Colorado hunters and anglers are trying to get ahead of the next wildlife ballot fight. A proposed constitutional amendment, currently listed as Initiative 302, would create a right to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife in Colorado. The measure has cleared the state Title Board, which means supporters can collect signatures. It has not yet qualified for the 2026 ballot.

To get there, backers need 124,238 valid signatures by early August. Because the measure would amend the Colorado Constitution, supporters also have to meet Colorado’s distribution requirement across all 35 state Senate districts. If it makes the ballot, it would need 55% voter approval to pass.

The campaign is backed by the International Order of T. Roosevelt and supported by Colorado hunting advocates, including Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. HOWL for Wildlife has also been part of the public push. HOWL founder Charles Whitwam framed the measure as a response to repeated political fights over hunting, saying Colorado has become a “warning shot” for the rest of the country.

Coloradans can already hunt elk and catch trout. The fight is over whether those activities should be protected in the state constitution before another ballot campaign targets hunting or fishing species by species.

What Initiative 302 Would Do

According to the proposal, the major purposes of the proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution appear to be:

1. Establishing the right of the people of Colorado to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife;
2. Establishing hunting and fishing as the primary and preferred means of managing fish and wildlife in the state;
3. Establishing that the right to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife created under the proposed initiative does not authorize trespass upon private property and does not modify statutes relating to trespassing or property rights; and
4. Allowing the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the General Assembly to continue regulating hunting, fishing, and wildlife management as long as the regulation is reasonable and necessary for sound scientific wildlife conservation and management, for public safety, or to preserve the future of statewide hunting and fishing opportunities.

The language applies to species managed by the state, but it excludes nongame species, endangered species, and species that are illegal to hunt under federal law.

For supporters, the key piece is the “primary and preferred means” language. They see it as a defense of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, where regulated hunting and fishing help fund conservation and give wildlife managers tools to manage populations.

Opponents see the same language as a possible legal problem. They argue it could elevate hunting and fishing above other management tools or invite lawsuits over future Colorado Parks and Wildlife decisions.

The measure wouldn’t erase seasons, tags, bag limits, private property laws, or federal wildlife protections. It also wouldn’t make every hunting or fishing method legal. The real question is how much legal weight the constitutional language would carry when future wildlife regulations or ballot measures run into it.

Why Colorado?

Colorado has become one of the most active states in the country for wildlife ballot fights. In 2020, voters approved wolf reintroduction. In 2024, voters rejected Proposition 127, which would have banned hunting mountain lions and bobcats. Colorado voters have also decided previous wildlife issues at the ballot box, including bear hunting methods in 1992 and trapping restrictions in 1996.

That history is why supporters of Initiative 302 say Colorado needs stronger protection for hunting and fishing. Backers argue wildlife management should stay with wildlife professionals, not campaign ads.

HOWL for Wildlife’s message on Colorado tracks with the broader campaign: wildlife policy should rely on science-based management, not emotional ballot campaigns. For supporters, Initiative 302 is a way to stop fighting the same battle every election cycle.

The Conservation Money Behind the Fight

Colorado hunting and fishing are not small pieces of the outdoor economy. The Colorado Wildlife Council says hunting and fishing bring more than $3.25 billion into the state every year and support more than 25,000 full-time jobs. The group also says license fees help fund conservation work, including habitat projects, research, hatcheries, wildlife management, and other programs that do not rely on general tax funding.

That funding argument is central to the campaign. Hunters and anglers buy licenses, tags, stamps, gear, gas, lodging, food, and services in communities across the state. They also help fund wildlife agencies through license dollars and federal excise taxes on guns, ammunition, archery gear, fishing tackle, and related equipment.

Backers argue that if ballot measures chip away at hunting and fishing opportunities, they also chip away at the funding model that pays for wildlife work.

Critics do not necessarily dispute the economic impact. Their concern is whether economic and cultural values belong in the constitution.

The Opposition Argument

Opposition has started to organize around Protect Colorado’s Constitution, which argues the amendment would create costly legal fights and give hunting and fishing constitutional preference over other wildlife management tools. Wolf and Wildlife Advocates has also offered an early critique of the measure, arguing it would elevate hunting and fishing above habitat protection, coexistence, ecological science, and nonlethal management.

Opponents also point to the measure’s language around “traditional methods.” Their concern is that the phrase could be vague enough to invite lawsuits over trapping, predator management, hunting methods, and future Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.

The official fiscal analysis notes that CPW may need more legal guidance when developing regulations and that litigation costs could increase if parties challenge rules under the new constitutional language.

The practical concern is litigation. The measure preserves CPW’s authority to regulate hunting, fishing, and wildlife management, but adding a constitutional right creates legal leverage. Supporters see that as the point. Opponents worry about how that leverage could be used.

Where Things Stand

Initiative 302 has cleared the title-setting process. Supporters are now in the signature-gathering phase. Recent reporting put the campaign at about 90,000 signatures, but signatures still have to be submitted, verified, and spread properly across Colorado’s state Senate districts.

If the measure qualifies, voters will likely see a clear but loaded question: Should Colorado create a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife by traditional methods while preserving the state’s ability to regulate those activities for conservation and public safety?

Oregon Proposal Could Criminalize Hunting and Fishing. It Just Cleared a Major Signature Hurdle

June 1, 2026 | 5 MIN READ

After field testing this winter, the Ridge Infinity 2.0 felt less like a gamble and more like a valid alternative. After multiple days skiing variable Colorado resort conditions at Vail, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge — from dry powder to wind-affected storms to soggy spring sleet — it proved that Helly Hansen’s in-house waterproofing tech can compete.

Like most high-end ski jackets, the initial impression is one of burly protection. But after a handful of days, the novelty fades and what matters is consistency.

Does it keep you dry, block wind, and hold up to abuse? In my analysis, the Ridge Infinity 2.0 answered “yes” across the board — albeit with a slightly different feel and personality than other options from Helly Hansen and its rivals.

In short: The Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity 2.0 ($725) is a durable, freeride-fit shell for skiers that prioritizes weather protection and long-term reliability over weight savings and minimalism. It’s not the lightest or most breathable option, but for skiers who want a tough, storm-ready all-mountain ski jacket without quite paying top-tier GORE-TEX Pro prices, it’s a compelling alternative.

Scope out how this ski jacket stacks up to our other top picks in The Best Ski Jackets buyer’s guide.

Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Jacket 2.0 Review

The Ridge Infinity Jacket 2.0 is Helly Hansen’s answer to the premium freeride shell category dominated by GORE-TEX PRO pieces. Instead of licensing GORE membranes, Helly Hansen uses its proprietary LIFA INFINITY construction — a waterproof-breathable system that’s positioned as a GORE-TEX Pro competitor featuring a waterproof-breathable membrane and durable water repellent coating.

Testing over multiple storm days from midwinter through steamy spring in variable Colorado conditions, the jacket resisted wetting out and maintained solid protection against snow and wind. I live and ski primarily in Colorado, where heavy rain isn’t common, but even in mixed spring precipitation, I found it performed on par with high-end shells in real-world resort conditions, even if it lacks the reputation (and perhaps the long-term durability) of GORE-TEX PRO.

