I f you’re going to exist in the same set of clothes every day for six months at a time, it’s important to wear something you actually like. We tested the budget-friendly Sierra Designs Alpine Start Sun Hoodie, Fredonyer stretch shorts, and Basecamp Tank to see how they stack up for thru-hiking.

I hiked on and off in these clothes from June through mid-September in Colorado’s San Juan mountains, Wyoming’s Wind River range, and Washington’s Olympic National Park. Temperatures ranged from low 40s to mid-80s and the weather was mostly sunny.

MSRP: $50 Weight: 5.8 oz Material: 88% Poly, 10% Spandex, UPF 40+ Size Range: XS – XL

This hoodie is made of a stretchy, polyester-spandex blend for a snug, next-to-skin fit. Off-shoulder seams won’t rub against your skin beneath a backpack strap. The hoodie was a bit too narrow through the chest for me.

READ NEXT – How to Pick the Perfect Sun Hoodie for Your Next Hike

UPF 40 sun protection: UPF 40 is considered excellent and filters 97.5% of harmful UV. Although UPF 50 would be even better, many so-called sun hoodies don’t have this level of UV protection.

Affordable: Many similar tops cost two or even three times more than this one. Fifty bucks is a great price for a technical sun hoodie.

Thick material feels too hot: Although initially cool to the touch, the fabric feels thick and not very breathable when worn. The snug next-to-skin fit doesn’t allow air to circulate, which only exacerbates the feeling of being too hot.

No ponytail port: I would love a slit in the back of the hood so I could feed my ponytail through and not have my hair trapped inside like a fur-lined hood.

Smells bad: Despite the antimicrobial treatment on this hoodie, the Alpine Start hoodie starts holding odors almost immediately, even when I don’t feel I’m sweating that much.

This sun hoodie is a good choice for shorter backpacking trips in shoulder season conditions when you still want full sun protection. It’s a little too heavy/warm/stinky for a full thru-hike, in my opinion.

Shop the Sierra Designs Alpine Start Sun Hoodie

MSRP: $50 Weight: 12.2 oz Material: 98% Nylon; 2% spandex, UPF 50+ Size Range: 2 – 12

The inseam length of these shorts is 4.5 inches: they come to roughly mid-thigh. The crotch seam is standard (i.e., not gusseted), and the fit is somewhat loose. They’re a little longer than I normally wear but super cute, and the material feels nice against the skin. I did find the shorts somewhat loose in the waist and tight across the hips—so these are definitely more suited to a slender body type with narrow hips.

Great abrasion resistance: The shorts felt super durable, and I never worried about butt-scooching in difficult terrain while wearing them. At the same time, the material feels thin, soft, and flexible, not stiff or unwieldy.

Deep pockets: Finally, women’s shorts with pockets that are actually functional! Deep enough to hold my iPhone, and the smaller zipper pocket is good for keys or other small valuables.

UPF50+: As good as it gets for sun protection. Not totally sure I see the point of having a super-sun-protective garment that only covers 25% of your leg, but every little bit of protection counts.

No crotch gusset: This alone is a deal breaker. No pair of shorts without a crotch gusset can ever truly be comfortable, and the Fredonyers are no exception. The seam rides up in terrible ways that shall not be described further in this review. Suffice it to say that sitting, squatting, and taking big steps up (all things that frequently happen when hiking) are nonstarters in these shorts.

Also, if there was a crotch gusset, the shorts would probably have a little more room across the hips and would fit better for curvier individuals.

If only they had a crotch gusset, I would adore these shorts. I love the pockets and the way the material feels. But without the gusset, I can’t justify wearing them on the trail or off.

Shop the Sierra Designs Fredonyer Stretch Shorts

MSRP: $35 Weight: 7 oz Materials: 77% polyester 18% Tencel 5% spandex Size Range: XS – XL

This racerback tank has spaghetti straps and a scoop neck. The fit is loose but flattering, and the material feels amazingly soft and comfortable. The tank features a droptail hem (lower in the back than the front) so that it will stay in place under a hip belt.

Flattering cut: The Basecamp Tank is super cute. Not that it’s a fashion show out there, but it’s always nice to have garments that are functional on the trail as well as in town.

Feels amazing: The Tencel fabric is incredibly soft against the skin. Furthermore, I always love a shirt with a droptail hem and anti-chafe flatlock seams for backpacking.

Spaghetti straps: Most of us want more protection from chafing against our backpack straps. I also prefer longer sleeves for protection from sun, insects, and vegetation.

Weight: Seven ounces is pretty heavy for a tank, especially when you consider that the Alpine Start Sun Hoodie, with its long sleeves and full hood, weighs just 5.8 in a medium.

This is a great shirt for casual wear around town or on light day hikes with a small pack. It wouldn’t work well for strenuous and/or multi-night efforts, at least for me. If you’re able to backpack in spaghetti straps regularly and it doesn’t irritate your shoulders, the Basecamp tank might be perfect for you, in which case, go nuts.

Shop the Sierra Designs Basecamp Tank

The Sierra Designs Alpine Start Sun Hoodie, Fredonyer Stretch Shorts, and Basecamp Tank were donated for purpose of review.

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Oh hey there! I'm Ibex, the lead writer and content editor of this site. I mostly spend my spare time scheming new adventures and inadvertently setting my hair on fire while cooking. Appalachian Trail 2018 Wonderland Trail (+ a dozen or so other NPS trails) 2019 Colorado Trail 2020 Colorado Trail 2021.