Best Equestrian
Sun Shirts of 2024

Sun shirts are a staple for equestrians across every discipline, as they help protect your skin from sun damage while 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 our sun shirts from our favorite brands! From fitted cuts to relaxed designs and 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 Equestrian 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 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 streets. Light compression throughout the garment not only offers a seamless, second-skin feel but supports you during any 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, high-neck, and crew neck options!

Kerrits Sun Shirts

A favorite among the RW Crew and customers, Kerrits Equestrian makes super lightweight and ultra-breathable sun shirts for the hottest of days in the saddle. Their secret is IceFil and Coolcore: fabric technologies that provide amazing airflow through the entire shirt while redistributing heat and moisture. This impressive technology converts sweat into cooling energy, which can reduce the skin's temperature by up to five degrees! These shirts offer a "flowy" feel without having a super relaxed fit, which makes them perfect for hot, humid climates. The UPF 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!

Dancing Equestrian Sun Shirts

An up-and-coming brand, Dancing Equestrian is making sun shirts that let you dress to impress! With the incredibly fun patterns and elevated solid color options, there really is something for everyone. The buttery soft material makes you want to move (and maybe even dance) around the barn all day long, and the mesh panels allow for increased airflow while in the saddle. We appreciate the fit of the lightweight yet structured material, which offers a relaxed and sleek style that flatters a variety of rider shapes while remaining breathable. These sun shirts are available in long sleeves only in a variety of solid colors and prints!

TuffRider Sun Shirts

Who said sun protection had to break the bank? TuffRider surely didn't, providing some of the best sun coverage for the best price. With short sleeves, long sleeves, patterns, and solids, there is sure to be a shirt for everyone - even the kids! We love their versatile apparel offerings that fit the mood no matter what. From casual tees that can go from the barn to the grocery store, to clinic-ready performance wear, you can confidently look good and feel good. Moisture-wicking properties and mesh panels keep you cool, and the slightly tailored but forgiving fit creates a clean look on a variety of shapes and sizes. Great for every season and every rider, TuffRider is a clear winner for us!

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 moisture-wicking and cooling compared to a standard or normal shirt. The fabric used in sun shirts is typically UPF or UV-rated (these terms are interchangeable), which means it has been treated to block harmful UVA and UVB rays—providing better protection than a standard garment without any UPF/UV rating. 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. In addition, many sun shirts often have long sleeves and a high neckline to further act as a barrier against the sun.

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 protective fabrics that guard against the sun's UV rays. Any clothing with a specific UPF/UV rating has been tested and proven to protect against a certain percentage of penetrating UVA and UVB rays. The higher the UPF/UV rating, the more protection the fabric provides against harmful sun rays (similar to SPF ratings in sunscreen). Here is a breakdown of the general UPF ratings:

UPF 15-20: Offers good protection against about 93-95% of UVB and UVA rays. This level is considered to provide basic sun protection.

UPF 25-35: Offers very good protection against about 96-97% of UVB and UVA rays. This level is considered to provide an adequate level of sun protection.

UPF 40-50+: Offers excellent protection against about 98% of UVB and UVA rays. This level is considered to provide the highest level of sun protection.

Not every single sun shirt or summer apparel item offers integrated UPF/UV protection, so it is important to double-check the product details if additional sun protection is important to you. If you are participating in outdoor activities for several hours, look for a sun shirt with a UPF/UV rating of 30 or higher to ensure that you are getting adequate sun protection; however, anything is still better than nothing! Do note that no fabric can provide 100% protection against the sun. 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 Best Sun Protection Gear for Horseback Riding!

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, sun shirts also cut down on the number of times you need to reapply 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 disciplines, we believe every equestrian can benefit from wearing a sun shirt. Horseback riding sun shirts are important for providing cooling effects and sun protection while you're out having fun in the sun with your favorite equine. We hope this buying guide has narrowed down the selection we have to offer by helping you find the perfect 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. Happy riding!