Fit and Aesthetics

The fit lands squarely in modern freeride territory. It’s relaxed without being oversized, with enough room to layer comfortably underneath. I layered it up with everything from a light fleece to a midweight puffy layer without the fit feeling restrictive. If you like a tailored ski outerwear kit, this will feel baggy, but it’s not teenager baggy.

Despite the lack of stretch fabric in this type of shell, mobility is solid. Articulated sleeves and a well-executed cut, reportedly refined with input from pro skiers, help the jacket move naturally on the hill.

Visually, the Ridge Infinity 2.0 stands out. Fluorescent orange accents on the hood, logo, and Ullr wrist patch give it a distinctive look that’s easy to spot on the mountain. It’s functional and bold, though not everyone will appreciate the high-visibility styling.

Weather Protection

The LIFA INFINITY membrane is the defining feature, and it delivers strong protection against the elements. The jacket is fully windproof and reliably waterproof, with performance that held up through repeated use without any noticeable degradation over a few months of testing.

Helly Hansen has a ton of trademarked names for their fabric tech, so it’s worth noting that this is LIFA INFINITY, not LIFA INFINITY PRO. The PRO instantiation uses a DWR-free water-repellent fabric that doesn’t require reapplication, as all modern chemical DWRs do. The Ridge Infinity uses the familiar chemical DWR. For a Helly Hansen ski jacket with that LIFA INFINITY PRO tech, check out the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Shell.

Over several months and roughly a dozen ski days testing the Ridge Infinity 2.0, water continued to bead rather than wet out the thick and durable fabric, contributing to an “armor-like” feel in bad weather. But knowing modern DWR, that performance will eventually fade and require washing and reapplication with an aftermarket DWR treatment.

Compared to the GORE-TEX PRO in the Arc’teryx Rush Jacket, protection is effectively the same in most scenarios, but the feel is different. The Arc’teryx Rush is lighter and thinner but more traditionally crinkly and noisy, while the Ridge Infinity 2.0 has a softer, quieter hand feel with a thicker face fabric.

Breathability and On-Snow Performance

Like most 3-layer hardshells, breathability is solid but not exceptional. The Ridge Infinity 2.0 handles moderate activity well in cold conditions, but during higher-output bootpacks or warmer days, it can run warm. Pit zips help regulate temperature, but this isn’t a shell designed for long, sustained touring missions.

For its intended use — resort skiing and occasional sidecountry — it performs exactly as expected. It’s a jacket you wear all day when the weather is bad, not one you stuff in your pack for just-in-case scenarios.

Features and Durability

This jacket leans heavily into durability and real-world usability, perhaps a result of consulting those professional skiers for the 2.0 version. The construction feels robust across the board, from the face fabric to the beefy zippers and seams.

One standout feature is the integrated phone leash, a small but thoughtful addition that addresses a very real problem. I’ve dropped many a phone from an open ski jacket pocket, so I appreciated the extra security, especially when pulling out a phone on the lift or while skiing. It takes some minor effort to put the phone in the leash, but it’s far better than losing it in deep snow.

Other details, like the large, easy-to-use wrist cuffs, reinforce the jacket’s practicality. Everything feels designed with gloved hands and harsh conditions in mind.

Critiques

As much as this jacket feels like a capable GORE-TEX PRO competitor, it feels like consumers should get a bit more of a discount from those premium sticker prices. The Ridge Infinity saves you $150 from the Arc’teryx Rush, for example, but Helly Hansen’s Odin Mountain Infinity gets their latest DWR-free waterproofing tech for only $50 more. I’d like to see this tech brought into the Infinity Ridge at its current price or knock that price down a bit more.

My other main criticism might be an idiosyncratic one, but I wish the Helly branding were more subtle. If I’m paying $725 for a ski jacket, I don’t want to feel like a billboard. The fluorescent orange highlights are cool, and I actually think it’s a sign of good design that their outerwear is so recognizable and consistent in aesthetic across models. But the size of the blaze orange “HH” logo on the chest is egregious, and I often felt like I was skiing for a club wearing it.

Conclusion

The Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Jacket 2.0 is a tough, reliable ski shell that prioritizes durability and weather protection over weight and minimalism. Its LIFA INFINITY construction proves that high-end waterproofing doesn’t have to rely on GORE-TEX, delivering strong performance for the price.

It’s heavier and less breathable than some GORE-based competitors, and its bold styling won’t be for everyone. But for skiers who spend most of their time riding lifts in challenging conditions, it offers a dependable, well-built alternative.

The Best Ski Jackets of 2026

February 4, 2026 | 23 MIN READ

In today’s era of maximally cushioned shoes, many trail runners crave connection: to the trail, to the sport, to the wild spaces they run through. The KEEN Wander, a new trail running shoe from a brand committed to environmental sustainability, delivers that connected feeling runners seek on their adventures — both to the trail and to the earth.

With a low stack height and agile build, the Wander is a go-to companion for runners who don’t just want to run the trail, but want to feel it, too. The shoes offer an alternative in a market where connection and ground feel are often sacrificed for ever-increasing stack heights.

Don’t let the low-profile build fool you; the Wander is plenty comfortable. It’s crafted with an eco-friendly foam that biodegrades at the end of its life and an incredibly durable rubber outsole that can handle all your favorite trails, from moderate singletrack to rugged backcountry routes.

From the biodegradable midsole to the anti-odor coating made from natural probiotics that are safe for the environment, KEEN’s commitment to sustainability is apparent in this shoe’s design and production.

KEEN Wander Specifications

• Weight: 9.77 ounces for U.S. men’s 9/7.69 ounces for U.S. women’s 7
• Stack Height: 26/22 mm (heel/toe, men’s), 24/20 mm (heel/toe, women’s)
• Drop: 4 mm
• Upper Material: Engineered mesh with TPU yarn
• Midsole: KEEN.ReGENX foam with EcoEnd
• Outsole: KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber
• Lugs: 3 mm
• Price: $140

KEEN Wander Unique Features

Naturally Fitting Upper

The KEEN Wander upper is made from a breathable engineered mesh to keep your feet cool and dry for the long haul. It also features overlays of structure and TPU yarns in the mesh for enhanced durability, so you can take these shoes on both smooth and technical trails without compromising comfort or performance. The upper strikes a balance between comfort and protection, two vital components for long days on the trail.

KEEN shoes are known for their generous toe box, and the Wander is no different. Unlike shoes with narrow toe boxes that constrict your feet, the Wander offers ample room for natural toe splay. Combined with a solid midfoot lockdown, feet stay comfortable without feeling like they’re swimming around inside the shoe. A wider forefoot offers plenty of stability, providing increased confidence on technical sections of the trail.

In addition to the generous fit, the 4mm drop encourages a more natural running pattern than typical high-drop shoes. The low stack height and drop, fit, and wide platform work together to make this shoe an extremely agile, fun, and trustworthy companion for mountain adventures of all kinds.

Eco-Friendly Midsole

Trail runners know that the midsole can be the most important component of a shoe, providing cushioning, energy return, and comfort for long days wandering in the wild. Even with its relatively low stack height, the Wander offers plenty of each.

