Water and sunshine are synonymous with summer. The sparkle of light on the water, the heat of the sun on your shoulders and long, lazy days maximizing time outside. And while I want to soak up every golden ray, I’ve learned that too much of anything is rarely a good thing. That’s where smart sun gear comes in: pieces meant to block the sun, shield the splashes and keep you comfortable when the elements try to outlast you.
From floating on the river to paddleboarding on the lake or building sandcastles on the sandy shore, here are a few of my favorite pieces for staying (and looking) cool on the water.
85% of the time on our river trips, you’ll find me front and center in our boat, wrangling my kids to make sure they don’t go overboard. Translation: I’m taking the brunt of the sunshine, rather than comfortably (and quietly) paddling in the shade under our awning.
To battle the blazing heat, I threw on Stio’s Vescent Hoodie. It’s a full coverage sun hoodie that has just slightly more structure than a clingy sun shirt in a relaxed fit. Think lightweight pullover meets button-up vibes with snap closures at the wrist for rolling up your sleeves and a fixed hood that buttons neatly at the neck. There’s also a zip chest pocket for stashing small essentials, like a single key, lip balm or a Matchbox car a kid hands you to keep safe.
The fabric offers UPF 40 protection with subtle stretch and a clever grid weave that lets the air drift through like a gentle river breeze. Even when temps climbed into the 80s, I was comfortably warm, but not sticky hot. It’s the kind of easy-breezy layer that’s river ready and works well beyond water activities.
“Wow, you’re looking tan,” a friend said to me as I wheeled a wagon loaded with towels, toys and my two boys down to Nottingham Lake in Avon. With olive skin and California blood, I thrive in the sunshine. But at some point, even I wave a white flag to Colorado’s high-altitude rays.
I used to scoff at the idea of long-sleeved shirts in the summer. But the reality is, lightweight, breathable tops are like a wearable shade. I don’t have to slather on sunscreen or ask for help to lather my back. It’s no wonder that sun shirts are becoming the MVP for long days spent outside on the water.
The ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie by Outdoor Research is breathable, airy and soft like your favorite lived-in t-shirt. It protected against the sun after hours spent in the sand, dried quickly after a water war with my 4-year-old and took the edge off when a rogue cloud rolled in.
It has all the necessary details, like thumbholes for hand coverage, a hood to shield your neck and a long-line hem that dips below the hips with easy-moving side slits. Basically, the ActiveIce Sun Hoodie is an all-day, all-play layer from the paddleboard to the playground.
Whether you’re paddling or perfecting your sandcastle game, the Odyssey Multi-Shorts are ready to shine on the shoreline. They’re lightweight, water-resistant and have just enough stretch for climbing in and out of boats or squatting to dig holes in the sand. The elastic waistband sits comfortably below your belly button while the curved hem on the outer leg frees up your stride and elongates your leg, all with one smart design feature.
The pockets are where these shorts really flex. Instead of traditional angled hand pockets in the front, mesh drop pockets on each thigh securely hold your essentials without the awkward bulge in front. My phone fit perfectly in the vertical pocket and stayed put when I dashed back to the beach for a forgotten kid’s water bottle. There’s also a discreet small back zipper pocket with a key hook for valuables.
Yes, the Zest color is blindingly bright. It’s far from my everyday color palette of muted tones. But there’s a method behind this neon orange hue: it’s ideal for high-visibility safety on open water. I tamed the electric orange by pairing it with a soft lavender sun hoodie for a playful color combo. Or they come in black.
The sun drifted in and out from behind the clouds while we zipped around the lake in Wisconsin and the radar said we had a solid hour before the storm clouds hit us. So, we kept the boat pointed towards adventure and I reached for a layer that’s slightly more substantial than a sun shirt: Stio’s CFS Hooded Anorak.
This relaxed-fit pullover packs UPF 50 protection and a water-repellant finish into one sleek jacket. When the sun broke through, the squirt guns came out and the CFS Hooded Anorak took it in stride. When I finally dove in the water, I let the jacket dry on the boat and it was soon ready for round two.
Post swim, I cinched the roomy hood against the wind that was picking up, slid my hands into the kangaroo pocket and tucked my phone in the zippered mesh pocket that the jacket stuffs into. Elastic cuffs and a adjustable hem kept rogue splashes out while the jacket repelled the wind. The laid-back fit paired with contrasting zippers on this windbreaker is a jacket you actually want to wear, even when a storm isn’t chasing you down.
If I’m outside, there’s a good chance you’ll find me in a hat. Shielding my face from the sun isn’t just about avoiding a sunburn; it’s my ticket to pretending that I’m 10 years younger than what my driver’s license says. But I have one problem: a tiny head. I fit more comfortably into kids hats than adult sizes, which means it’s hard to find hats that fit and flatter. Luckily, Wallaroo Hat Company has a solution: their petite collection offers smaller sizes of their most popular hats.
My current crush: the Petite Sanibel. With UPF 50 protection and a perfectly wide brim, this hat is chic and SPF savvy. An adjustable chin strap keeps the hat locked in place while an interior drawstring lets you cinch down and fine tune the fit.
The smallest size, XS/S (55cm) has a slightly smaller brim than the standard Sanibel, which comes in two larger sizes for those with normal-sized domes. Still, it doesn’t skimp on coverage. When I wore it on the water, the brim danced in the wind like it was auditioning for a music video, but the hat never tried to take flight.
The verdict? This hat nails the rare trifecta: sun protection, style and a snug fit. It’s proof that good things do come in smaller packages.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to sacrifice style for a day in the sun. These pieces block the rays, shield the splashes and keep up with every paddle stroke or surprise cannonball. So go ahead: wade in, dive deep and get drenched — in style.
Read more of The Outdoorista column here.
