Fiona Russell awards the Patagonia Women’s Long-Sleeved Self-Guided Sun Shirt her best in test. Find out why.
With a roomy fit and lightweight synthetic fabric, the shirt has a lovely, floaty feel. However, when I wore it as a mid-layer, the loose fabric felt a bit excessive and wrinkled under my outer layer.
Fiona Russell highly recommends
The garment is well-made and manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, and has several thoughtful features. I particularly like the lower corner that doubles as a lens cleaner.- lightweight
- fabric
- features
- price
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: $99 / £85 (available from Farlows) Weight: 174g (M) Materials: 3.5oz 100% recycled polyester Features: Stretch fabric, wicking finish, 40+ UPF, 2 x button chest pockets, rear vents, extended hem, double-layer collar, collar studs, 2 button adjustable cuffs, roll-up sleeves, lens cleaner Sizes: XS-XXL Women’s version: yes eu.patagonia.com |
For this reason, I’d recommend the shirt for summer use as a single or outer layer when temperatures are warm, but when you still want to protect your skin from the sun, or when there is a chilly breeze. Alternately, a smaller size may suit, especially thanks to the slightly stretchy fabric, which gives good freedom of movement. The length of hem and sleeves are generous, plus there is the option to roll up the sleeves and secure with loop fasteners.
The garment is well-made and manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, and has several thoughtful features. I particularly like the lower corner that doubles as a lens cleaner.
It’s possible to roll up the collar to give extra height for sun protection and, when folded down, there are snap buttons to stop the collar flapping in the wind. The front buttons of the shirt are a bit stiff and fiddly to undo and do up so I tended to open only the top two buttons and remove the shirt over my head. I found the buttons became easier with wear and it is a nice touch to have two spare buttons sewn on the inside of the shirt. Button down chest pockets allow you to securely carry small items.
Because the fabric is synthetic, it is quick drying when damp or sweaty but it can get a bit whiffy when worn day after day. This is not a cheap shirt, but it does pack in a lot of technical details and is very easy to wear.
How Fiona tested
Fiona Russell is 5ft8in tall and usually fits a size 10 or ‘small’. She has tested the hiking shirts during short and long walks in hills and on lower-level trails, as well as while going about everyday life. All the shirts were weighed on Fiona’s home scales.
This review was first published in the April 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors.
