jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We get lots of questions about what photo equipment to bring on a trip and how to pack it. Another consideration is what to carry on our person when traveling or out shooting. For that, you need special clothing.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about searching for the perfect travel shirt, and many of you offered suggestions. I wanted no-iron, long sleeve, two chest pockets with two security pockets under them, and a pocket on the left sleeve.

I tried half a dozen, and I settled on the one I prefer. It's a 5.11 TacLite. The pocket on the sleeve holds just two pens, and the large, hidden pockets on the chest are secured by Velcro. I would have preferred a regular pocket on the sleeve and zippers for the hidden pockets, but I can live with this. The shirt lists for up to $75, but, depending on size and color, I've found it selling for as low as $28.

http://www.amazon.com/5-11-TacLite-Professional-Sleeve-Medium/dp/B002AMTUYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380196955&sr=8-1&keywords=5.11+taclite+long+sleeve

The runner-up was the Serengeti Safari II, from Cabelas. It had the pocket on the sleeve and zippers on the security pockets, but these hidden pockets were small. Most hidden pockets are very large - good for holding boarding passes. Unfortunately, the chest pockets were secured by not one, but two buttons each. Not a good idea. It was rather heavy "cotton canvas," and it came out of the dryer pretty wrinkled. I'll keep it and use it, though.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Serengeti-Safari8482-II-Long-Sleeve-Shirt-150-Tall/733237.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dserengeti%2Bsafari%2BII%26x%3D-1067%26y%3D-51%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=serengeti+safari+II&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I would have liked built-in sunscreen and insect repellant, but they are not offered on these shirts.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

My favorites are from Orvis, and I have several. They are fly fishing shirts and have large front pockets that hold lenses, 12 oz bottles of water etc. They have smaller pockets on the front of the larger ones. The sleeves have smaller pockets which are great for your extra battery, memory cards, and filters. The sleeves roll up and are held in place by straps. I use them a lot both for photography and fly fishing, and are great on trips.
Duane

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

My favorites are Exofficio which are bug repellent and UV protection.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

I buy my shirts from the local Gander Mountain, they have zippered security pockets on the front as well as velcro pockets on each side of the chest. Come in a variety of colors, long and short sleeve and dry very quickly even if you have to wash them in the shower or sink and hang to dry over night

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'll look. :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ecobin is obviously an experienced traveler.
ExOfficio makes the most sophisticated wear.
I use their zip-offs, shorts, underwear and shirts.
NO cotton. It dries too slow and is too heavy and hot for travel.

For shooting at home, pretty much anything will work.
For nature, cotton is the quietest.
SS

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I looked at their shirts, but they don't have what I want, and the price is two to three times what the 5.11 costs.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Would you be kind enough to provide the name of that shirt or a link?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jerry, if it's any consolation, their stuff last forever.
Also, I believe it's 'sierra trading post' carries some of their stuff and may have some discontinued items at a discount.
SS

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Jerry, I've worn these shirts for several years. Long sleeve in winter, short sleeve in summer. Made of nylon, they are light and cool. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Guidewear174-GXII8482-Long-Sleeve-Shirt-150-Tall/722878.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DgxII%26x%3D22%26y%3D9%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=gxII&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't like orange. http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=733222

That's the trouble with most places. Either they don't have Medium, or they have it in a color that no one wants. I kept one Cabelas shirt, but it wrinkled more, and the inner pockets were too small.

How does that "rod holder loop" work?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Any shirt I buy now will most likely outlast me. My clothes last a long time.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'll take a look.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

How about a $10,000 shirt?

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Not just that item. A lot of 5.11 stuff has the same top price.