The Complete Guide to Simms Sun-Protective Fishing Clothing
You know that feeling — A brilliant day, glassy water and the fishing is firing. The kind of day that makes you forget layers, schedules and responsibilities. Two hours later your neck feels like it’s been in the oven, your hands are bright red, and your energy’s gone. Sunburn isn’t just uncomfortable; repeated UV exposure adds up to accelerated skin aging and increases skin-cancer risk. That’s why smart anglers treat sun protection like rod selection: it’s essential kit, not optional.
Simms has leaned into that thinking for years. Their sun-protective line — SolarFlex® shirts and hoodies, SunGaiters, SunGloves, UPF pants and a lineup of purposeful sun hats like the Solar Sombrero — is designed to keep anglers on the water longer, cooler and safer. Below is a practical guide on what the key pieces do, how the tech works, and how to choose the right items for your next trip.
A quick story: why sun-gear matters
I have a love/hate relationship with sunscreen. It’s the definition of a necessary evil in my opinion. The smell, the burning eyes and the fact it stays on your skin after multiple showers are just a few of my complaints. I’m also a shocker for being too focused on fishing, to remember to re-apply it every few hours. Enter, UV protective clothing.
I can think of many trips fishing with mates, where they’ve opted for the classic T-Shirt, shorts and “she’ll be right” attitude combo, only to find themselves dehydrated, tired and in a moderate level of pain by midday. Meanwhile, decked out in my long-sleeve SolarFlex hoody and sun gloves, I finished the day feeling fine. That contrast is exactly why targeted sun protection is worth the investment.
Sun Hoodies & Shirts
If you spend long days casting, a sun hoodie or long-sleeve sun shirt is your workhorse. Simms’ SolarFlex® shirts and hoodies are engineered from quick-dry and anti-odour stretchy polyester blends with built-in UPF 50+ protection. That means they block the majority of UVA and UVB radiation while wicking sweat and letting you move freely for casting and climbing.
Some models of sun shirts and hoodies (like the Latitude Hoody and Latitude Bicomp Shirt) have additional features such as ventilated panels, to help keep you cool. And technologies such as HeiQ Fresh and HeiQ Stain Away to help you stay clean from dirt and grime. These are the pieces you wear all day; they are slim so can fit under other layers and life jackets for consistent coverage.
Sun Gaiters
Gaiters are the pocket-size MVP. The Simms’ SunGaiter™ is a lightweight, stretch fabric tube that you wear around the neck, over your face (or even as a headband). It’s breathable, dries fast, offers UPF 50+ sun protection and includes laser-cut breathing holes so you don’t feel like you’re breathing through a mask. It’s the fastest way to add face and neck protection to your kit. Bonus tip - They’re also great for keeping the wind out of your face.
Sun Gloves
Protect the most exposed tools you have. Your hands take a pounding from both sun and the work of stripping line. Simms SolarFlex SunGloves are UPF 50 +, come in “half-finger” and “no finger” options, and include features like extended cuffs (to cover the wrist) and stripping guards to protect against line abrasion. The Simms SolarFlex Guide Gloves take this a step further with reinforced palm, fingers, and back of hand overlay provides durability and grip even when wet. Sun gloves preserve dexterity while preventing sun damage on the backs of your hands — a surprisingly easy place to get chronic sun exposure.
Pants
Simms Superlight and Guide Pants use UPF 50 + rated, quick-dry fabrics and include practical angling details, such as: gussets for mobility, zip pockets and DWR finishes. Pants give you full-leg coverage where shorts don’t. This is important when you’re wading or standing on a boat in reflective water. Articulated knees and partial stretch waists provide extra comfort on long days and long walks.
Hats
A technical sun hat is sometimes the most effective single protective item. The Simms Solar Sombrero offers a wide brim, UPF 50+ fabric, moisture-wicking sweatbands, mesh vents and even foam brims that float if they go overboard. A dark under-brim reduces glare; adjustable straps keep the hat on in wind. For full coverage, pair a wide brim with a gaiter.
The long-bill SunShield Cap is another great UPF 50+ option which features a neck-protecting cape for added coverage.
What’s the difference: SPF vs UPF?
Here’s the difference between SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) — two common ratings you’ll see when shopping for sun-protection products:
SPF is the rating commonly used for sunscreens. It measures how long you can stay in the sun before burning compared to if you had no protection. For example, if you normally burn in 10 minutes and apply a sunscreen with SPF 15, theoretically you could stay out for 150 minutes (10 × 15) before burning. However, the key limitations are: it only measures UVB radiation (which causes sunburn), and it doesn’t measure how much protection you have against UVA (which contributes to skin aging and some skin cancers) under the current standard.
UPF, by contrast, is a rating system designed specifically for fabrics (clothing, hats, swimwear), not lotions. Instead of measuring time until a burn, it measures how much UV (both UVA and UVB) the fabric allows through. For example, a UPF 50 fabric allows only 1/50th (2 %) of the UV radiation through — meaning it blocks ~98% of UV rays in the covered area. Because it tests both UVA and UVB, it gives a more comprehensive measure of a garment’s sun‐blocking performance.
In summary: Use SPF when considering lotions and creams — it’s about “how long” you’re protected from sunburn. Use UPF when considering clothing and fabrics — it’s about “how much” UV is blocked by the material. Each has its purpose, and for best protection you’ll often want both good SPF in your sunscreen and garments with a high UPF rating.
Buyer tip: For fabrics, aim for UPF 50+ for daytime fishing in strong sun. For sunscreen, use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin and reapply diligently.
How to choose the right Simms sun gear (practical checklist)
Where are you fishing? Tropical flats = full coverage (hoodie + gaiter + gloves + wide brim). Temperate streams = long-sleeve shirt + hat + gaiter as needed.
Activity level. If you’re hiking a lot, choose breathable, quick-dry fabrics (SolarFlex® and Superlight lines). If you’re on a boat, prioritize wind-blocking hoods and hats with straps.
Dexterity needs. Fly anglers usually prefer half-finger SunGloves for stripping and tying.
Layering plan. If you want one-piece simplicity, a hoody covers head, neck and torso. If you want flexibility, mix shirts, gaiter and hat.
Packability and weight. Gaiters and gloves pack tiny; hats and shirts vary — check fabric weights if you’re travel-packing.
Care and longevity — get the most from your kit
Wash technical fabrics on a gentle cycle with mild detergent; avoid fabric softeners (they reduce wicking and repellency).
Air-dry when possible; heat shortens fabric life and can reduce UPF performance.
Reapply durable water repellent (DWR) finishes as needed for pants and hats that have that coating.
Replace items that are heavily stretched, bleached or thinned — fabric damage reduces UPF protection.
Extra “SunSmart” advice every angler should follow
Combine strategies: clothing (UPF), a broad-brim hat, sunglasses (UV blocking) and sunscreen on exposed areas.
Apply sunscreen to face, ears and the back of hands even if you wear UPF clothing — fabric moves and stretches. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ and reapply every two hours or after water exposure.
Don’t forget the lips and eyelids — use lip balm with SPF and sunglasses with full UVA/UVB protection.
Regularly check moles or new skin changes and see a dermatologist with any concerns.
Parting cast
The best angler isn’t the one who fights the elements until they lose — it’s the one who reads them and plans accordingly. Investing in sun-protective clothing changes the equation: more comfortable days, less downtime from burns, and lower long-term risk. With smart choices — a SolarFlex hoody, a Solar Sombrero, a SunGaiter and a good pair of SunGloves — you’ll be set to fish sunup to sundown without paying for it later.
Written by Ben Munro