The Ultimate Multi-taskers: Apparel from Royal Robbins

We’ve had a mild winter here, and it stands to reason that it will be an interesting summer as a result. I’m always looking for SPF protective clothing now that I’m of a certain age where I am actually thinking about protecting my skin.

Having options for all my outdoor adventures means companies like Royal Robbins are going to come in handy. Even better that they think about things like stain and wrinkle resistance and are environmentally conscious as well.

I was stoked to review the Salathe Sun Hoodie and the Spotless Traveler Tank Dress.

Looks

I received the Salathe Sun Hoodie in the Solar pattern in the mahogany color. The Solar pattern also comes in colors called Sunbeam, Deep Blue, and Skyway. There is also a solid cheery yellow color called Lime Cream.

The Spotless Traveler Tank Dress arrived in the Braken pattern in Deep Blue. It also comes in Mahogany, Sage Leaf, and Asphalt in that pattern. There’s also a pattern called Fern and the colors for that are Asphalt, Pacific Blue, Deep Blue, and Thistle. Lastly, you can get it in a few solid colors too: Jet Black, Navy, and Everglade.

Function

Consider the Salathe Sun Hoodie to be the swiss army knife of clothes for the outdoors. Not only does it have a UPF rating of 40+ to help protect you against the harmful UV rays, but it’s got chemical-free mosquito protection built in as well. I have a feeling that the bug season is going to be pretty awful after a winter without snow and ice around here, so I’m going to be thankful for this technology.

What’s great is this hoodie is also very breathable, which will be helpful when the sun hits the sky again. I can see myself using the hoodie as a good mid-layer.

The Spotless Traveler Tank Dress is Royal Robbins #1 women’s best seller, and it’s easy to see why. The first thing worth mentioning is that it has pockets, which should be a feature for all dresses! Also, like the hoodie, it’s a multi-tasker as far as functionality goes.

The UPF 40+ sun protection built into most of the patterns (though not all, as you’ll see in below details) means you’ll be safer in the sun and it also has stain release technology. It’s built with four-way stretch fabric that’s very durable and also wicks moisture well. My favorite feature is that it’s wrinkle resistant, which will make it ideal for travel when I go to Kauai for my marathon in the fall.

Construction

The Sun Hoodie is made with Bluesign-approved 100% recycled polyester ripstop material, and it’s very lightweight and quick to dry. The mosquito protection uses a tight weave as defense, and the cuffs are partially elastic to keep the elements at bay. I love that there is a cinch cord on the inside hem that will allow you to make it a bit tighter or looser around the waist.

The Traveler Tank Dress is made of a light-weight stretch material that’s woven with HeiQ Stain Away technology (so dirt and stains wash out easily, Hallelujah!) The dress fabric is also Bluesign®-approved with no PFCs and it’s super quick to dry.

As previously mentioned, the dress has two hand pockets as well as a hidden inner mesh phone pocket on the left side. There’s also a right-side front hidden zip pocket, which is great for keeping your things secure. It has snap closure in the front and is easy to get in and out of.

Fit

The Sun Hoodie has a relaxed fit. Mine came in a size medium, and I could have easily gone with a small and still had plenty of room. It’s extremely flowy and has a generous amount of give. The raglan sleeves are built with movement in mind and there’s a contoured hood that will fit nicely over a baseball hat. You’ll be comfortable in this hoodie for as long as you need to be out getting the job done.

The Traveler Tank Dress comes in a standard fit and the 4-way stretch keeps it nice and comfy. I received this in a medium as well and it’s got a great flow to it. I easily could have fit into a small. I like the belt tie style, because you can make it as tight or lose as you need it to be. The pockets are the best bonus ever!

Overall

Sometimes products with a lot of functional features come at the expense of not feeling comfortable against your skin. This is not the case with the Royal Robbins products I tested. The material is soft and feels of good quality.

Both the Sun Hoodie and the Traveler Tank Dress are like the MacGyver of activewear. The functionality of the products does not compromise the material’s feel or style.

The Hoodie is something you can throw on for a cool morning and wear throughout the day and into the evening, and the dress will easily pack for a vacation and come in handy for an evening BBQ or a lunchtime picnic as well as any adventure that follows.