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 Shirt

Weight: 5.9 oz

• Featherweight 1.5oz Duralite Nylon
• Mesh Panels down arms and torso
• UPF 30+ Sun Protection
• Roll sleeves with tabs
• secure front zippered pockets
• Back cape-vent
• Flip-up sun collar
• Fly rod tab
• Straight
• Available in four colors – Bahamian Blue, Yellow Sun, White, Lime Green

”Fish on Mon! The New Bone Flats Shirt is an ultra-light shirt offering maximum UPF 30+ sun-blocking protection, moisture-management comfort with supreme ventilation and super quick drying properties. With this shirt you have amazing temperature regulating features. Constructed of featherweight 1.5 oz Duralite nylon/poly fabric. The secret cooling elements are the mesh panels running down the sleeve and torso which provides tremendous air flow around the torso, keeping you cool in the mid-day sun. Back cape-vent, roll-up sleeves with tabs, 2 secure zippered front pockets, fly rod tab, flip-up sun collar and straight hem for wearing in our out. Whether your chasing bones in the Bahamas, mirages in the desert or martinis in Manhattan, this shirt will deliver the goods in any hot weather situation.”

I received an XL shirt and found the fit to be good. It did feel snug around the shoulders, and got tight when I raised my arms directly over my head, but never was an issue while casting. The shirt is very clean in the front, with hidden zippers that allow access to the front pockets. I found it quite easy to open them, and the pocket is large enough to hold an extra pack of hooks, or in my case reading glasses. The vents on the side and back worked great, allowing nice air flow on the windy day I tested it. It was quick to dry also, as we waded most of the day. Since being diagnosed with Lupus and a three month lay-off from the water, I have gained a few extra pounds, so I would suspect that if I was in a little better shape the shirt would have fit me better. The flip up collar is a real plus for those that don’t like to wear tube-style neck protection.

Overall, I was very pleased with the shirt.

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

 “The Bone Flats Pant is an ultra-light pant offering maximum UPF 30+ sun-blocking protection, moisture-management comfort with supreme ventilation and super quick drying properties. With these pants you have amazing temperature regulating features. Constructed of featherweight 1.5 oz Duralite nylon fabric. The cooling elements are 27-inch mesh panels on the out-seam and inseam of the pants which provides air flow to the lower extremities. Reinforced pocket openings ward off the rough flats pole. Whether your chasing bones in the Bahamas, mirages in the desert or Albatross on the ocean, these pants will deliver the goods in any hot weather situation.”

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 and shirt 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.