The KEEN.ReGENX midsole is made of a compression-resistant foam that’s both light and soft. Low-stack shoes often sacrifice comfort for connection, but the KEEN.ReGENX foam provides enough protection, even on rough trails, while keeping the shoe close to the ground.

The midsole complements the generous upper and low-drop geometry. This offers a Goldilocks level of cushion throughout the foot: not too much to feel disconnected from the trail, but not too little to feel tentative traversing over sharp terrain features.

The foam is also enhanced by EcoEnd to biodegrade organically at its end of life, so it won’t stay in the landfill forever. The biodegradability is a nod to KEEN’s environmentally conscious mission.

The Wander features a three-quarter–length rock plate for extra protection and stability, so runners can take this shoe on a variety of terrain, from smooth singletrack to rocky and rooty trails. All of these features help you feel in total control of your movements on the trail.

A Lasting Outsole

KEEN is serious about minimizing its environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials and creating products that last. The Wander outsole exemplifies this mission.

Made from abrasion-resistant rubber with 3mm lugs, the outsole was rated by Heeluxe, an independent footwear-testing lab, to last upward of 900 miles before it’s worn smooth. This is nearly double the industry average.

This durability doesn’t come at the cost of performance, either. The lugs are deep enough to provide ample grip on a variety of surfaces, so no trail is off limits, yet they are unobtrusive enough to perform well on harder-packed surfaces. The outsole fits with the overall profile of this shoe, allowing you to run naturally and feel the ground underneath your feet.

When you’re ready to feel connected to the trails you traverse, the KEEN Wander will deliver the agility, cushion, and protection you need to feel part of the landscape you’re running across.

This article is sponsored by KEEN.

The best sun shirts act like wearable shade, protecting your skin while staying cool and breathable.

To assemble our most recent rankings, GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar and lead tester Ryan Kempfer put two new sun shirts through a three-month cycle. From biking Utah’s red-rock arches to hiking the mosquito-thick tundra of Katmai, Alaska, we logged more than 30 days and 200 miles to find the layers worth living in all summer.

Our top overall pick, the technical Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody, won for its rare blend of protection, mobility, and versatility. For value, the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody earned our budget award, pairing reliable comfort and coverage with a price we love. Over the past decade, our seven-person test team has vetted more than 50 sun shirts.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Sun Shirts guide on June 14, 2026, adding two sun shirts: the Marmot AirExchange UPF 50 Hoody for breathable, high-coverage performance and The North Face Sunriser Hoodie for lightweight comfort on hot, high-output days. We also reworked every review to improve scannability.

The Best Sun Shirts of 2026

Best Overall Sun Shirt

Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody

9.1/10 RATING

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Best Budget Sun Shirt

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody

7.9/10 RATING

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Most Comfortable Sun Shirt

Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie

8.3/10 RATING

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Best Lightweight Sun Shirt

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie

8.4/10 RATING

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Most Breathable Sun Shirt

Marmot AirExchange UPF 50 Hoody

8.5/10 RATING

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Best Bug-Repellent Sun Shirt

Royal Robbins Salathe Sun Hoodie

8.1/10 RATING

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See more picks

Most Comfortable Sun Shirt

Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie

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Rating Details

8.3

Out of 10

How we rate products ⓘ

Comfort/Fit 9.5/10

Sun Protection 9.5/10

Breathability 8/10

Versatility/Features 7/10

Specifications

UPF

50+

Materials

88% polyester / 12% spandex

Weight

5.5 oz. (Men’s medium)

Anti-odor treatment

No

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very lightweight fabric
• Arm gussets allow for plentiful mobility
• Top-notch hood

Cons

• Stitches show minor wear after a few uses

Ryan Kempfer

The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake ($80) is the rare sun shirt you stop noticing the second you pull it on — soft, quiet, and cut to move with you mile after mile.

The Tech: Armpit gussets and a hint of stretch deliver real freedom of movement, while the athletic-but-forgiving fit stays close without turning clingy. Both versions add thumb loops, and the women’s cut includes a ponytail-friendly hood opening. At 5.5 ounces in a men’s medium, it’s also among the lightest we tested — but it’s the next-to-skin feel and fit that earn it this award.

What We Like: The fabric stays soft and smooth against the skin even when you’ve sweated through it — no clammy cling, no chafe under a pack strap. It breathes well enough that it rarely feels swampy on hot climbs and dries quickly once you stop. And the full UPF 50+ rating means all that comfort costs you nothing in sun protection — it matches the heavier REI Co-op Sahara Shade while feeling lighter on.

What We Don’t: The athletic cut won’t suit everyone — if you want a roomier, more relaxed drape, look elsewhere. It’s a stripped-down design too, with no chest pocket or storage to speak of. Sizing is true, so stick with your normal shirt size.

Should You Buy It? If your priority is a shirt you can wear sunup to sundown without thinking about it, the Crater Lake is hard to beat. It’s soft, it moves with you, and it breathes — comfort that holds up whether you’re climbing, running, or just out all day in the sun.

Other Shirts for Fun in the Sun

Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie

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Rating Details

7.6

Out of 10

How we rate products ⓘ

Comfort/Fit 8.1/10

Sun Protection 8.5/10

Breathability 7.2/10

Versatility/Features 6.8/10

Specifications

UPF

50+

Materials

Knit portions: recycled polyester; stretch-woven portions: 85% nylon/15% spandex"

Weight

7.1 oz. (Men's medium)

Anti-Odor Treatment

Polygiene anti-odor finish

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comfortable on the skin
• Stretchy
• Durable

Cons

• Material doesn’t feel as modern, or sleek

Ryan Kempfer

Tougher and more protective than most, the Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie ($75) is a smart addition to any active person’s quiver.

The Tech: With 50+ UPF and thicker fabric than most sun hoodies, it’s built for the high desert or anywhere altitude ramps up exposure. The scuba hood stays put, thumb loops keep the sleeves from migrating, and a knit zippered hip pocket stashes bars or gels. A Polygiene anti-odor finish lets you wear it several times between washes.

What We Like: On a grueling bouldering expedition, the Sombra impressed us where flimsier shirts would have failed. We scuffed the sleeves while projecting a climb, but that’s par for the course, and we doubt many ultralight hoodies would have survived as well. The thumb loops let us move freely without the sleeves constricting, and after we broke a sweat on the approach, the fabric dried quickly while we set up pads. The loose fit even works over a T-shirt.

What We Don’t: That protection comes at the cost of airflow. Amplified by the knit panels, it doesn’t breathe like an airy piece such as the Outdoor Research Echo, and in peak heat, you’ll feel the extra material.

Should You Buy It?: On abrasive rock at altitude, this is the shirt we’d grab. It trades ultralight airiness for toughness and serious coverage, which makes the Sombra a strong call for climbers and high-desert adventurers who put their gear through hell.

Mountain Hardwear Canyon Long Sleeve

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Rating Details

7.2

Out of 10

How we rate products ⓘ

Comfort/Fit 7.7/10

Sun Protection 8/10

Breathability 6.3/10

Versatility/Features 6.4/10

Specifications

UPF

50+

Materials

100% polyester dobby

Weight

7.4 oz. (Men’s medium)

Anti-odor treatment

No

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good value
• Effective rear vents
• Stylish
• Comfortable & lightweight

Cons

• Not the most breathable material (aside from the vents)

Ryan Kempfer

The Mountain Hardwear Canyon shirt ($75) is a long-running staple given a fresh update, and is a clean button-up built for warm summer days.

