ION Surf Shield Wetshirt Review

Tucker took a break from his normal wing and parawing foil testing to talk about some new apparel with cool applications for foilers: the new ION Surf Shield Wetshirt, also referred to as the Fearless Fiber jacket or sweater.

Fearless Fiber Protection

The standout feature of this water shirt is the special material called Fearless Fiber. It's cut-resistant to level 4, tested according to the European standard 388:2016. The material is designed to protect you from a sharp foil, a prop blade on your Foil Drive or eFoil, and sharp reefs. Keeping those things from cutting you is a big deal in the ocean, where you want to avoid infections and stay out on the water.

To test the durability, Tucker took a fresh razor blade to the shirt. The blade made some indent marks that eventually faded away, but there were absolutely no cuts in the fabric. That's impressive protection for such a comfortable garment, and it can also protect your expensive wetsuit from getting sliced, saving you from having to do repairs or replace the whole suit.

Comfort and Versatility

The ION Surf Shield is a quality water shirt you can wear bare-chested or over a wetsuit. It's comfortable, with a feel similar to a sweater, and offers several benefits for your sessions:

• Good stretch for a great fit around different gear
• Keeps the sun off you with UV protection
• Adds a layer of warmth to your setup
• Protects your skin and your wetsuit from sharp edges

Application for Parawinging

Tucker has found a specific use case for this shirt while parawinging. He wears it over his camera setup on his harness so the material covers up the screws and knobs from his back-mounted camera pole, which often get tangled in parawing bridles. That keeps the lines clear while providing cut protection from the sharp foils being tested.

Considerations and Sizing

The shirt is a great piece, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the price tag is notably higher than a standard rash guard. That said, if it saves you one trip to the emergency room for stitches, it pays for itself and keeps you on the water instead of in the hospital.

Second, the material does absorb some water. Being a synthetic with a specific weave, it holds water and takes some time to dry out, similar to a wetsuit. It isn't like a pair of quick-dry board shorts that you can just shake off. Because of this, Tucker suggests wringing it out after your session to help it dry faster.

Fit and Sizing Recommendations

The fitment range is true to size, and the material has a good amount of stretch. Here's how to choose your size:

• True to Size: For a medium-loose rash guard fit.
• Size Up: If you want it to fit like a loose-fitting shirt.
• Do Not Size Down: Once the material stretches to a certain point, it reaches a limit because it's a substantial fabric. Sizing down is not recommended.

ION also offers board shorts made of the same Fearless Fiber material for riders who want to protect their legs and other parts of their body from cuts. Overall, this is a neat solution to a problem many foilers face, and a compelling piece of protective gear for your time on the water.

Summary

The ION Surf Shield Wetshirt brings level 4 cut resistance (tested to European standard 388:2016) to a piece of apparel that wears more like a sweater than a piece of safety gear. Tucker put it through a razor blade test and came away impressed — indent marks faded, but the fabric never cut. That same protection extends to your wetsuit underneath, potentially saving expensive repairs from a slicing encounter with a foil, prop, or reef. On top of the protective layer, you get good stretch, UV protection, an extra bit of warmth, and a versatile fit that works bare-chested or over a wetsuit. Tucker's parawinging tip is a nice bonus: worn over a camera harness, the shirt also covers the screws and knobs that can otherwise snag parawing bridles.

The trade-offs are pretty small. The shirt costs more than a standard rash guard, and the synthetic weave holds water like a wetsuit, so you'll want to wring it out after a session. For sizing, go true to size for a medium-loose rash guard fit, size up if you want a looser shirt feel, and don't size down — the fabric has limits to how much it stretches. ION also offers board shorts in the same Fearless Fiber material for riders who want to extend the protection to their legs. For foilers regularly testing sharp gear or riding around reefs, the math comes out clearly in favor of investing in the shirt.

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