Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody Solar Shirt Assessment

Backside Line

The Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody (the ladies’s counterpart to the males’s Cormac Hoody) affords a extremely technical material and match for demanding outside adventures. It simply retains up on lengthy days of peak-bagging, holding its personal in pre-dawn temperatures and wicking away moisture throughout noon traverses and ridge scrambles.

The Sunna Hoody is an up to date model of the Taema Hoody, with essentially the most notable variations being the material and match. The Sunna affords improved freedom of motion because of a four-way, stretch-knit waffle material. It additionally has a roomier form than the Taema, addressing complaints in regards to the Taema’s tight and uncomfortable match throughout the shoulders.

That mentioned, not like the Taema, which boasted UPF 50+ solar safety, the Sunna shouldn’t be UPF-rated. We reached out to Arc’teryx to inquire about this, however we had been unable to substantiate when – or if – it is going to get a score.

Nonetheless, this solar shirt works effectively for prolonged, strenuous outside outings. Although not the softest solar shirt out there, it’s a reliable year-round piece because of its technical wicking material. The standard and flexibility make it a superb funding for these searching for a performance-ready solar shirt. For extra choices, take a look at our solar shirts gear information.

How We Examined

We examined the Sunna Hoody all through a number of days in climate that ranged from the excessive 50s to low 80s, each with and with out layers overtop (together with a puffy jacket). We wore it for a 1-mile path run in addition to two separate four-mile hikes. We paired it with a loaded daypack for a portion of our testing and wore it by itself for the remainder.

Consolation

The Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody’s material is an actual standout. It’s constructed from 40-denier polyester, which affords nice energy for its weight. The material options four-way stretch and a waffle-knit texture (known as Solotex Round Knit Waffle), permitting for excellent breathability and moisture wicking. 

The Solotex material has wonderful form retention – it feels prefer it snaps again into place after being stretched. It’s additionally proof against shrinking, even after continued washing and drying. The material feels {smooth} towards the pores and skin, and although it doesn’t boast the plush silkiness or brushed softness of different solar hoodies in our lineup, it feels very nice general.

The Sunna’s match affords added room within the shoulders and again in comparison with the past-generation Taema. Although the material nonetheless hugs the arms and again in spots (particularly on the forearms), the Sunna’s stretch permits for very comfy actions. Even with our arms prolonged and thumbs by means of the thumbholes, the material didn’t dig into our palms or trigger discomfort.

Solar Safety

The past-generation Taema Hoody had UPF 50+ safety, however the newest Sunna (and males’s Cormac) aren’t at the moment UPF-rated. We reached out to Arc’teryx to get the small print on whether or not or not it is going to get a score sooner or later, however we had been unable to substantiate earlier than publishing this overview.

Till that occurs, we hesitate to suggest the Sunna/Cormac for these in want of top-level solar safety. On the brilliant facet, the sleeve size and thumbholes have been improved. The Taema featured straps for the thumbs, however the sleeves lined lower than half of the hand when in use. The Sunna has very comfy, low-profile thumbholes that pull the sleeve to the knuckles, overlaying the whole thing of the hand. 

Lastly, the hood matches nice with or with out a hat beneath. It stays in place and doesn’t fall into our face when working. Even when the hood is down, the neck is partially shielded from the solar with a built-in gaiter – and it’s much more complete with the hood on.

Breathability & Wicking Energy

Though we love the Sunna’s material, it has a denser weave that lacks some airiness in comparison with the Taema Hoody. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless a superb efficiency piece with spectacular wicking talents and a fast drying time.

We examined this shirt throughout a path run/hike in an uncovered space with temperatures within the low 80s. Air didn’t really feel prefer it was reaching our pores and skin as a lot as we hoped, however we additionally didn’t really feel like we had been overheating or sweating excessively. In reality, sweat appeared to be pulled away from our physique and evaporated rapidly from the material, leaving little or no odor or claminess. Even in spots the place sweat saturated the material, the shirt doesn’t really feel weighed down.

We had been much more stunned by the shirt’s efficiency on a hike in full solar with temperatures within the low 60s. We had a lightweight puffy beneath and a loaded daypack, and we had been in a position to carry on the mid-layer for the whole thing of our four-mile hike.Although heat at occasions, we weren’t uncomfortable. Sweat gathered on the shirt, however solely in locations the place the pack touched our again – and it dried rapidly as soon as we returned to the trailhead. 

Versatility

The Sunna is a superb year-round piece because of its technical material that wicks moisture (i.e., sweat) successfully and maintains its form over time. The match additionally works effectively for pairing underneath a mid-layer. For summer season adventures, the material is breathable and odor-resistant sufficient to final a number of days between washings. It additionally helps that the shirt’s development is hardwearing and constructed to final – not like some thinner and extra delicate shirts that we examined.

Ought to You Purchase The Arc’teryx Sunna/Cormac Hoody?

The Sunna is a superb all-around selection. Some technical solar shirts really feel too specialised for the typical hiker, however the Sunna manages to pack in a wholesome dose of efficiency in a really approachable package deal. The value level is on the upper finish, however the shirt’s general high quality and flexibility make it a stable worth – particularly for many who spend lots of time within the mountains.

The polyester material is {smooth}, sturdy, and retains its form over time. We skilled no snagging, pilling, or different indicators of damage all through testing. It additionally has a wholesome dose of stretch, dries rapidly, and resists odor to a formidable diploma, making it an excellent selection for multi-day journeys. 

Along with being on the pricier facet, the Sunna isn’t the softest solar shirt out there. It’s additionally rather less breathable and ethereal than the past-generation Taema Hoody, though sweat buildup wasn’t a difficulty. General, it’s a really succesful piece with nice all-around efficiency.

What Different Solar Shirts Ought to You Contemplate?

Earlier than you decide, you’ll want to take a look at our information to the most effective solar shirts. Listed below are a number of choices which are much like the Sunna Hoody:

KETL NoFry Solar Hoodie Assessment: When you’re searching for an ultralight design that breathes effectively, dries extraordinarily quick, and feels silky-smooth towards the pores and skin, the NoFry matches the invoice. That is the thinnest shirt in our lineup at 79 GSM, translating to a really ethereal and barely there really feel. The most important disadvantage is the dearth of longevity: The NoFry is comparatively delicate and vulnerable to snagging, making the Sunna the higher long-term funding.

Cotopaxi Sombra Solar Hoodie Assessment: The Sombra is one other solar shirt that places all of it collectively fairly effectively. In comparison with the Sunna, the Sombra tacks on a zippered pocket on the facet and prices much less. Nonetheless, it doesn’t dry as quick, wick as successfully, or breathe almost in addition to the Sunna, nor does it layer as comfortably for winter actions as a result of its shorter reduce. 

Ridge Merino Solstice Professional Light-weight Wool Hoodie Assessment: Made out of principally merino wool, the Solstice is a barely much less technical however nonetheless fully succesful different to the Sunna. This solar shirt breathes effectively, matches and feels comfy, successfully regulates physique temperature, and retains odor to a minimal. Nonetheless, it may’t compete with the Sunna’s stretch, wicking talents, or long-term sturdiness.