I'm looking for some new shirts to wear on the water and everything I see seems so expensive or not intended for being on the water. I'm looking for both the collared button up shirts and something closer to the Huk shirts I've seen. The Huk shirts are long sleeve, quick drying, and often have a hood. I have seen SPF ratings on shirts as well but I don't know if that is an actual thing of just a marketing gimmick.

I have one button up shirt and like it, but after the second trip it just looks beat up and old when I only wear it while camping. Are there better options that last more than a trip or two?

Where do you guys get your camping shirts without spending $60 a piece and have it last multiple trips without looking like crap?

Give steepandcheap.com a try. I've found some decent deals on there.

Thrift stores, but I'm not worrying about looking sharp in the woods

Ahahn366: "Thrift stores, but I'm not worrying about looking sharp in the woods "

It's not so much about looking sharp, though it is nice to have a decent photo once in a while, as it is the cloth just wearing thin.

I would also like to have multiple layers I can throw on as it gets a little cooler in the mornings/evenings.

SPF ratings are not a gimmick - it's wearable sunscreen needing no reapplication.

boonie: "SPF ratings are not a gimmick - it's wearable sunscreen needing no reapplication. "

I'm a redhead and as my screen name suggests, somewhat of an expert on SPF. I can burn after about 5 minutes in a boat without sunscreen, but I have never been burnt through any shirt.

I pay particularly close attention to the SPF (and brand) of my sunscreen, but totally disregard SPF notations for clothing.

That's just my experience and $0.02...

L.L. Bean men's tropicwear shirt is nice and you can find it on sale. I always wear long sleeves, and I like the shirts with buttons near the mid bicep of the sleeve so when I roll it up the sleeves I can button them in place.

Patagonia used to make these types of shirts, but appear not to any more. Yeah, they were expensive, but they lasted for years.

I buy my fishing shirts at Sam’s Club. They usually have both button up fishing shirts and pull overs with a hood for under $20.00.
Carl

I like outdoor shirts which are quick-dry and have pockets which can be securely closed. I have a number of them but refuse to pay the high list prices. All of mine were purchased on sale. So be patient and watch good sale prices.

Cheap, last multiple trips, without looking like crap.

Pretty sure you only get to pick two, but I could be wrong.

I like Patagonia sun hoodies and nrs button ups. Both have seen dozens of days of abuse and are holding up well.

Like others have said watching out for sales helps, this stuff gets turned over often and is frequently discounted.

My favorite tripping shirt is a Columbia PFG - Terminal Tackle Hoodie. Lightweight, relatively inexpensive (usually pick them up for $30-$35 on sale), dry quickly, and the one I have has been through a lot of heavy use for about 5 years and will go again with me on everything this season. My favorite collared button-up is the Columbia PFG Tamiami. The odd colors are easier to find at lower prices. UPF for both is decent too, if I remember correctly.

YetiJedi: "My favorite tripping shirt is a Columbia PFG - Terminal Tackle Hoodie. Lightweight, relatively inexpensive (usually pick them up for $30-$35 on sale), dry quickly, and the one I have has been through a lot of heavy use for about 5 years and will go again with me on everything this season. My favorite collared button-up is the Columbia PFG Tamiami. The odd colors are easier to find at lower prices. UPF for both is decent too, if I remember correctly."

+1. Columbia’s PFG line is incredible. Can find cheap deals too.

I don't have any collared shirts from them, but AFTCO has some great fishing/paddling shirts. I have their thin long sleeves and might pick up a hoodie finally. They are wonderfully breezy and don't seem to hold on to smell like some shirts that seem to accumulate BO within hours. It depends on the fabric used though, and not all shirts are made with the same blends.

I've been wearing the same 2 AFTCO long sleeves since 2018 and have taken them on 11 trips since then. One of them has some ventilation holes that have started pilling, and thumb loops that got some loose thread, but the other one is basic and has had no issues other than getting caught in my belt once and now has a very small hole that hasn't spread. I think both shirts were probably around $40-50, but they have been great and I'd buy them again. I also wear them when fishing around home or if walking around on sunny days doing photography, so they certainly get used.

