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RailRiders Adventure Top

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: RailRiders Adventure Top hiking shirt

Can't say enough about this shirt. Its UV protection and comfortable, lightweight, and quick drying fabric make this an awesome choice for activities in a variety of climates.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Quick drying
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile
  • UV protection
  • Layerable

Cons

  • Sizing, short in torso
  • Short button down neck

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Fit & Comfort:

I love this shirt! Does it make you look like a pilgrim? Yes, but's its a great shirt nonetheless. It is lightweight, comfortable and it dries quickly—making it ideal for multi-day trips in the backcountry. 

The fabric will get stiff as sweat dries, but that's to be expected and nothing a quick rinse in a stream can't fix. After heavy use you'll start to get some friction under the armpits, especially if you're wearing this shirt with a backpack.

I found the torso to be a bit short, so if you want more fabric to work with for a hip belt or for tucking in, consider that the torso runs short before purchasing. After using this shirt heavily for a year, I tried RailRiders Oasis Shirt, it is very, very similar but has a collar, a longer torso, chest pockets and is a little lighter... and it doesn't make you like a pilgrim (yay).

So because I found a similar shirt that suits my needs just a little bit better, this "Adventure Top" gets 4.5 stars, not 5. 

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Adjustability:

There is little room for adjustment on this shirt—so getting the right size is important. You can cuff your sleeves, but that's about it. 

Breathability & Water Resistance:

The side mesh panels down the underarm, torso, and back cape vent are awesome for allowing air movement. Sweat doesn't last long on this fabric, unless you're wearing a pack. If you do use this shirt for backpacking eventually after extremely heavy use, the salt from your sweat will begin to corrode the fabric where your pack touches your back.

On hot days I found myself wishing the button-down neck went just an inch or two lower, so I could increase airflow for my chest and neck. 

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Construction, Durability & Conditions:

It can take heavy wear and tear. I wore this for all of my outdoor adventures for one year, in the dessert, High Sierra, and Hawaii, and it held up great and never caused issues. 

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Background

I used this shirt for hiking and backpacking in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Washington, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont in the spring, summer, and fall. It never let me down.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $69

Lightest, best breathing hiking shirt. A must for long adventures.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Super breathable
  • Comfortable
  • Rugged
  • Stylish
  • Quick drying
  • sun protection

Cons

  • won't keep you warm

Here is a quick bullet point summarization of why I love this shirt so this doesn't get too long:

  • Ultra lightweight and thin. You can wear these on a 100-degree day and you'd be much cooler than if you were wearing a cotton T-Shirt. Underarm and back vents make this thing like wearing air. Plus, then you don't have to coat yourself in sunscreen which is nice on longer treks.
  • They dry in 5-10 minutes and will stay dry unless your back is sweating against a backpack (then they will dry any time you take a break!)
  • I love the tunic style. I find often that when hiking you have to slide around on your belly, grab stuff, hike through brush, etc, and in all of those situations extra buttons are your enemy. They can catch, chafe, break, and tear your shirt. Plus, the tunic style fits in nicely with many of the cultures across the world.

I have taken this shirt all over the U.S., to Mexio, India, and New Zealand and it has been amazing. I once wore one 60 days in a row. It's totally fine but it's got some gross stains so I don't wear it anymore.

These things don't die, they're super comfortable and functional, and you look good. What's to hate?

The fabric was just updated to be softer than ever!

[Disclosure: I am a current RailRiders employee and a longtime RailRiders wearer.]

Source: received it as a personal gift

The author of this review is an employee of RailRiders.

Best fishing shirt on the market. Can't wait to hike in it. Recommended for any activity that calls for a breathable, lightweight top.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Simplicity

Cons

  • Lack of more colors

Breathability is unrivaled. Never worn anything like it.

Simplicity of this shirt is great. Love the pullover — less buttons, more performance, and a pocket just in case. 

Very well made. I put it through the ringer and it came out unscathed. 

Best choice for me while I was saltwater fly-fishing in Mexico on the Pacific Coast. Hiking in it should be awesome.

Ventilated side panel strips are incredible. 

Best do it all top I own at this point, give it a shot. I recommend it to everyone and anyone who's looking for a comfortable and breathable top for their next adventure. (Rock the pullover, it's sweet!)

Disclosure: I'm a sponsored athlete of Team RailRiders.

Source: tested or reviewed it for the manufacturer (Keeeping it and never giving it back.)

The author of this review is a sponsored athlete of Team RailRiders.

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Specs

Men's
Price Historic Range: $34.50-$69.00
Women's
Price Historic Range: $34.50
Reviewers Paid: $69.00
Product Details from RailRiders »

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