null Skip to main content
Buying Guide: Howler Brothers Jackets

Buying Guide: Howler Brothers Jackets

Posted by Michael Espo & Derek Newman on 16th Aug 2023

Related less by blood and more by moon-yelling, Howler Brothers boast a lineup as vibrant, diverse, and creative as their hometown Austin, Texas.

Western-inspired snapshirts, technical button-ups, heavyweight flannels, travel pants, and a pair of insulated outerwear pieces all carry the same original and distinctive flair, whether you're headed to the river, the ranch, or just around town. Here are some helpful considerations to help you finish shopping online and get back outside.

Fabric and Technology

Howler Brothers splits its apparel into two fabric camps. Tech shirts like the Emerger Tech Longsleeve, Emerger Tech Shirt, H Bar B Tech Longsleeve, Open Country Tech Shirt, and Loggerhead Hoodie use quick-drying synthetic blends with UPF 35 or higher sun protection, built for days on the water or the trail. Flannels and snapshirts lean into natural cotton and cotton-poly blends for a softer, more traditional feel that trades some technical performance for everyday comfort.

Person wearing Howler Brothers apparel while hiking in the forest

Style and Occasion

If you want a button-up with pearl snaps and vintage western prints, the H Bar B Snapshirt, Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt, and Gaucho Snapshirt are the picks. If you'd rather have a technical button-up that dries fast and blocks sun, reach for the Emerger or H Bar B Tech Longsleeve, or the Open Country Tech Shirt. For cooler days, the flannels and the Loggerhead Hoodie round things out as easy layering pieces.

Person wearing Howler Brothers apparel while fishing from a boat

Warmth and Layering

Howler Brothers apparel works as a full layering system. Start with a lightweight tech shirt or snapshirt for warm days, add the La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt or Loggerhead Hoodie as temperatures drop, layer up further with the Salvo Hooded Blanket Flannel or the quilted, insulated Quintana Quilted Flannel Shirt, and finish with the Rounder Vest or Rounder Quilted Jacket once winter sets in.

Person wearing Howler Brothers apparel at a camper

Fit and Sizing

Most Howler Brothers apparel runs true to a regular, everyday fit, but a few pieces run roomier than expected. Both the La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt and the Gaucho Snapshirt are cut generously, and Howler recommends sizing down from your usual size if you prefer a slimmer look. To size yourself accurately, check out the official Howler Brothers Sizing Guide. Sizes are in inches unless otherwise stated, and all sizes refer to body part measurements, not to garment size.

Two people leaving the beach wearing Howler Brothers apparel

Everyday Details

Almost every Howler Brothers shirt is finished with a microfiber lens-cleaning wipe built into the hem, a small but genuinely useful detail for anyone who wears sunglasses outdoors. Hidden security pockets, chest pockets, and stash pockets show up across the tech shirts and snapshirts too, giving you somewhere to keep small essentials without adding bulk.

Person having fun outdoors in Howler Brothers apparel

Howler Brothers Product Comparison

Here's a quick side by side look at every piece covered in this guide.

Product Category Material Best For
Emerger Tech Longsleeve Shirt Tech Shirt Polyester Spandex, UPF 35 Sun protection with stretch
Emerger Tech Shirt Tech Shirt Polyester Spandex, UPF 35 Warm weather sun protection
H Bar B Tech Longsleeve Tech Shirt Nylon Polyester, UPF 35 Everyday technical button-up
Open Country Tech Shirt Tech Shirt Nylon Polyester, UPF 35 Travel and summer wear
Loggerhead Hoodie Tech Shirt Recycled Polyester, UPF 35+ Beach, hiking, and fishing days
H Bar B Snapshirt Snapshirt Poly Cotton Blend Vintage western style
Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt Snapshirt Cotton Stretch Breathable summer wear
Gaucho Snapshirt Snapshirt Cotton Poly Spandex Western style with stretch
Salvo Hooded Blanket Flannel Flannel 100 Percent Cotton Heavyweight winter warmth
La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt Flannel 100 Percent Cotton Shoulder season layering
Quintana Quilted Flannel Shirt Flannel Cotton Poly, Quilted Insulation Cool mornings needing extra warmth
Shoalwater Tech Pants Pants Nylon Elastane Travel and river days
Rounder Quilted Jacket Outerwear Cotton Nylon, Primaloft Black Rise Cold weather with western style
Rounder Vest Outerwear Cotton Poly, Primaloft Black Layering over flannels and hoodies

Tech Shirts and Longsleeves

Built for warm weather and sun exposure, these pieces blend western style with quick-drying, UPF-rated fabric.