I like the Columbia PFG long sleeve shirts. Also have a couple of similar Bimini Bay shirts. Also some by Reddington. Used to get the Bimini Bay stuff at Gander Mountain and Joe's Sporting Goods. Don't recall where I got the Reddington shirts. They are all quick dry nylon type shirts.

If you get too close to a campfire, small sparks will burn a small hole in them quickly.

RedLakePaddler: "I buy my fishing shirts at Sam’s Club. They usually have both button up fishing shirts and pull overs with a hood for under $20.00.
Carl"

^ this!

I started using these year before last and they're excellent. Just as good as huk and way cheaper which is great because if you use them like I do they'll look pretty rough before long. The light color makes them look worse/dirtier than they are but the light color is also what makes them cooler in the sun.

link

Sunburn: "

boonie: "SPF ratings are not a gimmick - it's wearable sunscreen needing no reapplication. "

I'm a redhead and as my screen name suggests, somewhat of an expert on SPF. I can burn after about 5 minutes in a boat without sunscreen, but I have never been burnt through any shirt.


I pay particularly close attention to the SPF (and brand) of my sunscreen, but totally disregard SPF notations for clothing.


That's just my experience and $0.02..."

Just some food for thought for you and all . . .

I have unfortunately become too acquainted with skin cancer removal in my old age - over a dozen stage one and two. The larger of the stage two's were excised and required 15 and 20 stitches to close. They were "inconvenient" and slow to heal. Skin damage accumulates over the years with and without sunburn. I have been burned through a shirt, but only a couple times at high altitude. Nonetheless, skin damage accumulates even without sunburn - it just doesn't show up for years. The SPF of clothing is the same as sunscreen SPF. I hope you are able to avoid having any skin cancers "excised".

Coolibar has the most thoroughly tested SPF clothing that I'm aware of. That is all they do. I picked up a fishing shirt and a rashguard on crazy sale this winter. They have several sale items that are in the $25-30 dollar range that may work. Or pay full price for their in-season stuff. Or wait until the crazy sales in the winter.

Coolibar sale items

I go with the thrift store idea. I like to get 100% cotton shirts to wear while near the campfire as little sparks don't damage the shirt and should it catch fire (never has happened) it doesn't melt and stick to your skin. Often thrift stores will have new shirts that were a carryover for a store and they would donate them rather than put them into storage. Many thrift stores will have racks of shirts and will be selling them for $2 to $5. I will look for a heavier weight shirt for cooking in the morning as it makes it more difficult for the mosquitoes, then switch to a lighter shirt for on the water if the day is warm. I have a few tshirts that my wife wants me to throw away as they are worn so thin but they make a good sunscreen as they let some sunlight through.

I can’t help with button ups because I can’t stand them LOL. I don’t even wear them for work anymore or even dress up occasions like weddings.

My camping shirts are old wick away shirts from years of coaching. My favorite is a long sleeve light grey wicking shirt over a wicking T-shirt. Most of the time I leave the long sleeve on for sun and bug coverage.

I’ve never purchased a new shirt for camping/fishing, but I like the idea of the cheap Sam’s club or Columbia hooded light weight options so I can cover my neck and head at times. There is a Columbia Outlet store close by that I may check out for a good deal.

boonie: "

Sunburn: "

boonie: "SPF ratings are not a gimmick - it's wearable sunscreen needing no reapplication. "

I'm a redhead and as my screen name suggests, somewhat of an expert on SPF. I can burn after about 5 minutes in a boat without sunscreen, but I have never been burnt through any shirt.



I pay particularly close attention to the SPF (and brand) of my sunscreen, but totally disregard SPF notations for clothing.



That's just my experience and $0.02..."

Just some food for thought for you and all . . .


I have unfortunately become too acquainted with skin cancer removal in my old age - over a dozen stage one and two. The larger of the stage two's were excised and required 15 and 20 stitches to close. They were "inconvenient" and slow to heal. Skin damage accumulates over the years with and without sunburn. I have been burned through a shirt, but only a couple times at high altitude. Nonetheless, skin damage accumulates even without sunburn - it just doesn't show up for years. The SPF of clothing is the same as sunscreen SPF. I hope you are able to avoid having any skin cancers "excised". "

I truly appreciate that follow-up. Thank you for sharing this information.

