It’s a travel shirt that doesn’t look like “safari-ready” clothing. That’s one of the reasons Columbia’s Silver Ridge Long-Sleeved Shirt is my favourite travel shirt.
Features of a good travel shirt
To me, a “travel shirt” is a long-sleeved button-up shirt, with the following features:
- It’s lightweight, and takes up very little space when packed.
- It’s versatile enough to transition from the trail to the theatre. Wear it as a sun shirt, or dress it up for fancier occasions. This helps a carry-on traveller limit the number of tops in a travel capsule wardrobe.
- The collar can be turned up to protect the neck from blazing sun, keep out a chilly breeze, or accommodate a scarf.
- It has cuffs that can be fastened at the wrist for protection from biting insects.
- The sleeves can be rolled up and fastened for neatness and functionality.
- The fabric is breathable, with moisture-wicking properties.
- It’s wrinkle resistant, and doesn’t need to be ironed.
- It can be hand washed and hung to dry. It’s quick drying after being laundered, or from an unexpected encounter with wet weather.
Why the Columbia Silver Ridge is my favourite travel shirt
- It checks all of the above-listed features of a good travel shirt.
- It’s well made, with a price point on par with shirts of lesser quality.
- I’ve tried two other brands in travel shirts. The Royal Robbins Light Expedition, and an ExOfficio Dryflylite don’t hold a candle to the Silver Ridge.
- The cuffs and collar have additional detail to improve coverage. The collar has an extra flap that can be turned up to better protect the back of the neck. The sleeves are long, and the cuffs are tapered to protect the back of the hand.
- The sleeve tabs and buttons are hidden from view.
- The Napoleon pocket has mesh lining and a hidden zipper.
- Columbia uses buttons and a zipper to close and fasten. There’s no Velcro.
- Across the shoulders is a vented panel.
- The underarm stretch panels are generous, allowing for maximum movement.
- The long, sleek cut with flattering seam lines improves its versatility factor. It’s perfect for an active day in the sun, or as casual eveningwear. Wear it, and wait for the compliments. I can’t recall receiving so many compliments in a shirt.
- Creases are minimal, and don’t take long to disappear when the shirt is removed from its packing organizer. (Creases are pronounced when received in the distributor’s packaging; you might want to wash and dry before use).
- It can be washed by hand or machine.
- The women’s shirt comes in a range of vibrant colours that are perfect for mixing, matching and layering. The Razzle attracted so many compliments, and was so versatile, that I ordered a second shirt in Red Coral.
- It comes with a spare button – useful for a garment in a unique colour.
- It’s available in a range of sizes in Standard (XS to XL) and Plus (1X to 3X).
- It functions well across a wide range of temperatures. I’ve worn it as a single layer during the Australian summer, and with mid and outer layers during a Canadian winter.
- All fabrics block ultraviolet rays to some extent. Sun-protection clothing has a built-in ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating against both UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) rays. Ratings are normally in the range of 15 (good) to 50+ (excellent). Garments with a UPF 50 rating block 98% of ultraviolet rays. Columbia’s Silver Ridge has a UPF rating of 40.
Shortfalls
- Sizing can be a challenge for some. It runs small. For some women, its sleek cut might lead to a snug fit across the chest and gaping between the buttons. I would normally wear a size Large, but it was too small. I purchased an Extra Large and it’s a much better fit.
- I prefer clothing without branding. The Columbia brand on the upper sleeve is noticeable, but not glaringly so.
Men’s vs women’s Silver Ridge
Unfortunately, I can’t speak to the attributes of the men’s version of the Silver Ridge Long-Sleeved Shirt. From the reviews, the characteristics sound similar to what I discovered in the women’s version.
It’s offered in a range of sizes: Standard (XS to XXL), Bigger (1X to 6X), and Taller (LT to 4XT). It’s available in a wide selection of colours, but most retailers’ offerings are limited to shades of black, grey, brown and white.
Conclusion
If the quality and versatility of your travel shirts are priorities, take a look at the Columbia Silver Ridge Long-Sleeved Shirt. If you have one, or have another recommendation in a travel shirt, please join the conversation.
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I purchased both shirts, and was not compensated in any way by the manufacturer. However, the Amazon links are affiliate links. This means that if you use one of them to buy something, you don’t pay more, but I earn a small commission that helps with the costs of managing the site. So, thank you.
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