Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt Review
The travel-ready sun shirt for people who are tired of unstylish sun hoodies
May 29th, 2026
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Our verdict
The Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt solves a problem many outdoorsy women have. Let's face it: most sun hoodies are designed for men's bodies and aren't that stylish. Outdoor women are accustomed to the sun protection, breathability, and mobility of sun hoodies while hiking or paddling. But most sun shirts can't be dressed up for travel, going out to restaurants, or any time you want to look more put together.
Enter the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt. Made by a women-owned company, it is a stylish sun shirt in a breezy, quick-dry, easy-to-wash material that doesn't wrinkle and works great for travel. Since it doesn't have a hood, you can actually wear it with a wide-brimmed sun hat, and while doing outdoor yoga classes (hoods falling in your face during inversions are no fun!).
I initially got the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve for two weeks of early summer travel. I wore this sun shirt for everything from going to the theater, hiking in Redwood National Park, checking out cool local shops and restaurants, walking through the aquarium and botanical gardens, and hanging out on the beach.
Since my travel always involves active adventures, I also summited peaks and did outdoor yoga classes. After I got back home, I also wore it to backyard parties, farmer's markets, and reading in a hammock in the backyard.
When I wear the Upland Sun Shirt, I get a lot of compliments. The Title Nine Upland Sun Shirt can be dressed up or down, and I've worn it with everything from trail running shorts to vintage Batik skirts. It looks like a flowy blouse with a drop hem, and even has a string tie at the waist so you can decide where to cinch it for the most flattering fit for your body. It also provides UPF 50 sun protection that I've come to demand of any shirt I wear outside for an extended period of time.
The Title Nine Upland Sun Shirt is a great option if you're looking for a sun shirt and have found most of our recommendations in Best Sun Shirts guide to be too hiking-focused or not stylish enough. The Upland's fit is flattering, it comes in fun colors, and it works with wide-brimmed stylish sun hats. It works best for travel, where it protects you from the sun during hours of beach strolling and also looks good for going out.
Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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Title Nine Upland Sun Shirt specifications
Price: $89
UPF rating: UPF 50
Fabric: 83% nylon/17% elastane
Center front length (size M): 24 in
Center back length (size M): 25.5 in
Fit: Size up if you want a more airy fit
Sizing: XS (2), S (4–6), M (8–10), L (12–14), XL (16)
Thumbholes: Yes
Back hem: Slightly dropped
Pockets: One chest pocket (no zipped pockets)
Best for
I tested the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve sun shirt on day-after-day beach days during a road trip down Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) its entire distance along the California Coast.
High altitude days, desert hiking, and times where you are outside without much shade like picnics or watching or playing sports
Travel where you expect to be spending a lot of time outside hiking, strolling the beach, or transiting between train stations, museums, and restaurants
Packing light: doesn't wrinkle easily, so you can stuff it in an Adventure Travel Backpack and not need to worry about the iron.
Capsule travel wardrobes, as it can be easily dressed up or down as needed
Women who are tired of unstylish sun hoodies
Comparison table
| SUN SHIRT | MSRP* | UPF | FIT | HOOD? | THUMB LOOPS? | MATERIAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt | $89 | 50 | Standard Fit | No | Yes | 83% nylon, 17% elastane |
| Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody | $70 | 50+ | Standard Fit | Yes | Yes | 88% polyester, 12% elastane |
| REI Sahara Shade Hoodie | $60 | 50+ | Relaxed Fit | Yes | Yes | 92% polyester/8% spandex (bluesign approved) |
| Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody | $69 | 17-45 | Standard Fit | Yes | No | 100% polyester (50% recycled) |
| VOORMI River Run | $139 | 30+ | Relaxed Fit | Yes | Yes | 52% wool, 48% polyester |
What we liked
Looks very stylish—I get a lot of compliments when I wear this, which may be a first for wearing a sun shirt
The nylon-elastane fabric stays cool and breathes well, even during strenuous hikes
Doesn't hold wrinkles (so no need for an iron while traveling)
Thumbholes and excellent cuffs ensure that sleeves stay over the tops of your hands, where skin is thinner, and people are more likely to get sun damage
Drawstring waist works well for styling, dressing the sun shirt up and down as needed for where you are going
UPF 50+ sun protection is among the highest of sun shirts we have tested, without feeling thick or hot
Quick drying material is handy for washing during travel or after sweating during hikes, yoga classes, or hot days
Hoodless sun shirt means you can style it with non-outdoorsy clothes, wear it with wide brimmed sun hats, and do yoga poses without having a hood falling in your face
What could be better
Limited size range from XS-XL only, no plus sizes
Sun shirts without hoods will, by their nature, provide less sun protection on the neck and ears than hoodies
The drawstring can be caught when backpacking while wearing this shirt, though we fully recognize that backpacking with it is not what this shirt was mainly designed for
How we tested
I tested the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve sun shirt on hikes and while traveling.
