A great fishing shirt not only has some built-in good luck but also, more importantly, protects you from the sun and other elements. We get that buying fishing shirts online is hard. You want to know what it feels like when the wind is howling, and salt water blows in your face. Or, when you’re out baking in the sun, and the humidity is 90%. So, we did the work for you. We tested some of the best fishing shirts on the market to find the best of 2024.
Fishing encompasses everything from hitting up the local pond for bluegill and sunfish to high alpine lakes for beautiful trout to surf fishing in the punishing sun of Baja, Mexico. A good fishing shirt should fulfill all of these needs.
Growing up in San Diego, our lead tester, Rob Simpson, cut his teeth fishing the offshore waters of southern California and Baja, Mexico. His passion for fishing turned into a lifelong obsession that he has pursued from coast to coast and internationally. Rob tested six different fishing shirts throughout the winter and spring. He took them out on Salida Colorado’s Arkansas River, offshore in Southern California and on a two-week trip in Baja. After all the action these shirts saw, we’re confident that one will fit the bill for your fishing adventures in 2024 and beyond.
Scroll through our reviews to find the best fishing shirts of 2024 based on our testing. Our comparison chart gives a visual of all the differences. If you want to learn more, we’ve included a buyer’s guide and an FAQ section.
The Best Fishing Shirts of 2024
Best Overall Fishing Shirt
-
Price
$99 -
UPF Rating
50+ -
Sunglass Chamois
Yes -
Thumb Loops
Yes -
Color Options
2 -
Women’s Option
No
-
Buttery soft fabric -
Super stretchy material -
Hood fits great and can be adjusted with the buttons -
Lightweight buttons
-
No women’s version -
Only two color options
Best Budget Fishing Shirt
-
Price
$45 -
UPF Rating
40+ -
Sunglass Chamois
No -
Thumb Loops
No -
Color Options
6 -
Women’s Option
No
-
Cost -
Good branding and color choices -
Lightweight and breaths well
Best Fishing Shirt for Hot Weather
-
Price
$119 -
UPF Rating
N/A -
Sunglass Chamois
Yes -
Thumb Loops
No -
Color Options
5 -
Women’s Option
Yes
-
Great on really hot and windy days -
Large chest pockets -
Lightweight and breathes well
-
Price -
Terrible color choices -
Sunglass chamois is too small
Best Fishing Shirt for Cooler Weather
-
Price
$60 -
UPF Rating
50+ -
Sunglass Chamois
Yes -
Thumb Loops
Yes -
Color Options
3 -
Women’s Option
No
-
Cost -
Good branding and color choices -
A little warmer than other shirts tested -
Underarm venting
-
Fits really long -
Sunglass chamois is tiny and almost not worth it
Best of the Rest
-
Price
$98 -
UPF Rating
40 -
Sunglass Chamois
Yes -
Thumb Loops
No -
Color Options
9 -
Women’s Option
Yes
-
Stylish shirt looks equally good at the desk and on the river -
Sunglass chamois is actually a size that works -
Sharp-looking logo placement -
Great color options
-
A little too warm on hot days -
Doesn’t breathe nearly as well as others
-
Price
$45 -
UPF Rating
40 -
Sunglass Chamois
No -
Thumb Loops
No -
Color Options
15 -
Women’s Option
Yes
-
Lots of great color options -
Price -
Quick drying -
Both short and long sleeve options
-
Sizing seems way off – sloppy fit -
NOT wrinkle-free -
4 front chest pockets seemed a little much
Fishing Shirts Comparison Chart
How We Tested Fishing Shirts
No surprise here – we went fishing, a lot! In fact, this was a great excuse to get out on the water. We spent most of our time exploring our home waters in central Colorado: the Arkansas River. We also ventured to other local bodies of water, such as lakes, side streams, and ponds. In addition, we spent some time inshore fishing in Southern California and kayak fishing in Baja, Mexico. Over a few months, we tested the shirts in almost every imaginable type of weather from high winds, snow & rain, and hot & sunny days.
While fishing, we loaded up pockets to see what could fit and how they handled carrying bulky and heavy items. We fiddled with buttons, thumb holes, and hoods to see how they stood up to activity, wind, and water. We got each shirt wet and paid attention to how long it took to dry. We tested warmth by going out on snowy days when we might usually skip fishing. And, we tested breathability by fishing in some super hot weather.
In addition to fishing, we put these shirts through the paces on hiking, trail running, and backcountry skiing adventures. This testing primarily allowed us to see how they scored on breathability and their ability to wick moisture. Unfortunately, we couldn’t really quantify the luck any one shirt brought. However, coincidentally we caught the most fish while wearing our best overall pick! We know fishing shirts are just a part of the essentials needed to make fishing a success. If you’re looking for advice on the best waders out there, check out our guide to the Best Fishing Waders.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Fishing Shirt
No one fishing shirt will meet all of your needs. But, you can meet most of them by considering a range of factors that will guide your decision. When choosing a fishing shirt, we pay particular attention to the type of weather we’ll be experiencing. Then, we also consider pockets, hood (or not), breathability, price, and versatility. Read on to learn more about these topics so you can find your ideal fishing shirt.
Climate and Weather
Where are your home waters, and what type of fishing do you usually do? These key questions will determine the type of fishing shirt and specific features that are important to you.
If you spend most of your time chasing Redfish in Louisiana in hot and humid conditions, consider shirts that shine in hot weather, like the Columbia PFG Tamiami II or Patagonia’s Long-Sleeve Sun Stretch. However, if you live in Alaska and spend time chasing salmon and trout in rainy and cold conditions, you might want to consider something like the Costa Voyager Performance Hoodie paired with a quality wind or rain shell jacket.