The Tech: It’s a simple 100% polyester button-up, and the latest version is the best yet. The base fabric isn’t the most breathable on its own, but a row of small mesh vents along the shoulders’ backs boosts airflow without sacrificing coverage. The cut is handsome and form-fitting, polished enough to pass for semi-professional off-trail.

What We Like: We loved the lightweight, breezy feel, and those shoulder vents earned their keep in the heat. They can’t match the all-over airflow of a true mesh shirt like the Marmot AirExchange, but they’re well-placed and effective, moving air right where you sweat most. The button-up styling makes it versatile enough for outdoor activities and the duller errands of daily life alike.

What We Don’t: The trim cut is the catch. It fits snugly through the chest, so we’d size up if maximizing airflow matters to you. And while the vents help, the core fabric still breathes less freely than mesh-heavy or ultralight competitors, so it can run warm during hard efforts in extreme heat.

Should You Buy It? Want a button-up that looks as sharp in town as on the trail? The Canyon obliges. It’s a quality, reasonably priced do-it-all for warm-weather days, and the updated version makes a solid everyday companion for casual outings and light adventures.

Best Sun Shirts Comparison Table

How We Tested the Best Sun Shirts

Our Expert Testers

For this update, GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar and lead tester Ryan Kempfer led testing. Based in Jackson, Wyoming, Kassar tests layers while hiking, paddling, skiing, climbing, and guiding wildlife trips in exposed mountain terrain. Kempfer is a Teton-based guide, ski tech, and longtime mountain athlete who regularly puts gear to work while hiking, biking, and backcountry skiing. Contributor Rob Simpson tested for previous iterations from Salida, Colorado, drawing on decades of backpacking and climbing experience across the western U.S. and Europe.

This guide also reflects input from a broader GearJunkie team that has tested sun shirts for years in the field.

Our Testing Grounds & Process

Over the past nine months, we added two new shirts and kept returning picks in rotation, logging more than 100 days and 400 miles. Kassar, Kempfer, and Simpson wore them hiking, climbing, fishing, biking, skiing, paddling, backpacking, and guiding from Yellowstone to Arches to Katmai, with additional testing on the Snake River and in Baja and Alaska. Conditions ranged from hot desert trails and reflective water to windy ridgelines, buggy bear-viewing days, spring snowfields, and long approaches under a pack.

We judged each shirt on breathability, sun protection, fit, comfort, dry time, odor resistance, hood performance, and coverage. We tested mobility under a pack, PFD, or harness. Every sun shirt sees at least five outings before inclusion, though many have months or years of use behind them.

This guide reflects five years of testing, during which seven testers have worn more than 50 sun shirts across deserts, alpine terrain, rivers, coastlines, and high-elevation trails. We continue testing after publication and update this guide seasonally as new models arrive, old ones change, and long-term durability becomes clearer.

Our Sun Shirt Rating System

We scored each sun shirt in four categories on a 1-10 scale.

• Comfort/Fit considers fabric feel, cut, stretch, and how easily it moves with you.

• Sun Protection measures coverage, UPF rating, and how well the shirt shields against direct rays.

• Breathability looks at how effectively it manages heat and moisture during activity.

• Versatility/Features reflects design extras and adaptability, including hood performance, pocket placement, style crossover, and how well the shirt transitions between activities and conditions.

Note: The overall score is our complete impression after extensive wear and testing, not an average of the category scores.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Sun Shirt

Every shirt on this list offers sun protection, but each has a unique set of features, pros, and cons. Sun shirts come in a variety of materials and styles. Some excel at certain activities, such as climbing or hunting, while others are designed to do it all.

The popularity of sunshirts has recently ballooned, and there are more options to choose from than ever before. To help inform your decision, this buyer’s guide includes every relevant topic under the sun. If you’ve found yourself here in search of shirts designed for specific activities, we’ve got guides to the best recommendations for fishing and even flannel shirts.

Types of Sun Shirts: Button-Up vs. Hooded Pullover

There are multiple kinds of sun shirts on the market, but the baggy button-up and hooded pullover are the most popular by far.

Hooded Pullover

Climbers, trail runners, and mountain bikers generally prefer hooded pullover sun shirts typically made from 70-80% polyester and 10-20% elastane or spandex.

Not all sun shirt hoods are created equal, but the best ones fit comfortably and won’t blow off in the wind. Hoods offer immense sun protection benefits. We like hoods that cover the neck, ears, and forehead. If your activity of choice requires a helmet, choose a hooded polyester sun shirt. Well-designed hoods stretch easily over climbing and cycling helmets and stay put during active use.

Other key features of many hooded pullover sun shirts are thumb loops (which are great for back-of-the-hand sun protection), and high-cut collars that protect the chest and neck. Some of our favorites on this list include the Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro and the REI Co-op Sahara Shade.

The downside of a hooded sun shirt is the same as any pullover — they’re a bit of a pain to put on and take off. Plus, while many hooded sun shirts are light and breathable, most of them do not come with vents. A few exceptions include breathable pullovers like the Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro and Marmot AirExchange UPF 50 Hoody.

Still, for the most part, sun shirts in this style are usually ventless. One final downside of hooded pullover sun shirts — they get stinky. Elastane and spandex, in particular, develop unpleasant odors more quickly than natural fibers like merino wool.

Pro tip: If you want a hooded sun shirt without the stink, buy something made from natural fibers and minimal elastane. Solid choices include the Free Fly Lightweight Hoodie, partly made from bamboo-derived fibers, and the Ridge Merino Solstice, made mostly from merino wool.

Baggy Button-Up

For activities like fishing, hunting, and bird watching, choose a baggy button-up sun shirt. Button-up sun shirts typically come with a collar instead of a hood, which means you’ll also need to wear a protective sun hat if you want to protect your face, neck, and ears. Some models of button-ups come with a hood, giving you the best of both worlds.

Unlike the active-wear appearance of hooded pullover sun shirts, button-ups have a more traditional look. Most button-up sun shirts look perfectly at home at the bar or a backyard barbecue. Plus, they’re easy to put on and take off.

Anglers, in particular, tend to prefer button-up sun shirts for a few reasons. First, button-ups often come with pockets — a handy place to keep bits of spare tackle such as lures and tip-its. Also, many button-up sun shirts have vented panels, which increase airflow and breathability in warm conditions.

Ijn this guide, the Mountain Hardwear Canyon are our favorite button-up sun shirts.

UPF Rating Explained

Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, is the rating system that gauges a fabric’s effectiveness at filtering ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. For example, a fabric rated to UPF 30 allows roughly 3% or 1/30th of available UV to pass through it.

UPF ratings always fall between 15 and 50+. Garments below UPF 15 do not meet sun protection standards. Any fabric that allows less than 2% of UV to pass through rates UPF 50+.

Multiple factors can affect a fabric’s UPF rating. Darker colors tend to filter out more UV than lighter colors. Thicker fabric usually offers more protection than thinner fabric. A tighter weave may have reduced UV transmission compared to a loose and porous weave.