As mentioned above, I got the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve for two weeks of early summer travel. During this time, I spent the first two weeks in a small mountain town, walking around shops, going to the theater, and walking in the extensive local park system for the majority of the day. I also visited restaurants and read in bookshops and on outdoor patios at cafes and breweries.
For the second part of my trip, I picked up the pace and wore the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve shirt while climbing mountains along the Pacific Crest Trail through conifer forest and then above treeline with lots of sun exposure. I also wore it on long, steep uphill climbs in the foothill trails system.
Then, I took the Upland shirt roadtripping along the California Coast on Pacific Coast Highway 1. I hiked and camped in Redwoods National and State Parks. I went tidepooling and hiked up to the lighthouse. I walked around shops and restaurants in small, coastal towns. I road tripped down to Big Sur, hiked in more State Parks, visited botanical gardens and the aquarium, and hiked even more on even steeper and more exposed foothill trails in Ventura, California.
As expected, and perhaps the best travel testing of this shirt, I spent a lot of time hanging out on the beach. I tested this shirt while reading on a picnic blanket, walking along the shoreline, hanging out on the pier, and eating fish tacos while watching the ocean.
When I got back home to the LA-area, I took it on sweaty mountain climbs and outdoor yoga classes. After I got back home, I also wore it to backyard parties, farmers’ markets, and reading in a hammock in the backyard.
I also tested the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve sun shirt side by side with other sun shirts. I've been testing sun shirts for the past five years and have tested more than two dozen long sleeve shirts with UPF protection. I always consider comfort, breathability, mobility, and sun protection while judging sun shirts.
Performance in the field
The Upland Sun Shirt worked well in humid climates, like the coastal temperate rainforest in Redwoods National Park. It also worked well in drier climates in Southern California.
Breathability and thermal regulation
Living in sunny Southern California, I pretty much only wear sun shirts, and I need them to perform during multiple activities, not just hiking or paddling. The Upland Sun Shirt is made of a thin, breathable fabric that kept me cool during outdoor vinyasa and summiting mountains.
I tested this sun shirt while traveling in temperatures from 50 to 90F. I also wore it while climbing mountains along the Pacific Crest Trail through conifer forest and then above treeline, going uphill for hours without shade. The material is very thin and flowy, which meant I didn't feel as hot or sweaty as I have when wearing other sun shirts. Because it breathes so well, it is less wind resistant, so I paired it with a windbreaker when needed.
Moisture management
Working up a sweat in the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve sun shirt.
The Upland Sun Shirt doesn't cling or feel clammy after working up a sweat. The nylon/elastane fabric wicked sweat away well and dried quickly, both from sweat and also after washing it at my Airbnb after my hike.
Comfort and fit over time
Close-up on the fit of the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt and how it pairs with a backpack.
This shirt feels very comfortable while hiking. There was no chafing, sleeve slippage, or spots that became irritating over hours of wear. I really liked the soft thumbholes and secure cuffs that keep the sleeves over the top of my hands, the area where skin is thinner and more susceptible to sun damage. A lot of thumbholes on sun shirts tend to rub and eventually callous the spot between my pointer finger and thumb, and the material on the Upland is so soft that it wasn't an issue.
