Fishing is not a fashion show, although modern angling apparel lineups have evolved to include both the meat-and-potatoes functional and the stylish. Whatever look you prefer, base your selections first on the factors that ensure comfort and performance.
Clothing items will vary by season/climate, so wear what’s appropriate. Across the board, consider fabrics with an element of stretch that improves comfort and allows for maximum range of motion.
Example: HUK’s new Airweight shirts (huk.com) are made from an ultra-light 90% polyester, 10% spandex blend for a breathable stretch. From making that long bomb, or pinpoint cast, to quickly netting or scooping a big fish, clothing that promotes flexibility proves invaluable.
You’ll also appreciate how various material treatments for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and DWR (Durable Water Repellant) keep the elements at bay. Also, moisture wicking and anti-microbial fabrics help keep clothing fresh and odor-free, while technologies like AFTCO’s AFGUARD allow fabrics to release fish blood, fish slime and other materials to prevent staining.
In terms of appearance and performance, there’s no one-size-fits-all, but a handful of considerations will help guide your choices. For simplicity, we’ll focus on warm season/climate scenarios. (Northern, ice belt apparel merits a dedicated discussion.)
Bottoms
Plenty of people do just fine fishing in jeans, but lightweight fishing pants with multiple pockets for holding spare tackle, leader spools, etc. promote comfort and functionality.
One of my favorites is AFTCO’s Deckhand Pants (AFTCO.com). Made of sturdy material that stands up to a demanding outdoor lifestyle, this straightforward design includes a comfort stretch waistband, UPF 50 protection, spacious cargo pockets and back pockets — all of which include with hook-and-loop enclosures.
Academy Sports & Outdoors offers a budget-friendly option in the Magellan Outdoors Mens’ Angler Pants (academy.com). Made with UPF 50, these water-repellant pants include a zippered side pocket on the left thigh, a pliers pocket on the right and a patented line cutting button.
If you prefer some sun on your legs, chose shorts that fit the task with sturdy material that’s less likely to snag hook. AFTCO’s Pinnacle Shorts won the Men’s Warm Season Technical category at ICAST 2025 with these lightweight fishing shorts made with an elastic-faced waistband. The winning design features hand pockets, as well as thigh and back pockets, along with pliers pocket and an invisible zippered cell phone pocket
Offering another option, HUK designed its Icon Shorts with hip pockets and a right front pocket with snap closures to keep wallets and cell phones safe. The left side pocket’s open design holds pliers, braid cutters, etc. This pocket’s split design includes a space for a clip-on pocketknife or a small flashlight.
Tops
Lots of options here, so rather than attempt a voluminous summary, let’s identify a few key points.
Style/Weight: Weather-appropriate is your best guide, but some people prefer button-up collared shirts like Academy’s Magellan Outdoors Men’s Laguna Madre, while feather light options like AFTCO’s Adapt Phase Change Performance Shirt offer a loose-fitting option.
Sleeves: Wear what you prefer, but you can always roll up long sleeves, but you’ll never make short sleeves longer. From a sun-protection standpoint, I’m 100% long sleeves, unless I’m layering with a short sleeve t-shirt.
Getting back to the flexibility thing, you’ll experience greater freedom of movement with a Raglan style sleeve — one continuous piece of fabric from collar to wrist — as opposed to a sleeve sewn onto a shirt torso.
Pockets: Zippers maximize security and vertical openings offer a convenient option. If you go with traditional top loading pockets, snaps or hook-and-loop closures are more convenient than buttons.
Hoods: Sun shirts may come in hooded or crew neck styles, but just like long sleeves, I can use the hood or not and the additional weight is nominal. In addition to sun protection, these lightweight hoods also facilitate sight fishing, as pulling a hood over your hat, complements your sunglasses by blocking peripheral light intrusion.
Also, when mosquitoes, gnats and other nuisance insects abound, a hood is priceless. Notably, ICAST saw HUK introduce the an appealing design called the Watershed, a soft button-up shirt with a hood. A real best of both worlds item.
Shirts like AFTCO’s Yurei Air-O Mesh Hooded Performance Shirt includes a built-in facemark that eliminates the need for a separate face gaiter.
