Product Review: Clawear Andaman Airvent Full Sleeve Shirt

Wearing the Clawear Andaman Airvent Shirt on Field to test it out. Shirt in the colour Mint

The hunt for the perfect outdoor adventure apparel and clothing is that of a never-ending one. If you're someone who frequents wildlife parks, goes on wildlife safaris, owns a binocular or a camera with a telephoto lens and are always looking for your favorite species or just love adventure you will probably relate to this problem. There's a lot of brands out there and finally finding that one safari shirt that you love can mean kissing many frogs before you find your prince or princess.

We recently got our hands on the Clawear Andaman Airvent Full Sleeve Shirt for men (review not sponsored) and knew we had to test it out on the field. My friend agreed to help test them out, being a naturalist and almost always in outdoor safari clothing, I knew he was the best person for the job.

Now let's talk about the Clawear Andaman Airvent Full Sleeve Shirt's Claims:

"This shirt is water-resistant and features a back air-vent with mesh lining to ensure constant ventilation. With two utility pockets, it offers both function and style. Available in four colors, the Andaman shirt is designed for year-round wear, making it suitable for all seasons."

Fabric Material: Nylon-Polyester-Spandex Mix

Care: Cool Iron, Machine wash (30 degree celsius), Do not bleach, Tumble Dry Low

Sizes available: Small - XXXL

Now, Let's start with the Fabric, As its a mix of Nylon, Polyester and Spandex that gives it certain unique characteristics that have both pros and cons. Let's delve deeper;

Pros of the qualities of the fabric of the Clawear Andaman Airvent Full Sleeve Shirt

1. Excellent Stretch and Recovery:

   • Spandex (Lycra/Elastane) provides exceptional elasticity, allowing the fabric to stretch significantly and then return to its original shape. This offers unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement.

2. Durability and Strength:

   • Nylon is known for its high strength, abrasion resistance, and tear resistance.

   • Polyester is also very durable, resistant to stretching, shrinking, and many chemicals. This combination makes the fabric long-lasting and resilient against wear and tear.

3. Moisture Wicking and Quick-Drying:

   • Both Nylon and Polyester are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This allows moisture (sweat) to wick away from the body to the fabric's surface where it can evaporate quickly, making it ideal for active and outdoor pursuits.

4. Wrinkle Resistance:

   • Polyester contributes significantly to the fabric's ability to resist wrinkles, keeping garments looking neat even after packing or extended wear.

5. Shape Retention:

   • The blend, particularly with polyester and spandex, ensures the garment holds its shape well over time, resisting sagging or stretching out, even after repeated use and washing.

6. Good Color Retention:

   • Polyester is excellent at holding dye, making the fabric resistant to fading, even after prolonged exposure to sunlight or washing.

Cons of the qualities of the fabric of the Clawear Andaman Airvent Full Sleeve Shirt

1. Limited Breathability:

   • While efforts are made to improve breathability in blends, synthetic fabrics generally offer less airflow compared to natural fibers like cotton. This can make them feel warmer in hot, humid conditions. However to combat this the shirt features an airvent design.

2. Heat Sensitivity:

   • Spandex can be damaged by high heat (e.g., hot washing, high dryer settings, direct ironing), which can cause it to lose its elasticity. Nylon can also melt at high temperatures.

3. Odor Retention:

   • Synthetic fibers can sometimes trap and hold onto odors more easily than natural fibers, requiring specific care or antimicrobial treatments.

4. Feel/Hand:

   • While comfortable due to stretch, the fabric might not have the soft, natural feel of cotton or wool for casual wear, depending on the weave and finish.

5. Pilling:

   • Depending on the quality of the fibers and the weave, the fabric can sometimes be prone to pilling (small balls of fiber forming on the surface) with friction.

Our Review

A huge thank you to Nikhil John for testing this shirt out, with 8 years on field as a Naturalist, and counting I felt like he'd be the perfect person to test it. Nikhil agrees that it is truly a 365 days wear shirt, he wore it first on a humid day and wasn't disappointed, since then he has worn it a few times with no complains.

He was quite happy with the air vent design and said he didn't feel too warm or uncomfortable.

As someone with Fabric and Apparel Sciences as one of my papers in my Bachelors Degree in science, I inspected the workmanship of the shirt and found it up to good workmanship standards.

The seams of the shirt are quite well made and there are no loose threads that risk unravelling with everyday wear.

This airvent is secured in place with a flat-lock stitch which is the gold standard in athletic wear as this prevents chafing and irritation, making it ideal for high-motion activities

The shoulders and the arm attachment is something I always inspect in shirts as these are the areas that endure the most stress, such as the armpits, the collar, and where the sleeves meet the torso. I was very happy to notice bar tacks in the shirt in such areas. this is a sign of quality workmanship as these bar tacks help the garment stay put at these points to prevent seams from pulling apart.

High-quality shirts often use reinforced stitching or bar tacks at these points to prevent seams from pulling apart.

Post inspection I was happy with the even stitching and the thread tension of the stitch. The thread used to stitch the garment itself is of good quality and durable.

So next time you're out shopping for athletic or outdoor wear, don't just buy any shirt make sure you inspect the quality of its workmanship because every garment you own is an investment and you need to make the most of your bills.

It could also mean a world of a difference to how the shirt feels on your skin badly stitched seams often can cause rashes or chafing. Look for a flat lock stich or a coverstitch or overlock stitch. Make sure ends are neatly trimmed with no extra fabric that can cause discomfort while you wear it or risk unravelling with daily use.

The Nature Edition Rating for The Clawear Andaman Airvent Shirt Workmanship: 4.5/5 Stars

How to Check Workmanship on an Athletic Shirt?

Easy guide to checking workmanship on your outdoor clothing

• Look for Flatlock Seams. Are they flat and smooth against the skin? This is best for preventing chafing. Alternatively, Check for Overlock Seams. Is the stitching tight and neat on the inside?

• Are the stitches even and consistent? No irregular or crooked lines. Check the thread tension. Is the thread taut without causing the fabric to pucker or bunch up?

• Check stress points like the armpits and collar. Is there any extra reinforcement or stitching? Gently stretch the seams. Does the thread stretch with the fabric, or does it seem likely to snap?

• Look at the raw edges inside. Are they neatly trimmed and fully enclosed by the stitching? If its a solid colour shirt you can skip this but if there's a pattern on the shirt, does it align at the seams? This is a sign of careful craftsmanship.

Up next, We Review Reccy's Nomadic Pants in September 2025.