Wakeboarding - June 01, 2018

54 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2018

BOAT DOCTOR ///BOATINGLAB

PHOTOS: JON WHITTLE

CHECK OUT MORE BOATINGLAB TESTS AT BOATINGMAG.COM.

SIMMS
SOLARFLEX ARMOR
The Solarfl ex Armor protects
you like a ninja from the sun
and actually looks a little like
a ninja uniform once the inner
face guard is pulled up over
the nose and ears and the hood
is pulled over the head. Laser
perforations in the mask reduce
the stuffy feeling of some buffs.
The breathable shirt fabric and
conformable cut make it a great
jogging shirt in addition to sun
protection for outdoor fun,
especially fi shing.

FABRIC: 85% polyester/
16% spandex
UPF RATED: 50
STAIN RESISTANCE: 100%
UV BLOCKED: 95%
UPS: Thumb loops keep the
sleeves from creeping up.
DOWNS: My breath fogs my
glasses when the face buff is
pulled up.
COST: $129.95

SIMMS

INTRUDER BICOMP

Comfortably roomy but trim

enough for unencumbered

fl y-fi shing, the sleek look of the

Intruder comes from side and

underarm panels of stretchy,

breathable fabric sewn in that

give it excellent ventilation while

moving with comfortable confor-

mity to the body. Even the sleeve

cuffs are stretchy, not snapped,

for a snug fi t.

FABRIC: 100% polyester

UPF RATED: 30

STAIN RESISTANCE: 100%

UV BLOCKED: 97%

UPS: The snaps are secure,

smooth and look great.

DOWNS: The sunglass cleaning

patch would be easier to use if

sewn onto the right shirttail, not

the left.

COST: $79.95

AFTCO

RANGLE

Smooth, supple fabric is tightly

woven to protect from the sun

but remains cool on the skin.

The cut is generous, moves

with the body, and allows

cooling air circulation with a

cape back. Pockets are pleated

for expandable cargo capacity.

It’s dressy and sheds liquid

for stain resistance. Sleeves

roll and stay up using button

straps.

FABRIC: 98% polyester/

2% spandex

UPF RATED: 50

STAIN RESISTANCE: 100%

UV BLOCKED: 99%

UPS: Its aqua or mint color,

like most blues, absorbs and

refl ects more UV light, increas-

ing effectiveness.

DOWNS: A label on the sun-

glass cleaning patch reduces

its effectiveness.

COST: $48

HUK

KRYPTEK FADE ICON

Of all the T-shirts in this test,

I found this one the most com-

fortable and breathable. The

mesh underarms and lower

back prevent sweat buildup

and allow cooling ventilation.

The Kryptek camo is the most

popular variety on the market

now and, in its turquois color,

does a great job of defl ecting

nearly 100 percent of sunburn-

and skin-cancer-causing

UV light.

FABRIC: 90% polyester/

10% spandex

UPF RATED: 30

STAIN RESISTANCE: 100%

UV BLOCKED: 100%

UPS: Form-fi tting but not tight,

the shirt is cool and com-

fortable and doesn’t restrict

mobility.

DOWNS: The mesh isn’t as

UV-resistant, but its used only

in areas that don’t normally get

direct sun.

COST: $54.99

Buffs and hoods

are becoming

popular among

professional

watermen with

daily sun exposure.

Tightly woven fabric

blocks UV light better

than a loose weave

you can see shadows

through.

Vented capes

with mesh

underneath

prevent insect

entry and enhance

comfortable

breathability.

Knitted cuffs

with elastic

spandex give the

garment a snug,

fl exible fi t and

good, sleek looks.