As I was walking through the Orlando Convention Center during ICAST 2012, I had a plan in mind for talking with the exhibitors. I thought I would concentrate on the small companies - companies that had a very unique product or companies I had never heard of before. Such was the case with RailRiders. As I walked by their booth I noticed a really nice looking shirt, so I stopped in and talked with John d'Arbeloff - who just happened to be the President of the company.

The thing that caught my eye about the shirt was the unique half collar that could be folded up to cover the back of your neck. I found this very interesting, because I am always looking for a way to protect myself from the sun and am not a big fan of ”tube-style” head coverings. John explained a little about the shirt, and then he showed some of the other items that he had brought to ICAST. We exchanged cards, and with hopes of getting a shirt to review I wished him good luck during the show. After a follow-up email a few weeks later, I was pleasantly surprised to come home one afternoon and find a box on my front porch. They had sent me a Bone Flats Shirt as well as a pair of Bone Flats pants.

Besides the shirt collar, the other thing that I found really cool about both the shirt and pants is they are vented with mesh panels running down both sides. On the shirt it is just under the armpit to the waist and down the inside of the arm; the pants are mid-thigh down past the knee). The vents are perfect for the hot Florida days - big enough to allow some air through, but not big enough to allow any no-see-ums in. If you have been to Florida in the summer, especially near any mangrove bushes, then you know all about our no-see-ums.

Bone Flats Pants

Weight: 8.5 oz

Featherweight 1.5oz Duralite Nylon
UPF 30+ Sun Protection
Dual 27" vertical mesh panels on outseam and inseam
Articulated knees for easy movement
Cordura reinforcement on pockets to alleviate pole abrasion
zippered back pocket, 1 zippered security pocket
Available in two colors – Bone, Khaki

Again, I tested a size XL in these pants. What can I say? I love them. The side vents were awesome; even on the hottest of days I stayed very cool in these pants. Especially when wading, once you come out of the water enough for the vents to catch some breeze, they really cool off your legs. They had ample pockets, deep enough for a pair of pliers or an extra bag of lures. The elastic in the waist really made for constant and snug fit, even after wading for miles and miles. I really like these pants – they are my favorite of the two items.

The pants are comparably priced with most of the other major clothing brands that cater to the fishing industry. I think if you give RailRiders a try, you will like them as much I do.