flash Shade, and we’re confident it will go on to become a popular best seller and mainstay on the trail. Happy hiking!
