Coolibar Travel Shirt
Long Term Report – November 15, 2006
Tester Information:
Name: Jason Boyle
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 6"/ 1.68 m
Weight: 170 lb/ 77 kg
Chest: 42"/ 107 cm
Neck: 16"/ 41 cm
Sleeve: 28"/ 71 cm (from the middle of my chest to my wrist)
Email address: c4jc "at" hotmail "dot" com
City, State, Country: Snoqualmie, WA, U. S.
Backpacking Background:
I have been camping and backpacking for about 18 years. My introduction to the outdoors started with the BSA and has continued as an adult. I have hiked mostly in the Southeastern and Northeastern United States. I am generally a lightweight hiker, but will carry extras to keep me comfortable. I have recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest and spend most of my time hiking and backpacking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but I can be found exploring the other wild areas of Washington!
Product Information:
Manufacturer: Coolibar
Model: Travel Shirt
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL:www.coolibar.com
Listed weight: none listed
Measured weight:
Sizes: S – XXL, Large is what I received.
Color: Stone, Fog Blue, Cloud White, Desert Tan, Cactus Green (received)
Fabric content: 100% polyester, 100% coolmax, mesh polyester
MSRP: $59.95 US
Country of Manufacture: China
Product Description:
The Coolibar Travel Shirt is a comfortable, breathable, long sleeve shirt. It has two chest pockets, side ventilation, and an extra high collar for sun protection.
For more information see my initial and field reports.
Summary:
I have found a new shirt to take on backpacking and hiking trips. The Coolibar Travel Shirt is very comfortable and well made. The front pockets have proved to be very useful for storing small items and allowing quick access. My only complaint and it is minor, is that the length of fabric used to hold the sleeves in place when rolled is too long leaving the sleeves in an uncomfortable position on my arms.
Field Conditions:
Since my last report, I wore the Coolibar Travel Shirt on a 3 day backpacking trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Elevation ranged from 4100’ to 8201’ (1250 m to 2500 m), temperatures ranged from 70 F to freezing (21 C to 0 C). I started out with sunny skies, but experienced rain, sleet and snow before the weekend was over. I love fall weather in the Pacific Northwest!
Long Term Test Results:
This trip allowed me to wear the shirt over a full range of conditions and I am very pleased with the results. I backpacked with the Coolibar shirt and a wicking short sleeved t-shirt on the hike in with temperatures in the 60 F to 70 F (15 C to 21 C) range and was very comfortable. I also backpacked with it on the next day with the same set up. I was a little warm as we gained 2500’ (762 m) of elevation in 4 miles (6 km), but I rolled the sleeves up and felt fine. On the way out on the third day, the temperatures plummeted and I wore the Coolibar shirt with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath. Temperatures were in the 30 F to 40 F (-1 C to 4 C) range with rain and snow falling and I was very comfortable. I would begin to sweat when I had on my shell and was gaining elevation, but this was because of the shell’s lack of breathability not because of the shirt.
The shirt has continued to fit well and remains comfortable. I have laundered and dried it with my other clothes with no issues. I still think the button to hold the sleeves up when rolled is a little too low for me. As soon as the test has concluded, I will move the button higher on the sleeve to accommodate the length of my arms.
I have not experienced any durability issues with the shirt. All buttons and seams remain in good condition. There is no noticeable wear on the shoulders or back from my backpacks.
One thing I really enjoyed with this shirt was the pockets on the front. I did not expect to really use these, but I found them to be quite handy to carry small items like chapstick, sunglasses, and snacks.
Improvements:
I stand by my request to shorten the fabric that holds the sleeves up when they are rolled. As detailed above, I will move the button on the shirt once the test is over to accommodate my arm length.
Test Plan:
I evaluated the Coolibar Travel Shirt on the following characteristics over the test period. My answers are in blue.
Fit:
- How well does the shirt fit? I think the shirt fits well, everything is proportional. The only thing that doesn’t fit perfectly is the tab that holds the sleeves up when they are rolled. I cannot seem to get them rolled to where they will stay up above my elbow. This is just a minor annoyance.
- Can I layer a t-shirt underneath on cold and chilly evenings? Yes, the shirt easily accommodates a short or long sleeve base layer.
- Is it comfortable enough to wear without a base layer? Yes, it is quite comfortable when worn by itself.
- Are the sleeves proportional to the rest of the shirt? Yes, see my answer above.
- Does the shirt breathe well? Yes, the mesh sides and back do a good job of ventilating heat, even when wearing a base layer.
Durable:
- How durable is the fabric? I did not notice any problems over the test period.
- Do I need to be concerned during off trail hiking? I have not had any problems, but like anything I would be careful in heavy undergrowth.
- Does the fabric wear more underneath my backpack straps? After multiple backpacking and dayhiking trips there are no signs of wear.
- What temperature range is the shirt best used in? For backpacking use I would say it is best used in temperatures under 60 F (15 C). For everyday wear and while scrambling, I was comfortable up to 80+ F (27+ C) in a dry environment.
- How easy is the shirt to maintain? Really easy! I just stuff it in my pack and pull it out when I need it. It wrinkles easy, but on the trail I am not concerned with wrinkles.
- Are there any special washing instructions? No, I just wash it with my other light colored clothing.
- Does it trap smells? I have not noticed any extreme smell trapping. Like any garment it will smell if worn long enough without washing.
Style:
- Living here in the trendy Pacific Northwest is this shirt stylish enough to wear on a rainy day diaper run to Target or while out at dinner in downtown Seattle? Yes, in my opinion it looks like something a grizzled western Washington outdoorsman would wear and other than the wrinkles it is fairly stylish.
Thanks to Coolibar and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to participate in this test.
Read more reviews of Coolibar gear
Read more gear reviews by Jason Boyle
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