VOORMI River Run Wool Sun Hoodie Review
An in-depth review of a premium wool-based sun shirt made with love in the Rocky Mountains.
October 13th, 2025
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Our verdict
Manufactured by a boutique clothing company in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Bozeman, Montana, the VOORMI River Run sun shirts are made from a 100 g/m ultralight wool-synthetic blend that is surprisingly durable and very comfortable. It has a relaxed fit that won’t have you confusing it for a base layer and still looks flattering on various body shapes.
The VOORMI River Run Hoodie is a must-have clothing item for many outdoor enthusiasts, including some of our Treeline testers. We love the lightweight feel and breathability of the fabric, the relaxed fit, and how well it protects us from the sun. We also found you can wear it for multi-day trips and it doesn’t smell.
We’ve tested men's and women's versions of the VOORMI River Run Hoodie for hundreds of miles of backpacking, from the high Sierras of the John Muir Trail, to bikepacking the desertous landscape of the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park, and for a 2,000-mile section hike of the Continental Divide Trail. One tester even wore the River Run Hoodie in the Mojave Desert while surveying tortoises as a field biologist, and it has now become his go-to shirt for three seasons.
VOORMI River Run Wool Sun Hoodie
men's
Women's
While most say this shirt is super durable, there are a small fraction of customer reviews that report snags, tears, and runs. One of our testers experienced snagging and pilling after only a few day hikes, likely due to storing in near some Velcro. We’re not sure what causes this discrepancy, but most of our testers haven’t experienced major durability or quality issues.
The high-quality merino blend comes with an expensive price tag, which is ultimately why the River Run didn’t win a title in our Best Sun Shirts guide.
But with so many adoring fans and positive experiences from our testers, we still think the VOORMI River Run Hoodie is a worthy purchase for folks spending long durations of time outside with sun exposure who want a high-quality garment that supports a small business rather than large corporation.
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VOORMI River Run Hoodie specifications
Price: $139
UPF: 30+
Fit: Relaxed Fit
Material: 52% wool, 48% polyester
Weight: 5 oz (women’s medium), 7 oz (men’s large)
Hood/Thumbholes: Yes/Yes (thumbloops)
Sizes: XS-XL (women's), S-XXL (men's)
Best for
Activities with long sun exposure, such as fishing, backpacking, dayhiking, climbing, bikepacking, and backcountry skiing.
Protecting your arms and chest in sunny weather
High-alpine terrain where the sun is intense and the wind might be cold
Comparison table
| SUN SHIRT | MSRP* | UPF | FIT | HOOD? | THUMB LOOPS? | MATERIAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOORMI River Run Men's Women's |
$139 | 30+ | Relaxed Fit | Yes | Yes | 52% wool, 48% polyester |
| Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie Men's Women's |
$85 | 30+ | Relaxed Fit | Yes | Yes | 87% merino wool, 13% nylon |
| Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie Men's Women's |
$78 | 36+ | Athletic Fit | Yes | No | 58% merino (18 micron) / 42% nylon, knit |
| Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody Men's Women's |
$70 | 50+ | Standard Fit | Yes | Yes | 88% polyester, 12% elastane |
| Minus33 Microweight 1/4 Zip Sun Hoodie Woolverino Men's Women's |
$110 | 20 | Slim | Yes | Yes | 84% Merino Wool, 12% PFAS-Free Nylon, 4% Spandex |
What we liked
Flattering look
Very thin and breathable fabric; surprisingly durable
Button to fasten hood instead of drawstrings
Thumb loops
What could be better
Itchy and occasional reports of pilling
Not as high UPF as other sun shirts
May be difficult to get because the company is small
Price
How we tested
The author in the Voormi River Run near Julian, CA
We tested the VOORMI River Run Hoodie in various conditions over more than 2,000 miles, from high-alpine landscapes to the deserts of the Southwest. We tested the River Run Hoodie while thru-hiking the John Muir Trail, and recommend it in our ultralight gear list for PCT thru-hikers. We also tested the River Run through the high mountain deserts of the San Diego Trans County Trail.
Our men's tester took it on intensely exposed canyons while bikepacking the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. One tester wore it on a 2,000-mile section hike of the Continental Divide Trail.
Another men's tester even used the River Run Hoodie as a field biologist in the Mojave Desert surveying tortoises.
