Introduction
This Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt review considers the use of this shirt primarily as a trekking base layer or insect-protection layer in camp.
I happened upon the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt while shopping specifically for a trekking shirt that had the following features: reasonably trim fit with good articulation; soft next to skin; fast-drying; collar and cuffs; mosquito-resistant weave; side-entry zip pocket (at least one). After what seemed like an exhaustive search, the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt ticked all of my key feature boxes and was the lightest of all of the shirts I was looking at.
This review reflects my long term experience with the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt – more than two years and hundreds of miles of use. That it has remained in Patagonia’s product line for several years may be a testament to its versatility and strengths, and its appeal to a broad audience.
My Long Term Experience with the Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt
I’ve been wearing the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt for the past two years on all of my summer treks during “hot sun” and “biting insect” seasons. It has seen hundreds of miles of use in the Sierras, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Wind River Range. I’m still on my first shirt: it has worn exceptionally well and in spite of suffering lotions, balms, bug repellents, mud, sweat, and blood, it washes well and remains (mostly) stain-free. I’ve bushwhacked through the usual leafy/twiggy Northern Rockies and High Sierra fare with it, with no pilling or picking. Seams and fabric remain intact, in spite of wearing under pack straps with heavy (40+ lb) packs.
Features I Like
Features I Like- Low water absorption;
- Fast dry time;
- Soft next-to-skin feel;
- Tight weave for biting insect and sun protection, but more breathable than other tightly woven plastic-fiber shirts I’ve worn;
- Articulated sleeves;
- Zippered chest pockets;
- Light weight:Â 6.5 oz (184 g) – Men’s Size M (actual weight of my shirt).
Strengths
- Use as a trekking shirt in warm, sunny, or buggy weather;
- Use over a wicking base layer in camp for bug and breeze protection.
Limitations
- Next to Skin Comfort in Cold/Wet Weather: This is a very comfortable shirt next to skin, even when damp. However, it can’t compete with merino wool for next-to-skin comfort when wet, so it suffers as a base layer in cold and wet conditions.
- Limited Durability for Serious Bushwhacking: This is not the shirt I would use for serious bushwhacking through North Slope birch, New Mexico briars, or Pacific Northwest devil’s club/slide alder – these conditions are for 3-layer Supplex. It has held up fine, however, for the leaves and woody bush most of us encounter routinely.
Conclusion
A two-layer system combining the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt and a short-sleeve wicking t-shirt provides more versatility than a single long sleeved base layer. During the peak of summer, this system even allows me to leave a tightly woven nylon wind shirt at home. For trekking in cold and wet conditions, I’ve found that a merino wool base layer, the Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt, and a rain jacket to be just about perfect for any type of inclement weather trekking that I’ve experienced in the Lower 48 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt Review: Statement of Disclosure
The author purchased this shirt for personal use, and has no obligation to review it with the manufacturer.
Where to Buy the Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt Review
The Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt is a lightweight nylon-polyester blend shirt. I use it as a trekking base layer or insect-protection layer in camp. This review reflects my long term experience with this shirt – more than two years and hundreds of miles of use.
Another option might be the OR Minimo Shirt Long Sleeve Nylon shirt as my Medium is 5.1oz.
OR does not make a minimo but Exofficio does?
Just bought one of these today at Patagonia’s 30% off sale. Previously I was using Patagonia’s Gone Again L/S shirt, but they don’t make that any more.
One of the things Patagonia does well with these shirts is provide the same benefits as a normal trekking shirt (e.g. light, fast dry, bug proof etc) but they make them in nice patterns instead of boring solid colors. Patagonia makes boring trekking shirts too (e.g. Sol Patrol shirt) but the Sun Stretch has quite a few nice patterns.
The Sun Stretch is a bit heavier than I’d like, as the zippered chest pockets add probably an ounce to what otherwise would be a 150g shirt. The zippered pockets will come in handy sometimes, but the Gone Again was probably a better shirt, and it can still be found on eBay occasionally for pretty cheap. I used my Gone Again shirt for the full PCT thru hike and help up well. It only died recently when I put a huge tear in it bushwacking.
