A Kit for All of Summer’s Pursuits
Whether fly fishing, hiking, going out for a night on the town or even building a chicken coop, I found Huk Fishing’s A1A collection to be my go-to summer kit, offering comfort, breathability, sun protection and versatility.
When I think of Huk Fishing’s gear, fishing for red drum, catching blue crabs and going to early fall oyster roasts with friends and family comes to mind. But despite the brand being the quintessential gear for pursuits on Southeastern waterways, the gear delivered impressive results across the mountains and trout streams of New England.
The temperamental weather was no challenge as we weaved and waded our way through waters in the Green Mountain National Forest wearing the A1A Pro Pant and the A1A Button-Down shirt. When I first crossed the river, I knew the pants would dry quickly just from the nylon shell, but I wasn’t expecting them to dry instantly. These were perfect for the application: hike, wade, fish, repeat. We did this for a few miles upstream, and I was comfortable all the while.
In addition to being the perfect pants for wading in the summer, the A1A Pro Pants had many other features that proved useful. The two back zippered pockets ensured my wallet and phone were secure, even when my footing wasn’t. The side zippered pocket was perfect for holding nippers and a small box of flies. The built-in stretchy waistband ensured the pants never squeezed and always remained comfortable. The folks at Huk even added reinforced stitching throughout the pants to ensure it would withstand whatever you put them through. Another great feature is the multiple perforated areas that enhance breathability.
The A1A Button-Down also performed well. Though it didn’t dry instantly like the pants when the inevitable Vermont rains rolled through, it was fast-drying (maybe two minutes until fully dried), breathable and very comfortable. An added bonus is that my wife thinks I look handsome in it. It has two Velcro chest pockets and is perforated throughout the entire shirt. It is also 50 UPF.
The next day, we got into some deeper water, and it was much sunnier. This is where the A1A Hoodie really shined (pun intended). The hoodie is specifically designed to keep you cool, comfortable and safe when the sun is beating down. And that’s exactly what it did. The built-in face gaiter coupled with the hood provided ultimate protection from the sun. The hoodie was comfortable and stretchy and allowed for full range of motion while casting.
I was also able to try out the A1A Shorts, which include all the purpose-built features of the pants.
I’ve been wearing the entire A1A collection almost exclusively this summer and practically live in this gear. In addition to fishing, I wear it hiking, working outside, out to dinner and everywhere in between. It’s comfortable. It’s durable. It’s quick-drying. It doesn’t get stinky. It protects from the sun. The A1A collection is my one-stop-shop, all-purpose summer kit.
You can view the entire A1A collection here.