Posts Tagged quick-dry
Patagonia Silkweight Wicking T-shirt
There are plenty of hi-tech t-shirts fighting for your travel budget, but this Patagonia Merino Silkweight one stands out on several counts.
When I first starting backpacking around the world, anyone with any manners wore cotton t-shirts. That’s because the efficiency minded Germans who seemed most likely to be sporting the new “wicking t-shirts” could be smelled coming from halfway down the beach. Yes, it’s wonderful to have something on that dries quickly and that makes a lot of sense when packing, but straight synthetic fibers without any treatment tend to get rid of moisture…but hold onto everything else.
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way. You can now stuff your backpack with lightweight, fast-drying t-shirts that you can wear for days without stinking up the hostel. You can take workout wear for your business trip without sacraficing much extra space. You can be ready for an all-day bike ride and know your sink-washed shirt will be dry by morning.
This Patagonia one, which is a blend of 65% merino wool and 35% polyester, lists for a wince-inducing $60, but it doesn’t look, feel, or pack like your usual cut-rate alternative. It does feel silky-smooth against the skin, but the merino wool gives it some softness you don’t normally get in straight synthetics—yet it’s thinner and stretchier than a straight merino wool one typically is. It feels more durable too. Both the shoulder seams and side seams are not only flat, but they’re offset so they don’t get in the way of your pack straps or your arms.
When it comes to packing, you’d be hard-pressed to find any t-shirt anywhere that takes up less space in your bag than this 4.2-ounce one (119 grams). No matter what you do to it though to make it fit, it pops out with no wrinkles.
This Merino 1 wicking t-shirt is meant to fit tight and show off your pecs, so go a size up if you don’t favor the superhero look. I usually wear a medium, but went for a large on this. It still looks flattering, but isn’t so clingy.
I wore this for three days without washing it, in moderate travel conditions, and it stayed reasonably odor-free. When I sink-washed it after that, it dried in two hours in shade with a steady breeze. In the sun it would probably take an hour or less.
Like everything Patagonia makes, this t-shirt comes with an “ironclad guarantee,” so if it fails on any count beyond normal wear and tear, they’ll replace it. There’s also a lot of eco-cred in this product, from chlorine-free wool treatment to bluesign approval on the materials sourcing.
The Merino Silkweight t-shirt comes in 5 muted colors and 6 sizes. Check current prices at Rock Creek or at Zappos, where they also have the women’s version.
Don’t miss a review! Get the RSS feed or follow Practical Travel Gear on Facebook.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 25th, 2012
New Developments in Travel Underwear
Despite what it’s covering, travel underwear is not really as sexy to review as fancy ski jackets and cool $200 shoes, but for most travelers its a very important subject. You probably wear underwear every day no matter what and let’s face it, that underwear requires frequent washing.
Fortunately you no longer just have to buy what’s hanging from a hook at Target or Wal-mart when you hit the road these days. You can buy underwear made specifically for travelers. This means undies that can be sink washed, will dry quickly, and will not stay soaked with sweat when you’re wearing them. Here are a few noteworthy types to choose from.
ExOfficio Give-n-Go underwear is probably the best-known for travelers because it was the first to really market travel undies heavily and raving fans (like me) helped spread the word after seeing how well they performed on the road. Many women weren’t as excited as us guys though because the original offerings were far from sexy. The new line-up has changed all that though, with these Give-n-Go Lacy Low-rise bikini ones saying “Technically Sexy” on the tag.
They’re still odor-resistant, quick-drying, and lightweight, but they wouldn’t look out of place at Victoria’s Secret. Unlike those though, these are treated with Aegis Microbe Shield and are made from nylon and Spandex so they’ll dry overnight after a sink washing. They come in six sizes, three colors, and list for $15-$20 depending on style. I’m no cross-dresser, but my bedmate tried them out and will use them on her next journey. Yes, they look good on. See the whole travel underwear line at ExOfficio.com and buy direct or see the Lacy l0w-rise bikini, string bikini, or Lacy regular bikini at Backcountry.com, where they have pretty much the whole line.
***
Polarmax AYG (for all year gear) underwear has been reviewed in detail on this gear blog before, but the company continues to expand the offerings and add new styles. Polarmax has put all the technical know-how it’s gotten from making great base layers and applied it to what’s under your shorts in hot weather as well. They now offer briefs, boxer briefs, and regular boxers. The first two come in “four-way stretch” synthetics that are anti-microbial, wicking, quick-drying, and breathable. These all work well, look good, and feel good, though if your size is borderline then err on the side of buying too large. These seem to have the world’s strongest waistbands and the medium is tighter than I would like in, ahem, some regions. These are great to have though if you’ll be involved in adventure activities or on tours that involve cycling or hiking. Good support and all that.
