Product Description
The manufacturer suggests that ideal uses for this shirt
include trail running, cycling, nordic skiing, backcountry
skiing/snowboarding. The manufacturer states that it is constructed of slow-washed merino wool that resists odor
naturally, insulates even when wet, is exceptionally durable,
and stretches. It provides superior performance and softness
without the use of environmentally harmful chlorine. The Wool 2 T-Shirt is made from an extra-fine
gauge yarn and weave which provides luxurious hand (luxurious fibers) and has pointelle knit
(a very feminine stitch made with a pattern of openings) construction.
The Wool 2 T-Shirt has a crew neck that is doubled. The manufacturer states that it is doubled for softness. The shirt also has raglan sleeve seams that the manufacturer states won't chafe beneath straps.
The shirt has a slim fit style. Believe me it does. I am glad I went up a size. I usually wear a size medium but when I looked at the measurements and noticed it was a slim fit I decided to go up a size. This shirt is supposed to be long enough to tuck in per the manufacturer.
Patagonia has three different weights of wool baselayers. This is the Wool 2 model which is for use in warmer temperatures. There is also a Wool 3 and Wool 4 models of baselayers. The Wool 4 model is most appropriately used in cold temperatures.
Initial Impressions
I browsed the manufacturer's website to get some details on the Wool 2 T-Shirt. I found the site to give me general use and construction information along with care instructions. The shirt that arrived exceeded my expectations from what I saw on the website. Sometimes the website does not give an item justice.
A tag came attached to the shirt with the price, care instructions, and wool fabric information. The shirt has fabric content and care instructions on the tag located inside the collar. The care instructions have symbols indicating that the garment should be washed in cold water, no bleach, dry flat, and low heat iron.
I was quite surprised how much of the shirt had the pointelle knit. I guess I did not expect so much. This is definitely a unique feature of the shirt and I like it. I just wonder how well this type of knit is going to hold up. I hope the knit does not snag and tear. The wool fabric of this shirt appears to be very delicate because it is so lightweight.
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Collar stitching detail and pointelle knit pattern. |
I was also surprised on how light this shirt actually is. It is quite fitted and see-through. I better be careful what I put underneath it. No dark sports bras here. This is actually the lightest wool shirt I have ever tried. It will definitely not be too heavy for use in warmer weather.
The wool fabric is extremely soft to the touch. I am very impressed with the softness and the light feel of the shirt. I tried it on for size and it fit well. It is definitely a fitted shirt. It was a little bit clingy and did have some static. I will see if this is the case after it is washed.
There is a black sewn on tag in the lower left side of the shirt (when worn) with the manufacturer's name stitched in white. The stitching stretches and multiple stitches holding the seams and fabric in place. The stitching has what looks like a surged appearance.
The shirt appears to be a garment made of quality fabric and stitching. Especially with the extra detail of the pointelle knit. However, there is a small hole in the collar of the shirt that I am afraid will tear if the shirt is laundered or worn. I will be contacting customer support in regards to this finding.
Field Report
June 15, 2008 |
Testing Locations
During the past two months the Patagonia Wool 2 T-Shirt was worn for eight days on backpacking trips, day hikes, and walks.
The shirt was worn in the following locations during the past two months:
San Jacinto State Park, California: This was a sunny two day solo trip. Camp was set up in at approximately 9,000 ft (2,743 m). The high temperature for both days was around 58 F (14 C) and the low was recorded at 39 F (4 C).
San Bernardino National Forest, California: This was a sunny two day backpacking trip. Camp was located at Limber Pine Bench at 9,300 ft (2,835 m).The temperatures ranged from 67 F (19 C) to 40 F (4 C) with enough wind to keep the mosquitoes away. The trip had an elevation gain of 3,680 ft (1,122 m) in 6 mi (7 km) for a total of 12 mi (19 km) for the trip.
Huntington Beach, California: I wore
the shirt on three of my walking outings on the beach
path. The temperatures ranged from 65 F (18 C) to 80 F (27 F). On various days it was windy with strong wind gusts. The average miles walked per day ranged from 5 to 6 mi (8 to 10 km).
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Backpacking in San Bernardino National Forest
Millcreek Canyon, Utah: The shirt was worn on a sunny 5 mi (8 km) day hike. The temperature was around 67 F (19 C). The starting elevation was recorded at 5,600 ft (1,707 m).
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Performance in the Field
Patagonia replaced my shirt that had a hole in the collar with no questions asked. I did not have the opportunity to directly speak with the customer service department. The test moderator contacted Patagonia and informed them of the defect. I received a replacement shirt very quickly.
It seems like I am either too hot or too cold on the trail. The first trip out with the Wool 2 T-shirt was what I thought to be a chilly morning, recorded at 50 F (10 C). So I layered up with the Wool 2 T-shirt, then a long sleeve Icebreaker 280 wool shirt. When I started on the trail I became quite warm. So I took the Icebreaker layer off and hiked all day with the Wool 2 T-shirt on. I broke a sweat on the trail. But, I found the shirt to be very lightweight and airy. Even though the shirt is lightweight I never found myself getting cold, even while hiking over snowfields. I had mixed thoughts on this shirt going into the test because it is so lightweight that I was worried it would be see-through. I have found though, that I can wear a beige sports bra and not have it be seen through the fabric.
After hiking with a pack on I found that the back of the shirt became a little damp but not soaking wet. I wore the shirt for two days and there was no stench. I had to place my Icebreaker wool shirt over the Wool 2 T-shirt in the late afternoon when the temperatures began to drop and I was in shadows and not direct sunlight.
