[pct-l] Desert shirt

[verber at gmail.com (Mark Verber)]

> My current "hiking shirt" has one foot in the grave, which
> means I need to buy a new one for my 2005 thru-hike.
> I am looking for a lightweight, long-sleeve, button-front style shirt
> (for the desert).  Does anyone have suggestions?

I think pretty much anyone's supplex shirt is a good bet.  Ideally
with some ventilation since supplex is slightly wind resistant. 
Supplex is nice because it will block the sun, biting bugs, and dries
very quickly.  I have been very happy with shirts made by Railriders
which are quite durable even though it's made with a  lighter weight
supplex than many other manufacturers.

> A variety of brands are selling SPF-rated "sunblock" shirts...
> Has anyone actually used one of these on a PCT thru-hike?

On a thru-hike hike... nope, I am a section hiker.  But I do recall
thru-hikers raving about the railrider shirts in the past.  I have
used my railrider shirt for extended periods of time over the last
three or four years.  The only down side is that like other synthetic
shirts, smells can get locked in over time... so even after a good
washing my shirt still has a slight odor to it.

> What about just using a cheap thrift-store shirt?

Depends on what it's made of.  I burn really easily.  I have burned
while wearing cotton and rayon button down shirts.  They were not
woven tightly enough.  So would any shirt work.. I don't think so.  I
haven't found anything but supplex (or other tightly woven nylons)
which keep mosquitoes at bay.

--mark