Stay Cool and Safe from Harmful UV-Rays with Fieldsheer Cooling Clothing

Protecting oneself from the heat and sun should be at the top of every outdoorsman and woman’s list, particularly anglers. Too much heat or sun exposure can be dangerous to your health. Both can also put a damper on what could have been a good day of fishing. (It’s difficult to reel in a big fish when you are suffering from a blistering sunburn or feel like you might pass out!)

I overheat easily and am fair-skinned, so I take extra care when in the sun, especially when fishing or boating. Did you know you can get sunburned more quickly when near water? The reflection from the water makes the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays even stronger.

While some are more at risk than others, anyone (regardless of skin tone) can get skin cancer, and everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke in warm or hot temperatures. The good news is there are ways to protect yourself when in the outdoors and on the water.

One of the best ways to prevent heat-related illness and sunburn is to wear UV-protective clothing that is lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored.

Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling Gear

Fieldsheer, mostly known for its innovative heated apparel and motorcycle gear, offers an extensive cooling line that is perfect for a day of fishing in warm or hot weather. The company’s Mobile Cooling clothing consists of shirts, hoodies, vests, face masks, neckbands, and more. Everything is designed for all-day protection from the sun and heat.

Mobile Cooling Long-Sleeve Shirts for Men and Women

Fieldsheer’s Mobile Cooling long-sleeve shirts deliver exceptional moisture-wicking, evaporation, and cooling properties. The fabric also provides a protective barrier from the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays.

Unlike some clothing companies, Fieldsheer does not apply chemicals to the surface of its apparel. Fieldsheer’s cooling gear is made with Drirelease Geo Cool fabric, an engineered blend of 85-90% hydrophobic (water-repelling) and 10-15% hydrophilic (water-absorbing) fibers. The blend gives the apparel cooling, wicking, and odor-fighting properties without the use of chemicals. And because these performance properties are built right into the fabric, they last for the life of the garment.

On the lake, my son wears the Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt in Grey (crewneck with raglan long sleeves) with a wide-brimmed hat and I wear the Women's Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt in Plum (long-sleeved pullover with hood and thumb openings on sleeves). Both shirts are soft and lightweight, making them comfortable to wear all day. Even when temps get scorching hot, we feel protected from the sun and heat.

Sweating is never an issue when wearing our Mobile Cooling shirts because the fabric is breathable. It doesn’t show sweat and dries quickly. The shirts’ Drirelease GEO Cool Knit fabric (produced with 92% recycled polyester) wicks moisture away from the skin and pushes it to the exterior of the fabric where it can evaporate rapidly. The fabric dries four times faster than most polyester fabrics too!

When wearing my Fieldsheer long-sleeve shirt, I don’t worry so much about getting burned, at least not on the parts of me covered by the shirt. The shirts feature Sunsheer fabric technology which provides an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+ that blocks 98% of harmful UV rays. My son and I still apply sunscreen to our exposed skin, such as our hands and faces, but way less sunscreen is needed when wearing long sleeves. And, because I'm not spending so much time slathering on sunscreen, I'm able to focus more on fishing.

Another exceptional feature of Fieldsheer’s apparel is its Odorsheer Technology with Anti-Microbial properties. Odorsheer’s anti-odor tech prevents odor-causing bacteria from growing, improving the freshness of the shirt and offering superior odor control. This is a huge selling point if you have a teenage son as I do!

Overall, Fieldsheer’s Mobile Cooling long-sleeve shirts offer exceptional cooling comfort and protection from the sun. If you care about your health and are looking forward to spending many more days, months, and years on the water, I highly recommend investing in some of Fieldsheer’s cooling gear for yourself and your family. You won’t regret it!

Mobile Cooling Men's Long Sleeve Shirt Features:

• Men’s crewneck shirt with raglan long sleeves
• Drirelease Geo Cool fabric with cooling, wicking, and odor-fighting properties; can reduce skin temperature by up to 7°
• Sunsheer UPF of 50+ blocks 98% of harmful UV rays
• Sweatsheer moisture-wicking system
• Flat-lock seams prevent chafing and rubbing
• Ventilated mesh on back, sides, and underarms
• 92% Recycled Polyester 8% Spandex Outer; 91% Recycled Polyester 9% Spandex Contrast
• Men’s sizes: SM-3XL
• MSRP: $39.99

Mobile Cooling Women's Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt Features:

• Women’s long-sleeved pullover shirt with hood and thumb openings on sleeves
• Drirelease Geo Cool fabric with cooling, wicking, and odor-fighting properties; can reduce skin temperature by up to 7°
• Sunsheer UPF of 50+ blocks 98% of harmful UV rays
• Sweatsheer moisture-wicking system
• Flat-lock seams prevent chafing and rubbing
• Ventilated mesh panels on sides, back, and underarms
• 92% Recycled Polyester 8% Spandex Outer; 91% Recycled Polyester 9% Spandex Contrasts
• Women’s sizes: XS-XL
• MSRP: $49.99

Other Ways to Stay Cool and Safe from Harmful UV-Rays When Fishing

In addition to wearing loose-fitting, lightweight UV-protective clothing such as Fieldsheer’s Mobile Cooling Clothing, you can safeguard yourself and your family with these tips whenever outdoors.

1. Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people step outside without applying some kind of sunscreen lotion or spray to their bodies.

A sunburn hurts. It also affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. You probably know someone (maybe it’s you) that “doesn’t burn” and therefore chooses to skip sunscreen altogether. The truth, however, is that sunscreen does more than prevent a painful sunburn. It also protects your skin from premature aging and skin cancer, which can be deadly.

Choose a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, is water-resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects from both types of the sun’s harmful rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

Generously apply sunscreen to all of your bare skin at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, even if it’s cloudy. If you are wearing Fieldsheer’s Mobile Cooling long-sleeve shirts or another type of UV-protective clothing, apply sunscreen on any skin not covered by the clothing, such as your hands, feet, and face. Reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

2. Stay Well-Hydrated

When you are doing an activity outside in the heat, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated. Always drink plenty of liquids, even if you aren’t thirsty. Drink mostly water. Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, which can promote dehydration and increase thirst.

In addition to water, you can also drink sports drinks, Pedialyte, or other fluids containing electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals (sodium, calcium, and potassium) that our body needs. They regulate nerve and muscle functions, keep you hydrated, and help balance pH levels.

If you are sweating, make sure to increase your fluid intake. Sweating is how the body naturally cools itself and when you sweat, your body loses fluids. A big adrenaline rush from catching a fish, extreme heat, high humidity, exercise, and hormones can all increase your body’s temperature and cause you to sweat.

Dehydration can occur when you lose more fluid than you are taking in. Some signs of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, headache, muscle cramps, and feeling dizzy.

Fishing or doing some other outdoor activity with your dog? Be sure to provide your pet with plenty of clean water so he/she can stay well-hydrated too. Keep the water bowl in the shade and check it often to make sure it doesn’t become empty.

Read: Why Hydration is Crucial for Hunters and Anglers

3. Fish During Non-Peak Sun Hours and Stick to the Shade

Fishing all day in the hot sun is an easy way to get heat exhaustion. Midday, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., is when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Instead of fishing during the sun’s peak hours, go fishing before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

If you do decide to fish when the sun is high, pick a nice shady spot to fish from or take frequent breaks from the sun whenever you can. Be certain to drink lots of water and wear sun-protective gear like Fieldsheer’s cooling clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. There may not be such a thing as a “bad day of fishing,” but you can certainly have an unpleasant day if you don’t protect yourself from the heat and sun.

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