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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Outdoor Research Mens SoDo Shirt > Test Report by Jamie LawrenceOutdoor Research SoDo Shirt
Test Series by Jamie LawrenceInitial Report - 14th July 2010Field Report - 21st September 2010 Long-Term Report - 27th November 2010Tester Information
I was introduced to backpacking/tramping/hiking as a young child in Boy Scouts and through my school physical/adventure education. After leaving school, I mainly did short daywalks until recently when I started to re-walk some of Tasmania's key routes and try others I have yet to attempt. I mainly walk in the winter months, in Tasmania's central highlands area. I prefer light gear, extended walks (3-5 days) in a group of 3 people, or shorter walks (1-3 days) walking solo. I generally carry a base weight pack of around 8 kg - 10 kg (17 lbs - 22 lbs). Initial Report14th July 2010 Product Information & Specification
Described by Outdoor
Research as a
lightweight, button up UPF 30+ protection shirt that is just as suited
to a
days hiking as it is to a night on the town. The SoDo Shirt is
available in
both short sleeve and long sleeve models with sizes ranging from Small
to XL.
There are 3 colour options, Barley, Balsam and Abyss. I am testing a
short
sleeve model in size Medium with the Barley colour. Initial ImpressionsFrom the moment I received
the SoDo, I
was immediately concerned that I may have ordered the wrong size. As
there is
no actual sizing chart available on Outdoor Research's website for this
particular shirt which is a surprise as many other items on the site
have
sizing charts. I selected a size Medium as I have a lightweight jacket
also
made by Outdoor Research in the same size that is an excellent fit.
This shirt
did not at first strike me as being a 'great' fit as it feels very
baggy and
loose, and although a short sleeve, the sleeves still come to my elbow.
Despite
this, I actually have plenty of room around my shoulders and doubt I
could fit
into a size small comfortably. I would also not be able to button the
collar at
the top button. The general fit does feel a little sloppy and my
personal
preference would be for a slightly more slimmer fit, particularly if I
was
wanting to wear this shirt in a more urban setting rather than out in
the
wilds. SummaryOverall, I was highly impressed with my initial wearing of the Outdoor Research SoDo shirt. It is comfortable and appears to be well constructed from quality materials. I do like the slightly more 'stylish' design of the shirt and would feel comfortable wearing this shirt not only out in the wilds, but also kicking around a bar with my mates in warm weather. However, as it is currently winter for me, it is a little cold to get around in a short sleeved shirt.I plan to give the SoDo a good and proper testing on an upcoming trip to East Timor, which will be extremely hot and humid!!! I will spend a lot of time in jungle and rural areas which I anticipate will offer a good testing ground for this product.
Field ReportField Locations & ConditionsDuring my field testing, I had very little opportunity to wear the SoDo shirt until I traveled to East Timor (Timor-Leste), a small developing country around 640 km (400 mi) north west of Australia. I spent 2 weeks traveling backpack style around East Timor in temperatures between 42 C (107 F) and 20 C (68 F). Humidity was around the 75-85% mark. Elevations ranged from sea level to around 1,500 m ASL (4,920 ft). During this time I would estimate I wore the SoDo around 12 times. I was caught in a rather large downpour at one point but have no idea how much rain fell, but it was a lot! Performance in the Field
Whilst I was traveling
around East Timor I was living out
of my 65 L pack. As I was away from home for 2 weeks, I had to be
pretty
selective of what gear I carried with me. First and foremost I only
wanted to
carry gear that was lightweight, practical and able to cope with the
rough and
tumble of being stuffed into my pack and then worn in hot and difficult
conditions. I am pleased to report that the SoDo was up to this
challenge. In
my Initial Report I cited that I felt the style and fit of the SoDo was
a
little baggy. Having now had a chance to wear the shirt for several
days in hot
weather, I found that the fit was actually one of the benefits I
noticed first,
as this allowed for greater circulation and airflow around my body,
helping
keep me cool. I also quickly discovered that despite coming out of my
pack
rather badly creased and looking rough, the SoDo quickly dropped this
pack look
and after I had worn for about half an hour, looked like it had been
ironed.
Bonus! In general terms the fit and comfort of the SoDo was really
good. I do still find the buttons a bit small and the horizontal cut of
the button holes catches me out but I am now getting used to this
design.
The other major benefit I was able to test was the sun protection. Whilst I was away I was taking a common anti-malaria medication, which had the unwanted side-effect of making my skin more sensitive to sunlight, and therefore burn much more easily than I would normally experience. Even when wearing a super thin shirt I could feel the rays of the sun burning my skin slightly. I found that when wearing the SoDo I was comfortable and didn't have any issues with burning. I concluded that this was as a result of the SoDo blocking the UV rays.
Outdoor Research have designed the SoDo to be more fashionable whilst retaining functionality for backpacking and travel. I was able to test this, in a simple form by wearing the SoDo when traveling for a whole day then having to attend a church mass when I arrived. I was simply able to step out of the vehicle and after a quick wash of my face and hands, step into a crowded mass and l felt that the styling of the SoDo was smart enough without being too formal.
