The sun never takes a day off. Clothing remains one of the most effective forms of protection against sun damage. Sun-protective clothing is the simplest way to stay safe from harmful UV. It acts like a sun shield and is ideal for situations where sunscreen is not practical or desired. But not all clothing offers adequate sun protection.

The Hoodie

The modern hoodie originated in the 1930s as a utilitarian garment for workers in cold New York warehouses. The hoodie offered the same benefits of a sweatshirt with the added benefits of a head covering. The garment’s style can actually be traced back to Medieval Europe and the tunic or robes worn by monks, that had a hood called a cowl. A hooded cape called a chaperon was also commonly worn by outdoors workers. The word “hood” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word hōd, which is also where we get the word “hat” from.

The hoodie took off in popularity during the 1970s. Its popularly continues to grow today, fueled by the mainstream adoption of sportswear and the athleisure lifestyle. The term “hoodie” entered popular usage in the 1990s. Hoodies are exceptionally practical and have become a style staple.

Hoodies are not just for cooler weather. Many outdoor clothing companies offer sun hoodies that are designed to keep you cool, dry and protected from the rays of the scorching summer sun. MDT Sporting Goods Ltd. is one such company.

MDT is a leading manufacturer of precision rifle chassis, with production facilities in Chilliwack, BC, Canada, and Everson, WA, USA. The company strives to provide superior value and accuracy for precision rifles. MDT also sells a variety of accessories, including MDT-branded apparel.

MDT Bamboo Sun Hoodie

MDT currently offers two sun hoodies: the MDT Sun Shirt Hoodie and the MDT Bamboo Sun Hoodie. MDT provided me with the Bamboo Sun Hoodie for evaluation. The Bamboo Sun Hoodie is new for 2023.

The Bamboo Sun Hoodie is constructed of lightweight 90% bamboo viscose with 10% spandex and stretch stitches for stretch and freedom of movement. Bamboo viscose is a type of fabric that is derived from the cellulose of bamboo plants. The process involves dissolving the cellulose in a chemical solution and then extruding it into fibers that can be made into textiles. Bamboo viscose has a smooth, silky texture. It is very breathable, naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and odor resistant, and has excellent moisture-wicking properties. It is quick drying. It is softer than cotton and very durable and resistant to piling.

It is an easy-care fabric. To avoid shrinkage, machine wash cold and tumble dry low. All natural fibers in fabrics will shrink. Bamboo fabric has a shrink factor of up to around 6% on average when washed incorrectly. For purposes of comparison, cotton has a shrink factor of around 4%.

Bamboo has some environmental pros. It is a fast-growing and low-maintenance crop that is naturally organic, requiring no fertilizers or pesticides to enhance its growth. Bamboo is actually a grass, albeit a very fast growing giant grass. Bamboo does not need any artificial irrigation to grow and thrive. Bamboo plantations produce 30% more oxygen than a similar area of trees and absorb more carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. Bamboo is the most versatile and fastest growing plant in the world, with some species of bamboo growing up to one meter a day. Bamboo also helps to prevent soil erosion by improving soil health and restoring its nutrients. It can self-regenerate from its roots. However, bamboo fabric is not necessarily eco-friendly, as it depends on how it is produced.

Form follows function. Even the smallest design features can make a big difference in comfort and performance, especially with active wear. The Bamboo Sun Hoodie is of pullover style with an athletic fit. The hood provides extra coverage to protect your head and neck and will not tug at your neckline. It has raglan sleeves (sleeves that extend in one piece to the collar with a diagonal seam from the underarm to the collarbone) to provide full range of motion. The sleeves are longer and have thumb-hole cuffs to prevent the sleeves from rolling up when you extend your arms or when layering. They allow you to pull the hoodie’s sleeves over your hands to keep them protected against harmful UV rays.

The Bamboo Sun Hoodie is not designed to serve as cover garment for concealed carry. The lightweight, stretchy fabric and body-hugging fit make it poorly suited for that. It may be used as a base layer under an outer/cover garment and works well for that. It is a versatile layering piece.

Maximum UV Protection.

The Bamboo Sun Hoodie provides maximum UV protection. Bamboo viscose fabric provides natural sun protection thanks to the makeup of its fibers, which block 98 percent of the sun’s UV rays. Bamboo fabric has a UPF rating of 50+.

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It measures how much UV radiation can penetrate through a fabric. It offers broad spectrum protection, unlike SPF, which only applies to sunscreen products and only protects against UVB rays. UPF covers both UVA and UVB rays and applies to clothing and accessories.

The UPF standard for certification stops at UPF 50. A UPF 50 rating means that only 1/50th (2%) of the UV rays can get through. This is essential for outdoor enthusiasts to avoid sun damage to the skin, including premature aging and possible skin cancer. An everyday cotton T-shirt has protection equivalent to a UPF of only around 5.

My Thoughts

Overall, I think the MDT Bamboo Sun Hoodie is a great product for anyone who enjoys doing outdoor activities under the sun in warm weather. I am impressed with the quality and performance of this hoodie. It is well made, very breathable and comfortable to wear. It does not feel restrictive. I would recommend this hoodie to anyone who is looking for a high-performance UPF hoodie.

Purchasing

The MDT Bamboo Sun Hoodie comes in your choice of black or coyote colorways. It comes in sizes S to 3XL. There is a sizing chart on the MDT website, but the hoodie runs small. I opted to go with one size larger than the sizing on the chart and am glad that I did. MSRP is $59.95 USD. MDT offers a peace of mind guarantee. If you aren’t completely satisfied in the first 30 days, send it back for a 100% refund, no questions asked. The Bamboo Sun Hoodie is made for MDT in Mexico

Source

MDT Sporting Goods
mdttac.com

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.