Terramar Therma TX2
Silk 'n' Wool Pant
Terramar's all-natural, two layer, medium weight insulating layer
system.
Andrew Buskov
Initial Report: December 5, 2009
Field Report: March 9, 2010
Long Term Report: May 9, 2010
Tester
Biographical Information
| Name: |
Andrew Buskov |
| Age: |
34 |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Height: |
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight: |
223 lbs (101 kg) |
| Waist: |
38
in (97 cm) |
| Email: |
Rescue(at)Corridor9(dot)net |
| City, State Zip |
Madisonville, Kentucky
USA |
Backpacking Background:
I’ve been backpacking for years now,
and have
slowly started
developing my ideal style. I’ve gotten my pack weight down to roughly
25 – 30
lbs (11 – 14 kg) before water, and am whittling it down every
hike. Day hiking is
nice, but
getting out over multiple nights is really what I enjoy. I like to take
my
time and enjoy the scenery as opposed to hiking hard. I also like being
comfortable and insist on an air mattress. I usually tent or hammock,
but stay in shelters when needed.
Product
Information:
| Item: |
Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool Pant
|
| Manufacturer: |
Terramar
|
| Website |
http://www.terramarsports.com |
| Year of Manufacture: |
2009
|
| MSRP: |
N/A |
| Listed Weight: |
N/A
|
| Actual Weight: |
6.7 oz (190 g) |
| Available Color: |
Black
|
| Size Tested: | L | | Sizes Available: | S - 2XL |
Product
Overview:
The Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool Pants are part of Terramar's
Thermawool line of insulated long underwear. They are comprised of two
layers, wool and silk, that are sewn together using construction knit
technology. This traps a layer of air between the silk and wool,
creating a thermal barrier without bulk. With a 1 1/4 in (3.17 cm)
plush waistband with moisture management, fly front, full-length inseam
gusset, 1x1 rib cuff, and flatlock seam construction, the TX2 Silk 'n'
Wool
bottoms are designed for comfort as well as functionality.
(From Website)
Fabric Features: Unique Two-layer Fabric Layer System, Outer Layer 100%
Super Soft Mercerized Merino Wool, Inner Layer 100% Super Soft Filament
Silk, Fabric Weight: 150 grams 4.5 oz, UPF Rating 50+
Initial Impression:
The TX2 Silk 'n' Wool Pants arrived at my
door in complete condition and
without any
obvious rips, tears, or other deformities. They were packaged in a retail
display box that included information about the
material, guarantee against defects for one year, sizing chart, as well
as washing instructions. I removed the pants from the
box and weighed them prior to trying them on. I immediately noticed the
level of comfort they provided as opposed to my regular Nomex
blend thermal underwear. They were definitely comfortable and smooth.
A
few of the things I noticed right off when I slipped into the TX2 pants
were the length and fit. I usually like to get my thermal underwear
pants a bit tight as opposed to having them too loose. I hate feeling
like I have a bundle of cloth around my hips and crotch as I'm walking
or hiking. I'd much prefer they fit on the snug side. However, I found
with the TX2 pants, they fit just right. Even though I'd ordered my
usual size in base layer pants, I didn't feel like I was slipping into
Spandex undies. They were comfortable in all the right spots and were
able to give when I stretched or bent.
The length to the ankle
cuff was just right. Once again, because I purchase a smaller base
layer size for fit, I usually have to deal with them being on the short
side. As with the fit, the length was spot on as well. The cuff hit my
ankle with just a bit of extra length to spare. It didn't feel too
tight around my lower leg either thus letting the circulation flow
freely, a problem I have with some of my other base layers.
The
waistband wasn't too tight, but was snug. There was plenty of stretch
to it and I was comfortable throughout the entire time I was wearing
these. All seams are sewn flat, which is nice as I really don't want to
have blisters on my hips, waist, or crotch area while walking. Having a
full length gusseted crotch means that the seams shouldn't rub at all
as they sit a bit forward and rear of midline.
I
did notice a bit of frilling on the inside where some of the seams are
sewn together. The frilling was short prior to wear and washing.
However, while a bit of frilling is expected, the length of the frill
is a bit concerning. At over 6 in (15 cm) in length, the crotch area
seems to be wearing unevenly after just one wash. This is something
I'll definitely keep an eye on throughout the life of the test.
On the hang tag that came with the shirt there is a catch
phrase: "Soft to the Touch, Warm to the Feel, Not Too Hot, Not Too
Cold, Always Just Right". I have to say that I agree completely with
this phrase so far. As a test one night, I decided to wear these to bed
since it was a bit cold in the house 66 F (19 C). I normally just wear
some boxers to bed and sleep under a sheet and quilted blanket. As I
lay there in the Silk 'n' Wool outfit, I felt completely comfortable
even though I didn't have the blanket thrown over me. Because I'm not
used to sleeping this way though, I woke up the next morning wrapped up
in my blanket and sheet. However, much to my surprise, I wasn't soaking
wet from sweat, nor was I burning up in any way. I was completely
comfortable! The shirt breathed the way it was supposed to and let my
body regulate temperature all night. Such a wonderful feeling waking up
warm and refreshed.
In
all, I'm very pleased with the fit, feel, and comfort I've experienced
while wearing the Terramar Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool Pants.
