Owner Review by Laurie Corbin

Owner Review--Sun Precautions Solumbra Safari Shirt

Name: Laurie Corbin
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 6" (1.6 m)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Email: mslimpsalot@yahoo.com
City, State, Country: Cumming, GA USA
Date: June 30, 2004

Backpacking Background: In the last four years, I have returned to backpacking and hiking. Although I took 18 years off, the woods kept calling. I have hiked in Georgia, North Carolina and the Smokies. I have been a three-season backpacker but recently ventured into winter backpacking and truly enjoyed it. My average three-season pack weight is about 20 total pounds (11.3 kg) but I am really trying to lighten up. The winter pack weight is heavier at about 35 pounds (15.8 kg) as I get cold very easily (read that ice cold sleeper).

Product Information
Manufactured by: Sun Precautions
Year: 1999
Size: Small
Color: Maize (light yellow)
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.sunprecautions.com
Actual weight: 7 oz (198 g)
Material: Nylon/synthetic
MSRP: $79.95

The shirt is only available with unisex sizing but I did not have a problem getting a good fit. The shirt looks like a regular button-front oxford cut shirt and comes in ten colors. It is also available in tall and petite sizes. The shirt has long sleeves with vented material extending from under the arm to two inches (51 mm) from the cuff. The vented material is two inches (51 mm) wide under the arm and tapers to a point. It also has a mesh material under a vented back. The vented material extends from the neckline across to each shoulder and down to the shoulder blades. The regular fabric covers this vented material and is stitched only in the center allowing free air flow. It has a buttoned pocket on each side of the chest. The shirt is deemed a medical device per the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the American Academy of Dermatology has awarded it its Golden Triangle Award for cancer prevention. According to the manufacturer, the proprietary fabric blocks 97% of UVA and UVB rays and has a SPF 30+ rating. It also loses very little of its SPF rating when wet.

Field Information

I have used this shirt since 1999 on day hikes and backpacking trips. It has also been used for everyday wear and for sun protection at outdoor concerts and events. The fabric is soft, lightweight, and loose fitting and has only gotten softer with washing (machine wash cold and line dry). To the hand, it feels like a brushed cotton/polyester blend but it drys as fast as Coolmax. It shows no signs of wear, no loose buttons, no frayed seams and still provides outstanding sun protection after years of washing even though I usually dry it on the delicate cycle. It does have light staining on the upper shoulders from my backpack. I was initially concerned that the additional row of stitching across the shoulder blades (where the mesh is attached to the lower shirt) would cause chafing under the weight of a pack but I have had no problems. I have worn this shirt wet to stay cool during hiking and yard work and it still provides great sun protection. I use it as an overshirt in the spring and fall and wear it alone in the summer. The long tails keep the shirt tucked in even with a pack on. Except during the winter, the shirt is one of the items that goes on every backpacking trip. At 7 oz (198 g), the Safari Shirt fits well into my lightweight backpacking philosophy and packs down to the size of a softball. The vented fabric keeps me cool even in the hot, humid Georgia summers and I can wear it on most summer days without overheating. When the temperature reaches the 90 degree F (32 C) mark and the humidity is also high, the shirt is too hot and the venting just can't keep up. Then again, I haven't found a fabric that can. The shirt dries very quickly but does hold the hiker funk a little more than other shirts but not to the degree of Capilene. The price may seem high but the quality of this product has made me consider it a worthwhile investment.

Summary

I really like this shirt. I know there are less expensive shirts but I'm still carrying this one when others have ripped and frayed.

Things I like:
1. Very durable material
2. Quality workmanship
3. Long tails stay tucked in
4. Sun protection

Things I don't like:
1. Holds the hiker stink

Read more reviews of Sun Precautions gear
Read more gear reviews by Laurie Corbin

Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Sun Precautions Solumbra Safari Shirt > Owner Review by Laurie Corbin

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