Warm Weather Stalking Shirt

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09-03-2019, 10:45 PM
Puffin

7 Attachment(s)

Warm Weather Stalking Shirt

For the past few years I've worn blue long-sleeved cotton shirts when the temperatures are up around 20 degrees or more. Being all one colour they do nothing to break up my outline in the bush and I suspect in combination with UV enhancers from washing powders make me quite visible to both deer and other hunters alike. Usually after stalking in temperatures where I'd prefer to be able to strip down to my waist (but my pasty white skin would stand out like a beacon) they end up wringing wet and cotton takes a while to dry.

I'm looking at some other options, in a current fabric technology, preferable in some sort of camo pattern. I'd prefer long-sleeved, ideally with pockets.
I've compiled a bit of a short-list below.

What are the opinions on these please ? Do they handle a bit of treatment, or rip easily, or just fall apart at the seams?
Have you found the garment actually suitable for warm conditions as advertised or still too hot? Wicking ability? Value for money?

Much obliged if you could please post alternatives if your preference is not one of the items below.

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09-03-2019, 10:56 PM
MB

I've had one of these for the last three years. Very light/cool and quick drying. Hasn't fallen apart either.

https://huntechoutdoors.com/product/...ng-sleeve-tee/
10-03-2019, 06:37 AM
Puffin

1 Attachment(s)

Thanks, added to the list:

Attachment 106898:
10-03-2019, 08:17 AM
ONYVA

been thinking of this also, yesterday i bought a Simms fishing shirt from hunting & fishing, semi camo, light weight, big pockets, hope it lasts hunting.
10-03-2019, 08:18 AM
kiwijames

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONYVA

been thinking of this also, yesterday i bought a Simms fishing shirt from hunting & fishing, semi camo, light weight, big pockets, hope it lasts hunting.

I’ve been looking at one of those. They look nice.
10-03-2019, 08:21 AM
kiwijames

Kuiu Tuburon shirt is all I wear in summer and often a few months either side.
I don’t think either the blue colour or the washing powder is you problem though. I used to worry about that sort of thing. Not anymore. One of the best hunters I know wears a blue Airtex shirt and he shoots a lot more than I ever will.
10-03-2019, 12:48 PM
piwakawaka

Got the huntech microlight shirt only used it a few times because it gets bloody hot seems to trap heat rather then breathe which I thought is weird since it has lots of small holes in
10-03-2019, 12:55 PM
RUMPY

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 106947
I have this ridgeline t shirt. Has mesh about 7 inches wide down each side. I have owned it for years. Don't know the model. Looks similar to their breeze shirt.
10-03-2019, 01:30 PM
Madmax

Keeping coolish

I wear the Micro lite from Huntech and a army bush hat when i hunt Molesworth . This year i am also taking lightly tinted safety glasses as the glear is a killer.:cool: MM
10-03-2019, 01:57 PM
Sarvo

I would not touch any of the above - mainly because of price
But non of it breaths and is a sweat trap and sauna

I use wool MKM singlet against body and 100% quality cotton shirts - long sleeve and cut some off to short sleeve
Buy genuine cotton shirt like Carhartt - made in Nicaragua or Pakistan from REAL cotton
Wont find them here in NZ - Ebay from States etc
Last for years
No smell
Wash up like new
Breath
Soak up sweat and good to wipe the brow with too

Even the old Levi denim is exc - this modern stuff value is just 90% marketing propaganda and 10% synthetic crap in my book
10-03-2019, 02:03 PM
Cigar

1 Attachment(s)

I have a Huntech shirt, I can't remember the model but it has mesh panels at the sides and back. I find it too warm, and usually use it as a top layer.
I have these two shirts and like them both. Very light and cool. They can get a bit wet, especially on the back under a pack, but any light fabric is going to struggle to wick away the amount of sweat I produce!
Attachment 106952
The one on the left is a Hunters Element, I think it is a Crux.
The one on the right is Under Armour, I don't know the model, I got it at H&F Hamilton very cheap so might have been a runout or clearance deal.
For coolness I would give the UA shirt a slight edge, the HE shirt feels more durable though.
10-03-2019, 03:30 PM
Bobba

1 Attachment(s)

I got this Under Armour top at the beginning of summer and its been brilliant. Feels thin and fragile but surprisingly tough. No pockets though.
$60 or $70 from H&F
10-03-2019, 03:32 PM
7x64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobba

I got this Under Armour top at the beginning of summer and its been brilliant. Feels thin and fragile but surprisingly tough. No pockets though.
$60 or $70 from H&F