Field Report: March 9, 2010
Field Conditions:During
this testing phase I wore the Terramar Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool Pants 10
times. While a few of the uses were on
the three day hikes I took in two different recreational areas in
Western Kentucky, a majority of the usage was around town during some
of the snowy weather we've received this winter. We've received a
couple of big snow falls so far and are looking for more. Big for us is
6+ in (15+ cm) at any one time, but I guess that's what I get for living in
Kentucky instead of Colorado. Temperatures that I experienced during
the day hikes ranged from 35 - 55
F
(2 - 13 C), but overall temperatures that I've worn the pants in has
been between 2 - 60 F ( -17 - 16 C). All day hikes were during
overcast skies, but only one day hike
had any precipitation: a bit of misty fog.
Performance:Over
the past few months, I've been able to wear the Terramar Therma TX2
Silk 'n' Wool Pants on many occasions. As with the any set of
long underwear, the majority of its usage has been outside in cold,
windy, wet, and often snowy weather. Over the life of the testing
period they have remained exceptionally comfortable and warm. As with
the Silk 'n' Wool Crew shirt, I found wearing these pants to be much
more comfortable than any other pair of long underwear that I
have.
In
addition to wearing this pair of long underwear
out into the cold environments, I have also used it as sleepwear over
the past few months.
Due to the fact that my bed is nestled right next to a window on the
far side of the house from the heating unit, it's often drafty and cold
when I go to bed. I am forced to either endure the cold or pay
outrageous gas bills during the winter months. I've worn
the Silk 'n' Wool Pants during the night and they've kept me warm
and
comfortable all night long. Because they perform so well at warming, I
found myself taking them off in the middle of the night much more often
than I did the Silk 'n' Wool Crew. This worked out well because by that
time I was tired of feeling constrained by them. Don't get me wrong,
they didn't at all feel tight or restrict my movement during the night;
I simply don't like wearing any type of pants while sleeping.
While
I've noticed that the pants tends to soak up perspiration quite easily,
I've not noticed any sort of active cooling effect because of this.
However, but I did
feel cold on a couple of occasions due the lack of wicking away from my
skin, but this is to be expected from any sweat soaked clothing. This
was really only noticeable on the lower half of my legs when
the Silk 'n' Wool pants got wet while tromping and sledding in the snow.
These
didn't see as much wash time as the Silk 'n' Wool Crew shirt did though
as I don't tend to wear them as often but I ended up washing them 8 or
more times during this testing phase. The seam that is frayed in the
picture above still looks roughly the same with only a bit more
material poking out. It doesn't appear to have lost any strength in the
seam. I'll continue to keep an eye on this during the LTR phase.
One
of the things that I noticed with the Silk 'n' Wool Crew was also a
problem with the Silk 'n' Wool Pants: the material tends to stretch out
quite a bit. I found that the seat of the pants area is stretching and
getting bigger over the life of the test. While some stretching would
be okay if the pants reverted back during washing, the amount of
material has at least once been a problem when wearing a pair of jeans.
It felt like I had a diaper on; definitely not a feeling I enjoyed
while running errands around town. While the extra material hasn't
stopped me from wearing the Silk 'n' Wool Pants, I have restricted
their use to certain pants versus others.
Long Term Report: May 9, 2010
Field Conditions:I
was able to wear the Terramar Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool pants only two
times during this testing phase. Each time these were worn to bed the
temperatures at night were around 40 F (4 C) outside with temps
hovering around 68 F (20 C) inside. These two nights were the only time
that I was even able to test these pants without sweating profusely.
The remaining times during the spring season, the temperatures were
well above comfortable limits for the pants.Summary:In all
I've had the opportunity to use the Terramar Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool
pants a total of roughly 12 - 15 times. They were used during a variety
of temperatures and weather conditions, and kept me quite warm on a
number of occasions. I found over the life of the test that they will
comfortably warm down to roughly 5 F (-15 C) with just a few layers of
clothing on top. I also found that they are uncomfortable to wear above
55 F (12 C) while doing any activity. However, I did find that they
were comfortable up to roughly 68 F (20 C) during sleep times when I
wasn't overly active and generating heat.
The seams of the
garment are still intact, as they were with the last testing phase.
They have a bit more frill to them, but they are in no way in jeopardy
of coming apart as I was concerned with during the Initial Report
phase. The elastic is still quite pliable, and has retained its shape
even after repeated washings. There is no elastic frill from the band
visible, and no other degradation seen throughout the entire garment.
The garment has held up quite nicely over the life of the test. Unlike
the collar of the shirt that I am also testing, I found that the bottom
of the pants did not stretch at all. This was quite welcome since
losing the elasticity often leads to the cuff rising up my calves and
becoming uncomfortable.
I attribute the cooling from the
perspiration to the lack of work during resting times that I took while
hiking. As mentioned previously there was no sort of active cooling, it
was all cooling from a buildup of perspiration and lack of movement.
While this was a bit uncomfortable at times, I never felt overly cold
or wet. They were quick to dry during most occasions though and thus
weren't uncomfortable for any extended period of time.
As I
mentioned with the top, I have found that the pants have now developed
a tendency to hold smells more easily than when I first received them.
I found this especially true after the last time I wore these. During
that night, I was tossing and turning and woke up rather drenched in
sweat. When I woke up in the morning, I had a bit more of an odor than
when I went to bed the night before. While it wasn't something that I
would have thought much about while out hiking, it was a bit of a
problem when lying next to my wife all night.
In all though, I am
pleased with the comfort, fit, and quality of the Terramar Therma TX2
Silk 'n' Wool pants. They have kept me warm during cold dayhikes and
have provided me that little extra bit of warmth during those chilly
nights. I foresee these pants being a regular part of my cold weather
hiking and sleeping gear.
I'd like to thank Terramar and BackpackGearTest.org for allowing me the opportunity to test the Therma TX2 Silk 'n' Wool pants.
Read more gear reviews by Andrew Buskov
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