Buff's newest
multi-functional
headwear garment is
the CoolNet UV+
Series
Impressions: The
Buff brand is pretty
much synonymous with
the multi-functional
headwear garment
today, and even when
anglers wear
competing offerings
they often refer to
them as “buffs.”
Building on their
existing robust
following the
company has
engineered a new
take on their
seamless garment,
utilizing 95% REPREVE performance
microfiber that is
made from recycled
bottles. The CoolNet
UV+ Buffs still
deliver the same
4-way seamless
design, but are now
even more elastic,
and also come
equipped Polygiene®
odor control, and an
advanced cooling
technology called
HeiQ.
While comfort is a
key element to the
new garment’s design
there are absolutely
no sacrifices in
terms of protection,
and each CoolNet UV+
is rated at UPF 50+
sun protection.
CoolNet UV+ makes
use of 95% recycled
REPREVE performance
microfiber material
Like the Buffs that
came before the
CoolNet UV+ these
garments feature a
range of new
patterns, including
attractive styles
that showcase the
work of talented
outdoor inspired
artists including
Guy Harvey, DeYoung,
and A.D. Maddox.
Staying protected in
style has never been
easier!
Time to put the
CoolNet UV+ Buffs to
the test
Real World Tests:
Sometimes our tests
require a lot of
measurements in the
lab, breaking down
tackle, and logging
performance across
various
applications, so it
is extremely
refreshing when
tests primarily
consist of just
going out and
hitting the water as
much as possible.
Since last ICAST I
have been fishing
with the CoolNet UV+
Buffs, as well as
face masks from
other brands, to
compare them in
terms of
performance,
comfort, and
durability.
The CoolNet UV+
Buffs are
exceptionally
comfortable on
bright sunny days
Operation: I spend a
lot of time on the
water which doesn’t
really bode well for
my skin considering
I also burn
relatively easily,
which is why I have
been obsessed with
facemasks for years.
Buff’s UPF 50+
rating is very high,
in fact it is the
highest possible
rating a garment can
receive. All
clothing offers some
sun UPF protection
and Ultraviolet
Protection Factor (UPF)
is measured by the
amount of UV
radiation that
penetrates a fabric
and reaches your
skin. A fabric rated
with a UPF of 50
will allow only
1/50th of the sun’s
UV rays to pass
through. In other
words, it blocks
49/50ths or 98% of
the UV radiation.
The CoolNet UV+
Buffs make use of
4-way stretch
material and are
still 100% seamless
While that is a lot
of protection it
doesn’t guarantee
that you still won’t
be burned so I
personally still
apply plenty of
sunblock even when I
use a Buff as an
extra layer of
protection if I
planned on fishing
in bright sunlight
for longer than a
few hours at a time.
Armed with the
CoolNet UV+ Buffs I
never experienced
any sun rash or sun
burns. There is a
reason why CoolNet
UV+ is approved and
recommended by the
Skin Cancer
Foundation.
Making fast motions
is no issue with the
excellent face
hugging fit
One of the things
that I like best
about Buff garments
is that they are
completely seamless.
This may sound
simple but there are
many competitors out
there that are
stitching different
panels together to
create their face
masks and not only
can you feel the
stitching rubbing
against your neck or
face when fishing
but these stitches
are also a point of
failure and I have
experienced
competing garments
start to come apart
after as little as a
single wash cycle.
The CoolNet UV+
Buffs make great
neck gaiters, there
are so many ways to
wear these Buffs
In terms of overall
comfort Buff
garments are hard to
beat, and while
everyone’s head and
face are different,
the high amount of
“ultra-stretch”
fabric’s elasticity
in these garments
helps make them a
conformable fit for
most. Buff achieves
this by weaving in
5% Elastane with the
95% REPREVE recycled
material, and while
I found the original
Buffs a bit softer
than the new CoolNet
UV+ Buffs, the new
garments definitely
feel lighter and
more breathable,
making them ideal
for hot and humid
conditions.
The HeiQ cooling
helps move sweat
away to evaporate
quickly