Under armour Threadborne, I have some of these as well. Highly recommended.
10-03-2019, 03:55 PM
sambnz

I'm in the same position as you @Puffin. Looking for a decent warm/mild weather baselayer. Recently I went into hunting and fishing and tried on the Crux by Hunters Element. I found they had a great fitting cut and the fabric felt pretty durable. Will probably look at picking one up in the next few weeks.
10-03-2019, 06:31 PM
WillB

I have an Earth Sea Sky shirt from Bivouac - synthetic, buttons all the way down the front, a collar and two chest pockets. In the heat it's brilliant. You can get plenty of air flow, it dries super quick, protects from the sun with long sleeves and collar, but you can roll the sleeves up, etc. Love it. Not camo but a fairly low profile khaki sort of colour.
11-03-2019, 07:03 PM
Micky Duck

either what rumpy uses or the very top option...the one at the top is a really great option they keep you cool and protect from a bit of sun....you NEED to carry something along the lines of a fleece T because when the wind picks up and/or it gets wet...you will freeze ya tits off (they suit me just fine as can never seem to get cool enough)
11-03-2019, 07:18 PM
paddygonebush

1 Attachment(s)

Brakenwear schorcher top. Designed in Australia. Its brilliant in the hot weather.

https://brakenwear.com/products/mens...rcher-top-2018

Attachment 107037
11-03-2019, 07:26 PM
MB

One thing I would say about the Huntech products is that in the pictures they all look like they are made from the same material, they are not! The one I put the link to is the thinnest/coolest of the lot. It's definitely worth comparing them in store rather than ordering online so that you get what you want.
12-03-2019, 09:10 PM
Puffin

OK, noted thanks; the Drymax is the coolest of their fabrics and worth checking out in-store.

@paddygonebush: You'd trust the Ockers to know what to wear to keep cool, but where would we get to look at the Brakenwear here in NZ please?

I've purchased some of the Hunters Element Superlite Shirts in the last couple of days as they met my requirements for long sleeves and pockets, and were on sale (direct) since they are being discontinued in favour of the Crux, and there was still stock in my size. I'd report back here on how I find them but it seems a bit pointless now if they will no longer be available.

An advantage of cotton as @Sarvo mentions (and is worth repeating) is that lenses can be wiped dry with cotton but not so effectively with synthetics.

Just going back to @kiwijames comment on non-camo - in this case blue; I'm not sure it has affected my hunting success, but after a number of years wearing the same thing I'm pretty sure I will be able to detect if there is a difference and am treating this proposed change more as an experiment, and an interesting one at that.
12-03-2019, 10:12 PM
paddygonebush

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffin

@paddygonebush: You'd trust the Ockers to know what to wear to keep cool, but where would we get to look at the Brakenwear here in NZ please?.

I bought them online in Australia. I believe they ship to NZ. There is a pretty good review on Rokslide Forum
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/thre...testing.66067/
13-03-2019, 08:50 AM
Puffin

4 Attachment(s)

Pictures of some of options referred to earlier:

Attachment 107118

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The Ridgeline Breeze appears to short sleeved only though.
13-03-2019, 08:57 AM
muka88

i have the stoney creek fast hunt one its falling apart after two trips, stitching is rubbish
13-03-2019, 09:43 AM
kotuku

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Attachment 106947
I have this ridgeline t shirt. Has mesh about 7 inches wide down each side. I have owned it for years. Don't know the model. Looks similar to their breeze shirt.

first ridgeline shirt i ever bought and stillgood as the day i bought it .bloody comfy too.
have a ridgeline sniper split back meash panels also but need to reshrink myself to fit it comfortably
currently have a USwoodland camo shirt with sleeves widened by wifey(bloody handy she can sew) does all i want for warm litelweight conditions.
13-03-2019, 06:28 PM
2post

2 Attachment(s)

Attachment 107158 Attachment 107159
My little desert storm number, if it’s good enough for Schwarzkopf it’s good enough for me. Only issue is my hutting chum mocks me when I wear it. :oh noes:
13-03-2019, 08:22 PM
kiwijames

I think the shirt I own is the Ultra Tiburon Zip-T. Spendy now, I'm sure I didnt pay that much for it.
The First Lite Wilkin half Zip looks like a good bit of gear and at a better price. $129 from Points South.
I just have zero faith in anything made for the NZ market by the usual suspects (Swazi being the exception).
The Yank stuff is expensive but I have been wearing the same gear for years now and have never had gear failure or it doing anything other than what it was bought to do.
Camo, it's a preference but most of it is meritless IMO. I do know the break up patterns do assist when Im fishing for spooky trout though so expect it will work with big game in that respect.