Unfortunately I did have one drama during my field testing. I wear prescription glasses, and also have a pair of prescription sunglasses. This means I am always dragging around 2 pairs of glasses with me and I usually just put the pair I am not wearing (eg my normal glasses when wearing my sunglasses) in my shirt pocket. I have no idea how it happened but after wearing my sunglasses most of the day and having my normal glasses in the pocket of the SoDo, I was really angry when I removed them to discover the lenses had got badly scratched, so badly that I will need to replace the lenses. I am not entirely sure I can blame this on the SoDo absolutely but the pocket did feel free from any grit and I assumed the fabric was smooth enough not to damage my lenses. SummaryOverall I was really quite impressed with
how well the SoDo shirt performed in the hot and humid conditions of
East Timor. I found it handy to know that I could stuff it in my pack
and when I required a shirt that was a little more 'dressy' than a
t-shirt, I could change into the SoDo and still feel comfortable in the
humidity. It was certainly a bonus to be able to wash and dry the SoDo
quickly which is important when traveling. Now that I am home in Hobart
and the weather is starting to warm up as we move out of Winter, I plan
to wear the SoDo on sunny day outings.
This concludes my Field Report of the Outdoor Research SoDo shirt. Again I would like to thank Outdoor Research and www.backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test this quality piece of clothing. Field Locations & ConditionsI have continued to wear the SoDo during outdoor outings when the weather has been warm enough for me to be comfortable in short sleeves. I have had limited opportunity to take the SoDo out backpacking as I have been recovering from a major knee operation which has left me housebound. Prior to the surgery I was actively training for 2 multi-sport races (races consisting of run, kayak, MTB and road cycle legs) which I am a member of a 4 man team, I am the kayaker. Conditions have ranged from around 5 C (41 F) to a lovely warm spring day of 22 C (72 F). I was lucky enough to avoid rain when ever I was wearing the SoDo. During this phase of testing I was in locations ranging from the beach to large hydro-electric storage lakes at around 800 m (2,265 ft). Overall I estimate I have worn the SoDo around 10 more times during this phase of testing.Performance in the FieldThe more relaxed style of the SoDo proved to be quite handy when out and about as part of the multi-sport race scene. I could wear the SoDo after I had completed my race leg and be comfortable but a bit more stylish than wearing a t-shirt. This proved particularly handy for trophy presentations and photos. The SoDo has remained very comfortable to wear, especially when it is a bit humid and some extra ventilation and air movement around my body is required.In one instance, the SoDo did not recover overly well from some bad treatment where it got covered in dirt after I was at a friend's place (on a farm) and he needed some help moving some earth. I got quite dirty and messy, including some grease type stain on part of the shirt. Again the shirt proved to be comfortable whilst I was hot and sweaty, as well as proving good protection from the sun. Despite 2 washes through the machine, the shirt still looks a little 'worn'. This is the first time this has happened during my testing as the shirt always laundered well and after a quick iron, looked as new. I suspect the quite red soil that I was working with is particularly difficult to get out! I have since soaked the shirt in a laundry treater which has removed 99% of the marks. The care tag clearly states do not bleach this shirt. There was no obvious discolouration after I soaked the shirt. I can still notice the marks simply because I spent so long trying to get rid of them! The care tag also clearly states that this product can not be dry cleaned, which would have been my course of action had the shirt been able to withstand this treatment. Apart from the dramas outlined above, the SoDo has preformed well over the testing period. I have had no issues with the seams or frayed threads. I have also been really impressed with the strength of the buttons and the loop through design appears to be a lot stronger than conventional sewn in buttons. Although in my Initial Report I described that I did not like the size of the buttons, I have got used to them and actually find them no different to normal buttons. I also cited that the horizontal cut button holes were a bit annoying. Again I have become used to this and hardly give it a second thought now. Final SummaryMy overall impressions of the Outdoor Research have not changed substantially from my first wearing. I still find the shirt a little baggy but ignoring this, it is a highly comfortable shirt and it is great when the weather is warm and the humidity is up. I certainly found this shirt had my preference whilst I was backpack traveling through East Timor and, once the weather became a warm enough at home, was great option when I was out and about in the outdoors racing or just enjoying nature.Outdoor Research state on their website that the SoDo is 'just as suited to a days hiking as it is a night on the town'. Whilst I would not wear this shirt to a more formal occasion, it is stylish enough to look smart and well dressed in a social setting but practically constructed, lightweight, quick drying and comfortable enough for long days in the outdoors, especially in warmer temperatures. I am now moving into my summer season here in the Southern hemisphere, so I look forward to many days out in the wilds wearing the SoDo as I find it a pleasure to wear and highly suited to the outdoors lifestyle. This concludes my testing of the Outdoor Research SoDo shirt. My final thanks to Outdoor Research and www.backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test this quality piece of clothing. Read more reviews of Outdoor Research gear Read more gear reviews by Jamie Lawrence Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Outdoor Research Mens SoDo Shirt > Test Report by Jamie Lawrence |