Best fishing shirts and layering apparel are a must-have for any angler gearing up for a day on the water. The team at Fish Alaska shares their top picks.
Best Fishing Shirt & Layering Apparel
FORLOH Raider Polartec Fleece Vest
This thermal performance vest is equally useful as a mid-layer, or used as a top layer over a shirt. The hydrophilic inner surface wicks moisture to keep wearers warm and dry, while the grid knit creates air channels to prevent heat loss. It also utilizes Polartec Shed Less Technology to prevent microfiber shedding during washing to maintain softness and durability. Our tester used it during fall fishing trips under a wading jacket. He found that it gave him better range of motion, and was also the right weight for keeping him warm, but not overheating, during active fly-casting sessions.
FORLOH Women’s SolAir Technical Hoodie
According to Melissa Norris, this is her favorite mid-layer and the best piece of apparel she tested in 2024. Comfortable and good looking, FORLOH has it figured out with the SolAir Technical Hoodie. In fact, when it comes to style and fit meeting the technical needs of outdoor men and women, each product she’s tested has met and exceeded the bar. They make this hoodie in multiple great colors as well as camouflage to take to the field.
Duluth Trading Company Women’s Free Swingin’ Flannel Shirt
“I absolutely love this flannel shirt,” says our tester. She found it to be very soft and good looking and loves how it fits. It’s a great layering piece for a fishing woman and it’s also a useful run-around, do projects, or chill, top for Alaskan women.
Free Fly Men’s Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
This lightweight sun hoodie is made of an ultra-soft, breathable, odor-resistant bamboo/polyester blend. It provides UPF 20 sun protection, and the crossover hood design and long sleeves with thumbholes provide additional protection. We found this hoodie to be very comfortable and functional. The chest pocket is a little small to do much good, but overall, this is a great warm-weather hoodie, and we sometimes use it as a base layer in cooler conditions. It’s available in 12 colors and sizes from S to 3XL.
Hot Chillys Clima-Wool Performance Base Layer, Men’s Merino Crew and Bottoms
This is a relaxed fit mid-weight base layer useful for cool-to-cold conditions. The fabric is a blend of mulesing-free merino wool (84%), nylon and spandex that provides 4-way stretch. The garments have a warmth factor of 7 out of 10. We have found this medium-weight base layer to be a good all-around weight for Alaska. Merino wool is exceptionally comfortable, breathable, odor resistant, and warm, with the ability to wick moisture away from your skin. The set is available in 3 colors, and sizes from S to XXL.
Huk ICON Performance Hoody
Huk’s 100% polyester ICON Performance Hoody features a UPF-50+ rating—exactly what you want in a sun hoody. It’s cooling, quick drying, anti-microbial, and breathable. Thumb loops can be used to keep the sleeves covering the backs of your hands; it’s available in sizes S through 3XL in 6 colors.
Free Fly Men’s Bamboo Flex Hoodie
This is such a soft and cozy base layer. You cannot go wrong with this fabric from Free Fly that offers temperature regulation, UPF 50 and 4-way stretch. This is the one that’s perfect on its own or as a layering piece.