Coolibar Andros Fishing Hoodie Review

The built-in hood, gaiter/mask, and extra-long sleeves of the Andros Fishing Hoodie allow you to cover up almost every part of your upper body. Even with this coverage, you can still move freely and know that the fabric will stay in place, no matter how high the seas are that day. Obstinately functional rather than superfluously fashionable, you may not land on the cover of Vogue wearing this shirt, but rarely is that the goal during a fishing trip with your best buds.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Fit

The Andros Fishing Hoodie has a slightly trimmer fit than we usually anticipate from a hooded sun shirt, which frequently fits a little looser. A loose fit generally helps keep air flowing through in and out of the shirt to regulate body temperature, which is something this shirt struggles with.

The more “regular fit” of this shirt may clue you in that it isn't the one you'll want to wear out on very strenuous, high-output activities. That said, the fabric's four-way stretch polyester is indeed soft and helps keep things comfortable, so don't be afraid that you'll ever have trouble bending, stretching, or moving.

Sun Protection

“Unrivaled” is not a term to throw around casually, but if you need more sun protection than what the Andros provides, it may be best to simply stay indoors. For those who are exceptionally heliophobic, this is an absolutely excellent choice. You may look more like a pastel Saturday morning cartoon ninja than a fisherman waiting for your guide at the dock, but you can be sure to end the day without even a first-degree sunburn in this layer.

The stout, four-way stretch 50+ UPF-rated fabric will block over 98% of the sun's harmful UV rays. The long, 27.75-inch (men's large) center back length will keep your lower back covered, whether you're reaching up to untangle a fishing pole or crouching down into the cooler to grab a cold one.

Like many of the best sun shirts we've tested, the Andros sports a hood to provide coverage to your head. But this is taken several steps further, with a built-in gaiter/mask to cover the majority of your face, including your mouth and nose. A small opening with a malleable nose piece allows you to breathe more or less normally. There is a small opening in the back of the hood for a ponytail to exit, as well. And, of course, you can use the hood/mask in a variety of different modes: the gaiter/mask can simply be worn just below the mouth, with or without the hood on.

The sleeves are also extra-long, featuring not a thumb loop but a middle finger loop, which facilitates even more protective sun coverage for your hands than the standard thumb loop. This added length allows the sleeve to rest comfortably over your knuckles even as you cast and reel.

Versatility

The Andros takes its job as a tool to help protect you from sun exposure very seriously, naturally taking on a more technical look with all the sun-blocking features. But, if you're on a fishing trip off the coast of Florida for days on end, thru-hiking across the Mojave Desert, or just extra fair-skinned or sun-sensitive, it probably won't (or shouldn't) matter much to you what the shirt looks like.

Outside of the scenarios outlined above, this shirt may look out of place and most likely isn't the one you'll be wearing to work or out for a meal. It's unapologetically a techy-looking fishing hoodie. The thicker four-way stretch fabric is nice and soft but isn't the most breathable, and sweat may accumulate. The shade of the shirt changes when wet, so these sweatier spots will be noticeable.

Breathability

Because of the thick fabric, how much of your skin is covered, and the less-than-loose fit, the Andros Fishing Hoodie suffers in terms of overall breathability.

This would not be the shirt you would wear if you wanted to race an ultramarathon from Furnace Creek to Whitney Portal — you'll quickly overheat.

Consider this shirt for more sedentary activities, where an unrelenting sun is beating down on you for hours on end. The word 'fishing' is in the name for a reason.

Durability

The soft, four-way stretch polyester fabric that Coolibar calls “Aqua Juno” is up for the task of surviving even the harshest of environments. Despite our tough tests, it aced through our challenges as one of the best, showing only a little wear and tear. In real-world use, we found no issues with either the fabric or stitching ripping, tearing, or coming loose.

We were also surprised and delighted to see double-reinforced flat stitches on almost every seam on the Andros — even the ponytail opening! In fact, the only place this isn't the case is the lining around the hood and gaiter/mask. We feel confident that this shirt will make it through many seasons of use.

Should You Buy the Coolibar Andros Fishing Hoodie?

The Coolibar Andros Fishing Hoodie is targeted at fisherpeople who are recreating all day in hot, sunny environments. It packs a laundry list of useful protection features — more than any other option in this category. If ultimate sun coverage and protection are what you're looking for, then you should make this hoodie your next purchase. Considering how important proper skin care and protection are to those looking for this type of coverage, we believe this sun hoodie proves itself a great value option. Even the cost of adding your own gaiter to any other comparable hooded sun shirt would force you to spend more than just this shirt alone. With all the built-in features, you're absolutely getting your money's worth.

What Other Sun Shirts Should You Consider?

The NRS Silkweight Hoodie is another strong option for a fishing-centric hooded sun shirt that is perhaps a bit more comfortable and versatile. The simpler design has excellent mobility and, frankly, looks a lot less out of this world. The Black Diamond Alpenglow Pro Hoody has many of the features of the Coolibar Andros — all except the built-in gaiter/mask. While it doesn't feature the same extent of total sun protection, it is our favorite all-around sun hoody.