Columbia Omni Freeze Shirts?

[bman]

Anyone purchase one of the new Columbia Omni Freeze shirts yet?
Saw the new ones at Kevins and love the way they look.
Their Onmi Heat is fantastic- its all I wear duck hunting.

Looking for some real world experience

But is it really that different from the 2nd gen non cotton versions?

[micci_man]

Not sure if it was an omni freeze or not. After seeing the $70 price tag I had to grab my heart and leave

[EddieJoe]

I bought both a long sleeve collared, cape back shirt as well as a long sleeve tee shirt. Also purchased the buff/neck gaiter. I already have many of the similar shirts and tees in the perforated fabric, plus several buffs in the usual fabrics. I like them all.
Now, do the the freeze versions feel cooler? Hard to tell. They all feel good to me. The Columbia website has data showing lower temps on the skin and it looks good but only the buff seems to make a difference - it does feel cooler.
Price is high, and don't think the price is justified. Good, but not that good, IMO.
I asked the staff at Kevin's if it was only a gimmick and they said no, but I think it might measure differently in the lab, but in the field not much to justify the extra bucks.
EJ

[WolfeMan]

Maybe the release of the "new model" will make the older ones cheaper. A guy can hope.

I've been wanting a long-sleeve T style fishing shirt but the price tags are outrageous.

[JimH]

The shirt probably helps promote evaporative cooling. So, it might help a lot in hot, dry climates and not so much in hot, steamy climates.

[EddieJoe]

Wolfe:
You can buy inexpensive mesh long sleeve t shirts in the Bealls brand. They have lots of sales, and I have picked them up for as little as $15, after various discounts or coupons. The shirts are darn close to the same quality as the regular columbia version, for far less money. They also sell collared vented fishing shirts and fishing pants in the same brand, again less than columbia.
EJ

[big bend gyrene]

Wolfe:
You can buy inexpensive mesh long sleeve t shirts in the Bealls brand. They have lots of sales, and I have picked them up for as little as $15, after various discounts or coupons. The shirts are darn close to the same quality as the regular columbia version, for far less money. They also sell collared vented fishing shirts and fishing pants in the same brand, again less than columbia.
EJ

X2 on what Eddie Joe said. Have bought both Columbia and the Bealls knock-off shirts and honestly have preferred the knock-off long sleeved Ts over the Columbia long sleeved Ts.

[Ranaman]

Guys My buddy Buster fished in one opening weekend of snapper and said any breeze would help cool him off in that omni freeze t shirt howeverhis arms were getting hit pretty hard all day as it was short sleeve.

Honestly you really can not beat the Breathe like a fish long sleeve shirts, I'm sure Dr. Kennedy will or BBG will attest long sleeves are better sun protection, and these really work!!!

Owner Kent Hickman is a red headed, Redfish tournament director, angler and good friend so please visit his site http://www.breathelikeafish.com/Default.asp and if you order a shirt (substaintialy less than columbia's BTW) Let him know Joe Bendis sent you!

[big bend gyrene]

I'm sure Dr. Kennedy will or BBG will attest long sleeves are better sun protection..."

For sure and certain, Joe.

Outside of complete sun avoidance, clothing is a FIRST line of defense, with shade structures and sunblocks a bit down the order sequence on Pam's list of protection recommendations.

Reflected light can make shade structures, such as T-tops, less than 100% effective, while sunblocks often are carried out but not put on until it's too late or not reapplied as frequently as directed (and sometimes are honestly just forgotten)!

Clothes, with the exception of wet see through t-shirts (stay focused fellas ) are a much better bet than having bare skin exposed to UV damage.