The boxers have a more traditional loose feel and are made with TransDRY “wicking cotton.” Yes, I know, sounds like an oxymoron, but although they won’t wick as quickly as nylon, they certainly do so much faster than your Fruit of the Looms. They’re also treated to be odor-resistant, which you’ll be thankful for if it’s been too long between laundry sessions while on the move. They’re made in the USA, but are priced in line with those put together in China. I’ve found these to be comfortable and they perform as advertised. My main problem with the whole AYG line is the actual footprint of the product: pack five pairs of these and it’s a rather sizable wad of fabric. It’s best to mix in one or two pairs with others that are more compact. See more details at the Polarmax site and check prices on the Polarmax AYG line at Amazon, including the TransDRY cotton briefs and boxers.
***
With this Saxx Underwear, there’s no worry about your junk getting squashed. Think of it as underwear that incorporates a jock strap, though it’s all in thin, lightweight stretch polyester that dries quickly when sink-washed. Its “ergonomic comfort pouch” keeps you cool and dry and it has “added compression to keep everything in place.”
I saw the whole line on display at the Outdoor Retailer show and though it seemed kind of gimmicky, I’ve got to admit that I keep returning to the Pro Elite Boxer Briefs I got a sample of to try out. They’re quite comfortable, I do feel cooler when I have them on, and they’re great for outdoor activities in hot weather. These come in six sizes and the medium fit my 34-waist body well, as in not too tight. (Sorry ladies but no, that’s not me in the photo to your right…)
The company makes four main fabric styles, from 24/7 (cotton, w/5% Spandex) to Luxury (modal, cotton, Spandex). Each comes in varying leg lengths and three colors. These are thinner and take up a bit less room than the Polarmax ones and will take anything you throw at them in terms of the washer and dryer. Saxx also makes long johns, but for the regular underwear the list prices are around $24 to $35. See more at the Saxx site or follow these links to buy from Backcountry: Pro Elite boxer brief, Luxury boxer brief, or 24-Seven Trunk. (You can browse around from there to the others.)
***
The Ibex Balance Boxer Briefs are the most expensive here, at 50 bucks a pair list price. Most men aren’t used to laying out anything close to that amount for underwear, but in all fairness these are made from the soft New Zealand merino wool that Ibex is known for, plus a smidgen of nylon and Spandex to give them more stretch. Merino wool is naturally quick-drying, odor resistant, and wicking, so these accomplish what the all-synthetic ones do without needing additional chemical treatment.
Think of this underwear as a base layer for your torso. The fabric feels great against the skin and it’s very good at temperature regulation. In the interest of testing I wore these far longer than I normally would a pair of underwear on two recent trips and the odor-resistant properties are for real. These take some getting used to though as they’re about the most snug pair of underwear I’ve ever had in this size. I would strongly advise going up one size or even two if you’re at the high end of the range in waist size. Thes Balance Boxer Briefs are the opposite of the Saxx ones: there’s not a lot of extra room in the front. “Are those going to fit?!” my wife asked when I pulled them out of the package. They’ve got a lot of give, but go bigger unless you’re very small…
See more at the Ibex site or order the Ibex Balance Boxer Brief – Men’s at a tad off list price at Backcountry.com. If you buy last season’s color, the price drops more.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on April 12th, 2012
Sea to Summit Dry Lite Towel
According to “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” a towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. The same goes for a traveler, even if you’re stuck on this planet. But dragging a huge hotel towel everywhere can be a pain. Save space and bother by bringing a Sea to Summit Dry Lite Towel.
Made of 70 percent polyester and 30 percent nylon microfiber with ultra-suede finish, the towel is super-soft. It’s also available in a variety of colors and sizes—ranging from XS (12 x 24 inches) to XL (30 x 60 inches). For my test, I used a medium size. There’s a small, attached strap that unsnaps, so you can easily hang it to dry, or attach it to your bag.
On a hike in Kauai, it packed easily in my bag. I barely noticed the 3.6-ounce weight. But after I’d jumped into a natural pool to cool off, I’m glad I brought it.
The Dry Lite Towel is also amazingly absorbent. After I used my towel, I twisted out far more water than I thought it held. It saved me from dripping along on the trail after my swim. I carried it along on my shoulders through the forest, and by the time I got back to my hotel, it was nearly dry.
