Best Equestrian
Sun Shirts of 2023

Sun shirts are a staple for equestrians across every discipline; they help protect your skin from sun damage while you are horseback riding. With a plethora of different styles, materials, and designs to suit every rider's individual style and fit preferences, shopping for one can be both fun and overwhelming. To make your search easier, the RW Crew has compiled a list of sun shirts from our favorite brands! From fitted cuts to relaxed fits, structured athletic materials to ultralight airy mesh, you're sure to find a sun shirt that protects your skin without sacrificing comfort or style.

Our Top Sun Shirt Picks:

Kastel Sun Shirts

We love Kastel Denmark because they offer a wide variety of colors and patterns to fit every rider's style, whether it's bright and bold, cool and classic, or soft and feminine. Every Kastel sun shirt is made with ultra-light, breathable fabric with UPF 30+ to keep you protected in the summer sun. Their structured yet stretchy fabric also has built-in antibacterial properties, so your shirt can stay fresh wash after wash. Kastel has mastered building a fabric that allows the breeze to flow through without being sheer. The quarter-zip neckline also allows for additional coverage or breathability when it's needed.

Kastel's sun shirts offer a modern, flattering fit and come in long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless styles—in both prints and solid colors!

TKEQ Sun Shirts

TKEQ Athletics brings the benefits of your favorite athletic wear to the equestrian world. Designed with a modern look, TKEQ shirts are stylish enough for both the stable and the streets. Light compression throughout the garment not only offers a seamless, second-skin feel but supports you during any equestrian activity. The tighter fit also prevents any unsightly bunching, with the shirt being able to sit nicely under breeches, tights, or jeans. TKEQ's sun shirts are an easy favorite of ours with their UV protection and moisture-wicking properties. Thumbholes in the sleeves allow for maximum sun coverage and help avoid the dreaded tan lines from gloves!

Available in long sleeve, short sleeve, zip-collar, and non-collared options!

Kerrits Sun Shirts

A favorite among the RW Crew, Kerrits Equestrian makes super lightweight and ultra-breathable sun shirts for the hottest of days in the saddle; their secret is the Ice Fil skin-cooling technology that provides amazing airflow through the entire shirt. This impressive technology converts sweat into cooling energy, which can reduce the skin's temperature by up to five degrees! These shirts have a "flowy" feel without having a super relaxed fit, making them perfect for hot, humid climates. UPF 30+ protection guarantees you stay covered from the sun as you ride the trails or school the arena.

Kerrits sun shirts are available in solids and prints in long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless styles!

Ariat Sunstopper Shirts

From a brand equestrians know and love, the Ariat International Sunstopper provides all-around sun protection that is tried and true. A part of Ariat's HeatSeries, this shirt boasts Moisture Movement Technology to provide quick evaporation of moisture—keeping you cool and dry on the hottest summer days. We appreciate the fit of the lightweight pique knit material, which offers a relaxed style that flatters a variety of rider shapes while remaining breathable. Mesh underarms and shoulder panels add airflow to keep you comfortable, while the tighter woven pique avoids a super-sheer look.

Sunstopper sun shirts are available in long sleeves in a variety of solid colors and prints!

Performa Ride Sun Shirts

We picked the Luna Base Layer from Performa Ride because of its all-season comfort. Based in Australia, Performa Ride knows how to battle the punishing summer sun. The Luna utilizes performance moisture-wicking technology to keep you cool and comfortable, no matter where your day takes you. The slightly tailored but forgiving fit creates a clean look on a variety of shapes and sizes. A smooth, second-skin feel doesn't restrict you or cause this shirt to cling. The Luna also pairs perfectly with Performa Ride's tights for complete summer comfort!

The Luna Base Layer is available in long sleeve in solid colors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the difference between a sun shirt and a standard shirt?

A: A sun shirt is a specially designed garment that provides superior sun protection compared to a standard or normal shirt. The fabric used in sun shirts is typically UPF-rated, which means it has been treated to block harmful UV rays. In addition, many sun shirts often have long sleeves and a high neckline to further protect the skin from sun rays.

On the other hand, a standard shirt may not provide the same level of sun protection due to possibly not having UPF-rated fabric. While both types of shirts can be used for outdoor activities, a sun shirt is a better choice if you want to minimize your exposure to the sun and protect your skin from damage.

Q: What is the UPF rating system and what level of protection do I need for riding?

A: UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is a rating system used to measure the effectiveness of sun-protective fabrics. The higher the UPF rating, the more protection the fabric provides against harmful UV rays. Here are the general levels of UPF protection with sun shirts:

UPF 15-20: Offers good protection against UVB rays and some protection against UVA rays. This level is considered to provide basic sun protection.

UPF 25-35: Offers very good protection against UVB and UVA rays. This level is considered to provide an adequate level of sun protection.

UPF 40-50+: Offers excellent protection against both UVB and UVA rays. This level is considered to provide the highest level of sun protection.

When shopping for a sun shirt for riding, it's important to look for one with a UPF rating of 30 or higher to ensure that you are getting a good level of sun protection. Still, note that no fabric can provide 100% protection against UV rays. That's why it is beneficial to use other forms of sun protection, such as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses when spending time outdoors. For further guidance, check out our Summer Apparel and Accessory Guide!

Q: Are sun shirts worth it?

A: Sun shirts are worth the investment because they not only aid in your performance as a rider but offer health benefits. Most sun shirts are designed with durable, athletic materials that are made to endure the rigors of an equestrian lifestyle, making them superior to standard apparel for riding. They also feature UPF protection, which can reduce the risk of premature skin aging, wrinkling, and potentially skin cancer. Depending on the style you choose, it also cuts down on the number of times you need to apply sunscreen. Investing in sun shirts is a great idea for any equestrian, as they allow you to focus on spending time with your horse rather than worrying about protecting yourself from the sun!

Closing Thoughts:

Though primarily seen in the English and Endurance worlds, we believe every equestrian can benefit from wearing a sun shirt. We hope our best-of article narrowed down the selection we have to offer and helped you find the right sun shirt for you! If you are in need of further assistance, we encourage you to reach out to our helpful customer service team at info@ridingwarehouse.com or 1-800-620-9145. In the meantime, happy riding!

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