Emerger Tech Longsleeve Shirt

The Howler Brothers Emerger Tech Longsleeve Shirt blends classic western style with a stretchy, spandex-blended fabric that dries quickly and carries a UPF 35 rating for moderate sun protection. It's finished with a chest pocket and a sunglass-cleaning microfiber wipe at the hem, and it fits true to a regular, everyday cut.

Howler Brothers Emerger Tech Longsleeve Shirt in Sky colorway

Buy on Campman 

Emerger Tech Shirt

The short-sleeve version of the Emerger, the Howler Brothers Emerger Tech Shirt carries the same stretchy, quick-drying spandex blend and UPF 35 rating in a warm-weather cut. It's finished with a chest pocket and the same microfiber lens wipe at the hem, making it an easy grab for summer strolls or days on the water.

Howler Brothers Emerger Tech Shirt in Wasabi colorway

Buy on Campman 

H Bar B Tech Longsleeve

Howler's best-selling button-down, the H Bar B Tech Longsleeve pairs a lightweight, quick-drying nylon-polyester blend with UPF 35 sun protection and engineered stretch for easy mobility outdoors. It's finished with dual chest pockets, a hidden zippered security pocket, and a microfiber cleaning hem, and new prints roll out each season to keep the lineup fresh.

Howler Brothers H Bar B Tech Longsleeve in Isley Plaid

Buy on Campman 

Open Country Tech Shirt

The Howler Brothers Open Country Tech Shirt brings western flair to a quick-drying polyester-nylon blend with a UPF 35 rating for sunny days out. A hidden stash pocket on the side seam keeps valuables secure, and a sunglass-cleaning microfiber wipe finishes the back hem, making it as at home on a ranch tour as it is on a summer stroll through town.

Howler Brothers Open Country Tech Shirt in floral print

Buy on Campman 

Loggerhead Hoodie

The Howler Brothers Loggerhead Hoodie delivers UPF 35+ protection in a midweight, partially recycled polyester that wicks moisture and dries fast. A full hood, reinforced kangaroo pocket, thumbhole cuffs, and a lower back pocket lined with sunglass-cleaning microfiber round out a hoodie built for beach days, hikes, and fishing trips alike.

Howler Brothers Loggerhead Hoodie in Bone colorway

Buy on Campman 

Snapshirts

For pearl snaps, vintage prints, and classic western style, these three carry the most Howler Brothers character.

H Bar B Snapshirt

The Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt pairs a quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant poly-cotton blend with pearl snaps and vintage southwest-inspired prints. Two chest pockets keep small gear close at hand, and a microfiber-lined hem handles lens cleaning, making it as comfortable on the water as it is at the bar.

Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt in Washed Indigo

Buy on Campman 

Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt

The Howler Brothers Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt is the short-sleeve version of Howler's popular vintage-inspired button-up, built from a soft cotton stretch fabric with western yokes. Dual snapped chest pockets and a microfiber lens wipe at the hem round out a shirt made for comfortable, breathable summer wear.

Howler Brothers Crosscut Deluxe Snapshirt in Seagrass

Buy on Campman 

Gaucho Snapshirt

The Howler Brothers Gaucho Snapshirt is a long-sleeve button-up made from a quick-drying cotton-poly blend with added spandex for stretch, finished with pearl snaps and imaginative embroidery. A venting back yoke adds airflow for summer wear, and the fit runs roomier than most Howler pieces, so sizing down is worth considering for a slimmer look.

Howler Brothers Gaucho Snapshirt in Enter the Dragons print

Buy on Campman 

Flannels

From lightweight shoulder-season layers to heavyweight winter pieces, Howler's flannel lineup covers the full range of cold-weather comfort.

Salvo Hooded Blanket Flannel

The Howler Brothers Salvo Hooded Blanket Flannel is a heavyweight, 100 percent cotton flannel with a soft knit hood, custom yarn-dyed plaid, and heritage-style blanket stitching. Side seam hand pockets and a relaxed fit make it as ready for chilly campsite mornings as it is for couch-bound recovery days.

Howler Brothers Salvo Hooded Blanket Flannel in Mesa Plaid

Buy on Campman 

La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt

The Howler Brothers La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt is a breathable, 100 percent cotton flannel built for the first chill of the season rather than deep winter. Coconut buttons, a single chest pocket, and angled western yokes add character, and the fit runs roomy, so sizing down is worth considering for a slimmer look.