All I had to do when I got home was throw it into the washing machine, and it’s ready to go on my next adventure.
The Sea to Summit Dry Lite Towel lists for $9.90 to $32.90, depending on size, at RockCreek.com and backcountry.com.
Don’t miss a review! Get the RSS feed or follow Practical Travel Gear on Facebook.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on April 6th, 2012
Merino Wool Sprint Baselayer From Icebreaker
I was told I could wear this Icebreaker Sprint Crewe base layer for a week without it getting stinky. That’s a challenge my slovenly side could not ignore.
Last year Pam reviewed some stylish merino wool separates from Icebreaker and Jill tried out their Quantum Hood earlier this month. So those performed well and they’re pretty, but what about the menswear? Is a guy really going to pay $70 to $100 for a baselayer?
My automatic answer would be no, but then the company got the attention of my practical, light-packing side.You see, merino wool from New Zealand is naturally lightweight, naturally wicking, and naturally quick-drying. But the real advantage for travelers is it can do all those things like synthetics do, but is also odor-resistant without chemical treatment. OK, so there’s 3% Lycra in this to make it more stretchy (or make your workout enhanced muscles look good if you’re more buff than me), but otherwise it’s finely spun, renewable sheep’s coat.
Here at Practical Travel Gear we take our gear reviewing duties more seriously than your average magazine. It’s not just a photo shoot, a cutesy paragraph of copy, and on to the next batch. We like to give everything a real workout. So first I wore this around in cold conditions a bit, with just a jacket on, to see how well the warmth part worked. Check on that, and check on when I got sweaty from changing temps and had to shed the jacket. The shirt quickly dried without leaving me clammy. My temperature regulated quickly in a variety of conditions.
But then I wore it for seven days to see if that odor-fighting claim was for real.
I work out of a home office when I’m not on the road, so this was no big deal really. Let’s just say I don’t normally contribute a whole lot to the weekly laundry load. Still, a week in one shirt is pushing it far, so I didn’t expect to go more than a few days. Surprisingly, nobody told me, “You stink!” even after a week. Maybe the Sprint Crewe didn’t smell as fresh as the day it came out of the washer, but better than I’ve ever managed with even a treated synthetic one.
So maybe this thin, 200-gram Icebreaker merino wool top really is worth paying as much as a pair of shoes for. If you can go for days without washing it and you can wear it in temperatures from barely cool to Actic, that’s a fine thing to be packing when you need to pack light.
The only drawbacks to this shirt, besides the price, are the ones inherent in wool. Even merino wool can feel a tad scratchy to people with sensitive skin, though to me this stuff feels not quite as nice as cotton but a whole lot better than nylon or polyester. Velcro tends to stick to it, which can be trouble with some ski shells. This base layer is keeping its shape and size well after repeated washings though (washing machine is okay, but avoid the dryer). I like the flat seam stitching and the cut of this—it feels like a quality garment and flatters your figure if you’re not overweight. It’s also got thumbholes in the sleeve so you can pull part of the sleeve over your hands.
The Icebreaker Sprint Crewe base layer is available direct with free shipping, is widely available in gear stores, or you can order online from Backcountry, Amazon or Altrec. Prices vary depending on the where and what size, so check around to save a few bucks.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on February 29th, 2012
YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee
Cotton clothing may be soft and lovely, but it’s rarely what you need when you’re trying to keep cool and dry in a tropical climate. The YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee is a lightweight, long-sleeved T-shirt that does both well.
Made of MadKool fabric (92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex) the thin shirt is enough to cover you up without heating you up. It also has UV protection, with 50+ SPF. Wear it for a long hike in the sun (when you might forget to reapply the sunscreen) or wear it in the water when you’re snorkeling (when sunscreen won’t stay on for long).
The bright Maori swirl design was my favorite, since I recently traveled to New Zealand, but there are plenty of options in a variety of colors and designs. With these shirts, there’s no hiding in the background.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee has a slim fit, so if you’re looking for a bit of a relaxed fit, it’s best to choose a size up. That’s what I did, and it was enough to get a comfortably slim fit. If you’re a fan of the baggy look, you may want to consider two sizes up.
The only slight bummer for me is that the arm and shoulder seams aren’t flat, so I can’t use this tee very effectively as a rash guard under a wetsuit. Otherwise, it’s versatile enough to wear on the outside or as a performance base layer.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee lists for $89 on the YMX by Yellowman website.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on January 6th, 2012
