Fishing is one of America’s most beloved outdoor pastimes. Yet long days out on the open water can expose anglers to harmful UV rays. Thankfully, wearing the right long-sleeve fishing shirt can offer much-needed protection.
In this article, we’ll explore the must-have UV swim shirts for men should look for when choosing UV-protective fishing shirts.
Exposure to UV radiation is one of the most preventable risk factors for skin cancer. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
For dedicated anglers, investing in high-quality, sun-shielding fishing shirts is a no-brainer. The right shirt will help safeguard against sunburn, skin damage, and the risk of skin cancer.
So what should you look for? We break it down in this comprehensive buying guide.
Why You Gotta Block Them Rays
We’re all familiar with the pain of sunburns, but what you might not realize is that excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer later in life. Definitely not fun!
The Skin Cancer Foundation says UV rays from the sun are one of the biggest things that make you likely to get skin cancer.
So taking steps to cover up, like wearing good fishing UV shirts for men, is smart thinking! You’ll be happier when you’re older that you took care of your skin now.
What Qualifies as a Good Sun Protection Shirt?
Alright, let’s talk about what makes a good fishing shirt for stopping UV rays. There are a few things you gotta look for:
First, you want a short sleeve fishing shirts for men that are made out of fabric that has something called UPF. That stands for the Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Any shirt with a UPF of 50+ blocks 98% of the sun’s UV radiation. Most excellent!
Some shirt materials that normally have UPF 50+ are
Nylon – Lightweight and dry fast. Great for hot, humid days so you don’t feel all soggy.
Polyester – Blocks 99% of UV rays! Often blended with stretchy spandex so you can cast your fishing rod easily.
Microfiber – Also gives you UPF 50+ protection but feels extra smooth and soft on your skin.
You also want the shirt fabric to wick moisture (a fancy way of saying drying your sweat) and breathe well. This keeps you comfy instead of sticky!
Covering Your Neck
Don’t forget your neck! The skin on your neck burns easily.
Having a long sleeve fishing shirts for men or a tall shirt collar or gaiter can block up to 90% of UV rays hitting your neck. Solid protection!
Look for fishing shirts with:
- A flap behind the neck
- A stand-up collar
- Mesh ventilation under the collar so you don’t get too hot
If wearing a hat, pick one with a longer, curved bill to shade your neck more. And make sure it’s tightly woven without gaps – otherwise, rays can sneak through!
For total 360 coverage, you can pair a fishing shirt with one of those cylinder buff things people wear around their necks. Great when facing the sunshine head-on all day.
Protecting Your Arms is Crucial
Since your arms will be out casting lines all day, you gotta shield them too!
Clearly, opting for long sleeves to cover more skin is essential. Long sleeves can reduce your risk of a painful sunburn by 30% compared to short sleeves.
Some other good sleeve features:
- Convertible sleeves to switch from long to short
- Thumbholes or tight cuffs to keep sleeves in place
The Importance of Fit
How the shirt fits matters too when it comes to sun protection.
A loose, relaxed-fit shirt allows maximum airflow while still covering ya. Make sure it’s long enough to tuck into your pants so bending over doesn’t expose your back.
Having extra length in the back is crucial for keeping the sun away from your skin. Look for shirts with mesh panels that allow heat to escape while blocking harmful rays.
Stay Away From These!
Avoid shirts that are excessively baggy and shapeless, as all that extra fabric could flap open. Nobody wants unexpected sunburns in unusual areas!
Some athletic-style shirts use stretchy wicking material for easier movement when casting lines. That’s cool too. Just make sure they have full thumbhole sleeves so you don’t get burned wrists.
Optimizing Ventilation
Let’s revisit how important good airflow is when fishing on blistering hot days:
- Mesh paneling where you sweat most (armpits, back, sides)
- Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from your skin so you stay dry
- The open-knit texture on the back offers extra cooling and breathability
In general, loose-fitting shirts allow better ventilation than super-tight ones. Roll-up sleeves help ditch layers when you get steamy too!
The right fishing shirt keeps you chill and burn-free. Pretty sweet if you ask me!
Extra Features?
A few extra shirt features worth looking at:
Storage Pockets – Lots of pockets rule! Mesh pockets work as bonus ventilation. Good for stashing fish. Tool holders and water bottle pockets get bonus points too!
Odor/Smell Protection – Shirts with anti-microbial properties won’t get stinky and gross even when you sweat buckets. Silver ion fabrics fight bacteria.
Stain Resistance – Handy when you spill bait and stuff on yourself! Resistant coatings help you look less messy.
Combining Sunscreen and Sun-Protective Clothing
Combining sun-protective clothing with sunscreen creates an unbeatable skin-saving combination!
The CDC recommends using both together. Here’s how to do it:
First, lather up all exposed areas with at least SPF 30 water-resistant sunscreen. Reapply every 80 minutes since sweat and water wear it off quickly.
Then cover your skin with tightly woven UPF clothing like your new fishing shirt! The shirt boosts protection on already sunblocked skin for maximum defense. Now go catch some lunkers!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What UPF rating is best?
UPF 50+ gives over 98% UV protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this level.
2. Can you wear long-sleeved fishing on super hot days?
You bet! Pick lightweight, loose fabrics with ventilation. Well-designed fishing shirts let air flow freely so you stay cooler.
3.Do the shirts need special washing to keep protecting you?
Avoid harsh detergents and bleach which can break down UV-blocking fibers over time. Also, skip the hot dryer which degrades materials faster – air dry only!
The Takeaway
Wearing the proper sun-shielding fishing shirt is one of the best defenses against UV overexposure for anglers. Seek out shirts made of UV-blocking fabrics and optimized for breathability. Prioritize key features like long sleeves, a high collar, and a relaxed fit.
By choosing the right fishing shirt, you can savor carefree days on the water while safeguarding your skin. Make sure to acquire an effective UPF-rated fishing shirt before your next adventure!