What is UPF Shirt? Why Anglers Should Own One?

Most people don’t realize how quickly it can wear you down. That’s why a UPF shirt isn’t just nice to have; it’s something every angler should keep close. Let’s break down what it is and why it matters.

What Is a UPF Shirt?

A UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) shirt is your defense against the harsh sun and harmful ultraviolet rays. An average long-sleeve shirt falls short when it comes to blocking heat and UV rays. A UPF shirt is built to be your first line of defense.

For fly fishing enthusiasts, it’s not optional; it’s just as important as your rods and flies. You can think of it like sunscreen, only you don’t have to keep reapplying it.

If you're out fishing, fly fishing, kayaking, or skiffing for hours, you’ll want a few UPF shirts packed with the rest of your gear.

What’s a Good UPF Number for Anglers?

Because anglers get direct sun exposure, they need UPF 30+ shirts to protect their skin. Anything lower can burn your skin or, worse, lead to long-term damage like skin cancer.

UPF 30+ shirts block up to 97% of harmful rays and should be in every angler’s kit. Anything lower than UPF 30+ is just a basic long-sleeved shirt that might not be suitable for a day-long outdoor activity. 

What’s It Made Of?

UPF shirts are mainly made of polyester. Polyester, with its UPF capabilities, is lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and doesn’t cling like a wet paper bag, which makes it a top choice for fishing shirts.

While polyester is the main fabric, many fishing shirts blend it with cotton, nylon, or spandex. UPF shirts are built to keep you safe when the sun’s beating down on the water.

Why Anglers Should Wear UPF Shirts

Sport fishing isn’t some quick in-and-out amusement ride. It is a day-long activity, and for angling enthusiasts, it's an everyday grind. You’re at the mercy of the weather, especially if you fish in a hot region.

For day-long toughness on the water, you need gear tough enough to handle it all. Wearing a fishing shirt shields you from the sun’s direct heat and enables you to stay active all day. Most importantly, it also guards your body from damage and diseases over the years, including skin cancer.      

The Benefits of a UPF Shirt

Wearing a UPF shirt gives anglers multiple benefits, including protection from direct heat and long-term risks like skin cancer. Here are some benefits of wearing a UPF Shirt on fishing adventures:

• Blocks direct heat from the sun

The biggest advantage a UPF shirt offers is prevention from heat penetration for a day-long stay on water. The sun doesn’t just burn. It wears you down, slows your reflexes, and kills your focus.

• Works like Sunscreen 

UPF shirts work like sunscreen for your upper body, but they don’t need to be reapplied. Like sunscreen, it blocks UV during long, active days without needing a reapplication. 

• Reduces your risk of skin cancer

Your health matters more than the number of catches you bring home at the end of the trip.  So, along with having top-class gear for fishing, you must wear UPF shirts on every fishing tour or event.

• Light, Ventilated, and Sensible

Along with the shield against heat, the shirt also moves with you. It’s light, it breathes, and it moves with you, letting you fish longer, cast cleaner, and stay cooler.

At the end of the day, fishing’s about good stories, not sunburn. A UPF shirt keeps you protected, comfortable, and focused on what you came for. It’s a simple way to stay safe while doing what you love.