We also tested the VOORMI River Run Hoodie alongside other top performing sun shirts, like the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody and the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie, to see how it compared when considering sun protection, comfort and fit in the field, and price value.
Performance in the field
Comfort and Fit
In our experience, the VOORMI River Run Hoodie receives high marks as far as comfort is concerned. We enjoyed the relaxed, yet athletic fit, and were able to wear it both over a shirt as a layering piece and on its own.
The 100 g/m ultralight wool-synthetic blend makes for a light fabric that is thin, airy, permeable, and breathable (all of the things we want in a shirt designed for summer use). Because of the wool content, this shirt also has the capabilities of keeping you warm, which is nice in higher, sunnier altitudes. Our testers found this ideal for backpacking or long hikes and runs in higher elevation terrain, like the Sierras or the Rocky Mountains.
It’s also worth noting a few media and customer reviewers found the material to be initially scratchy. We experienced this at first, but it softened after a wash. However, if you are very sensitive to wool, we recommend going with a sun shirt made of 100% synthetic fibers, like the Crater Lake Hoody.
We also appreciate that the River Run Hoodie has a spacious hood with a high neckline that provides full neck coverage. The generous hood fits over a hat and still protects the side of the neck and ears from the sun. If it’s a bit chilly or windy, you can button up to keep your neck warm and prevent the hood from blowing off your head. The button is a minimalist way of securing the hood, and while it sometimes feels tight on the neck, we’re still glad that it’s there. We like this button system and only found it on one other sun shirt, the Patagonia Tropic Comfort (men's and women's), which is a synthetic shirt.
Sun Protection
The Voormi River Run sun shirt on an urban hike in sunny San Diego, CA
With a UPF of 30+, we found the sun-protecting capabilities of the River Run Hoodie more than adequate. We were able to prevent our skin from burning in the high and exposed altitudes of the Sierras and the Rocky Mountains, and also under the intensity of the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree sun.
The fabric is knit looser than some we tested, which helps with the breathability, but lowers the UPF levels. One customer review on VOORMI’s website reported getting burned while wearing it, but that seems to be a singular incident. As with all sunshirts, it’s wise to take precaution and wear sunscreen in addition to your sun shirt. If you have really fair skin and plan to recreate in highly exposed areas, a higher UPF shirt might be better, like the REI Sahara Shade Shirt.
Durability
Durability is the main point of contention with users and the VOORMI River Run Hoodie. Because of the ultralight wool-synthetic blend, the fabric is susceptible to snagging, especially when it comes in contact with Velcro.
It seems a decent portion of both customer and media reviewers have experienced pilling, snagging, and tearing in the River Run after only a little wear. However, the majority of reviewers seem to stand by this ultralight weight fabric’s ability to withstand all kinds of conditions.
In our testing, we experienced a bit of both. Two of our testers attest to the River Run surviving intense, rugged use. One, a biologist who wears the shirt while surveying for tortoises all day in the Mojave Desert, says he has at least three field seasons of use without signs of wear. His job requires him to bushwhack through spiky plants and under barbed wire fences. Contributing writer Dean Krakel, who trail runs, thru-hikes, bikepacks, and mountain bikes in his River Run, also has barely registered signs of wear.
However, Treeline Editor-in-Chief Liz Thomas tested the VOORMI River Run in the Sierras and discovered a hole after only a few day hikes.
On their website, VOORMI explains they repair or replace any items within a year of purchase that are damaged due to faulty fabric or manufacturing defects.
Ultimately, it seems like a majority don’t experience issues and find the fabric extremely durable, but we want buyers to be informed.
Handling Sweat and Odor
The ability for the VOORMI River Run to wick moisture and not get stinky seems to be a consensus for this sun shirt. This is where the 52% wool blend comes in, with its natural moisture-wicking and bactericidal capabilities, helping the fabric stay dry while sweating and not get smelly.
We found that we could wear the River Run backpacking and bikepacking for a whole week without the smell of sweat becoming noticeable. The River Run Hoodie’s performance in this area seems unmatched, as you can wear it for extended periods of physical activity without picking up unpleasant odors.
Features
Hood
The River Run Hoodie has a full coverage hood, meaning it can be layered over a baseball cap and still cover your ears and the back of your neck.
Buttons
The four buttons along the neckline and hood are recent additions to the River Run, although they still sell the single button version on Garage Grown Gear’s website (that website caters to ultralight backpackers who know one button is lighter than four). The newst version has four buttons that start at the sternum and go up towards the chin. This allows folks to adjust how much exposure and breeze they want coming through the chest area and neck.
