- I have been testing the Kathmandu Women’s SUN-Stopper Long Sleeve Top while running and hiking. The top is a relaxed fit and feels really soft against the skin. Here are the other features:
100% recycled polyester and bluesign approved
UPF50+ - Lightweight and breathable
- Polygiene finish
- Thumb loops
Dropped hem - £45
Weight: 140 g (size 12) - See: Kathmandu.
My thoughts: Kathmandu Women’s SUN-Stopper Long Sleeve Top
The top is really easy to wear. It’s lightweight and soft against the skin. It’s not fitted so if you prefer a more figure-hugging top, this is not for you. Instead the fit is relaxed – loose, actually – and has a longer drop hem. I think it looks a bit too loose and shapeless but that doesn’t mean it’s not a useful top to wear for activities. It does crease quite a lot as well as you can see in the photo.
The arm length is generous with thumb loops so you can wear the end of the arms over your hands. I like both of the colour ways: Storm Cloud or Eddy but prefer the blue.
The fabric is breathable and I hardly noticed any sweat or damp forming. In the interests of the review, I wore the top day after day and during many activities to see if the Polygiene treatment worked.
Polygiene is added to the fabric with the aim of reducing the odour created by bacteria from sweat. This is useful because polyester tops can become whiffy quite quickly when your sweat dries. I found the Polygiene worked very well and I could continue wearing the top for many days. The reduced odour was most likely aided by the lightweight fabric, too.
Why would I want to wear the top for longer? It is more environmentally friendly to reduce the amount of times we wash kit – fewer washes means less energy waste – and if we wash clothes fewer times, they will last longer, too.
Buying fewer products has the added benefit of reducing the amount of items that are manufactured, which again is better for the planet. Added to this if you buy fewer things, you will save money.
The SPF50+ feature is reassuring, especially if you are heading to a destination with a lot of sunshine. I think you could wear this top in warm weather without feeling too hot.
In conclusion, overall, this is a useful top for warm weather activities and the price seems reasonable. I confess I do prefer neater fitted tops. The SUN-Stopper Long Sleeve Top looks a bit too sloppy on me but it might because I am not used to this style. I think looser fit is more trendy these days and I am willing to admit, I am not that bothered about fashion.