Brands work to solve the complicated problem of creating a light, breathable, and highly protective sun shirt. The recommended products on this list possess a fine balance of breathability, comfort, and performance, with impressive UPF ratings.

Brands conduct UPF tests on their own products. Just last year, Patagonia issued a voluntary recall on a series of sun shirts that failed to live up to their advertised UPF rating after independent testing.

In any case, reputable brands make all of the sun shirts on our list. As a general rule, we recommend purchasing a sun shirt with a UPF rating of at least 30 — especially if you have a fair complexion or recreate at high elevations.

Materials

Polyester is the most common base material for sun shirts for various reasons. Polyester offers far more protection than bleached cotton, which has a natural UPF rating of around 5. Plus, it dries much faster.

In recent years, many brands have incorporated 10-20% elastane or spandex into their sun shirts’ polyester weave. Integrating stretchy material is great for airflow and mobility but has some downsides. First, elastane can lose its springy quality over time. A shirt with lots of elastane or spandex probably won’t retain its original shape and fit in the long term.

Also, synthetic fibers like elastane develop odors faster than natural fibers like cotton or wool. Sun shirts are known for their gnarly stench, which can develop after a single day of sweaty outdoor recreation. Anecdotally, we noticed that shirts with a high elastane count did, in fact, seem to smell pretty bad after a workout.

Our research and testing found that most hooded pullover sun shirts are made from 80-90% polyester and 10-20% elastane or spandex. The NRS Silkweight Hoodie is an exceptionally soft version of this combination, winning it our most comfortable award. Of course, there are some exceptions to this. The Free Fly Lightweight Hoodie is made from 70% bamboo viscose, and the Ridge Merino Solstice is made from merino wool.

Button-up collared sun shirts tend to be made without spandex or elastane, so they aren’t as stretchy.

Breathability

Designed to protect against sunshine, sun shirts naturally need to be comfortable in warm conditions. A fabric’s breathability is defined by its ability to let air pass through. Breathability decreases drying time and also helps to minimize odor.

On this list, the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake is the perfect choice for those looking for a sun shirt for active use in warm weather. It is important to note that increased breathability can sometimes lead to a decreased UPF rating, like we see in the Outdoor Research Echo, which is extremely breathable and has a soft touch feel to its fabric. A looser weave that allows airflow will let more UV reach the sun underneath.

All of the sun shirts selected for this list are relatively breathable. Sun protection is essential even in cooler conditions, but naturally, a hot summer day calls for breathable clothing.

Odor Resistance

Sun shirts are known for being a bit stinky. There are a few reasons for this. First, sun shirts tend to be worn for active use in warm conditions. Strenuous activity plus heat equals sweat, and sweat leads to odor.

Secondly, sun shirts are usually made from synthetic materials like polyester and elastane. Synthetic fibers are made from petroleum products — polyester threads are essentially thin ropes of plastic. Unlike natural materials like cotton and wool, synthetics don’t absorb sweat.

Instead, the sweat combines with bacteria from your skin and becomes trapped in between the fibers. Elastane fibers in particular are highly effective at trapping bacteria. Over time, the bacteria builds up — and so does the odor.

If you’re looking for a sun shirt that won’t ever smell, your search may continue forever. Luckily, some sun shirts are more odor-resistant than others. If you want to minimize the stink, we recommend following these three tips:

• First, don’t buy a sun shirt with a high elastane/spandex count. Most sun shirts are made from 10-20% elastane/spandex.
• Second, look for a sun shirt made from natural fibers. Bamboo is an increasingly popular alternative to polyester that may be less prone to unwanted odor.
• Third, purchase a sun shirt that has an odor-resistant treatment.

On this list, the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody and the Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro are noticeably impressive in the odor-resistance category. They’re treated with Black Diamond’s HeiQ Pure Odor Control Treatment.

Hood

If maximum UV protection is your goal, you’re going to want a sun shirt with a well-fitted hood. The benefits of a hood are obvious: neck, face, and ear protection. However, not all hoods offer the same utility and value. For the most part, pullover sun shirts have hoods, and button-up sun shirts do not.

A hood that won’t stay on during active use is almost worse than no hood at all. During our testing, we wore sun shirts while hiking, climbing, and biking in windy conditions. The best hoods stayed on against the odds.

If your activity of choice requires a helmet, you’ll need a stretchy hood that can fit over it. One of our favorite hooded sun shirts is the Outdoor Research ActiveIce Hoody. The hood is well-fitted, helmet-compatible, and highly protective. We wore this sun shirt over a helmet for many months, and the material maintained its fit and elasticity.

Thumb Loops

The fingers and hands see a lot of sun exposure, making them susceptible to skin cancer. A sun shirt with well-placed thumb loops can help protect these vulnerable areas from excessive UV.

Most sun shirts with thumb loops are hooded pullovers like the NRS Silkweight Hoodie. In most cases, a thumb loop is a small opening that fits over the thumb and keeps the wrist and back of the hand covered by the sleeve.

Though most pullover sun shirts on this list come with thumb loops, surprisingly, a few styles do not. We love the thumb loops on the RE Co-op Sahara Shade. They’re positioned comfortably, and keep the entire hand’s back protected.

Fit

The way a sun shirt fits will define its performance. As a general rule of thumb, sun shirts should have a semi-loose fit. We particularly appreciate the fit of the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody; it’s just right, not too loose and not too tight.

A loose-fitting sun shirt breathes better, and it’s less likely to limit your range of motion. However, if you usually wear a snug size medium at the office or out at the bar, we recommend sizing up to a large size when you purchase a sun shirt. One more reason to size up: for your sun shirt’s thumb loops to properly protect your hands, it needs to have full-length sleeves.

Price & Value

Budget

You can find a quality budget sun shirt for under $80. Many of our award winners, including the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie, and the Patagonia Capilene Cool Hoody, are reasonably priced. These are durable, comfortable, lightweight, and have one or two additional features that make them stand out.

Mid-Tier

Sun shirts in this category run from $80 to $100. These will often be a little higher-performing than those in the budget category and may include wicking abilities, odor-control treatments, or higher UPF ratings. For example, the Outdoor Research Echo ($85) is a technical performance piece that is extremely stretchy and moves with you. Our most comfortable pick, the NRS Silkweight Hoodie ($90), is so soft and performs well in a variety of conditions.

Premium

Sun shirts with added versatility, storage, and durability will cost over $100. The Royal Robbins Salathe ($110) protects you from bugs and the sun at the same time.

Others in this category are technical pieces with unique features like large mesh underarm side vents found in the Black Diamond AlpenGlow Pro ($149), a high-performing sun shirt that’s ideal for climbing and high-output activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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There’s nothing wrong with wanting your gear to be stylish as well as functional — and this week has plenty of gear that checks both boxes.

Looking to add some color to your outdoor life? Then you’ll find sporty shades and trendy backpacks as well as sexy dive watches and intergalactic hiking shoes. Or maybe you’re the type that likes to keep things classy? Then look no further than knives from The James Brand, versatile apparel from Allover, and Topo Designs.

Find all that and more right here in Emerging Gear.

American Tall Camping Gear

The online-only brand American Tall specializes in making apparel and gear aimed specifically at tall folks (that’s roughly 6′ and up, evidently). Ironically, it’s actually based in Ontario, Canada, though it has warehouses in both the U.S. and Canada.

