Solar Hoodie

[mt_flyfisher]

I have several Simms and Patagonia Hoodies that are really nice to wear for fishing in hot weather like we have this time of the year. They are very lightweight, wick perspiration wonderfully, and provide great sun protection. I’ve had mine for a few years now, and I remember they were a bit pricey when I bought them, but I see that they now sell for $99.95 each (+ or - depending on the model) at my local fly shop. YIKES!!

Yesterday, I was browsing the aisles of my local Costco, and there in the men’s clothing section were Eddie Bauer hoodies, that looked virtually identical to my Simms and Patagonia hoodies, selling for $12.99 each.

I know, I know. We’ve got to support our local fly shops, and I understand the reasons why. But when my local fly shop owner drives a BMW I’ve got to wonder how much “support” we need to provide.

 

[dryflyguy]

Saw them in Walmart earlier this year for $15 too

Last one I bought was from TU fund raiser for $40

 

[nymphingmaniac]

I support my local shops. If you ordered the pricey Simms online to save the sales tax rather than the shop, that would be different from what you describe. I don't consider this situation to be equivalent. Buying something that they don't carry but fits your budget, that's different.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

The price of things used to have more of a correlation to quality than it currently does. I wish every pricey thing I ever bought was as good as some of the cheaper things that I just researched well. Maybe private equity has something to do with it.

Now I feel like I buy the warranty not the product when I spend a bit more money.

Like college kids wearing Howler Brothers for fashion, SEC bros at frat parties looking like they just stepped off a flats skiff or a bass boat, golfers in skinny jeans, maybe the sun hoodie is now just fashion?

 

[wgmiller]

Maybe private equity has something to do with it.

*this

 

[Bamboozle]

A quick search reveals the Patagonia version is made in Sri Lanka, the Eddie Bauer in Egypt and I'm sill waiting for a COO reply from Simms.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to similarities and what they SHOULD cost.

In regards to purchasing from fly shops versus whomever has the best price??

ALL things being equal which in this case is questionable because of the difference in COO and obviously the factories, employees and the contracts in place; I always shop price.

If that means Costco over a fly shop, it doesn't matter to me. It's my money, I want to save as much as possible and besides, I never heard of any fly shop subsidizing laid-off Costco workers.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

A quick search reveals the Patagonia version is made in Sri Lanka, the Eddie Bauer in Egypt and I'm sill waiting for a COO reply from Simms.

I'll let you can draw your own conclusions as to similarities and what they SHOULD cost.

In regards to purchasing from fly shops versus whomever has the best price??

ALL things being equal which in this case is questionable because of the difference in COO and obviously the factories, employees and the contracts in place; I always shop price.

If that means Costco over a fly shop, it doesn't matter to me. It's my money, I want to save as much as possible and I never heard of any fly shop subsidizing laid-off Costco workers.

I just looked at one of my Simms hoodies, which was the quickest one to grab at the moment. Granted it’s several years old, so the country of origin may be different now, but it says “Made in China”.

 

[Bamboozle]

I just looked at one of my Simms hoodies, which was the quickest one to grab at the moment. Granted it’s several years old, so the country of origin may be different now, but it says “Made in China”.

Simms still hasn't replied to my COO request. IF they reply (I find this question often illicits a VERY slow or NO response from a lot of "manufacturers"), I'll post the info.

 

[salmonoid]

What is the UPF rating on the Eddie Bauer hoodies? Are they actually sun hoodies?

 

[bdfish]

What is the UPF rating on the Eddie Bauer hoodies? Are they actually sun hoodies?

I have one that I bought at an outlet/factory store that is 50 UPF. I like it better than most of the Huk ones I have.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

What is the UPF rating on the Eddie Bauer hoodies? Are they actually sun hoodies?

Says it's UPF 50 on the Costco website....