I have been comfortable wearing the shirt in temperatures as high as 80 F (27 F). I was not at all too warm even while breaking a sweat.
The fabric has begun to show signs of pilling on the shoulder and chest area where the straps of my backpack sit. There is also some pilling where the hip belt of my backpack has rubbed against the shirt. The pilling started to occur the second time I wore the shirt backpacking. There are a few small holes in the shirt where the hip belt of my backpack sits against the shirt. The material of the shirt is very thin, but I was quite surprised to have holes in the shirt on the second day of backpacking.
Pilling on shirt
After washing the Wool 2 according to the manufacturer's directions I placed the shirt on a drying rack to dry. I did notice that the wool has a weird odor when it is wet. It smells like a sheep. The odor disappeared when the shirt was dry. This makes me wonder why the back of the shirt did not stink when it was damp from my perspiration. Maybe it was not wet enough to cause the odor. The shirt showed no signs of stretching after washing it in cold water.
The shirt has a nice feminine look to it with the pointelle stitching and the cut of the shirt body. I think it looks unique compared to some of the other wool shirts I own. I also like the design of the double collar with the cut of the material in the center of the neck. The collar does not lay flat on my chest and neck area, it stands up slightly giving the shirt a more finished look.
Long Term Report
August 20, 2008 |
Testing Locations
During the past two months the Patagonia Wool 2 T-Shirt was worn on 2 backpacking trips, 4 day hikes, and multiple walks.
The shirt was worn in the following locations during the past two months:
Neffs Canyon, Utah: This was a 3 mi (5 km) day hike with lots of rattlesnakes on the trail. We had to turn around because we did not want the dogs to get bitten by the snakes. The temperature was recorded at 78 F (25 C).
Maple Canyon, Utah: The shirt was worn for a portion of a rock climbing trip. I decided not to wear it climbing since the fabric does not hold up well to abrasion. I took the shirt off when arriving at the crag. The elevation was 6,800 ft (2,073 m) and the temperature was 57 F (14 C) in the a.m. shade.
Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area, Wisconsin: The shirt was worn on two 3 mi (5 km) day hikes (on two separate days) in the early evening. The park elevation is 1,279 ft (390 m). I had no means of recording the temperature at the park. I would estimate that the temperature was in the mid 70 F (21 C) range.
San Bernardino National Forest, California: This was a two night backpacking trip to the Lodgepole camp site on the South Fork Trail. The trip was 11 mi (18 km) round tip and had 3,400 ft (1,036 m) of elevation gain. The temperatures were in the low 80 F range (27 C) and was around 60 F (16 C) at night.
Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness, California: This was a two day trip on the Marion Mountain Trail. The day time temperature was around 80 F (27 C) with a night temperature around 55 F (13 C). There were storm clouds and thunderstorms in the area. Lucky for us we missed the rain showers. The camp elevation was at 9,850 ft (3,000 m).
The shirt was also worn in Nashville, Tennessee for two evening walks to Centennial Park and multiple times on the beach path in Huntington Beach, California. The walks were between 3-5 mi (5-8 km).
Performance in the Field
Throughout the last four months (the entire testing period) I must say that I am very happy with the performance of the Wool 2 T-Shirt. I find the shirt to be very comfortable, moisture wicking, and is tastefully designed. The shirt has a nice feminine look to it and is not boxy in design. The Wool 2 T-Shirt still wicks moisture well and there has not been any significant odor from the shirt while wearing it and encountering perspiration.
The fabric is very thin and does wear easily. The area where my backpack hip belt and the shoulder straps sit on the shirt have created pilling and small holes. Sometimes I worry about getting holes in the shirt from brushing against trees and rocks. However, I have brushed the shirt against tress and there was no damage to the fabric. Some fabric pilling occurred where I brushed the shirt against some rocks. There is only one stitch on the collar that is frayed. I have clipped this thread and it seems to still be intact. But, somehow I got a pulled thread in the shirt and with washing it has turned into a hole the size of a dime. This was not in an area that recall brushing up against a tree or a shrub.
When the temperatures are above 80 F (27 C) I found the shirt to be a little bit too warm especially in the direct sun. During these trips I wore the Wool 2 T-Shirt for sleeping purposes, which worked out well. I was pretty comfortable at night, not too hot or too cold. I have worn the shirt as a base layered with other heavier wool shirts (mostly long sleeve types) and fleece pull over jackets. I found this layering concept worked well with no bulk presented under the layers.
The shirt has a long length that prevents it from riding up most of the time on the sides and the back. There have been occasions that the shirt has rode up, but I think this was due to pack load, the hiking terrain, and the type of pack I was wearing.
The Wool 2 T-Shirt has not shrunk or stretched at all from washing. I have not placed it in the dryer yet since I normally hang my wool shirts to dry. The shirt dries quickly after it is washed and even while hiking when it becomes damp from perspiration or from contact with water.
Summary
I really like how lightweight and the moisture wicking properties of the Wool 2 T-shirt. However, with it being so lightweight the fabric wears quickly and is subject to tears more easily. All in all I am very happy with the Wool 2 T-Shirt, I will continue to wear it until it is time to retire it.
Things That Rock
- Breathablility
- Feminine look
- No stench after perspiring
Things That Are So So:
- The smell after washing the shirt when it is wet
- The material is thin and pills easily
- Holes have appeared in the fabric where the hip belt of my backpack sits
- The fabric has a hole in it from a pulled thread
- The price
Remarks
This
concludes my long term report. Thank you Patagonia
and backpackgeartest.org
for providing me with the opportunity to test the Women's
Wool 2 T-Shirt.
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