Also, consider how layering might fit into the equation (more on that below in FAQs). Our lead tester, Rob, lives in Colorado, where he can experience all four seasons in a single day. As a result, he rarely goes anywhere without a lightweight wind/rain jacket as a backup for inclement weather.
Pockets
Stuff happens when you’re fishing. Maybe you fall out of your kayak in the surf zone and lose most of your gear in the salt water. Or, you take a spill while wading on slippery rocks and go head over heels.
With that in mind, we love a fishing shirt with a few secure pockets, especially those that zip close, like the Simms Intruder Hoody or the Patagonia Long-Sleeved Sun Stretch. When you take an unexpected spill you want to know that your car keys, fly box, cell phone, and sunglasses remain securely inside the zippered pocket (possibly a bit waterlogged) right where they started.
Breathability
Unless you are racing down the beach with a surf rod in hand trying to get to a school of fish chasing mullet in the surf, most days, fishing doesn’t involve profusely sweating. However, if you live in certain parts of the world where hot and humid are a regular part of your fishing diet for much of the year, you need to find a shirt that breathes well and won’t leave you soaked in your sweat. Many of the shirts in this review do well in the breathability category. The Columbia PFG Tamiami II and the Costa Hooded Technical stand out from the rest.
Hooded or Not?
When hooded shirts first came out, they changed the game. One of our testers remembers going rock climbing in Yosemite with one of his regular climbing partners wearing one of those fancy “new-fangled” hooded shirts when they first arrived on the scene. A few years later, almost every company made technical hooded shirts for everything from fishing to skiing.
We love a shirt with a well-designed hood. Not having to hassle with sunscreen or just having the ability to regulate temperature quickly without having to shed a layer is awesome. Three of the six shirts in this review are hooded and we really appreciate a well-designed hooded fishing shirt. When trying on a hooded fishing shirt, try it on with and without a hat to see how it fits. Does it feel loose and flappy without a hat, or does it fit right whether you’re wearing it or not? Paying attention to how the hood fits in both scenarios ensures optimal comfort and functionality. This is one of the things that set the Simms Intruder Hoody above the rest. The hood fits perfectly, whether with or without a hat. Need advice on fishing hats? Our guide to the Best Fishing Hats is a great place to start!
Price
Many factors should be considered when considering price. Has the shirt been made in an environmentally responsible way, including paying those who made it a fair wage for their labor? Will the shirt last for a long time? Or, do you anticipate having to replace it in two years because it’s faded? Or, because the buttons have come off, or the material is threadbare from lots of washes?
With that in mind, when considering the price of a fishing shirt, don’t simply look at the sticker price. Rather, consider some of the important factors above. Paying a little extra may be worth it if you’re still wearing the shirt in 10 years.
Patagonia is known for making quality products that last a long time, and although the Long Sleeve Sun Stretch Shirt is the most expensive piece in this review, when you consider the longevity of its lifespan over many years, it’s easy to justify the slightly higher price. On the other end of the spectrum, our budget option, the Costa Hooded Technical Shirt is a great quality product that won’t break the bank.
Versatility
We get it, most of our readers don’t have an endless supply of money to spend on specialized clothing that only does one thing really well. With that in mind, we tried to put these shirts to the test with other outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, trail running, skiing, and more.
If you think you’ll be wearing this shirt for other types of non-fishing adventures, consider what outdoor activities you enjoy and factor that into your decision-making process. For instance, the Costa Voyager Performance Hoodie did double duty on a few backcountry ski adventures. The Orvis Tech Chambray Work Shirt was perhaps the most versatile shirt we tested due to its ability to move seamlessly from work to fishing to dinner out with friends.
FAQ
While you certainly don’t need a fishing shirt to go fishing or to catch fish, having one can significantly improve your outdoor experience. Like most outdoor activities, fishing often involves highly unpredictable weather and conditions. A well-fitting fishing shirt that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you will make the experience much more pleasant. And more importantly, if you aren’t uncomfortable because you are too cold, too hot, or swimming in a pool of your sweat, you are more likely to spend more time on the water catching fish (or at least dreaming about catching fish).
Almost all of the shirts in this review include features that will make you more comfortable and improve your enjoyment while doing something you love.
Hooded fishing shirts are a great way to regulate body temperature and, more importantly, protect you from sun exposure and the need to lather up with sunscreen every few hours. As we mentioned above, if you are looking at hooded fishing shirts, make sure to try them on with and without your favorite fishing hat.
If you live in San Diego and go bass fishing 100 days a year, where it’s almost always sunny and 70 degrees most days, then this probably isn’t an issue for you. For the rest of us who live in places like central Colorado, where you can be on the river fishing in the mid-60s and sunny, and 20 minutes later, the temperature is 30 degrees and snowing sideways, you need to plan for a solid layering system that will work for your climate.
Whether it’s a waterproof, breathable rain shell to prevent hypothermia during 40-degree rain showers, or a lightweight windbreaker to provide comfort during the early morning wait for the fish to start biting, having a strategy that prioritizes protection from the elements is as crucial as choosing the right fly.
Most of the shirts in this review are reasonably costly, so taking good care of them to prolong their lifespan is a great idea. Start by carefully reviewing the shirt tags and following the manufacturer’s recommendations. In most cases, this will mean machine washing on cold and tumble drying on low heat. We know that many of you will wash and dry your fishing shirts with the rest of your clothing, but if you take good care of them, they’ll last much longer.
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