Find a "Sierra" store. They have the lightweight, hooded longsleeve shirts exactly like the $100 Patagonia one I bought...but for like $10-15.

Boonie nailed it. My father in law (once a redhead) is dealing with cancer pretty much everywhere-and it all started with skin cancer. Do whatever you can to protect yourself from the sun.

I have multiple shirts from Vapor Apparel. They are moisture wicking quick dry and very affordable. They come in long or short sleeve. I use them when exercising so they are more if an active shirt not the pocketed fishing shirt.

Someone mentioned LL Bean and I really like their active shirts. They have sales frequently so they are decently priced. LL Beans Cresta hiking pants are perfect for canoeing. They are quick dry, have some stretch and are pretty durable.

Lands End has some decent sun shirts. The too have sales all the time.

RedLakePaddler: "I buy my fishing shirts at Sam’s Club. They usually have both button up fishing shirts and pull overs with a hood for under $20.00.
Carl"

The brand name is Habit. You can find them online right now for about $40 each, but I'm sure they went for $20 at Sam's Club not that long ago. I own some other high-end shirts and someone gave me some Habit stuff as a gift. It works every bit as well, and might stand up to abuse from portaging better than my expensive stuff.

I have found this to be a great shirt for fishing and paddling. Very nice price that occasionally is reduced with a coupon.

https://www.duluthtrading.com/s/DTC/mens-akhg-crooked-river-long-sleeve-shirt-60406.html?color=LGF

ThePeregrine: "

RedLakePaddler: "I buy my fishing shirts at Sam’s Club. They usually have both button up fishing shirts and pull overs with a hood for under $20.00.
Carl"

The brand name is Habit. You can find them online right now for about $40 each, but I'm sure they went for $20 at Sam's Club not that long ago. I own some other high-end shirts and someone gave me some Habit stuff as a gift. It works every bit as well, and might stand up to abuse from portaging better than my expensive stuff. "

Yeah they're the "Habit UV Protection Hooded Performance Layer". Not sure if the link worked on my post since you might need a Sam's membership, but they're listed for $17 online and I think you can get them in a newer configuration and different colors for about $20 in the store if I recall.

The ones listed online are the older style with the "kangaroo pocket" in front which is nice to have.

The Skin Cancer Organization website has more detailed and accurate information.

I 2nd red Lake Paddlers choice of the Sams Club shirt. It is a vented, several pocket, lightweight, wicking , collared shirt. I bought two of them about 16 years ago. I wear them whenever I'm paddling so I don' thave to put sunscreen on. I spray them with permetherin before the trip so I can wear them in camp without applying Deet in the evening and the morning when its cool. They have some ember holes in them from the campfire, and some other stains that don't come out in the wash. I just caught them on sale last week and bought my third, the last in my size, for $16. I'll prolly wear it to church before I go on the trip. No hood though.

I’ve used many brands of fishing shirt: Columbia, PFG, Worldwide Sportsmen (bass pros store brand), LLB, etc. One year I paddled past a couple Quetico park rangers and one said “Nice shirt!” Turned out I was wearing the same shirt they use for a uniform.
I think they all pretty much perform the same. Maybe 2% of the people that buy them even know what the little velcro tab strap is for over the pocket. I feel almost obligated to pack one but a long sleeve synthetic t shirt with some stretch is just fine under a PFD as well. Poke some thumb holes in the sleeves or buy em already stitched in. Doesn’t matter. A little protection on the hand is worth and comfortable in a long sleeve t.

My wife scours Goodwill for them at 2 bucks a pop and I probably have more than I need. I might be out there in grape ape purple or chartreuse sometimes but I’m well provisioned and unburnt. Fish don’t seem to mind either way.

Academy sports Magellan line has some decent shirts, both button up vented fishing shirts long or short sleeve, as well as slip over synthetics. I think the button shirts were 25-30.00.

Thin wool shirts are the way to go.

