Gear Review: Rep Your Water Flolite Performance Hoody
Especially on days when you’re exposed to full sun, the Flolite Hoody performs admirably. Photos: Rick Mikesell
Fly-fishing gear has always evolved through tech revolutions. Adding a bead head to a nymph changed the way we fish below thesurface. Large arbor reels made retrieves faster and smoother. The move to graphite rods set a new standard for performance. Another advancement belongs in that same conversation, though it often goes uncelebrated: the lightweight, quick drying, UPF-rated sun shirt. And among those, the most complete version is the sun hoody.
You can argue whether it should be spelled with an “ie” or a “y,” but there is no argument that sun hoodies have made anglers more comfortable and far better protected from harmful rays than any billowy button-down or cotton tee ever could.
Smarter Fabric, Better Fit
Modern sun shirts have improved by leaps and bounds. They are lighter, more breathable, and far more flattering on those of us who spend our free time on the water rather than at the gym. They now include all kinds of small but thoughtful touches, from built-in lens wipes to adjustable face shields.
The Flolite fits well and is comfortable across a wide range of conditions.
Many ultralight options trade too much for weight. They cling, feel flimsy, or leave you wishing for something sturdier. The new Rep Your Water Flolite Performance Hoody ($99) manages to balance true warm-weather comfort with an honest fit. It feels light and airy but still has enough structure to look good, even after a long day on the water.
Build and Features
The Flolite is made for extreme heat, but is comfy on any warm day. The ultralight fabric breathes well, wicks moisture quickly, and holds up to heavy use. It carries a UPF 35 plus rating, blocking the blistering sun. The shirt also features a removable lightweight paracord hood cinch, odor control, a built-in microfiber sunglasses wipe, and is fully machine-washable. Rep Your Water offers the Flolite in several solid colors and a few of their signature prints.
On the Water
I tested the Flolite guiding and fishing through the dog days of summer. Long days under a full sun, with the occasional mountain monsoon rolling through. It also was a comfortable choice for cooler, early-fall days. The shirt handled all of it. It dried fast after dunking an arm to free a fly or standing through a sudden rain burst. The micro-perforated fabric kept air moving and heat venting, and the hood never felt restrictive and rarely led to fogged sunglasses, a common problem with many sun hoodies. The fit allowed full motion without pulling against my hat. The paracord cinch worked well in the wind, keeping the hood in place on breezy days.
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk / I’m a fishin’ man, no time to talk . . . .
What stands out most is how breathable the fabric feels. The tiny perforations really do vent heat, even when there is no wind to help. After landing a fish or fishing through a passing storm, it dried almost immediately.
The fit deserves credit too. It is flattering without being tight, and it moves naturally, whether you’re rowing, casting, or helping a client navigate a steep bank. After plenty of use and numerous washes, there has been no pilling, no fraying, and no seam failure. It still resists odor and comes out of the wash smelling clean.
The built-in lens wipe might seem like a small detail, but it has already been useful more than once for clearing splashed lenses after a quick release.
One of the very few quibbles is the short cuffs and lack of thumb loops.
The cuffs could be a little longer, and thumb loops would be welcome for extra sun coverage on the hands. The paracord cinch can slip out in the wash and takes time and patience to thread back in. Both are small annoyances in an otherwise excellent piece of gear.
Lite, for Warm Days on the Water
The Rep Your Water Flolite Performance Hoody hits the sweet spot between comfort, function, and protection. It stays cool on the hottest days, feels natural to move in, and holds up to real use. It is not overbuilt, not flashy, and not trying too hard. It just works, and that is what matters most.
Check Out the Rep Your Water Flolite Performance Hoody
The Flolite Hoody is available in some cool designs, as well as solid colors.
