So I've been recently hiking in a nylon button up and like it very much. I think hiking in this as my primary hiking shirt would prove to be very versatile to me. I'm fair skinned so I really do enjoy the UPF protection and the coverage of long sleeves and a sun collar. I hiked in a Columbia silver ridge shirt and found it no hotter than my typical synthetic athletic t-shirt. I'm now a believer and convert. I also like more of the features of these kinds of shirts. I like the full button up for ventilation, the fact I can roll the sleeves up or down, chest pockets (outstanding feature), and sun collar. Furthermore, it's nice to be traveling with a technical shirt that doesn't look so "technical".
So I'm looking for a techincal long sleeve button down that'll fit some criteria for me.
- It needs to be for hot/sun use. Vents are huge plus. Lightweight and UPF protected. This IS my hiking shirt. The more it breaths the better.
- It needs to have sun collar. I think it's agreeable that any of these shirts that are made for hot/sun use will have a sun collar.
- It needs to have a front chest pocket or two. I prefer low key pockets. The one's on the Exofficio Air Strip shirts are ridiculously large.
Most importantly
- I would like a straight hem and not a baggy or relaxed fit. The biggest thing I dislike about my columbia shirt is the fit and hem. It's rather baggy, and has a long hem which goes to my thighs when untucked. I'm going to be mainly keeping the shirt untucked so I would like somthing a little more casual. Something that looks good tucked in or out. On top of that, something that doesn't have a relaxed fit. I don't like the fact I'm swimming in my columbia. And I tried sizing down.
So far I've only handled (in person) my Columbia Silver Ridge and most of Exofficio's offerings. They both had all the features I was looking for, however both just don't suit my in the fit department.
I've looked into railriders but cannot find much about their products off their website. I think their Men's Bone Flats Shirt might be exactly what I'm looking for.
Any input on options you guys have handled or are using would be great!