Dressing Like A Professional

If you've decided to incorporate more outdoor activity into your lifestyle moving forward, you're in luck -- there are many opportunities available for those wishing to enjoy the great outdoors. However, keep in mind that being properly dressed can make or break an outdoor experience. You'll need to invest in a variety of clothing items, such as sun visors, outdoor footwear, lightweight rain jackets, and shirts and pants in sturdy materials. Following are just five of the reasons why your outdoor adventure wardrobe should include at least one top quality long sleeved performance shirt. 

You're Going on a River Rafting Trip 

You'll need high performance outdoor clothing of all types when you go on a river rafting trip. Even if you choose an experience that doesn't involve spending the night in the wilderness, tucking a long sleeved shirt in your pack is an excellent idea. Keep in mind that even warm temperatures may feel cool when constant exposure to water is a part of the picture, so you may want to slip a long sleeved shirt on over your tank top or T-shirt after you ride the rapids or otherwise get wet. Also, as in other outdoor situations, wearing a long sleeved shirt also helps prevent sunburn. 

You're Going on an Adventure in the Backcountry

Whether you're planning on going for a few hours or a few days, a basic long sleeved performance shirt is a must anytime you're going adventuring in the backcountry. Long sleeved shirts protect your arms from sunburn, insect bites, and contact dermatitis from certain types of vegetation. It can also come in handy for added warmth in the event that the weather unexpectedly changes or you find yourself having to spend the night for some reason. 

You're Going Mountain Biking

If you'll be riding on a standard singe track mountain biking trail, you're going to need something that can offer protection on your arms -- after all, these trails are narrow, and vegetation is often close enough so that you brush against it at times when you ride by. Wearing a short sleeved shirt may result in scratches on your forearms and part of your upper arms, so choose a lightweight long sleeved performance shirt instead. This type of shirt also offers the freedom of movement necessary for a safe and satisfying mountain bike ride. 

You've Booked an Alaska Cruise

Alaska's Inside Passage provides cruise ship passengers with some of the most gorgeous scenery on the planet as well as abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. However, these cruises offer no guarantee of the kind of warm, sunny weather that cruise enthusiasts have come to expect from their trips to the tropics, so layering clothing is the key to optimal comfort. A good long sleeve performance shirt can be worn under a sweater or jacket for cool mornings and by itself when temperatures rise in the middle of the day. 

You're Going Birdwatching

If you've never been birdwatching before, you may think of the activity as being rather a sedate one that really doesn't require any special wardrobe. However, a good long sleeved shirt should be part of the gear of any dedicated birding enthusiast. You'll want to dress in layers if you'll be spending more than an hour in the field, particularly during times of the year, such as spring and fall, when frequent weather fluctuations are common. 

As you can see, this particular article of clothing comes in handy in a variety of outdoor situations. You'll probably wind up stocking your outdoor wardrobe with more than one after you become familiar with the advantages they provide. To check out available styles, visit retailers like Over Under Clothing.