Stepping into the mid-day glare on an oceanfront veranda, your choices become clear. Guard against relentless rays and rising temperatures or look like you belong in this idyllic place. Active Junky’s taken away the choice with three “both and” shirts from respected labels; One offers insect protection as a bonus.
Toad&Co Pilotlight SS shirt: Unstoppable styled
Tester Comments: A total stand-out piece on the trip. Enjoyed the wearing so much, the first move during cooler temps was to throw on a light jacket rather than swap it out for a long-sleeve shirt (although Toad&Co put some beautiful options in our bag for the trip). Classic looks fit hotel, beach and in-transit settings. The vertical zipper chest pocket was great for Happy Hour margarita money in Loreto.
Best For: Moderate to warmer temperatures, travel and everyday casual wear
ExOfficio Sol Col Cryogen LS Plaid: Defending your dreams
Tester Comments: This trip found us with some of the best shirt options ever. ExOfficio’s relevance couldn’t have been higher when the sun soared and the glare off the water bordered on blazing. Fabric moves quietly and easily, not a simple chore for such a technical piece. Sol Col is an ideal way to try the brand, finding the shirt’s piece is trimmer and more fashionable than many others on the market.
Best For: Multi-day travel across time zones and weather conditions
Royal Robbins Desert Pucker Long Sleeve: Grown-up fun
Bearing the renowned climber’s name, this brand brings classic styling into sunnier environments. A worthy UPF50+ rating handles most conditions with luxurious Modal fabric drawn from beech wood fibers originating in Austria, no less. Softer than more performance fabrics, the cloth in Pucker pulls sweat away and dries quickly in hotel room or tent. Wrinkle resistance is superior and the standard issue chest pocket is of average utility. Where Active Junky got fired up was Pucker’s all-day comfort, whether in a cramped bus or at a beachfront fire pit. Twenty percent polyester helped Pucker stay in form through trying conditions. Stain resistance of this fabric is subject to debate so butter-swamped lobster boils may not be the optimum pairing for this value-priced Royal Robbins shirt.
Tester Comments: Comfort is where this one wins. More testing is needed to measure the washability and durability of Pucker, although testers are pulling for this one simply because of admiration for the brand’s namesake. Of all three featured shirts, this one better suits everyday wear at home or in the office.
Best For: Everyday utility in moderate conditions, travel where some level of fashion decorum is important