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Angler’s Only Aegis UPF50+ Sun Hoodie Review

The Angler’s Only Aegis UPF50+ Sun Hoodie is a lightweight fishing hoodie designed to keep you protected when spending long days outdoors. Offering a UPF50+ sun protection rating, it’s built for anglers who regularly fish through the warmer months, whether that’s on the coast, the bank or from a boat.

Made from an ultra-soft, four-way stretch polyester fabric, the Aegis is designed to be breathable, moisture-wicking and comfortable enough to wear all day. It’s available in a range of colours and features subtle Angler’s Only branding with the Fin Up logo on the chest and Angler’s Only logo on the lower sleeve.

Angler's Only Aegis UPF50+ Sun Hoodie Review

How Can It Help?

If you’ve ever spent an entire day fishing in the sun, you’ll know just how easy it is to underestimate how much UV exposure you’re getting. It’s even worse on the coast where the sea breeze keeps you feeling cool while you’re slowly getting cooked.

A good sun hoodie adds a layer of protection without making you feel hot or restricted. Rather than constantly reapplying sunscreen, it provides reliable coverage for your arms, shoulders, neck and hands while still allowing plenty of airflow.

The oversized hood is designed to fit comfortably over a cap, giving your face, ears and neck extra protection, while the built-in thumb holes allow you to pull the sleeves over the backs of your hands – an area that’s often forgotten but takes a beating during long sessions.

Personal Experience

A week or so ago I headed down to the south coast for some bass and wrasse fishing with good mates Drew and Tom. Tom was hosting us on his local marks, sharing plenty of tips and advice throughout the day, and the fishing itself was excellent.

Like many recent trips, the weather was absolutely baking, with temperatures climbing above 30°C. Between the long walks, scrambling over rocks and hours spent fishing in very little shade, getting burnt was almost inevitable.

I’ll admit, for most of the first day I didn’t actually wear the Aegis UPF50+ Sun Hoodie that I’d bought from Angler’s Only Apparel earlier that week and on recommendation by Drew – which was a mistake.

When you’re fishing by the coast, the breeze often tricks you into thinking you’re staying cool, when in reality you’re slowly getting roasted by the sun. It wasn’t until we stopped for a break that I realised just how much sun I’d caught.

My wife’s reminder to “make sure you put on sun cream” was ringing in my ears, but by then the damage had already been done. And besides… sun cream puts the fish off, right? Probably not! Wear sunscreen – it really is good advice.

For the remainder of the day, I pulled on the Aegis Sun Hoodie.

Straight away I noticed just how lightweight and breathable the material felt. Despite the heat, it genuinely helped keep me cool rather than making me feel warmer. The oversized hood fitted comfortably over my cap and gave excellent coverage from the sun.

The feature I wasn’t convinced about initially was the thumb holes. I honestly thought they were a bit gimmicky. After using them all afternoon though, I completely changed my mind. Being able to pull the sleeves over the backs of my hands made a real difference. Your hands spend most of the day stretched out in front of you while fishing and they’re constantly exposed to the sun, so that extra protection is surprisingly useful.

By the end of the first day I wished I’d put it on from the very start. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice.

On day two I wore the Aegis from the moment we left the car until we packed up to head home. I paired it with an Angler’s Only Cooling Neck Gaiter and, between the two, I felt fully protected from the sun all day long.

What impressed me most was just how comfortable I remained. We covered plenty of ground hiking to different marks, climbed over rocks and spent hours casting in direct sunshine. Even during the longer walks, I never really felt anything more than warm. The hoodie breathed exceptionally well and never felt heavy or clingy, even after several hours of wear.

Normally, if I’m fishing in a T-shirt on days like this, the heat quickly builds up. Before long you’re drenched in sweat, your shoulders are burning and you spend half the day trying to cool yourself down. The Aegis completely changed that experience. Instead of constantly thinking about how hot I was, I simply got on with the fishing.

It also made me realise why so many bass anglers in the United States wear sun hoodies virtually all the time. Standing on the deck of a bass boat all day with no shelter from the sun, I can imagine a garment like this isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential.

Back here in the UK we don’t get those conditions for much of the year, but when we do, they’re becoming more frequent. Even if it’s only useful for a few months each summer, having a quality sun hoodie like the Aegis makes perfect sense. It offers protection, keeps you comfortable and lets you concentrate on your fishing rather than worrying about getting burnt.

It’s one of those bits of tackle you don’t realise you needed until you’ve actually worn it.

Drew also had the same Hoodie from Angler’s Only – in blue.

The Details

The Aegis is a soft, stretchy and ultralight fishing hoodie that packs an impressive UPF50+ sun protection rating. It’s designed specifically for hot, sunny days but also works brilliantly as a lightweight outer layer or base layer throughout the rest of the year.

The ultra-smooth moisture-wicking fabric sits comfortably against your skin, helping keep you cool and dry during long sessions. The generous hood provides plenty of room for a cap underneath, while the thumb holes keep the sleeves securely in place for additional coverage.

Specifications

  • UPF50+ sun protection
  • Super-soft fabric
  • Four-way stretch
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Breathable material
  • Built-in thumb holes for extra sun protection
  • Oversized hood designed to fit over a cap
  • 100% polyester
  • Available in a range of colours

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely! The Aegis UPF50+ Sun Hoodie has quickly become one of those items I’ll be packing for every summer fishing trip. It’s comfortable enough to wear all day, keeps you cool even in high temperatures and most importantly, offers excellent protection from the sun.

It’s easy to underestimate just how much UV exposure you get while fishing, especially when there’s a breeze. If you regularly spend long days on the bank, the rocks or out on a boat, it’s a piece of kit that’s well worth investing in – not just for comfort, but for protecting your skin too. Oh, it looks pretty cool too!

Steve Evans
Steve Evans

Founder of Predator Fishing World, Steve has dedicated over two decades to predator fishing. His passion lies in targeting pike, chub and more recently, an unwavering obsession with perch fishing.