Outsmart the Sun

Whitewater redefines the performance hoodie 

MUSKEGON, Mich. (June 24, 2026) – Before modern technical apparel changed the game, battling the summer elements meant a miserable trade-off between suffocating under heavy layers or getting absolutely baked by ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure—tabulated over years of long days on the water—is an undeniable hazard for anglers and boaters, frequently targeting the face, hands, and torso.

Whitewater Fishing takes a relentless approach to fabric science and re-scripts the baseline of hot-weather apparel with the Rays Performance Hoodie. Packing a multi-layered, technologically advanced architecture into an accessible sixty-dollar garment, this popular hoodie is built to out-spec the competition and completely rule the deck when the UV index spikes.

Conceived from the thread up, the technical design delivers an aggressive, low-profile silhouette that completely moves away from baggy hooded sweatshirts. The hybrid framework perfectly balances absolute solar defense and athletic mobility, letting anglers cast, pole, and net effortlessly while locking out burning rays.

Touch-Activated Cooling Ensures Uniform Performance

To guarantee consistent protection and thermal regulation across your entire upper body, the Rays Performance Hoodie features a premium fabrication that serves as the absolute backbone of this advanced apparel system. The core architecture centers on an integrated, cutting-edge Touch-Activated cooling fabric technology combined with an effective moisture-wicking array. This precision system permanently drops skin temperature upon contact, actively pulling sweat away from the body to keep you comfortable when temperatures rise.

Built to withstand the relentless abuse of active fishing, the lightweight, high-stretch polyester fabric moves dynamically with your body’s movement. Additionally, Whitewater applied its 100 years of combined apparel design experience to cut and sew the material to fit the human form flawlessly, fortifying all fabric panels with double-stitching to maximize long-term durability. By keeping the components streamlined, the hoodie maintains its uniform performance no matter how hard you fish, resulting in a sharp, versatile piece that looks entirely natural long after the boat is docked.

The Next Generation of Solar Defense

While the outdoor industry has relied on generic, loosely woven fabrics for decades, modern apparel technology has left old-school sun shirts in the dust. The material of Whitewater’s Rays Performance Hoodie features an exceptionally durable UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) 50+ solar barrier that delivers a vastly superior defense ratio without a stiff or heavy silhouette. Extensively tested to block 98% of harmful UVA and UVB radiation, it establishes a reliable shield for the face, neck, and torso.

Intelligent Details Block Heat and Control Odor

Attention to detail defines the hoodie’s layout, headlined by its most significant physical assets: a custom-engineered hood and a built-in neck and face gaiter. Unlike ordinary fishing hoodies, the Rays features a structured, three-paneled hood design that contours perfectly over the head or a fishing cap. Whitewater cleverly added a quick-snap mechanism to the front of the hood, anchoring it firmly in place under the chin, which is a critical feature when racing across the water or bracing heavy winds.

The cleverness continues with the integrated, performance face and neck gaiter sewn directly inside the back of the neck. Highly breathable and outfitted with laser-cut ventilation holes for friction-free breathing, the gaiter is easily deployed or tucked down beneath your chin when the sun dips.

To ensure freshness over multi-day trips or damp tackle storage, the entire fabric matrix is treated with an advanced anti-microbial finish. This technology actively inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, preventing the unwanted smells that typically accumulate with intensive use.

Built To Adapt To The Changing Elements

Ultimately, the Rays Performance Hoodie is an always-and-ever piece of standard equipment designed to stay on your back from the moment you leave the truck to the final wash-down. Whether you are dealing with blinding midday glare, intense humidity, or stagnant heat, this hoodie acts as an impenetrable vault against UV damage in a sharp, contemporary look.

Rays Performance Hoodie FEATURES:

• UPF 50+ Solar Barrier: Premium lightweight polyester blocks 98% of harmful UV rays for maximum skin protection without bulk
• Touch-Activated Cooling: Active cooling fabric technology drops skin temperature on contact and channels heat away from the body
• Optimized Interiors: Moisture-wicking array promotes dryness and enhanced breathability during grueling sunrise-to-sunset sessions
• Odor Management: Advanced anti-microbial treatment inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria to keep the garment fresh
• Ergonomic 3-Panel Hood: Structured hood with a front quick-snap closure ensures a secure, draft-free fit at high boat speeds
• Built-In Neck Gaiter: Integrated face and neck gaiter with laser-cut breathing holes allows for instant, versatile deployment
• Athletic Mobility: Premium high-stretch fabrication and double-stitched panels offer absolute freedom of movement to fish hard all day

SIZES: SM to 3XL

COLORS: Blue Bell, Open Water Grey and Seafoam Camo

MSRP: $59.99

ABOUT WHITEWATER

Whitewater performance fishing apparel gives anglers distinct advantages whenever Mother Nature’s unpredictability conspires to ruin angling adventures. Whether faced with wind, rain, snow, sun, or extreme temperatures, Whitewater apparel equips anglers with the ability and confidence to overcome the elements, so they apply their focus and energies on fighting fish, not the conditions. Whitewater is a brand by Nexus Outdoors, headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan, USA. Learn more and order at whitewaterfish.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Noel Vick

Traditions Media, LLC

[email protected]