When I started working with fishing apparel brands, I thought fabric was just about comfort. I was wrong. The fabric you choose can shape how your customers see your brand.
The best fabrics for branded fishing shirts combine performance, printability, comfort, and cost-efficiency.
For serious anglers, 100% polyester offers durability and moisture control. Polyester-spandex adds stretch for active wear. Poly-cotton blends balance softness with structure. Nylon creates a premium feel, and recycled polyester helps tell a sustainable story. Your fabric is your message—so choose wisely.
Let’s walk through the options I always share with new clients.
Why 100% Polyester Is the Top Fabric for High-Performance Fishing Shirts
If your shirts are meant for real use on the water—under sun, sweat, salt, and movement—polyester is your best friend.
Why is 100% polyester perfect for fishing shirts?
It’s lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and provides solid UV protection. Most importantly for branding: it works flawlessly with sublimation printing, making your designs pop and last. This is my go-to for high-performance outdoor brands.
Real Use Case
A Florida-based charter company I worked with switched to 100% polyester for their crew shirts. After months of daily wear and wash, the shirts still looked new, and the staff reported staying cool even on the hottest days.
| Feature | 100% Polyester |
|---|---|
| Quick-Dry | ✅✅✅ |
| UV Protection | ✅✅✅ |
| Sublimation | Excellent |
| Durability | High |
| Price | Moderate |
Best Stretch Fabric for Fishing Shirts: Polyester-Spandex Blends Explained
Some customers want more than comfort—they want stretch. That’s where polyester-spandex blends come in.
Why use a polyester-spandex blend for fishing shirts?
Because it moves with your body. These blends maintain the performance qualities of polyester, but with added flexibility. They're great for athletic fits, tournament shirts, and more tailored styles.
Client Feedback
We outfitted a tournament team with 92/8 poly-spandex polos. The players loved the flexibility and said it made casting and moving around the boat much easier—without losing that technical performance.
| Feature | Poly-Spandex Blend |
|---|---|
| Stretch | ✅✅✅ |
| UV Protection | ✅✅ |
| Sublimation | Excellent |
| Comfort | Very High |
| Price | High |
Poly-Cotton Blend Fishing Shirts: Ideal for Lifestyle and Comfort
If your brand leans more lifestyle than hardcore fishing—poly-cotton might be your match.
Why go with a poly-cotton blend?
It’s soft, breathable, and perfect for casual wear. Polyester keeps the shirt looking sharp, while cotton brings that everyday comfort. These shirts aren’t made for 10-hour fishing trips—but they’re fantastic for branding, events, or chill coastal wear.
A Laid-Back Option
I helped a lifestyle fishing brand launch with poly-cotton tees and shirts. They wanted something their customers could wear on the dock or downtown. The shirts were a hit for both.
| Feature | Poly-Cotton Blend |
|---|---|
| Comfort | ✅✅✅ |
| Print Options | DTG / Screenprint |
| Durability | Medium |
| Price | Low |
| Best Use | Casual wear |
When to Use Nylon Fabric for Premium Fishing Shirt Collections
Nylon is less common—but it makes a huge impression when used right.
What makes nylon special for fishing shirts?
It has a premium feel—smooth, cool, and sleek. It's strong, dries quickly, and offers a high-end look that appeals to upscale brands. Downsides? It doesn't work well with sublimation and costs more.
Premium Story
One high-end fishing resort I worked with wanted uniforms that looked and felt premium. Nylon blends gave them the perfect blend of performance and luxury, and guests frequently asked if the shirts were for sale.
| Feature | Nylon Blend |
|---|---|
| Feel | Premium, Silky |
| UV Protection | ✅✅ |
| Sublimation | Poor compatibility |
| Ideal Use | High-end collections |
| Price | High |
Recycled Polyester: The Eco-Friendly Fabric Choice for Branded Fishing Apparel
If sustainability is part of your brand story, then recycled polyester is a strong candidate.
Why choose recycled polyester?
It performs just like standard polyester but is made from post-consumer plastic waste. It’s eco-friendly, prints beautifully, and sends a message your customers will appreciate.
Sustainability in Action
A startup I worked with focused on marine conservation. They made the switch to GRS-certified recycled polyester, and their customers took notice. It elevated their brand from product to purpose.
| Feature | Recycled Polyester |
|---|---|
| Eco Value | ✅✅✅ |
| Performance | Matches regular poly |
| Sublimation | Excellent |
| Price | Higher |
| Brand Fit | Sustainability-driven |
Fishing Shirt Fabric Comparison Table: Performance, Printability & Cost
| Fabric Type | UV Protection | Stretch | Print Compatibility | Comfort | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Polyester | ✅✅✅ | ❌ | ✅ Sublimation | Medium | $$ |
| Polyester-Spandex | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅ Sublimation | High | $$$ |
| Poly-Cotton Blend | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ DTG / Screenprint | Very High | $ |
| Nylon Blend | ✅✅ | ❌ | ❌ (Sublimation Poor) | Premium | $$$ |
| Recycled Polyester | ✅✅✅ | ❌ | ✅ Sublimation | Medium | $$$ |
How to Choose the Right Fabric for Branded Fishing Shirts
Not sure which fabric to go with? Start with your customer.
Ask yourself:
- Do they fish hard, or just enjoy the lifestyle?
- Is sustainability important to them?
- Do you want vibrant full-color designs?
- Do they need room to move, or a more polished look?
Start with one solid choice—100% polyester is usually the safest—and expand from there as your collection grows.
Expert Fabric Advice for Fishing Shirt Manufacturers
After years of working with startups and established brands, here’s what I always recommend:
- Get samples before making big orders. You need to feel it to believe it.
- Match the fabric to your printing method. Sublimation? Use polyester. DTG? Use cotton blends.
- Focus on one or two key fabrics at first. Don’t overcomplicate.
- If in doubt, pick performance over everything. A comfortable shirt gets worn—and remembered.
Conclusion
Fabric isn’t just the stuff shirts are made of—it’s the soul of your product.
Choose wisely, and your brand will stand out on the water and beyond.
