Posts Tagged ExOfficio
ExOfficio Quick-dry Neptune Long-sleeve Tee
As this dreadful winter comes to a close, I can finally turn my attention to the pile of spring clothing I’ve been itching to get to for weeks now, starting with this great long-sleeve Neptune Crew t-shirt from ExOfficio. I’ve been wearing this biking, hiking, and walking around town and have found a new clothing item to put at the top of my packing list.
For me, a long-sleeve t-shirt is ideal to pack for a variety of trips in any season. Unless it’s blazing hot in the tropics, you can use one on a regular basis—even then if you’re trying to cut down on the amount of sunscreen you’re using. Apart from a whole host of other attributes, this lightweight shirt also manages a 30 SPF in sun protection. You can wear it under another shirt for days thanks to its Nanoplex od0r-fighting properties. And of course it’s a great shirt for active adventures since it wicks sweat easily, is lightweight, and dries quickly after a hand washing.
This Neptune tee has been performing really well in my tests and I can’t wait to take in on a long multi-day biking trip I’m taking next week. It’s going to be one of the wondergear items that allows me to ride for days with all my clothing in a small backpack. I like the way it feels on my body and it’s flattering—as in accenting the form, but not so snug it shows every bulge. There’s no tag behind the neck and flatlock stitching keeps it all smooth. It breathes well and the people can still breathe around me after a workout: as with the Spyder baselayer I reviewed earlier, I put this Neptune to the test by wearing for days on end before throwing it in the hamper for a wash. 
When I took it out of the washing machine, I put it in the sun and it was dry in less than an hour. A few hours should do it in a hotel room, so you can wash it before going to bed and have it ready to go in the morning.
My version is the darkest color available, yet it doesn’t turn many shades darker when it gets sweaty—my only beef with the short-sleeve ExO Dri Tee I reviewed last year. This shirt is wispy, but based on all the other ExOfficio warm-weather gear I’ve tried out it should be pretty indestructible: you can machine wash and dry it with no harm.
The Neptune Crew comes in three colors in addition to the two pictured here and lists for $54. (Sometimes you can find certain colors or sizes that aren’t selling well marked down on the ExOfficio site or at REI.com.)
Browse more items from ExOfficio or see more of our ExOfficio travel clothing reviews.
Posted by Tim in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on March 10th, 2010
Best and Worst Travel Gear of 2009
We’ve been cranking out first-person reviews of travel gear on a daily basis and trying out lots of things as we hike, backpack, explore new cities, and navigate airports. Some items disappoint, some thrill, some defy expectations, so here’s a list of what worked and what didn’t in 2009.
Kara Williams
Item I used on the most trips this year
These Lucy capris pictured above are comfortable and stylish—they can go from the hiking trail to the dinner table. I wore them on the top of the Continental Divide in Colorado, to Maya ruins in Belize, to an ecological preserve in Mexico, and eating lobster in New Hampshire.
Worst piece of crap I gave up on
This battery-operated mosquito repellent is a travel-gear don’t. The blue plastic fan looks like a toy, so it’s dangerous to young children. Plus, it’s dorky and doesn’t work.
Most useful item for $20 or less
The Flip & Tumble bag. A reusable shopping bag that compacts into a tiny, squishy, 3-inch ball is a must-have for any traveler. Use it to tote items to the pool, buy groceries at the local market, or protect packed clothing from dirty shoes on the return trip.
John Gordon
Item I now cannot live without
It took a long time, but I’ve finally found a Bluetooth headset I can love. Motorola’s Endeavor HX1 (pictured at the top) offers excellent audio quality for normal conversations and true bone-conduction technology, like special forces use, to knock out extreme noise. Voice prompts make it easy to use.
Worst “Do we really need this?” item
Some things I just don’t understand, like Planesheets for covering airline seats. Besides the dubious claims of cleanliness, I’d just feel a little weird being the only passenger on the plane sitting in a zebra-stripe seat.
Most questionable travel app
iPhone and iPod users are familiar with the marketing line, “There’s an app for that.” Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Without Fear app is supposed to calm white-knuckled flyers. There’s a screen that says, “This is natural. We know you’re scared. You’re going to be OK.” Like that’s going to help.
Never leave home without it
My AT&T Tilt 2 smartphone (same as the HTC Touch Pro2) lets me keep in touch with friends and clients whether I’m at the neighborhood store or in another part of the world. Sure, AT&T sells a lot more iPhones than this model. When the iPhone gets a real keyboard, can tether to my laptop and lets me swap out the battery, I’ll consider it.
Tim Leffel
Worst Case of Greenwashing
There was plenty of greenwashing to go around this year and the “green gear” tag keeps making its way onto things that really aren’t. I debunked plenty of these, but the most obvious one was this Altus Lumen LED light that burns through four AA batteries in an hour. Decent product otherwise, but the bombastic claim of being “the world’s first sustainable portable LED light” turned out to be based on one factor: the shell is 75% recyclable—provided you pry it all apart and separate the pieces when the thing dies.
