Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Terramar Sports Thermolator Bottoms > Test Report by Jeff Ruhle

TERRAMAR SPORTS THERMOLATOR BOTTOM
TEST SERIES BY JEFF RUHLE
LONG-TERM REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - December 13, 2009
FIELD REPORT - March 14, 2010
LONG TERM REPORT - April 22, 2010

TESTER INFORMATION

I developed a love for backpacking while spending the semester abroad in New Zealand. I enjoy playing games and seeing how little I can pack to keep my pack light, however, I always pack a lot of food. My favorite terrain is steep, rugged, alpine terrain with more vertical and less horizontal. Living in New England, I find a lot of this terrain since the trail makers don't seem to make many switchbacks. I also am highly involved with a large number of other outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking, climbing, and biking. Generally, I like to push my comfort zone.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Package

Manufacturer: Terramar Sports Inc.
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.terramarsports.com/
Measured Weight: 6 oz (170 g)
Size: Large
Color: Black with pewter stitch
Other details (taken from Manufacturer's website):
* 1 ¼" exposed plush logo waistband with moisture-management
* Fly front
* No butt seam
* Flatlock seam construction
Fabric Features: 86% Micro-Polyester 14% Spandex, Two Fabric Jersey and Mesh Construction, ec2® Qwik-Dri™ Thermoregulation Comfort Technology, Anti-microbial, Fabric Weight: 180 grams 5.36 oz, UPF Rating 25+

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

Front

Back

The Terramar Sports Thermolator Bottom (herein will be referred to as the bottom) came nicely packaged in a box with the sizes and corresponding measurements nicely outlined on the back. You can see the front of the package in the picture I have taken.

The material itself seems pretty nice, soft and silky with plenty of stretch in all directions. It has an elastic band around the waist, similar to a pair of boxers. Other than that, it is all the EC2 material, with a relief hole in the crotch.

I have a 34 " (86 cm) waist, which is a medium by their chart. However, with most pants I am usually a large just to get the pants long enough to fit my 6'3" (191 cm) frame. These, however, are plenty long, and I would get the medium if I were to go out and buy a pair.

Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot more to say. It is a pretty simple item, and I cannot comment yet as to how it performs during activity.

SUMMARY

The Terramar Sports Thermolator Bottom seems to be a pretty solid base layer and is just what I expect after looking at the website. I generally prefer a little more compression, but if it wicks as well as the package says it does, it will definitely be taken on trips frequently.

This concludes my Initial Report, and I would like to thank BackpackGearTest.com and Terramar for the oportunity to test this garment. Please tune back in in two months time for my Field Report.

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

This long underwear bottom has gotten the most use on the slopes of Winter Park Resort while I am downhill skiing. I probably wear it at least once a week. It has been used in temperatures from sub-zero (-17.77 C) to mid-thirties (1.67 C) and weather from snowy to bluebird skies.

It was also used on a day trip up Byers Peak. That day the weather was partly cloudy with temperatures in the 20s (-6 C). The trail taken was fairly strenuous and exposed past tree line.

Lastly, the bottom was used for a day of cross country skiing. The skies were bluebird with temperatures in the low 30s. (-1 C) The trail was fairly flat, with a few small hills.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I am very pleased with the way this bottom performed. The fabric is very soft and comfortable. It could, however, be a little tighter. I prefer something with a little more compression. The garment's moisture wicking ability seems exceptional. Lastly, the garment seems to be quite well designed, with a nice hem at the bottom and a buttonless fly. The elastic waist holds them in place, but is not too tight.

SUMMARY

Things I like:
-Buttonless fly
-Soft, comfortable fabric

Things I don't like:
-Lack of compression

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

It still stands that this long underwear bottom has gotten the most use on the slopes of Winter Park Resort. I probably wear it at least once a week. It has been used in temperatures from subzero (-17.77 C) to mid-thirties (1.67 C) and weather from snowy to bluebird skies.

As the weather got warmer, however, I managed to get the bike out and take a trip down to the front range. Apparently the bluebird skies and 60 degree (18.33 C) weather prompted everyone to start bike season on the same day, because the Green Mountain and Morrison loops were very crowded. Due to the throngs of people, I couldn't quite get going as fast, but probably for the better since I haven't used a lot of those muscle groups since early last fall.

Also, following the ski season, I took a trip down to Utah and Arizona to hike the Paria River Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, as well as explore many of the area's slot canyons. The weather was actually much colder than I expected, hovering around 60 degrees (15.56 C) with fairly constant winds and very low humidity. One of the days was cloudy and the rest were sunny, however, often the sun remained out of view behind the rim of the canyon leaving us in the shade.

There were several days after the Paria Canyon trip that I spent exploring the slot canyons in the Escalante-Grand Staircase region. For the days the weather was much warmer. The temperatures were general around 80 degrees (26.67 C) and all were blue skies with very few clouds. Being a desert region, there was very low humidity.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

As most of the use this garment received was on the ski slopes, all my comments from the Field Report still hold true. However, the use for biking led to another few insights and I will comment briefly on the garment's durability.

As I was biking in the bright sunshine, I found myself wishing I had not worn the garment. It is not that I was overheating, the fabric is actually very light. I think it is just a comfort thing for me. There is something to be said for feeling the wind whip past you and the sun on your skin. However, the fabric does seem to block the sun pretty well, be it good or bad. All the exposed parts of my body, particularly my nose, were various shades of red that night. But, the bottom kept my legs from burning, when I almost always burn the tops of my thighs on extended rides.

In the canyons, the bottom performed well. During the day while hiking, the pack did a great job of keeping the sun off me, although it was black and full length so it did make me a little toasty. Due to this, I only ended up wearing it one day. I often get burned on the backside of my halves when hiking, and I had no signs of red. Usually I don't sleep wear clothing, but the bottom was soft enough that it didn't bother me one bit. In addition, it kept my skin from sticking to the nylon pof the sleeping bag when I overheat and start to sweat.

Now, on to durability. Since I have had it, I have probably washed the bottom around a dozen times. It seems to be maintaining its elasticity, in the fabric and the waist band, without any problems. Normally the first spot to start getting thin on my elastic underwear bottoms is the rear. It must be a fairly high stress point with the lack of cushioning over the bones in my rear. So far, the rear of this bottom is holding out well!

SUMMARY

Things I like:
-Buttonless fly
-Soft, comfortable fabric
-Provides some degree of sun protection

Things I don't like:
-Lack of compression
-The way it feels while biking.

Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Terramar Sports Thermolator Bottoms > Test Report by Jeff Ruhle