Footwear
On a boat, in a kayak, or on the shore, there’s a good chance your feet will get damp to very wet at some point. Under Armour’s Kimchis River Shoes (underarmour.com/en-us) — winner of the ICAST Footwear category — exemplify the sensible considerations for angler-friendly shoes.
Made with a fast-drying, breathable upper, a secure lacing system, a molded heel, contoured midsole and perforated EVA footbed for drainage and airflow, the Kilchis ensure safe, reliable traction, thanks to the EXOGRIP outsole.
Under Armour also won last year’s Best Footwear award with the Charged Shoreman Deck Boot, a 15-ounce design with an ASTM-rated non-marking and slip-resistant outsole, responsive Charged Cushioning. Waterproofed with a dual-layer moisture barrier, the Shoreman includes a flexible upper with integrated heel pods for a secure fit.
HUK also makes a sturdy, comfortable waterproof deck boot called the Rogue Wave. This year, the company introduced a low cut Rogue Wave Shoe with an easy on/easy off design featuring a rubber upper with neoprene lining, non-marking rubber outsole, and Grip-X Outsole to ensure traction on wet surfaces.
Whatever your choice, spend a couple hours at home walking around in your bank fishing shoes to confirm long-term comfort and, most importantly, to identify significant rub points and blister-makers.
Nothing worse than getting a half mile into a day’s journey, only to find your shoes are rubbing a red spot on your foot or heel. Remember, you’ll have the same walk back, so make sure you’re comfortable.
Outer Wear
Unlike boaters, bank fishermen are not likely to find themselves in scenarios in which they have to endure downpours for long periods. For one thing, you’ll often have some form of cover — buildings or trees — fairly close.
On the water or on foot, a handful of rainwear features are worth considering. First, look for a multi-layered design with a good balance of waterproofing and breathability. Match thickness and insulation to your climate, but consider the fatigue factor of wearing heavy rain gear all day and look for jackets and bibs/pull-on pants with modern lightweight technologies.
On the design side, jacket and leg cuffs with adjustable Velcro tabs offer user-controlled comfort. Snug them up for wet conditions and loosen them for post-downpour ventilation.
Zippered side pockets not only keep cell phones, pliers, etc. from slipping out, they also spare you a pocket full of water. If you go with rain bibs, make sure the shoulder straps fit comfortably, or you’ll spend more time squirming and adjusting than fishing.
Likewise, look for hood designs with multiple adjustments that allow you to go as tight or loose as you prefer. Good example: GILL’s new Meridian X 2.0 Suit with Vortex hood technology (gillmarine.com). For boating, cinching the hood snug to your head keeps it from blowing off and eliminates the deafening noise pounding inside your hood.
Striker won the Men’s Cold Weather Technical Apparel category for Climate Jacket. Key features include removable inner layer, sealed water resistant zippers, cargo pockets, underarm venting zippers, a line cutter on the left chest pocket zipper and a proprietary flotation system.
If you like packable items, White Water’s Minimalist Packable (whitewaterfish.com) jacket and rain pants fold into compact forms that fit into their included drawstring bags. Easily stored in a backpack, tackle bag or under your vehicle seat, package rain wear defines convenient.
A couple more outerwear items to consider — hoodies and vests. AFTCO’s Reaper series offers several angler friendly hoodie options from traditional sweatshirt material to a wind breaker — both in pullover and jacket styles with adjustable hood, well-placed pockets and built-in face mask.
Striker also won the ICAST Women’s Cold Weather Technical Apparel category for its Women’s Shield Float Vest, a low-profile, wind-blocking, thermal insulated piece, also with that proprietary flotation system. Another well-made option — HUK’s Coldfront+ Performance Vest, a water repellant synthetic fleece construction.
Eyewear: From sight fishing clarity to basic eye protection, quality polarized lenses are a must. From there, consider comfort and convenience features like the wide temples for enhanced sun protection, ergonomic rubber nose pads, and rubber temple tipspresent in various Bajio styles (https://bajiosunglasses.com/), along with Hobie’s Floating Collection (hobieeyewear.com), which eliminates the potential for costly slips.
To bottom-line it, you still have to catch the fish, regardless of your wardrobe; however, what you wear impacts your comfort and performance. And that plays a big role in your overall efficiency.
