Men's Sun Shirts
Men's sun shirts that give you all-day UV protection without sunscreen, built for fishing, boating, hiking and hot summer days. Our range features Columbia, Simms, Just Another Fisherman, Malosi and The North Face, in long-sleeve, hooded and quarter-zip styles.
A sun shirt uses tightly woven, UPF-rated fabric to block UV across your arms and torso, with lightweight, quick-drying and breathable construction so you stay cool while covered. Long sleeves and hooded styles add the most protection for exposed days on the water or the trail, and many have a high neck or thumb holes for extra coverage. If you spend real time in the New Zealand sun, a sun shirt is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin.
Order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand, or click and collect from our Grey Lynn store or Westgate collection point at 4B Topere Way.
Frequently asked questions about men's sun shirts
How does a sun shirt protect me from UV?
A sun shirt uses tightly woven, often UPF-rated fabric that physically blocks UV rays from reaching your skin across your arms and torso. Unlike sunscreen, it does not wear off, sweat off or need reapplying, so it keeps protecting you all day. That reliability is why sun shirts are so popular for fishing, boating and long days outdoors, where reapplying sunscreen is a hassle.
What UPF rating should I look for in a sun shirt?
Look for UPF 50 or UPF 50+, which blocks about 98 percent of UV and is the highest common rating. Most dedicated sun shirts are rated UPF 50+, so you are well covered choosing one. The rating measures the fabric's protection specifically, so a UPF 50+ sun shirt gives dependable, all-day defence for the skin it covers, which matters given New Zealand's intense sun.
Are sun shirts hot to wear in summer?
No, quite the opposite when chosen well. Sun shirts are made from lightweight, breathable, quick-drying fabric designed to keep you cool while covered, and covering your skin can actually feel cooler than bare skin in direct sun. Many anglers and hikers find a long-sleeve sun shirt more comfortable than sunscreen on hot days. Look for breathable, moisture-wicking fabric for the coolest feel.
Long sleeve or hooded sun shirt, which is better?
Both cover more than a tee; it comes down to how much protection you want. A long-sleeve sun shirt covers your arms and torso, which suits most people. A hooded sun shirt adds coverage for your neck and head, which is excellent for the most exposed days on the water or open trail. If maximum protection is the goal, choose hooded; for everyday sun, long sleeve is plenty.
Do I still need sunscreen with a sun shirt?
A sun shirt covers the skin under it, so you need less sunscreen overall, but you should still protect the areas it does not cover, such as your face, neck, ears and hands. Pair a sun shirt with a hat and sunscreen on exposed skin for full protection. The shirt does the heavy lifting for your arms and torso, which are the hardest areas to keep covered with sunscreen alone.
Are sun shirts good for fishing and being on the water?
They are a favourite for it. On the water you get sun from above and reflected off the surface, so all-day skin coverage really matters, and a sun shirt delivers it without constant sunscreen reapplication. Many are designed with fishing in mind, with features like high necks, hoods and quick-drying fabric. For anglers and boaties, a sun shirt is close to essential kit.
How do I wash a sun shirt without reducing its protection?
Wash it cool on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and avoid fabric softener, which can coat the fibres. The UPF protection is built into the tightly woven fabric, so normal gentle washing does not wash it out. Air dry where possible to protect the fabric and any stretch, and your sun shirt will keep protecting you season after season.