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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Dickies Temp-iQ Performance Cooling Tee > Test Report by Michael Pearl
WILLIAMSON-DICKIE TEMP-IQ COOLING TEE
INITIAL REPORT - April 25, 2018
TESTER INFORMATION
I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. Year of Manufacture: 2018 Manufacturer's Website: dickies.com Made in Nicaragua MSRP: US$14.99 - $16.99 (Varies with Shirt Size) Listed Weight: Not Listed Measured Weight: 7 oz (200 g) Sizes Available: Small through 5XLT Size Tested: Medium Colors Available: Black, Bright Orange, Bright Yellow, Cane Red, Dusty Blue, Dark Navy, Desert Sand English Red, Knit Black Heather, Moss Green, Smoke and White Color Tested: Dusty Blue Materials: 50% Polyester / 50% Cotton Features: Raglan Sleeves Dynamic cooling and moisture management technology Cooling effect triggered by sweat and rising body temperature A Raglan sleeve is one that extends from the collar to the end of the sleeve in one piece of fabric. Temp-iQ technology traps cool air in the fabric next to the skin helping to cool while wicking moisture away. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Temp-iQ Performance Cooling Tee arrived neatly folded in a plastic bag. My first thought is nice color this could go with just about anything I wear. Not that I am fashion minded or even color coordinated when hiking but this shirt has around town potential. Unfolding the shirt I next notice the left chest pocket. It measures about 4 x 5 in (10 x 13 cm) with about 1 in (2.5 cm) sewn off vertically to make what I assume to be a pen/pencil pocket. On the pocket is the Dickies company logo. The inside back portion of the collar there is a small band of fabric sewn. This seems to act like a cushion or transition between the thick seam of the collar that attaches to the body of the shirt. There are two tags attached to the shirt. One is a product tag with shirt size. The second gives information about Temp-iQ dynamic cooling feature. As mentioned this feature reacts to body temperature and sweat level. When hot it allows moisture out removing heat. When cold it retains body heat thus assisting in thermoregulation. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
A tag found inside the shirt provides laundering instructions. TRYING IT OUT The Cooling Tee fits nicely. The cut and proportion of sleeves, collar and body are good. The fabric is soft and comfortable. It has that comfy, well worn casual feel of a traditional T-shirt. Not too much more to say here yet. I think I need some active warm days to see what this Tee can do. SUMMARY
The Temp-iQ Performance Cooling Tee is a comfortable and well made shirt. It fits well and feels as looks good when worn. I am a bit skeptical about the cooling claims. A 4.5 F (2.5 C) decrease in skin temperature sound pretty significant. But I keep an open mind and let field testing flush that out. FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Day Hikes PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The majority of my hikes this test period have been in cooler temperatures. So the cooling feature of the shirt wasn't push too hard. None the less it has been comfortable every time as the only layer or under soft shell rain jacket. It fits nicely, looks good and I like wearing before, during and after hiking (as long as it doesn't smell). The first time I noticed the cooling in action was on a trail maintenance hike. Hiking a couple of miles with heavy metal tools can be tough. Add in using a handsaw to cut a section out of a 8 in (20 cm) tree laying across the trail and now it's really work. After doing this I was quite warm, breaking a mild sweat. As I packed up my tools I thought my shirt felt wet against my chest. I reached down to touch it with my hand but it was dry. As I walked away and the motion caused the Cooling Tee to move away and against my skin I noticed the cool sensation. What first registered as wet was the temperature difference created by the Cooling Tee, it works! Next time the shirt lived up to its name was on the first warm day of the season. I chose a two mountain hike with a short drive between the two. The first was a gradual climb but in the sun most of the time. The second had better shade but was a steep climb just about the whole way up. These two condition combined with 80 F (27 C) made it hot and sweaty. I perceived a difference in temperature on skin under the shirt compared to my shorts. Not always very obvious unless standing still. When at rest in an envelope of my on warmth radiating off of me I notice my upper body becoming more comfortable sooner. On the overnight backpack to Galehead Hut the temperature was not in the "hot" range. But with longer miles, greater elevation gains and the greater pack weight I worked up a sweat. I am quite sure I need not mention the area of the shirt that made contact with my pack was the wettest. When removing my pack especial on the windy summits I cooled, my back chilled and the shirt to my surprise dried much quicker than expected. When not on exposed area of the trail I welcomed the cooling. On the summits after the shirt dried I put on a soft shell rain jacket and was cozy. SUMMARY
I have to admit I was skeptical of the cooling claim. And while it is not like switching on A/C it does provide a amount of cooling that is noticeable and welcomed. I have washed the Cooling Tee several times. It needed it most after the overnight hike when it received its first backpack aroma. After the wash the odor was completely gone. The rigors of the trail and washing machine have not had any negative impact on the Cooling Tee, it remains in good condition. The forecast for the coming week is hot and staying hot. I look forward to pushing the cooling capacity of this shirt on hikes to come. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Day Hikes PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The heat was turned up for this phase of testing. The first hot hike of the season was a tough one. Our internal thermostats had not yet switched to summer mode. While hiking I did not feel any cooling benefit from the Temp-IQ Tee. However when we stopped to rest after removing my pack I did notice a difference. The area the Tee covered I perceived a slightly cooler skin temperature. The other day hikes were slow paced to a swimming hole or warm but with breezy exposed summits. So the shirt was not pushed into the really hot sweaty point. SUMMARY
Throughout this test series the Dickies Cooling Tee has been a comfortable shirt to hike in. It fits well and held up to life on the trail and the many washings afterward. As for washing I never kept track of how many times I laundered it. So not sure at what point the applied cooling treatment will no longer work. While I was somewhat skeptical of that treatment I now can say the Cooling Tee does just what its name suggest. Even after the cooling treatment has been washed from the Tee I will continue to wear it for physical activities. Read more reviews of Williamson-Dickie gear Read more gear reviews by Michael Pearl Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Dickies Temp-iQ Performance Cooling Tee > Test Report by Michael Pearl |