While fishing in Alaska, you need to be prepared for a variety of elements. Rain, wind, sun, and bugs. You can experience all of those things in one day of fishing in Alaska especially in Bristol Bay or Western Alaska. The rain is inevitable, the sun, when it’s out is intense, and the bugs are…well, a part of nature.
When it comes to fishing, comfortable clothing can make or break a fishing day. One article of clothing that can make a difference is the Simms BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody.
It is a very comfortable, easy-wearing article of clothing that can be worn as a base-layer, because of its moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties or as an additional layer over your base layer to provide an added level of comfort. Either way, you’re getting protection from the sun and bugs.
Simms uses InsectShield to treat the BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody to help prevent bug bites. Note, I said bug bites. InsectShield is a company that treats clothing with Permethrin, a bug-killing treatment widely used in a variety of applications from, topical skin treatments, to clothing material, and pet products. That being said, InsectShield is not a repellent of bugs, but more a repellant of bites. It will not prevent bugs from landing on you or stay away from you. What it does is incapacitates the bug so it will not bite you, which in turn prevents all the effects of a bug bite. It is effective and does work. According to InsectShield, treated garments will last up to 70 washes.
Solar technology in clothing has been around a long time and with a UPF 50 rating, the Simms BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody is a good shirt to have whether your fishing in Alaska or any tropical destination. “Alaska?” Yes, even in Alaska. The intensity of the sun in Alaska is very high when it is out, and wearing the Simms BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody is not only good protection against the sun and its reflective rays off the water while on the river.
The hood itself is very comfortable, but for some, it may be too big and droopy, especially if you’re not wearing a hat. As much as it kept the bugs off the head, some times bugs got caught inside the hoody.
Simms offers a similar women’s version that has the same bug stopping, UPF 50, moisture-wicking, and, anti-odor properties. Some differences include the front half-zipper, different style cuffs, and the material is slightly thicker.
Pros:
- Very Comfortable and Easy to wear as a base-layer underneath or as the only piece you’ll wear.
- UPF rating of 50 which is good for everywhere.
- InsectShielld to help prevent bug bites from a variety of bugs.
- Quick-drying and anti-odor.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- InsectShield is effective up to only 70 washes.
- The hood may be too big and droopy for some people.
- You’ll want more than one.
As with any chemically treated product look for warnings, allergies, and impacts on yourself, babies, and pets before buying.
All in all, the Simms BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody is comfortable, effective for both preventing bug bites, and keeping the sun off your skin. The best part is if you like to fish in Alaska in the summers and in tropical climates in the winters, it works in both places.
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