Howler Brothers La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt in Cohen Plaid

Buy on Campman 

Quintana Quilted Flannel Shirt

The Howler Brothers Quintana Quilted Flannel Shirt lines a rugged cotton-poly flannel exterior with lightweight quilted insulation, splitting the difference between a shirt and a true layer. Dual snap-closure chest pockets and a built-in microfiber lens wipe finish a piece made for cool October mornings and fall tailgates alike.

Howler Brothers Quintana Quilted Flannel Shirt in Big Barrett Plaid

Buy on Campman 

Pants

Howler Brothers currently carries one pair of pants built for travel and hard use in the field.

Shoalwater Tech Pants

The Howler Brothers Shoalwater Tech Pants combine a four-way stretch nylon-elastane blend with articulated knees and a gusseted construction for full freedom of movement. A drawcord waistband and bungee hems keep the straight-leg fit snug, and a wide array of hidden, zippered, and mesh pocket layouts covers storage for river trips, travel days, or hikes alike.

Howler Brothers Shoalwater Tech Pants in Bronze colorway

Buy on Campman 

Outerwear

For real cold, these two western-styled pieces round out the top of the layering system.

Rounder Quilted Jacket

The Howler Brothers Rounder Quilted Jacket brings western-inspired detailing to a durable cotton-nylon shell, with Primaloft Black Rise insulation delivering dependable warmth without bulk. Ribbed cuffs, an oversized collar, a vintage stand collar, and chainstitch embroidery round out a jacket built for chilly days in town or at camp.

Howler Brothers Rounder Quilted Jacket in Duck Brown colorway

Buy on Campman 

Rounder Vest

The Howler Brothers Rounder Vest pairs a tough cotton-poly shell with cozy Primaloft Black insulation for chilly afternoons anywhere your adventures take you. Heritage snaps hold up to cold fingers, a 3-inch stand-up collar blocks the wind, and two front hand pockets with secure snaps add classic western flair. It layers easily over flannels and hoodies alike.

Howler Brothers Rounder Vest in Mahogany Rust colorway

Buy on Campman 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does UPF 35 mean on a Howler Brothers shirt

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. A UPF 35 rating means the fabric blocks about 97 percent of the sun's UV rays, offering moderate sun protection for days spent outside. Most Howler Brothers tech shirts and the Loggerhead Hoodie carry this rating or higher.

Do Howler Brothers shirts run true to size

Most pieces fit true to a regular, everyday cut. The La Grange Lightweight Flannel Shirt and the Gaucho Snapshirt are the two exceptions, both running roomier than expected, so sizing down is worth considering if you prefer a slimmer fit.

What is the difference between a snapshirt and a tech shirt

Snapshirts like the H Bar B, Crosscut Deluxe, and Gaucho use pearl snap closures and cotton-based fabrics for classic western style. Tech shirts like the Emerger and H Bar B Tech Longsleeve use synthetic, quick-drying blends with UPF ratings built for performance in the sun and on the water.

Is Primaloft as warm as down insulation

Primaloft insulation, used in the Rounder Quilted Jacket and Rounder Vest, is designed to mimic the loft and warmth of down while holding up better in wet conditions. It stays warm even if it gets damp, which is a real advantage over natural down for unpredictable weather.

Can Howler Brothers pieces be layered together

Yes. A common layering system starts with a tech shirt or snapshirt, adds a lightweight flannel or the Loggerhead Hoodie for cooler days, layers up with a heavier or quilted flannel, and finishes with the Rounder Vest or Rounder Quilted Jacket once temperatures really drop.

Does Campman carry Howler Brothers pants

Campman currently carries one pair, the Shoalwater Tech Pants, a four-way stretch travel pant with articulated knees and a wide range of pocket storage.

Conclusion

Whether you need a technical shirt for a day on the water, a snapshirt with some western flair, a warm flannel, or an insulated layer for real cold, Howler Brothers has a piece for you. And if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, reach out directly to us and we'll help you find it.

About the Author

Derek Newman

Born in the Wasatch, Derek has had an affinity for mountain life since day one. He was on skis the year he learned to walk, and as a high school graduation present he gifted himself rock climbing lessons. Nearly two decades later, Derek spends most of his time climbing up and/or skiing down most of the mountains around Salt Lake City, and he's traveled around the world multiple times for the sole purpose of peak exploration. When he isn't a man about camp, he's working in Campman's content marketing crew writing up blogs about backcountry skiing or rock climbing as well as describing products that he's used personally. He's climbed in most climbing shoes, toured on most backcountry skis, and ridden the resort on skis, snowboards, and even some evac sleds.

Share on: