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

Sun Mar 8 10:40:06 CDT 2015

We buy ExOfficio and have had some shirts for many years.  I have a pair of 
pants that I love, but they are getting ragged around the hem (my fault).  I 
highly recommend them.
Me
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Williams" <baidarker at gmail.com>
To: "walt Durling" <durlfam4 at icloud.com>
Cc: <Pct-L at backcountry.net>; "Michael Murray" <mmtnsong at telus.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2015 6:20 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Shirt: Silk or Synthetic or ?


> 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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