 

[mt_flyfisher]

I found a couple more of my Simms Hoodies after a couple minutes of searching. (I keep them chillin’ out in my Sauna in the basement - as long as I don’t turn it on that’s a good cool and dry place to keep some of my fishing gear, including my waders.😃).

One was made in China and the other was made in Cambodia.

Getting back to Costco, I gotten a lot of T-shirts there in the past, plus other clothing items, and have been really happy overall with what I’ve bought there. I have a couple nice Orvis T-shirts I bought there, and last week I got a couple really nice Lands End T-shirts for $9.99 each. They had some Orvis button up sport shirts there yesterday too. I can’t remember their price, but I didn’t much like the design.

 

[Bamboozle]

I haven't gone in for much or most of the fancy outdoor clothing in decades after adopting a fishing "look" that could best be described as a cross between a homeless person and Quit from Jaws.

However, I do wear a fishing shirt and quick drying fishing pants when targeting trout but at present they are Cabela's branded (that will tell you how old they are) and have features I like such as deep pockets or a zipper pocket.

Which is the problem with all of this off-shore stuff...

When the contracts run out with the off-shore manufactures, the product either disappears or is redesigned with features I don't like.

For that reason when & IF I find some fishing related garment or gadget I like, I buy a few because I KNOW in few years it will no longer be available, the new one will suck and it will cost more. 😉

 

[Kms]

I like fishing hoodies for solar and bug protection, and so picked up a bunch of the Simms bugstopper hoodies from sierra (which is pretty much the only place I buy Simms and Fishpond stuff). This hoodie from Beans is upf50 with InsectShield and looks decent for $60:

Men's Fishing Shirts

Free Shipping with $75 purchase. Find the best men's fishing shirts at L.L.Bean. Our high quality men's fishing clothing is expertly designed and made for the shared joy of the outdoors.

www.llbean.com

If the actual hood isn't critical Insectshield has solar shirts for under $30.

 

[Bamboozle]

I just looked at one of my Simms hoodies, which was the quickest one to grab at the moment. Granted it’s several years old, so the country of origin may be different now, but it says “Made in China”.

I got a reply from Simms, COO for the hoodie is now El Salvador.

 

[Skook]

I like fishing hoodies for solar and bug protection, and so picked up a bunch of the Simms bugstopper hoodies from sierra (which is pretty much the only place I buy Simms and Fishpond stuff). This hoodie from Beans is upf50 with InsectShield and looks decent for $60:

Men's Fishing Shirts

Free Shipping with $75 purchase. Find the best men's fishing shirts at L.L.Bean. Our high quality men's fishing clothing is expertly designed and made for the shared joy of the outdoors.

www.llbean.com

If the actual hood isn't critical Insectshield has solar shirts for under $30.

You can send your clothes to Insect Shield, and they will apply their proprietary treatment for about $9 per item (plus shipping costs). I've had many pieces of clothing, including socks and hats, treated by them over the years.

It looks like their website offers new customers a 15% discount code.

Here is a link:

Insect Shield Your Clothes

 

[hockeyref]

None of the places that have the affordable ones ever seem to have them in 3XL or 4XL. 😡

 

[WV waver]

An aside, did you know you are not supposed to use dryer sheets or fabric softener with these type of shirts. Supposedly hinders the breathability?

 

[Sylvaneous]

An aside, did you know you are not supposed to use dryer sheets or fabric softener with these type of shirts. Supposedly hinders the breathability?

You really shouldn't use dryer sheets with anything. It doesn't help, but it coats the threads with a low temp thermopolymer. You don't need it.

 

[Bamboozle]

In case anyone is looking for a Made in the USA option, I stumbled on this company. They also get good reviews and they are on sale:

Hooded Sun Shirts

Finn Fishing

finnfishing.com

FWIW - I ordered one. While I have nothing to compare it to, I'll post a review once I take it for a test spin if anyone is interested.

The intended use will be for static fishing in a boat or on the bank, not wade fishing for trout where I prefer a more traditional button-down fishing shirt with pockets.