The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is light, comfortable, and has a few neat tricks up its sleeve.
Sahara Shade Hoodie (Photo: REI)
Updated September 21, 2026 03:03PM
I have a closet full of sun layers, but few of them get as much of a workout as my REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, which is comfortable enough that I often find myself reaching for it even when I could get away with short sleeves. (Case in point: It’s currently packed in a duffel for Backpacker‘s upcoming Editors’ Choice trip to Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail.) The raglan sleeves and 50+ UPF stretchy polyester-spandex blend fabric move with the wearer, never binding or bunching, while a generous 3-panel hood keeps the sun’s rays off and cinches with a hidden internal drawstring. On hikes along the Colorado Trail and paddling days in the Florida Everglades the Sahara Shade dried as well as it wicked, making it a perfect piece for both hot and high-tempo days. Bonus: Thumbholes in the cuffs let hikers cover the backs of their hands on sunny days in the alpine.
