Topic: The Best Fishing Shirts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 31 times)
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Topic: The Best Fishing Shirts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 31 times)
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There’s no doubt that Simms has built a shirt to provide maximum performance while keeping no-see-ums and other critters off you. There are quite a few shirts out there that offer some sort of repellent fabric or additive—and you can do it yourself to any shirt with a dose of consumer-strength permethrin – but many of those shirts leave key areas exposed. When the insects are particularly bad, you need a “belt and suspenders” approach, so a crew neck or traditional button-down just isn’t enough. This one has an athletic build with tight sleeves that prevent anything from getting inside. Even with all this coverage it’s still eminently breathable. It stretches where you need it to stretch and protects you from both the sun and bugs.
On the outside, these solid-colored hoodies look pretty standard, but once you put one on you’ll realize that they’re made for co*fort. Not only does it drape co*fortably over everything from athletic physiques to the more-co*mon “dad bod,” but it wicks away sweat with ease. That’s due to the proprietary Cocona/37.5 Fabric, which increased surface area by a substantial amount to prevent cooling. That also means that if it rains you won’t be wet all day. When I put it in the washing machine I didn’t need the dryer – the spin cycle alone was enough to make it fresh. Perhaps most importantly, this is a shirt that feels good to wear, both because it’s co*fortable and because it’s made with environmental consciousness in mind. Eclipse only use recycled fabrics and has a supplier code of conduct. They even offset the footprint of shipping by planting a tree for each order.
I tested the Gilla LS Hoodie for four months while fishing and getting ready for the 2022 USA Archery Outdoor Nationals. My testing started fishing for stripers in Roanoke Rapids where the temps ranged from 60 to 70 degrees and I wore the Gilla as a base layer. As the temps rose my fishing moved to saltwater for redfish and striped bass, where high humidity and long kayak paddles tested the Gilla’s moisture wicking ability. During that time I was also training for an archery national championship, which meant being in the summer sun for two hours a day. I also wore the Gilla while co*peting at the championship.
While I own many of the best fishing shirts featuring SPF, the Gilla became my favorite this summer. The fit is loose, but not too loose and runs true to size. The hood lays flat when not in use and doesn’t obstruct your peripheral vision when it’s up. The SPF protection worked fantastic when I spent over 8 hours in the sun. I live in the southeast where the humidity stays above 80 percent all summer, and the Gilla managed to wick the inevitable sweat, which kept me co*fortable in triple degree heat. Another noteworthy feature is that the shirt’s material didn’t hold odor like some synthetics do.
If not for the fish camo patterns, you might not be able to immediately distinguish the Iso-Chill from Under Armour’s other athletic wear, and in this case that’s a good thing. The co*pany has made its name building sport-specific gear that allows top performers to reach their peak. If the bass bite is on, or the tuna are rampaging while you’re on the verge of heat stroke, that’s going to hamper your efforts. The fabric is light and pulls heat away from your skin, which means humid 90 degree days—or even triple digit scores—won’t keep you from landing your personal best.
The Tide Point is the modern iteration of the Classic button-down fishing shirt, keeping anglers cool in a timeless style. It’s built to breathe and keep you cool without ever letting anyone see you sweat, and it even has a built-in microfiber sunglass wipe so you’ll continuously see your quarry clearly. The Tide Point is available in a number of standard solid patterns, plus gingham and plaid, which means you can wear it on the boat and then directly to dinner or possibly a casual business environment.
Grundens made their name building rain gear for co*mercial fishermen who operate in the most unforgiving environments possible, so when it came time to build a cold weather shirt, they applied that technology and came up with a winner. This insulated shirt, available in a quartet of traditional solid colors, is made to beat back the frigid air. While it’s not waterproof, it’s water- and wind-resistant. When others are heading back to the dock or shivering as they wait for a bite, the Windchop takes on all co*ers. If you’re not fond of the straightforward solid patterns, the co*pany’s Kodiak Insulated Shirt provides a co*parable effect in a variety of hearty plaid patterns as well.
American t-shirt and underwear manufacturer, Hanes hit a sweet spot in the budget with this simple long sleeved crewneck shirt packed with moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, UPF 50 protection. It’s possible to buy two, three, or even four of them for the price of many of the other best fishing shirts, and that would be warranted if they ever wore down—but these are made to last. Simply put, they fit and wear like a much more expensive shirt. They don’t co*e with a bunch of fancy features or doodads, but if you need something to cover up your torso and arms, and you want something wallet-friendly, this widely-available option should be at or near the top of the list.
Columbia offers a wide range of both button-down and crewneck shirts for anglers up to size 6X, but let’s face it, sometimes crewnecks are less than flattering. At the same time, a button-down can be constricting, but they’ve mastered the fit of the best fishing shirts. Not only does this shirt allow maximum unrestricted movement, it’s flattering for all body shapes and sizes. This one is also meant to keep you cool on the hottest days, so roll up those sleeves using the hidden tab holders and enjoy the breeze through the vented back. Bigger anglers who want a button-down but find something objectionable about the Tamiami, can look to Columbia’s Bonehead and Bahama options. There’s even a “Blood and Guts” version for those of us who tend to spil* or get dirty.
We tested the Gill sun shirts throughout the spring and summer, most notably during a 90 degree trip to the Florida Keys. Our friends co*plimented the bold yet tasteful patterns consistently, everything from Shadow Camo to Palm Prints, as well as some standout solids. That made both the crew necks and the hoodies fine for walking around town, but it was on the water where they proved their mettle. They repelled spray and fish blood, and whatever stains got on them washed out with ease. Moreover, the hoods stayed in place and the tailored sleeves were a fine co*bination of form-fitting and co*fort, not too tight, not too loose. It doesn’t hurt that these shirts look fantastic in grip and grin pics. You may want to order a size up, as they run a little small.
I’ve sweated my way through many of the best and priciest shirts on the market and found that not all of them are created equally. When you get wet or sweaty and stay wet or sweaty, that’s a bad sign. Similarly, a sleeve that prevents you from casting or slides up your arm every time you go to fire out your lure quickly beco*es annoying. Obviously, not every shirt can be everything to every angler, but quality and fit are much more important than you might immediately think. While there are shirts not specified “for fishing” that can (and will) do the job, I prefer those designed by anglers, for anglers. It never hurts if they keep you safe, too. I tested these in freshwater and salt, while casting, trolling, and waiting for a table for four, and these are the best fishing shirts that cover those scenarios.
While a “regular” shirt can get the job done on the water, the best fishing shirts integrate special features that protect you from the elements while also recognizing the unique physical elements of the sport. Those might include articulated sleeves, a built-in neck gaiter, or a way of securing your rod while you unhook the fish of a lifetime.