[pct-l] Trail Shirt: Silk or Synthetic or ?

[Scott Williams]

Hey Michael,

For the PCT in 2010 I started with a Bug Shield, no stink, button up,
lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and no stink Tshirt, both from Ex'Officio.
They're both synthetic and dry in a heartbeat, provide a good bit of SPF
and lasted so well that I started the CDT with them in 2012.  Got all the
way to Breckenridge CO when the long-sleeved shirt was finally getting a
bit ragged, and I replaced it with a similar type shirt from the Columbia
outlet in town.  It lasted just over a hundred miles before the shoulders
began to wear through from the pack straps. Wow what a difference in
quality.

In Steamboat, (northern CO) I went looking for a new shirt and my hiking
partner was able to find another exact copy of the shirt I'd used on the
PCT and a big chunk of the CDT, on the bargain rack.  I bought it and it
lasted for the rest of the CDT and almost the full length of the AT before
I traded it out for a third similar shirt also from Ex Officio.   I'll be
starting the Camino in Spain with that shirt in April.  The Tshirt is still
going strong after all three thru hikes and quite a few one month section
hikes during the years.  And most importantly, it still doesn't hold smell
the way the old synthetics used to.  I hated wearing the old ones for even
part of a hard sweaty day they stank so much.

So, the gist of the story is that in spite of the up front cost for going
with a brand like Ex Officio, they were mile for mile much cheaper than
going with something less expensive up front.  I really like the fact that
they dried in minutes, had bug proofing built in, had numerous pockets,
lasted so long, and because they're button up, I could hike with my front
completely open on really hot days but they still provided my back with
some protection from pack chafe.

If you go with synthetic make sure it specifies non stink as the old ones
really smelled awful.  At least when I wore them they did.

Have a wonderful hike!

Shroomer

On Thu, Mar 5, 2015 at 5:50 AM, walt Durling <durlfam4 at icloud.com> wrote:

> Amen to what Ben says.
>
>  Underarmour and other synthetic brands may have their place, but as far
> as active outdoor recreation, including backpacking goes, synthetic can't
> hold a candle to merino wool.  Early last spring in the high Sierra I
> usually wore a mid-weight 1/3 zip merino wool baselayer under my l-s nylon
> shirt, and had my rain jacket as a windbreaker over that.  I hiked in
> comfort through freezing and near freezing temps.  Some say only wash wool
> in cold water, but I haven't seen much difference washing in warm water.  I
> do use lightweight synthetic socks as part of my hiking ensemble, though
> merino wool will always be my go-to.
>
> Prices vary greatly, though.  One company's merino wool baselayer, etc,
> will be twice as high than another company's similar article of clothing.
> Icebreaker can't be beat for quality, though it has higher price points on
> all its clothing.  I read somewhere that the difference is where it's made,
> or even where the merino sheep come from.  LL Bean is said to sell it's
> merino wool products made in China, whereas Icebreaker uses clothing made
> in Australia.  I use Bean's for much less and find no difference in
> quality.  But that's my opinion.  walt
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Mar 5, 2015, at 8:13, Benoit Ballester <senasplage at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Michael,
> >
> > I would definitely not use synthetic for obvious smelly reasons. All my
> synthetic shirts/t-shirts simply smell very bad as soon as I use them. I
> now stopped buying synthetic base layers for all my sports  (hiking,
> running, trail running, skiing), and am gradually switching to wool.
> >
> > I have been hiking/skiing/running in Icebreaker merino wool t-shirt for
> a few years now, and I have been totally converted.
> > You can wear the same merino wool shirt for days, and it won’t skink
> (well at least not as bad as synthetic).
> >
> > If you don’t like Tshirts, I am sure (hope) they are shirts made of
> light merino wool.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ben
> >
> >
> >
> >> On 5 Mar 2015, at 02:02, Michael Murray <mmtnsong at telus.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> For a thru-hike, I'm not sure what the best choice will be for
> durability
> >> and comfort.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I know I prefer collared because better venting from chest.  (T-shirts
> seem
> >> a bit constricting in this aspect)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Any suggestions are appreciated.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >>
> >> Michael
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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