More to the point: The brand just released a capsule of camping gear aimed at the taller crowd. So if you’ve ever felt that your body is too long for your backpacking setup, this might be worth a look. The collection includes a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and camping chair — all of which are designed to accommodate people up to 7’1″. I guess this is where NBA players will be looking for their camping gear!

Gazelle E-Bike

When you’re looking at bike brands, it’s not a bad idea to pick one from the most bike-friendly country in the world: The Netherlands. That’s especially true of Gazelle, one of the world’s largest e-bike makers. The brand has been making bicycles for more than 130 years, even earning a “royal” designation from the country’s leaders upon reaching its 100-year mark.

Gazelle’s Ultimate lineup of e-bikes just got upgraded, and the two new models are already getting positive reviews. These Class 3 bikes combine 28 mph speed with an upgraded 80mm travel suspension fork and wider 55mm tires.

There’s the Ultimate C380+ 2.0 ($5,000), which Gazelle calls “the pinnacle of maintenance-free luxury.” It has a Gates CDC Belt drive and an Enviolo Trekking hub. There’s also the Ultimate T11+ ($4,500). As “the athlete of the family,” it sports a “high-performance” derailleur system, the “T11+ is built for riders who want a responsive, mechanical feel while conquering steep hills and varied pavement,” Gazelle said. Looking for lower prices? Some of Gazelle’s older models are also on sale.

A Spyderco Icon Gets a Premium Sprint Run

Knife legend Spyderco launched in 1976. You do the math, but it’s a big birthday. And to celebrate, it’s launching an absolute stunner of a sprint run.

The Native 5 50th Anniversary is finished by hand in Golden, Colo. It has an exceptional CPM S90V steel blade, gorgeous damascus bolsters that Spyderco says took 1,200 hours to create, and an amber-hued bone handle. The limited edition drops soon and retails for a hefty $1,200. For the few who really appreciate a once-every-50-year heritage piece (who also have deep pockets), this is an exceptional blade. Collectors, grab them quick, as this run looks like one that’ll go fast.

Topo Designs Teardrop

Colorado-based Topo Designs has received plenty of GearJunkie coverage over the years, including positive reviews in our guide to the Best Travel Backpacks. I see them a lot among climbers and the outdoorsy crowd, and their colorful, creative aesthetic always stands out from the crowd.

That’s certainly true of the brand’s latest release: a colorful (and affordable) lineup of small packs. The Teardrop ($100), a 20L pack available in four colors and comes with a curved design, internal laptop pocket, external waterbottle pockets, and even an ice axe loop.

‘Color of the Year’ Diving Watch

One of the best things about Luminox is the Swiss brand’s ability to thread the needle between sophistication and bright colors. It accomplishes that balance once again with its “Color of the Year” edition of its Pacific Diver lineup.

The brand is also marking World Ocean Day with this limited-edition model, which uses Transformative Teal: the WGSN x Coloro “Color of the Year 2026”. Limited to only 777 pieces worldwide, the Pacific Diver 3120 Transformative Teal edition retains the functionality of these reliable dive watches.

It has a black stainless steel case, unidirectional rotating bezel, and 200m water resistance. This limited-edition watch costs $945.

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Affordable Sports Shades

It’s rare these days to find a pair of performance shades that are functional, good-looking, and affordable. But Goodr has struck the right balance in my experience with them (if only I could stop losing them!).

The brand’s latest drop is a performance frame called the Sonic G. These wrap-style sunglasses aim for max visibility, with ventilated lenses to avoid fogging. And with several brightly colored options, you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd while wearing them. Best of all: They only cost $45.

Versatile Outdoor Pants

You should consider ditching your hiking pants for Allover’s overalls, according to a recent review from GearJunkie Staff Writer Mary Andino. But if you’re not quite willing to leap into overalls, Allover, which is based in beautiful Salida, Colo., has some more traditional outdoor wear as well.

The brand just dropped the Daily Driver Pants for men and women. Known for its signature OG Overalls, Allover made the pants to reflect its central mission: blending outdoor functionality with “an everyday style you might actually want to wear to a local brewery or a concert.” The Daily Driver Pants have a flattering fit for women and an athletic fit for men, the brand said. Grab a pair for $130 for either men or women.

Kelly Slater Water Bottle

Plenty of athletes leverage their fame with product collaborations, but surfing GOAT Kelly Slater has fronted lots of solid outdoor gear. Most notably, his brand Outerknown makes outdoor gear that’s also sustainably produced.

Slater continues the trend in a new partnership with Purist Collective. The brand has a different approach to water bottles. Its stainless steel bottles have an interior layer of silicon dioxide, a naturally occurring compound found in quartz and glass. This glass-like lining supposedly helps maintain a “pure taste,” the brand said. Outside of that, the bottles have a minimalist design that’s likely to attract many kinds of people. Find five different-sized options on the Purist Collective website.

Recycled Hiking Duds

Swedish brand Peak Performance has a pretty cool summer hiking capsule worth checking out. The Discovery Collection, available for both men and women, is a lightweight hiking line that uses ripstop fabrics in support of the circular fashion movement.

A standout item is the Discover Midlayer ($140). It’s Peak Performance’s second garment to be verified against the Circular Design Criteria Standard by circular.fashion. The women-only midlayer is “built from recycled materials, designed for durability and repairability, and made to be recyclable at end of life,” the brand said.

Galaxy-Themed Hiking Shoe

Hiking shoe aesthetics have come a long way in a short time. Not too long ago, you could get a solid pair of hiking shoes in any color — of brown, that is. Now there are reliable hikers that also offer completely outside-the-box designs. In this case, it’s more like outside the planet.

The result of a collaboration between Oboz Footwear and visual artist Casey Lutz — both based in Montana — the ST Orbit 01 combines Oboz’s technical hiking expertise with Lutz’s intergalactic aesthetic. The shoe itself is the first release of Oboz Rewilding, a “limited series that takes classics off the shelf and pulls them back into the wild,” the brand said. It includes Galactica trail tread (get it?), something called “nebuleather,” which is supposedly a “long lasting upper material,” and also GORE-TEX.

Unfortunately, most of the shoe sizes have already sold out. But that also means you can probably expect a restock of this one soon.

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Black Diamond has a long history in touring and mountaineering gear, so it’s a relief to see the brand deliver that in the Recon Stretch Ski Bib. In my opinion, the defining trait of this bib design is its four-way stretch BD.dry fabric, which gives it a noticeably more forgiving feel than traditional hardshell bibs. 

On long ski tours or bootpacks, the fabric’s flex, light weight, and mobility translate into less restriction and more comfort. And there’s far less noise than crinkly GORE-TEX fabric, which sounds like sandpaper against itself.

In short: The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Bibs ($479) sit squarely in the popular do-it-all shell-and-hybrid category. These bibs aren’t the lightest solution for skimo-grade cardio kings. But for most recreational backcountry skiers and snowboarders, it balances coverage and comfort well with breathability and waterproofing. It’s also robust enough to pull double-duty at the resort if, like most people, you don’t want to have to buy two pairs of bibs given the high price tags on ski apparel these days.

