Free Fly Elevate Hoodie
The Elevate Hoodie is a new sun shirt from Free Fly with UPF 30+ sun protection. It’s loose-fitting, breathable, and fast-drying.
Free Fly Elevate Hoodie Specs
MSRP: $88
Material: 83% recycled poly, 11% lyocell, 6% spandex
Sun Protection: UPF 30+
About the Elevate Hoodie
The Elevate hoodie has silky-smooth comfort, and is quick-drying and light, making it a solid choice for anyone who spends time outdoors under the sun. I like the sun cuffs that cover the tops off my hands while using trekking poles.
Elevate Hoodie Features
Sun Protection: The Elevate Hoodie is rated for sun protection of UPF 30+, which meets the Skin Cancer Foundation’s guidelines of a UPF of 30 to 49 for very good protection. A shirt with a UPF 50+ gets a rating of excellent.
Materials: Lyocell, which is blended with poly and spandex in the Elevate, is a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, and has become a popular component of active wear because of those properties. But lyocell can be more expensive than other fabrics, raising the price of garments such as the Elevate that it’s used in.
Odor-Resistant: I’ve worn the Elevate on sweaty hikes, and so far it passes the stink test. The shirt uses HeiQ Fresh odor control, which HeiQ says binds smelly molecules, presumably stopping a stink smell from reaching my nose.
Hand Protection: The Elevate has sun cuffs that extend over the top of my hands and keep the sun’s rays off my hands while I’m gripping trekking poles on a sunny day.
Hood: Loose fitting and extending over my face to block the sun.
Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, 160ish pounds. The large size Elevate hangs loosely on my body, which is important for sun protection. A tight-fitting shirt does not offer good sun protection.
Giving Back: Free Fly donates time and resources to South Carolina partners like Charleston Waterkeeper and Windwood Farm.
Manufactured: In Vietnam.
UPF Protection Factor: A fabric must have a UPF of 30 or above to qualify for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of recommendation. A UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ rates as excellent.
UPF Ratings: A UPF rating of 30 indicates that a garment’s fabric allows 1/30th (about 3 percent) of UV radiation to pass through. Clothing with a UPF 50 rating allows 1/50th (about 2 percent) UV transmission. Any fabric that allows less than 2 percent UV transmission is labeled UPF 50+.
What to Look for in Sun Shirts: Dark or bright colors absorb UV rays, preventing them from reaching your skin. Densely woven cloth is more protective than sheer, thin, or loosely woven cloth. Loose-fitting apparel is better than tight-fitting clothing, which can stretch the fibers and let through UV rays.
About Free Fly: Tanner and Jenna Sutton grew up working in their family’s clothing business in Montana, and in 2010 moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where, along with Jenna’s husband, Austin Elliot, they own Free Fly apparel.
Elevate Hoodie Pros
Sun Cuff: Extra-long sleeve fabric covers the back of my hand for sun protection while holding trekking poles.
Lightweight: Excellent light weight for wearing or packing.
Generous Hood: Wraps nicely around my head and shields my face from the sun.
Loose Fit: The loose-fitting Elevate doesn’t absorb the moisture when I sweat on hikes.
Soft Fabric: The recycled poly, lyocell, and spandex blend make for a soft shirt that rests comfortably against my skin.
Elevate Hoodie Cons
Cost: The Elevate’s $88 price tag is on the high end for a sun shirt, especially one with a UPF 30+ rating. Most sun shirts in the Elevate’s price range have a UPF of 50.
Overall Value
I like the Elevate Hoodie and its silky-smooth feeling against my skin. It hangs loose and light on my body, has good head protection, and the sun cuffs are a nice touch that keep the sun’s rays off my hands. But it might not be the best shirt for the money. The UPF is 30+, which is considered the lowest number for good sun protection. And the shirt costs $88 dollars, while sun shirts from other brands match that price and have a UPF of 50.
Similar UPF 30 Sun Shirts
Ketl Mountain Apparel Nofry Sun Hoodie
MSRP: $59.99
UPF: 30
MSRP: $65
UPF: 30
The North Face Belay Hooded Shirt
MSRP: $54
UPF: 40
This product was donated for purpose of review.