Free Fly Apparel Review: Buttery-soft UPF clothing (We Tried It!)
During my visit to Charleston, South Carolina in 2017, I was introduced to Free Fly Apparel. While exploring an outdoor retailer, I came across their renowned bamboo hoodie and was immediately captivated by its texture. From that moment on, I have relied on Free Fly's incredibly comfortable outdoor gear for my fishing, hiking, paddle-boarding, boating, camping, and lounging activities over the past six years.
Not only does their clothing offer a luxurious feel, but each garment also provides ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) for shielding against the sun's rays. I personally put every product mentioned in this article to the test in various climates and terrains. Additionally, my father, brothers, and friends have also tried and tested the men's clothing line.
What is Free Fly Apparel?
Free Fly Apparel is renowned for its versatile and luxuriously soft UPF clothing. By combining certified organic bamboo with quick-dry materials, they have created a fabric that is not only OEKO-TEX and FSC-certified, but also odor-resistant and moisture-wicking.
The founders of Free Fly, who previously worked as fishing guides in Montana, identified a gap in the market for simple yet comfortable performance apparel. Recognizing this opportunity, Tanner Sutton convinced his sister, Jenna, and brother-in-law, Austin, to join him in Charleston and transform Free Fly into a family business.
Jenna Sutton emphasized the importance of family in their business, stating, "We are a family business, and our commitment to family goes beyond just the three of us." At Free Fly, their aim is to keep things simple, focusing on values such as simplicity, freedom, and comfort. They strive to capture the feeling of being in nature and bring back that sense of freedom through their products.
With the motto "Comfort On. Adventure Out," Free Fly truly lives up to its promise. Their gear allows you to enjoy the outdoors without compromising on comfort or protection. Designed with various climates and destinations in mind, Free Fly offers a range of fabrics and fits to cater to different lifestyles. Visit their website and follow their guides to discover the styles that best suit your needs.
Advantages
1. Luxuriously soft and comfortable
2. Provides UV protection with a wide range of UPF ratings from 20 to 50+
3. Dries quickly, ensuring convenience
4. Allows breathability for enhanced comfort
5. Resistant to odors, ensuring freshness
6. Designed to be durable and long-lasting
7. Offers a wide variety of colors and materials to choose from
8. Versatile enough to be worn from a boat to a bar
Disadvantages
1. Requires air drying instead of using a dryer
2. Limited availability of styles in women's offerings
Why I Love It
Free Fly truly offers the most comfortable outdoor clothing I have ever worn. The bamboo blend creates a luxuriously soft fabric, and every bamboo garment provides excellent UV protection with ratings ranging from UPF 20 to 50+. Moreover, the durability of the clothing is exceptional, as I still wear pieces that I purchased six years ago! I have successfully introduced every male in my life to Free Fly, and it has become my go-to gift for any occasion.
During hot weather, Free Fly Apparel's quick-dry fabric ensures that I stay cool and dry, making it an intelligent choice for transitional clothing. If you have never experienced it, wearing bamboo feels incredibly lightweight and breathable. It surpasses cotton, hemp, wool, and synthetic materials in terms of breathability, making it the ideal choice for clothing and sheets.
Free Fly Apparel is designed to be worn all day without retaining any odors, thanks to bamboo's natural resistance to odor retention. Each garment is strategically versatile, suitable for various activities from the first catch to happy hour. Real fishing guides, as well as outdoor enthusiasts, rigorously test Free Fly gear in real-life conditions.
The company places great importance on giving back and focuses on three key initiatives: conservation, humanitarian efforts, and supporting the next generation. They collaborate with organizations such as Charleston Waterkeeper, Windwood Farm, and OneWorld Health. Additionally, the bamboo used in their clothing is renewable, grown without pesticides, and requires no irrigation.
But Don’t Take My Word for It!
Free Fly’s gear stands out from the competition due to its specialization in bamboo, a fact that is supported by the opinions of reviewers. Andrew K., a highly satisfied customer, attests to this by stating, "I am a firm believer in bamboo.
