Keith Lusher 08.22.25
Product Overview
The Free Fly Topogrid Shorts are premium fishing shorts comprised of stretch nylon ripstop with UPF 50+ solar safety. They retail for $89 and can be found in sizes 30-40 waist. Out there colours embrace Stone, Navy, Charcoal, and Olive. Designed for saltwater fishing and outside 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 robust fishing shorts that may deal with critical saltwater abuse. Produced from stretch ripstop with UPF 50+ safety, these shorts are designed for lengthy days battling fish in brutal saltwater circumstances. I wore them for the final word take a look at throughout my current marlin fishing journey in Cabo San Lucas, the place the intense daylight, bloody fish, and saltwater supplied the proper testing floor for fishing gear.
First Impressions
Pulling these shorts out of the field, I may inform instantly they had been completely different from common fishing shorts. The material felt robust however surprisingly mild, with a tender really feel that meant consolation with out giving up power. The 7.5-inch inseam and slim minimize regarded fashionable and clear, manner higher than the dishevelled look of most fishing shorts. These regarded ok to put on off the water too.
Materials
Material: Stretch ripstop comprised 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 robust and breathable.
Development: Information-quality construct with bolstered stress factors, stable belt loops, and what Free Fly calls a “dialed” pocket setup. The hidden knife pocket provides operate whereas holding 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 mounted 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. In case you’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 preventing 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 regular 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 images utterly soaked the material. The fast-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 will 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 seem like fishing match gear. The Stone shade works with any fishing shirt, whereas the trendy minimize and high quality construct look ok for resort put on. I wore these shorts from the 5 a.m. dock stroll by means of 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 may 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 saved their form, shade, 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 associated fee for critical anglers. The combo of technical cloth, sensible design, and flexibility for off-water put on creates stable worth. They value greater than primary fishing shorts, however the toughness and multi-use capability make them a wise purchase for devoted fishermen.
Ranking: 8/10
Put on Check Notes
Cabo’s brutal circumstances create the final word take a look at for fishing gear. Intense UV, saltwater spray, bodily calls for from preventing 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. After I jumped overboard for underwater marlin images, the quick-dry tech turned apparent instantly. The material shed water quick and dried fast sufficient that I stayed snug for the remainder of our lengthy day. Most spectacular was how simple the marlin blood washed out with only one regular wash cycle.
The pocket setup labored nice throughout fishing, with the hidden knife pocket holding my fillet knife safe whereas the surface pockets dealt with sort out 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 sort out.
Total Ranking: 9/10
After testing tons of fishing shorts through the years, 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 preventing marlin in Cabo or chasing redfish in Louisiana, these shorts ship the safety and efficiency that hardcore anglers demand whereas wanting ok to put on wherever your fishing day takes you.
