Written by: Anastasia (@anastasia.ventures)
I thought wearing a sun hoodie in spring was ridiculous… until it hit 22°C IN APRIL. Instead of lathering my body in sunscreen, I tried out the less sticky approach by wearing the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Sun Hoody!
UV rays are not something I like to take lightly. Far too many times before I have walked out of the house in a t-shirt and come back with a permanent version on my skin. So to prove I learnt my lesson, I’ve started utilizing sun hoodies.
I prefer a sun hoodie over a long sleeve since they do a better job of protecting your neck, ears, and scalp. I personally do not like wearing hats but hoods are great. I loved the way the Capilene Cool had a button on the front of its hood. Not only did it keep the hood on my head (which is crucial), but it stopped the front of my neck from getting burned too. I love this feature since I frequently do a poor job at applying my face sunscreen properly to my neck.
The vibe of the day was just a chill river hike.
It wasn’t anything crazy. Just a way to enjoy the sunny day. It was so magical getting outside.I love hearing the river flow, the birds chirping, and the feeling of the sun on my skin. So naturally at our lookout I took some time by the river. I carried my pack with me the whole trip, but when I got to the lookout I just left it at the river bed. I had such peace of mind since the Capilene Cool Hoody had a side pocket hidden under the arm. I could put my keys in there. So if in the worst case scenario my backpack got stolen by a hungry bear or mischievous squirrel, I’d still be able to get home.
Throughout my whole day outside I never had to think about sun exposure or if I missed a spot on my shoulders!
I just pulled the hood up when I felt like it and kept exploring.
I understand why Patagonia calls this a Daily hoody because it was so comfortable. You usually think long sleeves equals hotter, but this hoodie was so light and airy. The Capilene felt cooler than wearing a tank because the sun wasn’t directly hitting my skin; then when I was in the shade I wasn’t cold because the capilene cool material dried so fast all the sweat was gone! If you didn’t tell me it was a sun hoodie, I would have never known. I even sized up so that it could be extra loose and I have no regrets.
Little things that made this hoodie stand out:
● the hood = the button was such a good touch to keep my coverage full when the sun felt strong
● thumb holes = I didn’t think I’d care but I actually used them a lot, especially just to keep everything in place
● The side pocket = Not having a chest pocket was awesome because I didn’t have keys poking into me with every movement. Instead they just stayed on my side where I didn’t feel them at all. Plus I had no weird lump on my chest in my pictures which was a personal win!
When I’d wear this:
● sunny hikes (especially anything exposed)
● backpacking trips where I want to pack less but be covered
● lake days / paddleboarding
● travel days when I want one thing that does everything
I’m really thankful I was able to try out the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Sun Hoody. My previous sun hoodies have felt more like a tool, and in comparison this is just a comfortable long sleeve alternative. It just made the whole experience feel more simple and low effort, which is exactly how I like my days outside!
It’s definitely one of those pieces that just becomes your go-to without even thinking about it.