In fact, it's difficult for me to go back to wearing anything else." Jason C., who purchased the men's bamboo lightweight hoodie, expresses his extreme comfort and satisfaction, saying, "I am so comfortable in these shirts that I plan on wearing them for the rest of my life." Richard M., another customer, claims that the Free Fly hoodie is the best he owns, having tried various fishing shirts that were not as comfortable.
He adds, "I impulsively bought two of these Free Fly hoodies and I couldn't be happier. Even in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, fishing under the scorching sun with no shade, I still feel comfortable." Connie T., a resident of sunny Arizona, praises the Free Fly gear for its versatility in all weather conditions, particularly for providing protection on sunny days when she wears the hood and a hat.
As a 70-year-old woman who has had enough sun exposure, she now owns five of this style for year-round use, with her oldest ones still in excellent condition.
Where to Buy Free Fly Apparel
Free Fly Apparel is available for purchase either through the brand's official website or by visiting an authorized Free Fly dealer. The price range for most items falls between $75 and $100. If you haven't yet acquired any Free Fly Apparel, why delay any longer?
Best Free Fly Apparel Products
Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
When I'm out on the water, whether it's on a boat or an inflatable kayak, I always wear a bamboo hoodie and breeze shorts. I actually have six of these hoodies because they are just so comfortable. They are made from a buttery-soft bamboo fabric that feels amazing against the skin. The hoodie has a crossover design and thumb holes, making it a perfect lightweight layer. The bamboo material is breathable and odor-resistant, and it even has a UPF 20+ rating to protect against the sun's rays. Plus, it has received hundreds of five-star ratings, which is no surprise considering its airy and relaxed fit.
Breeze Shorts
The breeze shorts are crafted with UPF 50+ and designed with four-way stretch, ensuring maximum comfort and flexibility. These lightweight and breathable shorts are equipped with an interior drawstring, allowing for a personalized fit, and a wide elastic waistband for added comfort. The women's breeze shorts offer a mid-rise fit and boast a 3.5-inch inseam, providing a flattering and stylish look.
Latitude Shorts
The latitude shorts for men are made from a fast-drying fabric that has a long-lasting water-repellent finish and UPF 50+ for moisture-wicking comfort throughout the day. These shorts feature a fixed waist with a belt loop, button closure, and a tapered leg with a 7.5-inch inseam.
Elevate Hoodie
The concept behind Elevate fabric was to design a material that dries rapidly, ensuring utmost safeguard and longevity. With UPF 30+ rating, you can relish prolonged performance during your time spent on the water. The Elevate Hoodie incorporates a unique sun cuff, crossover hood, and raglan sleeves, allowing effortless mobility. For comprehensive sun protection throughout the day, complement it with polarized sunglasses.
Bamboo Fleece Jogger
These sweatpants are undeniably the most comfortable ones I have ever possessed. Made from bamboo fleece, the bamboo jogger showcases an elastic waistband with a drawstring and side pockets, providing a customized, slim fit exclusively for her.
Cloudshield Rain Jacket
The Cloudshield rain jacket boasts a remarkable combination of features. Not only is it completely waterproof, but it also offers a whisper-quiet experience and has a two-way stretch for added comfort. The three-layer waterproof shell is meticulously crafted with fully taped seams and a breathable waterproof membrane, ensuring maximum protection from the rain. This jacket is specifically designed to be worn over light layers, making it perfect for travel. Both the men's and women's styles come with a tapered arm and sleeve, adding a touch of style to its functionality.
Breeze Jacket
Living along the coastline, you'll quickly discover the significant temperature difference of 10 degrees cooler near the water or shore. This is precisely why I always have my trusty breeze jacket with me, whether I'm out boating or simply going about my daily activities. Given my susceptibility to sunburn, this jacket is an absolute essential during the summer months and is either on my person or conveniently stowed in my car.
The breeze jacket boasts a lightweight design, ensuring comfort even in warm weather. It is also highly breathable and offers UPF 50+ protection, shielding me from harmful UV rays. Additionally, its durable water-repellent finish provides added convenience. Equipped with a hood, zippered hand pockets, and two chest pockets with concealed zippers, this jacket offers both functionality and style. While I typically wear a small size in Free Fly Apparel, I prefer a medium when it comes to jackets for a more relaxed and roomier fit.