See how our other top-rated ski and snowboard snow bibs compare in the Best Men’s Ski Bibs buyer’s guide.

Black Diamond Recon Stretch Bib Review: Construction and Performance

The Recon bib’s weather protection is solid for the price point. With a 20K/20K rating and fully taped construction, the Recon holds up to normal winter weather without feeling swampy on the climb. For most conditions, this level of weatherproofing will be more than enough to keep you dry and warm. Pacific Northwest skiers may want to max out on waterproofing with something like the Arc’teryx Rush Bibs.

If you run extra-hot while touring, a bib may not work well for you, no matter how modern the materials are. You could always consider touring-oriented ski pants with suspenders, which have a similar feel without as much upper-body coverage. 

But if, like me, you prefer the security, comfort, and storage of a bib, the breathable double-weave mesh upper material on the Recon helps release heat, while zippered thigh vents offer quick temperature control when the skin track steepens. 

The triple-zipper setup is confusing at first, but allows you to customize the size and positioning of your venting. I wish BD had included inner-thigh vents like TREW’s TREWth Primo Bibs for maximum venting when the going gets steamy.

Storage is practical and touring-oriented. The bib includes multiple zippered pockets (chest, hand, and thigh), plus the must-have device tether in the thigh pocket. 

The thigh pockets are kept fairly high on the leg and rotated toward the outside of the quad, which keeps your phone, or whatever, from slapping against your leg during skinning or skiing.

Fit and Comfort

The Recon bibs are full bibs that rise above your chest in front, which is a little surprising for a touring-oriented option. Often backcountry-first bibs cut lower to make them more breathable, but the advantage of full coverage is that the chest pockets stay higher and more convenient, and you stay warmer on cold descents.

This fit is slim from the hips through the chest with plenty of elastic and the four-way stretch material throughout. 

At first, the Recon felt somewhat restrictive to me. But I came to appreciate the advantage of a more tailored, athletic cut for skinning. The back of the bib doesn’t cover as high as the front, which helps with back sweat when touring with a pack pressed against you. The legs are more relaxed without being so baggy that they scuff together on the uphill.

Critiques

A couple of minor gripes: the boot cuff elastic is too tight for touring, and the pee zipper lacks a pull tab. Adding a pull tab to this frequently used zipper isn’t rocket science. But I’ll never understand why companies omit it, forcing you to either DIY or remove your gloves every time nature calls. 

The snow-excluding elastic on the boot cuff is another head-scratcher. It has an extremely tight fit that feels like a power strap going uphill. It requires more force than seems necessary to pull on over your boots. The cuffs have a snap that lets you open them wider, but I couldn’t find any advantages to this design over simply using a less-aggressive elastic and/or a wider circumference.

Big Value

At around $450, the Recon Stretch Bib undercuts premium GORE-TEX Pro bibs such as Arc’teryx’s $750 Rush Bibs and its own $679 Factor Bibs while delivering only marginally weaker weatherproofing and better stretch comfort. 

You’re not getting top-tier durability or expedition-level burliness. But the lighter build is better-suited to backcountry skiing and warmer temps.

For skiers who split time between resort laps and occasional tours, the Recon lands in a sweet spot: it actually delivers on the hybrid-performance promise instead of just slapping a device tether in the pocket of a GORE-TEX resort bib and calling it ready for the backcountry, as most brands are doing these days.

Recon vs. Factor Bibs

The Black Diamond Recon and the Black Diamond Factor Bibs are close siblings, but they target slightly different skiers. 

Since I’ve field-tested both for GearJunkie, I’ll try to help you decide between the two if you like Black Diamond but aren’t sure which is a better fit, literally and figuratively.

The Recon Bibs prioritize mobility, breathability, and versatility. The stretch fabric and lighter build make this pair better for touring, sidecountry laps, and active skiing. It can be cold on midwinter resort days, so smart layering is required.

For the Factor Bibs, the design leans more toward durability, warmth, and freeride-resort use, with a burlier construction and less emphasis on stretch comfort. The bibs are marketed as a hybrid option, but aren’t ideal if you ski tour more than a few days a season.

To me, the Recon feels more like a hybrid touring bib, while the Factor is a more traditional, stormproof freeride shell, even though both get billed as crossover options. 

The cost difference is substantial as well. If you’re trying to spend under $500 and don’t mind bottom-half layering as needed to stay comfortable in the lighter-but-cheaper Recon on the ski lifts, go that route, as these two are otherwise very similar bibs.

Bottom Line

The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Bib is a hybrid touring and resort ski bib built for motion. 

This men’s ski bib is not the toughest or most waterproof choice on the market. But its blend of stretch, breathability, and adequate waterproofing makes it a more affordable option for skiers who prefer a bib pant for earning turns.

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The sound was abrupt. Rapid chittering shrieked inches away from my head. The small birds, locked in battle, divebombed past me. I looked up from the trail in surprise, and suddenly, the aspens were whirling. My concentration broken, I’d lost my footing and was falling fast toward the trail. I tucked and rolled, bashing my leg into a log on the way.

I came to a rest on my back. Green leaves rustled 50 feet above me. White trunks of the aspens arced toward the cobalt sky. I lay still. My leg, shoulder, and hands ached. But all I could think was, good god, this is so beautiful.

I came to Crested Butte on the invitation of Kiprun, a French “expert brand” under the Decathlon umbrella. Over two days, I’d already run about 15 miles, and was just wrapping up a 10-mile trail run with 1,700 feet of climbing.

I hadn’t been on a big trail run in months, and my body was reminding me that, at 50, you really need to train for this kind of thing. While I can’t blame the fall on anything but inattention due to a couple of fighting songbirds, the impact took more of a toll than it probably would have just a few years ago.

And as I completed a self-assessment — nothing seriously hurt but my pride — and rose to my feet, I had to admit that I really love trail running. I was ready to get back in the saddle, and tentatively continued my descent down the last few hundred yards to the trailhead.

Kiprun Trail Running Shoes: Performance Beyond Value

Mention the brand “Decathlon” to many folks in the U.S., and the reaction will likely be one of curious puzzlement or a head-nodding acknowledgment of a brand with a very strong value proposition. Beloved in much of Europe, Decathlon offers a lot of bang for the buck in camping, backpacking, winter, and other outdoor gear. With more than 1,700 stores in 72 countries, it’s a powerhouse retailer that did $16.8 billion in net sales in 2025.

But I was here to learn about a sub-brand that’s even less understood in the U.S., yet has a strong foothold globally. Launched in 2008, Kiprun only entered the U.S. market in April 2026.

Kiprun (short for “keep running”) now offers trail and road shoes aimed at performance. While prices tend to be slightly lower than those of better-known brands, Kiprun representatives were clear that it didn’t intend to be a “value brand.” Leadership wants it to be a top choice, regardless of price. While they note that Decathlon can keep prices very competitive thanks to its scale, it wants to be measured toe-to-toe against the other big players.

That’s what I intended to do.