What I used the most this year
There were plenty of items I tried out and then put on a shelf. The new things I tried that became a permanent part of my ensemble included the Tom Bihn Aeronaut carry-on bag (pictured at the top), my Teva Omnium sandal shoes, and pretty much everything I put on from ExOfficio—including their underwear. And I almost never pack my bags without a pair of Tifosi Optics sunglasses and some kind of Keen Footwear shoes.
Item that caused the most mixed feelings
I have to admit the Starbucks Via instant coffee tastes ten times better than Sanka or Folgers, but at $1 a serving, it sure better! If you already like the over-roasted, burnt taste of Starbucks, you’ll like this stuff. Even if you don’t, instant coffee that’s drinkable would be worth packing on a camping trip or when staying any place where hot water is more readily available than real coffee.
Honorable Mention – Past year’s standout that keeps coming back:
Travel gear item I would gladly do infomercials for
Only real travelers who have used it believe this $99 SteriPEN Traveler is for real. It looks fishy, I’ll admit: you stick this in the water you’re going to drink, the light kills everything, then you can drink away. But I, my wife, and my daughter have used this daily in 9, 6, and 4 countries respectively without getting sick. ‘Nuff said.
Posted by Tim in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on January 1st, 2010
Alpental Fleece Jacket From ExOfficio
When it gets chilly out or you’re heading to a cool place, packing for traveling gets tougher. You can’t just throw some shorts and t-shirts into a bag, knowing it’ll be warm the whole time. So then comes the question of what jacket to pack, one that will work for whatever situation you’ll be layered up for. In the fall or spring, a heavy fleece jacket will do it—maybe.
My problem with a lot of fleece jackets I’ve used is that they’re barely one step up from a sweater, not really fit for traveling with gadgets and accessories. This Alpental jacket is loaded with pockets though, as in two breast pockets, one at the bottom, two where your hands go (with zippers when your hands aren’t in there), and a zippered one on the outside for your sunglasses or music player. It’s also got Spandex binding at the sleeve cuffs and bottom of the jacket to keep the wind out.
The ExOfficio Alpental is thick enough to keep you warm, but at just 22 ounces, not much of a burden for packing away until arrival. And though it feels soft and warm, it’s 100% Polyester like most of them out there, so it dries quickly after you wash it. No bells and whistles in terms of high-tech waterproofing or wind barriers, but this jacket only requires two figures at the cash register—-it lists for $75. Sizes run from M to XXL and the Alpental comes in three colors.
There’s a women’s version too, with the proper slimmer fit, but in either a pullover zip version or a hoodie.
ExOfficio’s hot weather clothing is close to indestructible, but for some reason when the cold weather rolls around, their care instructions get all wimpy on us. The care tag on a soy fibers sweater I tried out last year might as well have said, “treat me like the silk robes of royalty.” This jacket seems pretty sturdy, but the care instructions say otherwise. “Machine wash cold; Gentle cycle; Wash inside out; Wash with like colors; No bleach; Tumble dry low, remove promptly; Do not iron.” Well, hopefully you won’t have to wash it too often.
This is one warm, comfortable jacket though, which is what really matters the other 99% of the time. I’ve taken it on two weekend trips this fall and out for a few walks as the leaves were falling and it performed as expected. Like a favorite cozy blanket, once you have it it’s the one to grab.
Posted by Tim in Travel Light on November 11th, 2009
When a $38 T-shirt is Worth the Price
I used to proudly count myself among the cheapskate backpackers who would not get rid of a t-shirt until it either had discolored beyond recognition or had started falling apart from all the hand washings (and beating on rocks in India) that come with long-term travel. Then I would repeat the process with another few cheapie shirts. After all, it’s easy enough to refresh your t-shirt wardrobe in Bangkok, Cusco, or Delhi for a few dollars a pop.
But as I’ve become older and wiser I’ve realized that sometimes it really is worth paying an hour’s salary for a t-shirt. I wore this ExO Dri Tee from ExOfficio every couple days for two months solid this summer (plus on a few bike rides since) and it still looks like it did the day I took it out of the wrapper. No stretching, no discoloration, and no noticeable deterioration in the wicking properties or odor-fighting properties.
That last one is important. I had one other cheaper wicking shirt with me on my two-month journey through two hot countries and I ended up eventually throwing it in the trash. It had gotten those little fuzzy balls around the collar, but more importantly, it stunk. Well, not when it was clean, but it didn’t take many hours of being sweaty after that for people to smell me coming. Unfortunately, that’s often the case with cheaper wicking shirts, which are no more than collections of untreated synthetic fibers. You’re better off with plain cotton unless you’re in cold weather and need to keep your skin dry.
