Milk & Whiskey Chaser Sun Hoodie Review

Bottom Line

We awarded the Milk & Whiskey Chaser (men’s / women’s) best “Townie” in our sun shirts gear guide because of its comfort and fit. Though its softness shines, this shirt absorbs a lot of sweat and dries very slowly, making it a dubious choice for high-exertion activities. 

This shirt should not be overlooked for casual hikers, though. We love the excellent sun protective features, including a UPF 50+ rating and comfortable thumbholes that help the cuff cover the entire hand. This shirt fits well under layers and, frankly, is our choice for running errands around town. 

Its heavier fabric makes it a great stand-alone top for easy and moderate hikes in cooler weather. We wear it all the time and are comfortable even on sunny days in the mid-40s. 

This shirt is also one of the pricier sun shirts we researched, and the value you get out of it depends on what you’re buying this top for. The average person would wear every cent and more out of this shirt.

How We Tested

We tested the Milk & Whiskey Chaser sun shirt in various conditions and settings. From challenging multi-mile hikes with a full pack to long-distance runs, we incorporated it into our daily wardrobe during fluctuating weather conditions, both as a standalone piece and layered under other garments.

Comfort

There was never any doubt that the Milk & Whiskey Chaser would be comfortable while hiking. Before taking this sun shirt out for tests, we wore it around the house, running errands and going to work. It was so comfortable and fit so well that it was the first thing we reached for in the morning. 

Taking this shirt on the trail, wearing an overnight pack, and ascending steep slopes, the comfort never wavered. 

The hand feel is incredible. It doesn’t have the lightest fabric (179 GSM), but the quality of the fabric is soft and feels great against the skin miles into your hike. The fabric has generous stretch, and the fit is amazing. We love how it hangs on the body. The raglan sleeves increase comfort around the shoulders.

Sun Protection

The Milk & Whiskey Chaser provides excellent sun protection. The shirt has a UPF 50+ rating and has thumbholes, long cuffs, and a hood. However, it does not provide protection at the neck with a gaiter. 

Thanks to the great stretch of the fabric, the thumbholes are very comfortable when pulled over the hand. When worn, the thumbholes pull the sleeves to completely cover the knuckles. 

The hood is excellent. When we hiked with this, the hood stayed exactly put. It didn’t threaten to fall into our eyes or off our heads. The only thing we wish it would have provided is a neck gaiter to fully protect the upper body.

Breathability & Wicking Power

A strenuous test hike revealed how much sweat this shirt absorbs and how long it takes to dry. However, it also showed that the fabric breathes fairly well, especially for a knitted shirt. 

One thing we notice while wearing this shirt at work and while hiking is our hands tend to sweat under the double-layered cuffs. 

On another test hike with this top, it was in the high 40s and sunny. We made sure to load up an overnight pack, too. When we reached the summit and took off the pack, the fabric around the hip belt straps and back was saturated, unlike other sun shirts we tested. 

The light at the summit was amazing, and we wanted to capture photos of this shirt there. So we waited…and waited…and waited…. An hour later, this shirt was still wet to the point of showing dark spots through the fabric. 

However, while hiking, the shirt breathes very well. We could feel a breeze come through the parts of our bodies not covered by packs. 

Because of the long dry time, we don’t like to sweat in this shirt. It’s best for staying cool and comfortable on casual sunny outings.

Versatility

This shirt can definitely stand up to trail days and apres nights. 

There is a zippered pocket at the side that could fit keys and snacks simultaneously, but because it is made of such a drapey fabric, we wouldn’t recommend using this pocket for very heavy items. 

This sun shirt can work well throughout the season, but you would probably feel most comfortable during cooler months that don’t require layering unless you are only taking easy hikes or walks around town. During the mid-day heat of summer, we would opt for something lighter and more airy. 

Because this fabric is so absorptive, we don’t recommend it for outings where you might generate some perspiration.

Should You Buy the Milk & Whiskey Chaser Sun hoodie?

This top is an amazing choice for someone who is looking for the comfort of a knit shirt with great sun protection. It is probably best suited for someone who is seeking casual outdoor recreation and day hikes. The brand is marketed toward families (Chaser shirts are available in children’s sizing), which is the speed we think best suits this shirt’s capacity. 

This would not be our first recommendation for someone planning a summer thru-hike, though it would be a great sleep/camp shirt. The thicker fabric feels more comfortable at night and in the morning, and the super-soft fabric is durable for long-term comfort.

What Other Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

Be sure to compare the Milk & Whiskey against the other sun shirts in our best sun shirts gear guide. Here’s a few comparable options: 

Free Fly Bamboo Shade Hoodie II Review: The Free Fly and Milk & Whiskey are very similar shirts. Both have an incredibly soft, drapey fabric. Both have thicker summertime fabric (189 & 190 GSM) and excellent sun protective features. The only clear feature that the Whiskey & Milk has over the Free Fly is odor-resistance. 

REI Sahara Shade Review: Slightly lighter than the Milk & Whiskey, but still able to provide the same excellent sun protective features plus protection for the neck. The REI shirt has a very flattering shape. 

Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie Review: Bridging the gap between technical and convenience, the Cotopaxi is a great choice for someone who is looking for the ease of the Milk & Whiskey but a more technical fabric.