When it comes to outdoor activities in the summer, the biggest concerns are not only heat protection but also UV protection. For example, when hiking, even in summer, temperatures are lower in high-altitude mountainous areas compared to the lower reaches, but the higher you go, the closer you are to the sun, so UV rays become stronger. According to research by the Japan Meteorological Agency, UV rays become about 15% stronger for every 1,000 meters of elevation increase. If you are exposed to the intense sunlight unprotected, your skin will quickly become inflamed, so UV protection is a must
Sunscreen creams are effective in protecting against UV rays, but their effectiveness gradually decreases with sweat and water, requiring constant reapplication, which can be a hassle. For those people, an effective solution is to prevent skin exposure. Rather than repeatedly applying sunscreen cream, wearing UV-blocking clothing prevents skin exposure and blocks UV rays. So, while searching for clothing that could protect against UV rays while hiking or fishing, I came across Patagonia's River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody .
This item is in the fly fishing category, but it not only protects against UV rays, but is also designed to keep you cool and comfortable, and is equipped with various gimmicks for ease of use, making it a great piece of clothing to wear not only for fishing, but also for mountain climbing and hiking
This time I will be reviewing the versatile mountain shirt " River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody" (for convenience, I will abbreviate it to River Rambler Hoody).
table of contents
Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody Key Features
The River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody is a button-down shirt with a detachable hood that offers UPF 40+ UV protection. Made from lightweight, quick-drying recycled polyester, it stretches with you and wicks moisture to keep you dry and comfortable. The contrasting fabrics on the body and sleeves allow for greater freedom of movement, especially around the arms.
The sleeves have thumbholes to protect the back of your hands and are long-sleeved, making them easy to roll up. Large pockets are located on both chests, allowing you to store fishing gear such as fly boxes. The mesh interior of the pockets also provides ventilation, making them useful for active scenes
It has a convenient loop for hanging sunglasses or forceps, and the hem is equipped with a length cleaner to remove dirt from sunglasses and other items.The regular fit with just the right amount of room makes it suitable for both outdoor activities and everyday wear, making it useful in any situation
Favorite points
- Comfortable enough to wear directly against the skin
- Long sleeves and a hood protect from UV rays
- Quick-drying, even when wet
- Button-down shirt with enhanced breathability thanks to the contrasting fabric
- Chest pocket that doubles as ventilation
- Various practical details such as a lens cleaner, thumb holes, and snap buttons on the collar
- A calm color that can be worn in town
Points of concern
- Because it has long sleeves, it is still hotter than short sleeves
- The hood is fastened with buttons and is difficult to remove
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody |
|---|---|
| weight | 294g (measured size M) |
| color | Shelter Brown, Terrain Green, Crisp Gray |
| size | XS / S / M / L / XL |
| material | Moisture-wicking stretch plain weave 100% recycled polyester |
|
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| Other features |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| sun protection | ★★★★★ |
| Breathable and quick-drying | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★★ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed Review
It's comfortable to wear directly against the skin and dries quickly even if it gets wet
As mentioned at the beginning, UV protection is a must for summer outdoor activities, but it's also a season where you have to fight the heat. It's not comfortable to get too hot trying to protect your skin from the sun. In that sense, comfort is important when layering in the summer, and the River Rambler Hoody was an extremely comfortable garment.
I'm 185cm tall and wear size M. It's comfortable and has just the right amount of room
The stretchy fabric doesn't get in the way of movement, and the different materials used for the body and sleeves allow for particularly high freedom of movement from the shoulders to the arms, indicating that this is a fishing shirt designed with fly fishing in mind. Even when hiking, trekking poles are often used for walking support and propulsion, so ease of movement around the arms is directly related to comfort
Furthermore, the smooth texture of the fabric doesn't feel uncomfortable even when it comes into direct contact with the skin, and in fact it feels quite comfortable. When I actually tested it in the field several times, I wore the River Rambler Hoody , and it felt really good. Even when I sweated, it didn't stick to my skin, and the moderate amount of room allowed it to absorb sweat and dry quickly, so I felt very little discomfort while moving around. Because it's a long-sleeved jacket, it does feel hotter than a short-sleeved one, but the UV protection is excellent, and the sleeves are easy to roll up, making it easy to regulate body temperature.