This advanced t-shirt is a different story. It’s 15% cotton, first of all, so it doesn’t have that icky swishy polyester feel. It dries fast though, which is good on the go and good for quick washings. It has built-in sun protection and the FreshGuard finish “limits bacteria growth while neutralizing body odor.” It has some nice comfort touches too, like a printed tag instead of one scratching your neck and ribbed seams that are in front of the shoulder—helpful when you’re lugging a backpack around.
My one beef is common across many ExOfficio shirts: every drop of sweat shows up clear as the sun. Perhaps it’s the lack of patterns, perhaps the actual fabric construction, but while the sweat may dry quickly, you’ll see all of it all over in the meantime. Bring something to change into if you’re going from the sweaty outdoors to a nice air-conditioned restaurant.
The ExO Dri T-shirt comes in five sizes and seven colors and lists for $38. Sometimes the less popular sizes/colors will go on sale for 50% off, so check the links below.
Get the Exo Dri Tee for men at ExOfficio.com
Check prices on the ExOfficio eXo Dri Shirt at Sierra Trading Post
Posted by Tim in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on September 16th, 2009
9 Road-tested Travel Gear Winners
I am still unpacking my stuff from a two-month trip through Mexico and Belize. I was carrying plenty of travel gear I was trying out for the first time—and have reviewed on this blog—but also some “oldies but goodies” that proved their worth once again. Here are nine items that have stood up to the rigors of the road and have performed well time after time.
Pac-safe Laptop Backpack and Daybag
I have used a Pac-safe B100 laptop backpack on a whole series of trips and I used it again on this one. It still looks almost new though and has retained its shape perfectly. I felt confident nobody was going to slash my bag in a crowded market and it doubled as an in-room safe where I could lock up my laptop and camera (with a cable lock) when I was wandering the town without it. My wife used the smaller Metrosafe 200 bag to carry all the essentials when we were sightseeing. This company makes great stuff and it’s worth the premium, especially if you’re carrying anything valuable you’re worried about. You can get most of their product line at Magellan’s.
Eagle Creek Toiletry Kits
When I’m checking a bag, I travel with an Eagle Creek Wallaby I got a few years back. My wife is still using an older version she got more than 10 years ago. Filled with compartments and pockets and a hook to hang it from wherever you can in the bathroom. When counter space is limited, this is very helpful, plus when packing up to go you just zip it up and you’re done.
Clothing from ExOfficio
I talk up ExOfficio travel clothes on a regular basis because time after time they meet or beat my expectations. I wore something of theirs pretty much every day for two months solid, yet the shirts and pants look just as good as they did the day I took them out of their packaging. From travel underwear to Insect Shield items to quick-dry shirts, this is great stuff. My one complaint is that every bead of sweat shows up way too easily in some of the darker shirts—a problem that’s not as obvious with some of my cheaper patterned shirts (also synthetic) straight off the local clearance rack.
Steripen Water Purifier
I’ve raved about this SteriPEN Traveler so many times since I got it three years ago that I ought to be doing TV commercials for them. I got the runs exactly one half of one day on this trip—out of 61 days total in Mexico and Belize. By using this I also saved at least a hundred plastic water bottles from the landfills or sides of the road. The one drawback I’ve found is the optional solar battery charger takes a good 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, which is not always plentiful during rainy season or while hiking in the mountains.
Skype
OK, this is technically software, not gear, but it’s a wonderful thing for travelers. I got a Skype unlimited calling subscription and online phone number with my own area code before I left so relatives could call us with their regular phone and it was a domestic call for them. It rang anytime we were online or they could leave a voice mail if we weren’t. It’s so cheap I’m keeping it going permanently just for when I travel. I took along a Philips Skype USB phoneon as well so I didn’t need a headset.
Convertible Travel Pants
Yeah, they’re kind of dorky, but all three of us had a pair or two and they got a lot of use. Pants when you need pants, shorts when you don’t. The definitive double-duty travel gear item. You can get nice versions from Columbia, ExOfficio, North Face, etc. at Sierra Trading Post or a slightly cheaper store brand version at REI. Right about now at least one brand is probably going on sale…
Chargepod Callpod
This is another product I absolutely love. Between two of us we were carrying two iPods, two home cell phones, and two Mexican cell phones this summer. With this cool Callpod gadget we could leave all the proprietary cords behind and have just one charger. (See photo at the top of post.)
Timex Rugged Field Expedition Watch
I’ve got eight watches on my dresser at home, but this is the one I take with me on trips. My Rugged Field Expedition watch has taken a licking and kept on ticking in six countries so far, through all kinds of weather. I think this one pictured is not available anymore, but I’ve had good experiences with the whole line. (And I like the light-up Indiglo feature.)
Teva Omnium Shoes
I just reviewed these awesome
Teva Omnium sandal shoes last week, so click the link above for the lowdown.
Also, from a working digital nomad standpoint, I was quite happy with the performance of some items I reviewed here recently, like the HP DV3 13-inch laptop and my Kodak Easyshare Z1012 IS camera with 12X zoom.
Stay tuned for more!
Posted by Tim in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on August 12th, 2009