Sun protection in practice
Hiking on the beach through a natural arch wearing the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt.
The Upland Long Sleeve sun shirt is so thin and breathable that it's remarkable it is UPF 50. Especially on road trip days while driving 5+ hours, I noticed a big difference in not getting sunburnt on my arm from sunlight through the window. Brands are required to do extensive testing on UPF before reporting it, so I have full faith that this is indeed UPF 50.
Material
Close-up on the material and side view showing the fit of the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt, including the drop hem in the back (left) and the stylish slit on the side.
The nylon/elastane combination feels incredibly soft and offers plenty of stretch and mobility, which is one reason I like wearing this shirt for outdoor yoga classes. One thing I really like about the fabric is that it shows no signs of pilling, snagging, or wear at the cuffs, collar, or thumbholes. It's a flowier fabric than almost all the sun shirts I've ever tested, but it hasn't caught on brush on overgrown trails in Big Sur or when I've had to climb over downed trees that have fallen on the trail in Redwoods State Park.
As mentioned above, I loved wearing this shirt for travel because it doesn't get wrinkly but looks much more stylish than my polyester sun shirts (that also don't get wrinkly).
Features
83% nylon/17% elastane fabric feels flowy and airy
UPF 50 sun protection, among the highest of sun shirts we've tested
Long sleeves with thumbholes that are soft and stay put
Slightly dropped back hem, very handy for outdoor yoga
One small open chest pocket fits sunglasses
Lightweight, breathable material that wicks away sweat easily
Material is non-wrinkly
Waistband allows you to cinch the waist to your own body shape and preferred level of flowiness
Lots of fun colors, including some unique ones you don’t usually see in sun shirts
Available in long sleeve (what we tested), short sleeves, and sleeveless versions
Available in XS–XL
Sustainability and brand ethics
Title Nine is a women-owned brand and runs the “T9 Movers & Makers” program that supports other women-owned businesses. They host a “T9 Pitchfest” for women entrepreneurs to network, learn, and pitch their brand or gear.
Other Available Versions
Short sleeve
The Upland Sun Shirt is available as a short sleeve shirt for people who want more ventilation and don't want their arms to be restricted.
This is a good design or layering or hiking and travel in hotter conditions.
Just be sure to wear some sunscreen on your arms!
The sizes and colors available are the same as for the long sleeve version.
For those who prefer the airiness of a tank, the Upland is available as a high sun protection tank.
This is a good option for athletes with muscular shoulders and arms who have a hard time fitting in traditional sun shirts but want the sun protection. This is true for climbers, CrossFit, and weight lifters.
It's also a great option for anyone who enjoys wearing tank tops in the summer but wants some extra sun protection. The sizes and colors available are the same as for the long sleeve version.
Similar products
Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt vs Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake hoody is a lightweight, nylon-based sun shirt designed for hikers.
The Crater Lake sun hoody has a cinch at the waist like the Upland shirt, but I find the string longer and more annoying than on the Upland. The Upland shirt also has a drop hem that does a better job of keeping the shirt from riding up.
The Crater Lake has a hood, the Upland does not. We find the Upland more versatible for travel or outdoor yoga. The hood is better for hikers who only want to use their sun shirt for hiking.
The two shirts breathe and dry at similar rates, but the Upland is more flowy.
There is absolutely no way I could dress up the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake hoody for anything but hiking, but the Title Nine Upland excels at versatility for adventure travel.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt vs Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody
The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody is a lightweight sun hoody often used for hiking. Like the Upland Sun Shirt, it breathes well and dries very quickly.
But unlike the Upland, the long sleeves don't have thumbholes. The Cool Daily also isn't great at odor management.
We don't like the fit of the Capilene Cool daily as much as we do on the Upland. The Patagonia is more fitted and boxy. The fabric is less flowy and rides up in the back, which feels less comfortable.
