Keith Lusher 08.22.25
Product Overview
The Free Fly Topogrid Shorts are premium fishing shorts constituted of stretch nylon ripstop with UPF 50+ solar safety. They retail for $89 and can be found in sizes 30-40 waist. Accessible colours embody Stone, Navy, Charcoal, and Olive. Designed for saltwater fishing and out of doors actions the place quick-dry efficiency and sturdiness matter most.
What It’s Made For
The Topogrid Shorts are constructed for hardcore anglers who want powerful fishing shorts that may deal with critical saltwater abuse. Comprised of stretch ripstop with UPF 50+ safety, these shorts are designed for lengthy days battling fish in brutal saltwater situations. I wore them for the last word take a look at throughout my current marlin fishing journey in Cabo San Lucas, the place the brilliant daylight, bloody fish, and saltwater supplied the proper testing floor for fishing gear.
First Impressions
Pulling these shorts out of the field, I might inform immediately they had been completely different from common fishing shorts. The material felt powerful however surprisingly mild, with a delicate really feel that meant consolation with out giving up energy. The 7.5-inch inseam and slim minimize regarded trendy and clear, manner higher than the saggy look of most fishing shorts. These regarded adequate to put on off the water too.
Materials
Material: Stretch ripstop constituted of 51% Nylon, 45% Recycled Nylon, and 4% Spandex with water-repelling coating and UPF 50+ solar safety. The material weight hits the candy spot between powerful and breathable.
Building: Information-quality construct with bolstered stress factors, stable belt loops, and what Free Fly calls a “dialed” pocket setup. The hidden knife pocket provides perform whereas conserving the surface clear. Sturdy seams and high quality {hardware} present these shorts had been constructed for critical fishing.
Ranking: 9/10
Match & Sizing
Different captains talked about that these run a bit tight, and I discovered that to be true. The fastened waist with belt loops stays put throughout hardcore fishing motion, whereas the slim leg provides you nice motion with out free cloth flapping round. The minimize works each on and off the water. If you happen to’re between sizes, go up one.
Ranking: 8/10
Consolation & Wearability
Throughout my 12-hour Cabo fishing journey, these shorts proved they may go the gap. The stretch cloth moved naturally throughout overhead casts and the brutal work of combating marlin within the chair. Even when moist, the shorts by no means felt tight or uncomfortable. The light-weight construct meant I forgot I used to be carrying longer shorts as a substitute of my ordinary fishing shorts.
Ranking: 10/10
Performance & Efficiency
The true take a look at got here when marlin blood splattered everywhere in the shorts throughout our epic fish fights. Later, leaping into Cabo’s clear saltwater for underwater photographs utterly soaked the material. The short-dry characteristic blew me away. Inside minutes of getting again on the boat, the shorts felt dry and comfy once more, manner completely different from cotton shorts that may have stayed moist for hours. The water-repelling coating labored nice, whereas the UPF 50+ safety saved my legs throughout our lengthy day getting baked below the Mexican solar.
Ranking: 10/10
Type & Look
Free Fly nailed it by making fishing shorts that don’t appear to be fishing event gear. The Stone coloration works with any fishing shirt, whereas the trendy minimize and high quality construct look adequate for resort put on. I wore these shorts from the 5 a.m. dock stroll via night dinner at our Cabo resort with out wanting misplaced wherever. The low-key Free Fly branding retains issues clear.
Ranking: 10/10
Sturdiness & Longevity
The ripstop cloth dealt with every part Cabo fishing might dish out it. Hook snags, boat {hardware}, and normal fishing abuse left no marks. After saltwater publicity, brutal solar, and the wash wanted to get the marlin blood out, the shorts stored their form, coloration, and efficiency. The bolstered pockets and high quality stitching present these shorts will deal with years of hardcore fishing.
Ranking: 9/10
Worth & Value Level
Free Fly costs these within the premium fishing gear market, and the efficiency backs up the price for critical anglers. The combination of technical cloth, good design, and flexibility for off-water put on creates stable worth. They value greater than fundamental fishing shorts, however the toughness and multi-use capacity make them a sensible purchase for devoted fishermen.
Ranking: 8/10
Put on Check Notes
Cabo’s brutal situations create the last word take a look at for fishing gear. Intense UV, saltwater spray, bodily calls for from combating massive fish, and needing to look good off the water push gear to its limits. All through my marlin journey with Tag Cabo Sportfishing, Free Fly’s Topogrid Shorts crushed it in each manner. Once I jumped overboard for underwater marlin photographs, the quick-dry tech grew to become apparent immediately. The material shed water quick and dried fast sufficient that I stayed comfy for the remainder of our lengthy day. Most spectacular was how straightforward the marlin blood washed out with only one regular wash cycle.
The pocket setup labored nice throughout fishing, with the hidden knife pocket conserving my fillet knife safe whereas the surface pockets dealt with deal with and telephone storage with out including bulk.
The Verdict
Greatest For: Severe saltwater anglers wanting guide-quality shorts with fashion flexibility; anybody wanting technical efficiency that doesn’t look too technical; anglers who fish journeys the place gear must work each on and off the water.
Keep away from If: You want loose-fitting conventional fishing shorts or want tons of pocket storage for deal with.
General Ranking: 9/10
After testing tons of fishing shorts over time, the Free Fly Topogrid Shorts have earned a everlasting spot in my gear bag. They signify the proper evolution of fishing gear: technical efficiency that doesn’t sacrifice fashion, toughness that handles critical use, and flexibility that works from the dock to dinner. Whether or not you’re combating marlin in Cabo or chasing redfish in Louisiana, these shorts ship the safety and efficiency that hardcore anglers demand whereas wanting adequate to put on wherever your fishing day takes you.
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