Integrated Thumb Loops
The thumb loops are another recent addition along with the buttons. On previous versions of the River Run, the thumb loop was merely an elastic band you could put over your thumb and didn’t help pull the sleeve fabric further over your hands for more sun protection.
With the four button version, however, the thumb holes are integrated into the fabric, and elastic wrist cuffs help keep the sleeves in place. The new thumb holes cover most of the tops of your hands.
Fabric and Construction
The VOORMI River Run Hoodie is made of the company’s proprietary 100g/m2 DUAL SURFACE UL Precision Blended Wool, which uses 52% wool and 42% polyester.
Sizes and Color Options
In women’s, the River Run Hoodie is available in XS up to XL sizes in the colors Glacier, Dark Olive, Dirt, Pebble, Barley, and Shale.
The men’s River Run is available in S up to XXL in the same colors, with the exception of “Sapphire” in the single button version.
Who should buy this
Buy if you want to invest in a wool-based sun shirt from a boutique company that will provide long-lasting quality.
Skip if you are on a budget and are less concerned about materials and don’t want to risk any potential tears or snags.
Similar products
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
UPF: 30+
Fit: Relaxed Fit
Material: 87% Merino Wool 13% Nylon
Hood/Thumbholes: Yes/Yes
Sizes: XS-XXL
What we liked: soft fabric, moisture wicking, durability, lots of airflow, merino's antibacterial properties keep down odor
What we don't like: drawstrings can get caught in backpack straps
If you’re looking for wool, the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie is our go-to sun shirt due to its comfort and coverage, which is why it won our title for Best Merino Sun Shirt. The Solstice Hoodie has a loose yet flattering fit (in both men’s and women’s models) that has plenty of airflow, preventing overheating. What has us reach again and again for the Solstice over other sun shirts is its comfort with a soft merino wool blend that has never felt itchy. The Solstice Hoodie is almost half the price of the Voormi, however it is not as lightweight.
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
men's
Women's
UPF: 36+
Fit: Athletic Fit
Material: 58% merino (18 micron) / 42% nylon, knit
Sizes: XS-3X
What we liked: very lightweight, odor-resistant, comfortable
What we didn't like: less durable, fit
The Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie is an affordable merino wool sun hoodie that reminds us of a more affordable version of the VOORMI River Run Hoodie. It is high on our list of Best Sun Shirts that we tested. The material is soft and comfortable enough to sleep in on overnight trips while staying cool and temperature regulating when traveling through different ecosystems. Similar to the River Run, the material is prone to snagging.
Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
UPF: 50+
Fit: Standard Fit
Material: 88% polyester/12% elastane
Hood/Thumbloop: Yes/Yes
Sizes: XS - 3X
What we liked: lightweight, soft fabric, hood, thumbholes, plus size availability, most breathable sun shirt on hot days
What we don't like: drawstring on bottom
The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody is a lightweight, affordable, and highly UPF-protective sun shirt. It has a UPF rating of 50+ and the lightest and thinnest fabric we tested, with sizes ranging from XS-3X, which is why it won our Best Overall Sun Shirt. At nearly half the price of the River Run, we think the Crater Lake Hoody is a deal that can’t be beat. However, as a synthetic sun shirt, it retains odors more readily than the Voormi.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
men's
Women's
Where to buy
The VOORMi River Run shirt is a niche piece of gear but has dedicated places where you can find it. ,Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Garage Grown Gear
Pros: Great customer service, can also purchase other ultralight gear at the same time. See more on our article Meet the Online Retailer Supporting Small Brands.
Why you should trust us / About the Author
After Liz Thomas thru-hiked nearly 15,000 miles with almost no sun protection, she interviewed a sun cancer expert at the University of Arizona for a story on sun hats for the New York Times/Wirecutter. Although that story was about hats, what she learned about potential sun damage left a lasting impact; she’s been wearing sun protective clothing (and looking for the perfect one!) ever since.
Liz has thru-hiked the PCT as a northbounder and completed the PCT a second time as a section-hiker over ten years. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, she has also hiked the PCT and CDT and is a Triple Crowner. She’s co-founder and editor in chief of Treeline Review.
You can read all her gear articles here and on her personal website, as well as on Wikipedia.