Although there are versions that don't have a hood, even as a long sleeve crew, there is no way I could pull off wearing the Cool Daily shirt to look stylish or for adventure travel.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody
Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt vs REI Sahara Sun Shade Hoodie
The REI Sahara Sun Shade hoodie is a popular budget pick sun hoodie that is also available without a hood.
Like the Upland, it has a drop hem and thumbholes.
The material is thicker than the Upland hoody and the cut is less flowy.
It doesn't have a waistband cinch and looks decidedly technical compared to the Upland. As with the other sun shirts mentioned here, this isn't a shirt you can dress up with a skirt.
REI Sahara Sun Shade Hoodie
Should I buy the Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt?
Hiking in Redwoods National Park in the Title Nine sun shirt.
Buy if:
You want a lightweight, low-profile sun shirt for hiking, travel, and versatile outdoor adventure without a hood
You run warm and want maximum breathability without sacrificing UPF protection
You want sun protection that looks more stylish than other sun shirts and doesn't scream "outdoor wear" or tourist
You prefer a fitted, non-boxy athletic look that works on and off trail
You want sun protection for travel in a shirt that doesn't require ironing, dries quickly, and manages odor well
You want soft thumbholes that keep sleeves in place during scrambling or pack-on movement
You want a sun shirt made by a women-owned brand
Skip if:
You want a hood for face and neck coverage in intense sun
You need plus sizing—the Upland stops at XL
You want a more technical or packable sun shirt for backpacking, where weight is a priority
Where to buy
Hiking among the mountain wildflowers while wearing the Title Nine Upland sun shirt.
The Title Nine Upland Long Sleeve Sun Shirt can be purchased exclusively from Title Nine.
Title Nine offers a 60-day return policy.
FAQs
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Title Nine lists it as true to size. I am between a S and M and opted for a M in this shirt and was happy with that decision. It gives it a more airy and flowy fit, which is what I wanted with this shirt.
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No. The Upland is a crew-neck style with no hood. If you want a hooded sun shirt for additional face and neck coverage, see our Best Sun Shirts guide for alternatives.
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Both shirts use the same 83% nylon/17% elastane fabric and UPF 50 rating. The long sleeve version adds full arm coverage and thumbholes, making it the better choice for full-sun hiking or travel days. Both have a cinch tie at the front hem. If you’ve got big biceps or are doing higher-output activities where arm coverage would feel too warm, you may like the tank better.
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Both. I tested it on long climbs along the Pacific Crest Trail and on steep foothill trails. It breathes well in heat, dries quickly when sweaty, and the thumbholes protect the backs of the hands. The drawstring waist can catch under a backpack hipbelt, so it's better for day hiking than overnight backpacking.
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A sun hoody offers more neck and ear coverage and is the better choice for sustained, intense sun exposure (alpine ridges, desert hiking). The Upland offers more versatility — it pairs with a wide-brim hat, doesn't fall in your face during yoga or paddling, and dresses up for travel. If you'll mostly hike, choose a hoody. If you'll mix hiking with travel and everyday wear, choose the Upland.
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After weeks of heavy daily use, multiple washes, and hiking brushy trails in Big Sur and climbing over downed redwood trees in Redwood National Park, I haven't seen any pilling, snagging, or wear at the cuffs, collar, or thumbholes.
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas hiking near the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon.
After thru-hiking nearly 15,000 miles with almost no sun protection, I interviewed a University of Arizona sun cancer expert for a story on sun hats that I wrote for the New York Times/Wirecutter. Although that story was about hats, what I learned about the sun scared some sense into me; I've been wearing sun protective clothing (and looking for the perfect one!) ever since.
I'm the Editor in Chief of Treeline Review. I also write the regular column "Ask a Thru-hiker" for Backpacker Magazine. I previously held the women's self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail and am also known for my innovative urban thru-hikes. See my Packing List for an NYC Urban Hike for an example.
I'm also the author of Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike, which won the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book. In addition, I regularly give talks at universities, non-profit conventions, and outdoor organizations about thru-hiking and urban thru-hiking.
You can read more about Liz at her wikipedia page here or on her website. You can see all of Liz’s articles at Treeline Review at her author page.