ExO Airstrip is great You get what you pay for

"Fishing" shirts seem to just cater to the tropical scenarios with really hot weather and UV protection (thinking the guys out there with hoods, masks, and gloves on). Expand your options a little to include hiking specific shirts that are doing all the same things, but maybe with better fit.

Columbia hiking shirts have done well enough for me.

Lawnchair107: "

YetiJedi: "My favorite tripping shirt is a Columbia PFG - Terminal Tackle Hoodie. Lightweight, relatively inexpensive (usually pick them up for $30-$35 on sale), dry quickly, and the one I have has been through a lot of heavy use for about 5 years and will go again with me on everything this season. My favorite collared button-up is the Columbia PFG Tamiami. The odd colors are easier to find at lower prices. UPF for both is decent too, if I remember correctly."

+1. Columbia’s PFG line is incredible. Can find cheap deals too."

+2. Columbia PFG. I bought one on Amazon and one on ebay. I just happened to get two shirts of the exact same color. Look at the price for every color

Costco also has their own version of the HUK type shirts. They are $15, but I think if your store has them in stock they are closer to $10 right now. COSTCO HANG TEN SHIRT Scheels also has their own brand of the shirts, and carries AFTCO and Bimini Bay, which tend to be less expensive than the big brands. They have their fishing sale starting on the 22nd and they will be 20% off I think.

For 20 years, I have been associated with a large, local, annual distance road running race (you can probably figure out which one.) I used to run it, now I volunteer. As part of my work with the event, I have accumlated dozens of technical shirts, both short and long sleeve (polyester or poly blend), and short sleeve T-shirts (cotton, poly, or poly blend.) Many of them are butt-ugly or day-glo or don't fit all that well, so they have become BWCA shirts. They last a fair amount of time, and I toss them when they've become ripped or otherwise unserviceable. They also dry fast.

Are you comfortable in just wearing old shirts, preferably long sleeve, rather than sink dollars into what you're looking for? I know this is a simplistic solution, but I thought I'd ask.

Mike

Columbia PFG fishing shirts is what I like. 4 pockets, lite weight, quick drying.

Saw this post when it first came out, and didn't think too much bout it. Going through my shirts in anticipation of summer, I found a shirt I bought in St. Thomas a couple of years ago. Long sleeve says "I'm on Island Time". So I went to the website and it is rated at SPF 50+. Ingear is the company. So if you see an old dude with a shirt that says that, it's me.

I found some Edie Baur shirts at Sams Club for $14.99. They have a zippered front pocket. I really like the way they look and feel. I bought 3 of them in different colors.

The more casual cycling specific LS shirts are sometimes great options given the have longer tails and less material up front so no bunching. For instance, the Flylow flannel shirts you can get from REI are pretty sweet, and were on sale last week, might still be.

Otherwise, I just buy the cheapest fishing shirts I can find on amazon. That way I wont get upset if I wreck it. And quite frankly every single brand name piece of clothing out there is made in the same sweatshops as the cheap ones. Just stick with polyester or synthetic fibers, and stay away from cotton. I dont bring a single piece of cotton clothing to the BWCA.

Sparkeh: "Thin wool shirts are the way to go. "

+1 They're also great at not getting as stinky as the synthetics over the duration of a backcountry trip.

I bought my first paddling/sun shirts last year after 30+ years of paddling. I got one Columbia PFG and agree that it's a great shirt and I wouldn't hesitate to buy more. I also got a couple of REI sunshirts during 40% off sales and I really like them. The fabric is a little heavier than the Columbia PFG so they aren't quite as cool on 90 degree days but the sun protection is great, I like the long arms and the cool seams that aren't in your armpits and I like having a hood. Plus I found that I like them a lot in cold weather where it's also nice to have an extra hood and sleeves that can tuck into gloves. The one with the attached neck gaiter works great with my semi-dry suit where the thin neck gaiter adds comfort.

I used to use a thin white synthetic shirt for sun protection and it felt like my arms would burn right through it and my arms would have that sunburnt feeling even though they didn't look sunburned and in my experience the REI shirts eliminate that problem for me.