Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie

Here’s the scenario: It’s sunny and stinking hot, and you’re trying your darndest to stay cool during an outdoorsy pursuit. The prospect of roasting in a long-sleeve shirt, for sun protection, ain’t appealing. Especially if you’re a sweaty bugger like me; I sweat just thinking about the heat. So whaddya do? Recently, I discovered a product I hoped would simultaneously keep me sun-safe and stop the sweat-fest: the Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie. I mean, with a technology called ‘ActiveIce’, surely it’d keep me cool as a cucumber?

First things first, though. The OR Spectrum is seriously comfortable, silky smooth to the touch, and its stretchy, semi-relaxed fit provides freedom of movement. Sun-protection wise, it’s ideal: Rated at UPF 50+, you can’t get much better, especially when you use the hood and thumb holes. When worn like this, there aren’t many bare patches of skin left to worry about, allowing you to cut down on sunscreen and its irritating oiliness. What’s more—as I found recently while bushwalking in NZ’s windy, sleety conditions—the Spectrum is impressively wind resistant, which caught me by surprise.  

But what about the all-important coolness? OR’s ActiveIce cooling tech incorporates an additive to assist with phase changes and increase moisture-wicking and hence breathability. But does it live up to they hype? I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was kept ice-cold; I certainly still sweated, but not as prolifically as when I wear my standard long-sleeve hiking tops. So while it’s still a win there, I wouldn’t say it’s entirely breathable. I did also find, at times, that the close-fitting hood made me quite warm, so when the sun was blazing, I often ditched it.

If you’re going to use the OR Spectrum for off-track wanderings, be mindful that the fabric won’t appreciate scrub-bashing as much as thicker, more traditional long-sleeve shirts. And it’ll get dirty easily. But hey, then you’ll look like a hard-core adventurer. Just one without skin cancer.

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