So over two runs in Crested Butte, plus four more at home in Denver, I put the Kipsummit Race and Kipsummit Max ($150) through their paces. While both shoes performed well, I personally preferred the fit and feel of the Kipsummit Max, so I’m going to focus on it for the following review. I’ll touch on the Kipsummit Race at the end of the article as well.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max Review

The Kiprun Kipsummit Max is a maximal, highly cushioned shoe. But don’t let the 39mm stack height fool you! The Kipsummit Max is fast, responsive, and capable on rough trails. Just don’t expect it to be the most precise shoe in your quiver.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max

Check Price at Kiprun

(Photo/Kiprun)

Rating Details

8.0

Out of 10

How we rate products ⓘ

Comfort/Fit 8.6/10

Traction 8.5/10

Protection 9/10

Stability 7.6/10

Specifications

WEIGHT

9.4 oz.

DROP

6mm

STACK HEIGHT

39mm/33mm

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Protective
• Good traction
• Very comfortable

Cons

• Not very precise
• Clunky on pavement

Sean McCoy

I’d been neglecting this sport lately since some burnout after my last ultra. And here I was, surrounded by an aspen grove in full spring vigor, limping and loving every second. In the time since initially running the Kipsummit Max in Crested Butte, I’ve done several more short trail runs and a little pavement time to get a deeper understanding of the shoe. I really enjoy it as a supremely comfortable, fast, and confidence-inspiring trail running shoe.

Working from the bottom up, the Kiprun Kipsummit Max offers excellent traction thanks to its Vibram Megagrip outsole. In my opinion, Megagrip is hard to beat as an outsole. It works wonderfully on the Kipsummit Max, biting into the generally hard soil on which I’ve tested it. But on everything from dusty rocks to slick, kitty litter gravel, it provides a strong purchase on the trail.

While testing in Crested Butte, I rolled quickly over flowy trails. On both climbs and the rolling descent of the Upper Lower trail, it gave me strong connection with the ground. This shoe is clearly meant for off-trail running, and it shows. On pavement sections, the sole is clunky and relatively slow, much like an all-terrain car tire on slick tarmac. That’s not a ding, just a reality of a purpose-built running shoe.

Midsole

The heart of any running shoe is the midsole, and the Kipsummit Max has one big heart. Standing 39mm at the heel with 6mm of drop, the Kipsummit Max lives up to its name. This is one tall running shoe!

Fortunately, the FASTECH+ cushioning foam is both comfortable and responsive. While pushing fast across flat sections of trail, I noticed that the shoe rewards a good foot strike with efficient forward propulsion, due in part to its rockered shape, and in part to the good energy return of the midsole foam.

The shoe feels pretty fast, especially for its height. No, it’s not anywhere near the fastest shoe on the block, but it’s quite quick when you consider its enormous cushion and protection.

And protection is where it shines. The thick foam blunts the feeling of rough trail, rocky edges, or roots. I still had decent proprioception. I could tell where my feet were in space. But the thunderous impact of big drops just didn’t feel as harsh as with some faster shoes. For those looking for long-distance days or fast recovery from training runs, the Kipsummit Max will give your feet a lot of help and keep them as happy as anything out there, so long as they fit your foot well.

Upper

Kiprun notes that the Kipsummit Max has a “plush padded fit” in the collar, tongue, and upper, and I absolutely agree. Slipping into the Kipsummit Max for the first time, and it felt like my foot got a soft, firm embrace. It’s a very comfortable shoe from the get-go, which is nice during the initial miles that break in the shoe. It quickly molded to my feet over the first few runs, and now feels like a pliable, thick second skin every time I put it on.

With that thickness comes some downsides. For one, I think the shoe could become a little sloppier after a couple of hundred miles of running, which I haven’t reached yet. Lacing should compensate for that, but it’s something on my mind.

Secondarily, it holds moisture longer than thinner uppers. That’s not awful, but something to keep in mind if you have a lot of stream crossings or two-a-day workouts.

One final note on the upper: Kiprun is pretty wild with its tags. The Kipsummit Max had a thick stack of tags sewed to the tongue when I got it. I promptly cut them off, but even after removing them, I could feel pressure on the top of my instep where the tags were sewn to the tongue. After tackling them with a garment cutting tool and removing the stitching, it’s great. But it’s something to note. If the tags bother you, plan to spend a few minutes carefully removing all these weird labels. You’ll enjoy the shoe more.

Competition and Who It’s For

It’s impossible to run in the Kiprun Max and not compare it with the iconic HOKA Speedgoat 7. With nearly identical geometry (the Speedgoat is 2mm shorter in the heel, and has 1mm less drop), outsoles (both run Vibram Megagrip), and fit, and profile. They’re similar enough that I strapped one on each foot and went for a short run to see how they felt side by side.

It was an enlightening experience. While very similar on paper, the Kiprun felt softer and more cushioned than the Speedgoat. It also felt slightly narrower. My main takeaway on this short test is that both feel good, but the Speedgoat felt slightly more responsive, more connected to the ground, and wider.

Comparing the Kipsummit Max with the Speedgoat 7 is high praise for a shoe that’s relatively new to the U.S. market. And really, the Kipsummit Max deserves it. It’s no stranger to Europeans, and has earned its spot at the starting line of ultras.

The Kipsummit Max is an ideal shoe for really long days on the trail, whether they be for training or racing. If you’re planning long outings of 15 miles or more, the Kipsummit Max deserves to be on your list for consideration.

And as much as the brand doesn’t want to be considered on its value alone, there’s no question that its excellent price of $150 is worth figuring into your calculations. It offers many of the benefits of the Speedgoat 7, and saves you $15.

Is that enough to make the decision between it and the Speedgoat, or another top-tier shoe? Probably not. But at a fair price and with strong performance for a max-cushion running shoe, the Kiprun Kipsummit Max makes a strong case. If you can find a demo near you, it’s worth lacing up a pair to see how they fit and match your running style.

There is no season like summer to gift a multitool. Between graduations that benchmark the next stages in self-reliance, to forever-handy Father’s Day ideas for dad, the right multitool always makes a fitting present. Not to mention the longer days spent outdoors. They often equate to more needs on unexpected adventures, or at least more everyday projects around the house.

Leatherman is leaning into the ideal timing with a promotion on its popular Wave+ and Rebar models, giving customers in the U.S. and Canada 20% off through June 30. Grab your fitting summer gift and take advantage of the limited-time savings.

Leatherman’s Rebar

Not to be outdone, the Rebar earned a nod as this year’s Best Budget Multitool for users interested in a versatile yet affordable alternative to the Wave+. With 17 onboard tools (11 locking), we’ve reviewed the Rebar as “the modern successor to the original Leatherman tool launched back in 1984.”

Popular among tradespeople, DIYers, and outdoor users who prefer a traditional tool layout, we noted how Rebar’s “oversized, reinforced pliers provided a substantial hold that did not give when twisted and torqued beyond description,” while gripping well in hard-to-get places.

Leatherman’s Wave+

For over 2 decades, this multitool has proven its worth. And the Wave+ reaffirmed the reasons why it’s such a popular bestseller in our recent Best Multitools of 2026 guide, taking home top honors as Best Overall Multitool.

Our review took into account the high-quality overall build plus its materials and assortment of 18 tools, then balanced those factors “against ease of use and price.” Other perks include the pliers’ premium replaceable wire cutters, bit driver compatibility, plus the legendary 25-year warranty.

This article was sponsored by Leatherman.