Ultralight L/S Sun Protection White Shirt

I’ve found the lightweight patagucci capilene l/s to be very adequate.  Lightweight, good wicking, good ventilation, very resilient to odor.  I have a lime green colored one that worked for 2000+ miles on the PCT.  It is starting to show considerable wear on the back (I am quite satisfied with 2000 miles of use) and I will probably replace it with a white one once the wear turns into full on holes.  The white one will probably show dirt easily, but I think the lighter color would be perfect for summers in the mountains.  I’m guessing there are many other companies that carry a functionally similar shirt,but this happens to be the one i have experience with.

One side note is that it doesn’t handle bug pressure super well, but can’t win em all…

Take a look at these:

Sun Precautions – Solumbra

RailRiders – Adventure Top

Try the Arcteryx Motus in white or light grey. I have 2 and they’re fantastic for our Los Padres HOT summers. The shirt weighs ~ 4.6oz and does a great job distributing sweat so it’ll evaporate fast without feeling clammy like some synthetic shirts. It’s great to hike in and soft enough to sleep in. Not cheap though!

Badger white long sleeve shirt 100% nylon, dirt cheap option, less than $11. Mine weighed 5 oz but perhaps my scale was a bit off. Web site says it only weighs 3.5 oz. Photos of me wearing it here:

Description from Wordans web site follows:
Description: Badger 4104
Feel your best all day long thanks to this performance B-Dry Core Long Sleeve T-Shirt by Badger. Made from a quality fabric composition, 100% polyester, this activewear tee is also equipped with moisture management qualities made to keep you feeling fresh and cool – no matter what your day throws your way! Ideal for sports, the outdoors, travel, and much more, additional details you’ll be thrilled to discover include a self-fabric collar, a Badger heat transfer logo located on the left sleeve, as well as embroidery friendly superior screen printing quality. This model comes in a large variety of 27 bright, neon, and neutral colors (Please note upcharges for Premium colors, Safety Orange and Safety Yellow). Available in the following men’s sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL.
WEIGHT
3.5 oz

OR Echo L/S’s. Get a size larger then usual. And it doesn’t have to be white, just lightly colored.

If have 2. First a white one for just the reasons you mention. I bought a light blue one some years ago to test if it functioned as good as the white one. It does.

If you want a button-up, I’m quite partial to Columbia shirts with a particular stretchy fabric as used on the Low Drag Offshore (current fav…clean design with simple pockets) and Tamiami II (more fishing oriented, i.e, more complex breast pockets).  Both are very light, breezy, cool and dry quickly.

Send them off to Insect Shield and you have a real winner.

I have several Rail Riders Adventure Shirts that I like. But to be honest any simple white cotton/poly dress shirt should be just fine — and you can usually get a nice used one in a thrift store for about $5 if you are on a budget.

In really hot weather (after I have gotten my summer suntan) I usually just wear a heavy duty 100% cotton T-shirt. It absorbs the sweat and cools me off via evaporation. But my definition of hot might be different than most people. Today and tomorrow will be hot at home and I am working outside sanding and painting our wrought iron gates.

Low budget option: Uniqlo Airism!

Edit: doh! they only have long-sleeve things for women.

The Uniqlo linen long sleeve in white could be good.