Columbia Eddyline Shirt: Protects me from the sun.
Written: Jun 28 '06 (Updated Jul 16 '06)
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Pros: Does what it should; is very comfortable; great colors.
Cons: Short sleeve only; doesn't have the features of my REI shirt.
The Bottom Line: This is a great shirt. You'll be very comfortable in it for whatever activity you choose.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Columbia Eddyline Short Sleeve Shirt |
My short sleeve Eddyline shirt by Columbia was my first shirt with SPF. I bought it last summer and it’s still going strong. There is a range of prices for this shirt from $35 to $47 depending on where you buy it.
General Information::
This shirt is made for women. The sizes go from extra small, which converts to a size 4 to extra large, which would be an 18. My shirt is a medium which is a 10-12 and it fits me just right. I am usually an 8-10 so if you are on the small side of a 10 go with the medium. If you are on the large size of a 10 I would go with the large. I got a large.
It comes in very pretty, vibrant colors. You can choose monarch (lilac),grapefruit (rose), valentine (pink), white, fossil (grey), sail (lilac), limonata (yellowish green), clear blue (torquoise), and blue star (deep blue), which is the color of mine.
It is made of 100% Tactel nylon and mesh which is polyester. This is the same material as my REI long sleeve shirt.
Columbia calls their mesh omni-dry breeze weave ripstop.
We are told to wash the shirt in cold water with mild detergent and with similar colors. We are told to dry it on low and remove it promptly. You can use a cool iron if needed. As I do with many of my clothes when I’m home I let them dry on the rack and then use the wrinkle out setting on my dryer. When we travel, especially camping, I have found that if I take it right out of the dryer it isn't wrinkled. However it wrinkles a bit more in the closet for example than my REI shirt. I’m not sure why this is since they are both nylon.
How does it look?
I bought this shirt online. I didn’t know at the time there were long sleeve shirts that could be rolled up. I like the way it looks but unlike my REI shirt which I really pretty and I said in that review that I could wear it to dinner, my Columbia shirt looks like a hiking shirt.
The shirt measures about 26 inches from shoulder to bottom. Let me know if you want other measurements.
I like the collar a lot. It stays down with a piece of Velcro in the back. I lift it up to keep my neck away from the sun.
There are two pockets on the front at chest high both of which close with Velcro. These are nice and deep so I can hold a lot of items in them. My husband’s sunglasses usually go there!
You won’t find any hidden pockets on this shirt like you will in my REI shirt. There is a loop under one of the pocket that I’ve never used. There is also a tag on top of the other pocket that says Columbia sportswear. What is unusual about this is that the tag adheres with Velcro so I suppose something very light can be hung on it. I have never used that either and I wear this shirt a lot.
The mesh extends half way down the back of the shirt. There is a pleat in the back that gives me a little more room. This shirt isn’t form fitting. It fits me perfectly so I can’t say it’s baggy because it is big. In fact it isn’t baggy. The style is boxy though.
Please note: It wasn’t until I was in the middle of this review that I looked at the website and discovered that this shirt is made for anglers but it goes on to say that they won’t tell anyone if we never hold a fishing pole. Then I read “* Rod holder* Utility loop” so now I know what the loop and tag are for! I continued reading and saw "PFG - PERFORMANCE FISHING GEAR- Columbia’s fishing apparel is designed using a variety of technical fabrics, which provide optimal performance and comfort in any climate or terrain. It uses fabrics that dry quickly, vents allow air to circulate freely and enhance freedom of movement during casting motion."
My experiences:
I obviously don’t have the features on this shirt as I do on my Columbia but it does do what it is supposed to do. It is very much like my REI shirt in that respect.
It has sun protection of 30+. This is fantastic for me. We all should be lathering on sunscreen but I am a high risk candidate for skin cancer so I have to be extra careful. I never put sunscreen on my back or chest when I put on a shirt to go hiking or biking and I know that regular shirts offer virtually no protection against the sun. Having built in sun protection is great. After I put my shirt on I lather up my arms.
It is lightweight and dries quickly. I don’t always wait until my clothes are totally dry at a camp Laundromat. This shirt will dry overnight. After a year of washing it and wearing it my Columbia shirt has no signs of wear or tear.
I have found that although I love the mesh panels in my REI shirt the mesh in the back of my shirt keeps moisture away. I would like a mesh liner in the color because I get really warm there. My REI shirt has wicking material in the collar, this one does not.
My rating:
I like my Columbia shirt but I can’t say it is fantastic like I did with my REI Shirt. It is a great hiking shirt but for a similar amount of money I would choose one that can be worn as long sleeves rather than short sleeves only and one with more vents.
Still it does what it is supposed to do and I suppose short sleeves and fishing go better than long sleeves and fishing! I am certainly recommending it with four stars.
All my fitness equipment reviews can be found here.
A few of my related outdoor gear reviews are:
Leki Canyon Trekking Poles ~ Leki Hiking Pole ~ CambelBak Siren ~ CambelBak Zoid ~ Garmont Hiking Boots ~ Medalist Short Sleeve Wicking Top ~ Specialized Expedition Sport Bike
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 40.00
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