Arc’teryx Women’s Taema / Men’s Cormac Hoody Sun Shirt Review

Bottom Line

Arc’teryx Women’s Taema / Men’s Cormac Hoody has one of the highest UPF ratings for the level of breathability it offers compared to other options in our sun shirts gear guide.

It is lightweight (4.9 women’s / 5.6 oz. men’s), dries quickly, and resists odors, which makes it a high performer for folks on all-day/all conditions adventures. While this shirt rates highly for sun protection, breathability, wicking, and odor control, it didn’t top the list for being the comfiest. 

The fit around the shoulders and upper back is tight, and when paired with low stretch, can make this feel uncomfortable at the beginning of use. The sleeves tend to twist unless the wearer uses the thumbholes to keep them in place. And though it has thumbholes, they are tight for those with long arms. 

This sun shirt works well for strenuous and lengthy outdoor activities. Wearers can depend on the breathability to layer appropriately without overheating during cooler months. It makes an exceptional trail running shirt because of its quick drying time and ability to wick. 

The quality and year-round application make this shirt an excellent investment for those looking for more technical gear. Those looking for maximum protection for mild day hikes might choose a more affordable and comfortable option.

How We Tested

This shirt was tested on days with the weather in the low 40s-high 50s, both with and without layers (including a fleece and a rain shell). We wore it with an overnight pack on and as a stand-alone running shirt.

Comfort

Initially, we found the Arc’teryx Taema Hoody tight and uncomfortable along the shoulders and upper back. Also, the sleeves can twist. Thankfully, once we started wearing it regularly, we forgot about these minor gripes.

The arms fit better once hands are slung through the thumbholes. The tradeoff is these little straps at the thumb pull on the hand. Finally, when the hood is down, it pulls, adding pressure to the neck. 

When it comes to the comfort of the fabric, it’s surprisingly stiff with little stretch. The striated weave noticeable on the inside of the fabric feels strange against the skin – not exactly itchy, but not smooth or soft. It just exacerbates the stiffness of the shirt. The tradeoff is the fabric is incredibly durable. 

The fit at the shoulders and arms is unfortunate because the rest of the body fits well. The shirt has a relaxed body with a generous length.

It is worth noting that this shirt’s lighter colorways can be see-through. We tested the Atmos Heather color and could see the color from our sports bras underneath.

Overall, it isn’t the most comfortable sun shirt. But if you’re wearing this shirt for its intended purpose, you’ll be more focused on your technical pursuits and big objectives than how cozy you’re feeling.

Sun Protection

The sun protective features included in this shirt is a UPF 40+ rated fabric, thumbholes, and a hood with a neck gaiter. 

The Skin Cancer Foundation recognizes UPF 40+ as “very good protection.” This is a fantastic rating for a shirt that’s lightweight, woven, and breathable. 

The thumbholes are not so much holes as a little strap to put your thumb through. When used, this strap helps pull the sleeve into place but only covers less than half of the hand. 

Though there can be awkward pressure against the neck, the actual hood fits great and doesn’t have any issue staying on or falling into our faces when running. We love that when the hood is pulled on, the neck is also protected from the sun.

Breathability & Wicking Power

Here is a category where the technical aspects of the Arc’teryx Taema Hoody shine and justify some of the dings in the comfort category. The fabric breathes and wicks really well. 

During runs, sweat doesn’t condense on the skin, and even when sweat is certainly saturating the fabric, it doesn’t feel weighed down. The woven fabric allows air to flow in and allows the fabric to dry faster, so whatever sweat does absorb into it doesn’t stick around for long. 

During runs when temperatures drop significantly and the breeze kicks up, the fabric seems to balance breathability without making us feel like we are shirtless.

On a drizzly run with a snowstorm pushing in behind it, the Taema was covered with a fully zipped rain shell. Assuming that layering the shell over while running would feel humid, stuffy, and, frankly, disgusting, the Taema performed. With this sun shirt underneath, the entire 8-mile run was comfortable. There was no overheating, stuffiness, or suffocating humidity between the shell and body. 

This sun shirt also dries quickly. The Taema dries within half an hour of inactivity. This is ideal, as it allows you to go from a warm and elevated heart rate to a resting heart rate where you no longer need to sweat to cool off. 

Versatility

Versatility is a measure of convenience: does sun shirt stand up to different seasons, activities, and uses? Does it stash snacks or keys while hiking?

The Taema / Cormac works just fine year-round—in fact, it is recommended for year-round use—and can withstand all sorts of outdoor activities, from trail running to climbing. 

However, this shirt is minimalist by design. It doesn’t include features like pockets to help stash important things on the go. It also has that very technical look and might not pass as easily when worn off-trail, especially as the lighter colors are see-through.

One thing it does have going for it, though, is that it does not retain smell. After the a wet and sweaty rain-shell-running test, a stench could hardly be detected on this shirt. Would this be presentable for a work meeting? Probably not. Would heading from the trail to a friend’s house be fine without offending anyone? Probably.

Should You Buy the Arc’teryx Taema / Cormac Sun Shirt?

This technical top shines with its performance on the trail. It feels light, breathable, and like a true partner in crime. Plus, it layers under other clothing for inclement weather without feeling uncomfortable. However, some comfort might be sacrificed with the initial tight fit across the shoulders and arms, and the price is hefty for a sun shirt. 

This is a great top for someone who needs a technical piece of gear with very good sun protection to keep up during weather for trail runs, backpacking, or biking. Though it is pricey, it is a good value because it works well year-round and provides good sun protection versus comparable products. This shirt is probably overkill for someone looking for sun protection during their bluebird, 5-mile day hikes.

What Other Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

The Arc’teryx Taema / Cormac Hoody sun shirt isn’t the only technical sun shirt in town. Our best sun shirts gear guide review has a number of great alternatives like:

Outdoor Research Echo Review: If you are looking for an ultra (ultra) light, breathable fabric that feels like you are wearing nothing, the Outdoor Research Echo is a great option. This is the lightest shirt we reviewed, beating out the Taema by a little over an ounce. The fabric breathes, wicks, and dries even better than the Arc’teryx. It fits and stretches much better than the Arc’teryx as well. However, it does not provide a recommended level of sun protection by the Skin Cancer Foundation. 

Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie Review: The Sombra is another woven sun shirt that breathes well, dries quickly, and feels comfortable as a stand alone or as a layer during cooler weather. The Sombra has better sun protection than the Taema –– offering a UPF rating of 50+ and sleeves that fully cover the hands. It includes a zippered pocket at the side, great for keys or a small snack. It is also a friendlier price point for a similar value.. However, it does not dry, wick, or breathe nearly as well as the Taema (though still better than a handful of others).

Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve Hoody Review: This is not a woven, but a knit sun shirt. The Crater Lake provides better sun protection, handfeel, stretch, and fit than the Taema does. It is also very lightweight for a knit, only barely surpassing the Taema (120 GSM vs 110). Like the Cotopaxi, it is a better price point and includes more features (like a stash pocket!). Though it breathes, wicks, and resists odors well compared to other knits in this category, it cannot surpass the Taema. It also doesn’t seem to have the long-lasting quality that the Taema does.