It’s a great shirt but personally I felt it a bit warm for regular temp backpacking (though I tend to run warm).
Your right John S., it is the Ex Officio Minimo
Ryan, or other person using the shirt in question:
Any comments on the stink factor of this great Patagucci shirt? How often did you wash it in the field on extended trips?
For years now, I have refused to wear polyester hiking shirts cause they hold stink in them once my sweat dries into them. Instead, I’ve been wearing thin long sleeve 100% cotton shirts that dry fast like handkerchiefs do. Cotton doesn’t develop the persistent odor like the poly shirts do and they are only $2.50 at the thrift stores. The one I’ve been using now for years dries in 10 minutes on a rock in direct sun.
That being said, I’d prefer a polyester/nylon shirt if I can find one that has a decent odor resistance…
I prefer 100% nylon as it stinks less than polyester. I couldn’t imagine a cotton shirt except in extreme temps where you want the cooling
Ryan —
What hipbelt pockets are those?
Just finished 80 miles on the Georgia AT in May and northern 100 miles of the northern JMT in August. Â I want to highly recommend the Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II. The shirt is UPF 50 and when sprayed with 10% Premthrin gives excellent sun and insect protection. The shirt keeps you cool and dry. I recommend a long billed hat for face protection. My only complaint is that dirt and grime are never completely removed with washing. The shirt eliminates your neck getting sunburned and the need for a drape on your hat.
I wouldn’t have thought it would be mosquito resistant with how thin and breathable it is for a button down shirt.
Ryan, how much bug pressure did you encounter with the Sun Stretch?
I’ve got my summer backpacking trip planned in the Sierra, but I’m going the first week of August, which is earlier than I would normally go so I assume I’ll have mosquitos to deal with instead of just the sun. I just picked up one of these shirts from Wornwear to try instead of my normal two bugproof shirts (Ex Officieo Minimo and REI Sahara) in hopes that I can get a cooler, more breathable shirt and still keep the bug protection and sun protection associated with nylon button up hiking shirts. I do plan on treating it with Permethrin prior to the trip, so hopefully that helps.
^^ I primarily backpack in the Sierra and for the past 4 years have worn this shirt on every summer trip. I had mine professionally Insect Shield treated 3 1/2 years ago because I found out the hard way that it didn’t fully stop mosquitoes from poking through. Works great now. During hot, low elevation, days it can be a bit stuffy, but it fits loose enough that there’s a bit of air flow and opening a button or two makes a difference.
That’s a good looking shirt. It would work well for me on trip to the pub.
But I have never found a woven shirt that works for backpacking. I always overheat, presumably from a lack of breathability.  A knit shirt is what works for me. Is it just me, or do others sweat too much in a shirt like this?
I sweat a lot either way, and prefer a knit shirt – I like OR Echo shirts and lightweight wool/poly blends like the defunct Patagonia Wool 1 and 2, as well as Rab Merino+ 120 and 160, but in peak mosquito season, I like something with harder for them to bite through. I hope the Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt is bug proof enough yet more breathable than some of the ones I have tried before.
On a side note, after not being able to get permits last year, I am trying for the Southern Sierra High Route again this year.
Outside of bug season I prefer synthetic knits. If I’m expecting mosquitos I wear a Sun Stretch that’s been treated by InsectShield. It’s significantly cooler than the Sahara I used to hike in. I particularly like the vertical chest pocket zips which expose a large mesh area. Also, the name is meaningful, the fabric has a really nice stretch to it that increases comfort.
I too have an REI Sahara shirt, and while I have liked it fairly well, I am looking for something cooler, so it sounds like I’m on the correct path. I just now have to decide if I want to treat it myself with Permethrin spray or send it to Insect Shield. I’ve had them treat things for me before, and been happy with the results, but it is most cost effective when you can send in multiple garments, and I’m hesitant to send in my Echo Mesh pants from 2011 with some holes and patches as I don’t expect them to last me more than a year or two more before I have to replace them (I’ll eventually replace them with the same pants).
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