It has the shape of a shirt, but has long sleeves that can be easily rolled up
Long sleeves and a hood provide UV protection and moderate breathability
Long sleeves and a hood provide excellent UV protection
The River Rambler Hoody's hood provides excellent UV protection, blocking UV rays from your neck, ears, and head. Not only does it reduce exposure, but the fabric itself also offers excellent UV protection, providing UPF 40+ UV protection. UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, and the higher the number, the better the protection. For example, UPF 40+ blocks 40 times the UV rays.
the River Rambler Hoody is not just that it protects against UV rays, but that it can be transformed to suit the situation and purpose. In situations where the hood gets in the way of layering, you can simply remove the hood and use it as a plain shirt, and even with the hood removed, the collar stands upright to protect your neck. With the hood removed, it looks just like a regular plain shirt, so it can be worn comfortably in everyday wear and is perfect for trails that seamlessly transition between mountain and town.
When the hood is removed, the collar can be raised to protect the neck
The River Rambler Hoodie uses different materials for the body and sleeves . The fabric of the torso is tightly sewn and not particularly breathable, but the low-profile button-down shirt and the moderate amount of room allow air to pass through, enhancing breathability. Furthermore, the shoulders and sleeves are made of a more breathable material, creating a hybrid structure that allows moisture to escape even when you're sweating. You can adjust the temperature by undoing the buttons depending on how hot it gets, making it easy to regulate your body temperature while on the move. The body (and back) also provides some wind protection, so even in situations where you're unsure whether to wear a wind shell, the River Rambler Hoodie allowed me to continue moving around.
It has a hybrid structure with different materials used for the body and from the shoulders to the sleeves
The hood is fastened with buttons and is difficult to remove
One thing that bothered me when using it was that the hood is attached with buttons. I can't help but think that snap buttons would have been easier to attach and remove, and more convenient. While this is likely a design consideration for durability, it does take some effort to attach and remove the hood
Button to attach the hood. It takes a little time to attach and remove
Ventilated chest pocket
As mentioned above, the button-down shirt makes it easy to regulate body temperature and uses highly breathable fabric from the shoulders to the sleeves, but the large chest pockets on both sides have mesh interiors that can be opened to increase ventilation. When hiking, this ventilation allows air to enter and releases heat, preventing overheating
The inside of the pocket is mesh, which can be opened to improve breathability
The pockets are large enough to store fly boxes, fishing tackle reels, and other essentials when fishing, and can also be used as ventilation when hiking, allowing you to stay comfortable at all times. When using the pockets as ventilation, they are not functional, but you can ventilate only one side, making it a convenient feature
Large pocket is perfect for storing fly boxes
Various practical details such as a lens cleaner, thumb holes, and snap buttons on the collar
The River Rambler Hoody offers a comfortable, well-balanced fit, breathable, and quick-drying , but it's packed with attention to detail to make it even easier to wear. Thumbholes on the cuffs protect the backs of your hands and provide extra warmth when you feel cold. While extra warmth isn't necessary during the heatwaves, the thumbholes are useful in high-altitude areas, especially on ridges, where the wind is constantly blowing. There's also a small collar hidden behind the collar, which can be turned up to provide extra protection around the neck.
The double-layered collar can be raised to provide protection up to the ears. The left side shows the double-layered collar raised
There is a convenient loop next to the chest pocket for hanging sunglasses or fishing tackle forceps. In addition, a lens cleaner is attached to the inside of the hem so that you can quickly wipe dirty lenses and clear away sweat from sunglasses or glasses, ensuring clear vision
The loop near the chest pocket is perfect for holding sunglasses
The inside of the hem has a lens cleaner for wiping sunglasses
Summary: This versatile fishing shirt is packed with useful features and will appeal to hikers
The River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody released in the fly fishing category, is packed with convenient features and is both breathable and quick-drying. I tested it for mountain climbing, hiking, and fishing, and it was a great choice for any outdoor activity, making it an indispensable piece of clothing. I 'm looking forward to wearing the River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody
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Yosuke C
A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience
From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains
A freelance writer with over 20 years of outdoor experience who enjoys the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on his experience writing articles for over a dozen outdoor web publications, he will share his own experiences and the best tools he has used
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