Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Give-n-Go Skivvy Top > Anthony Smith > Initial Report

Tester Bio
Name: Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age: 29 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 meters)
Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)
Neck: 15.5 in (39.5 cm)
Chest: 42 in (106 cm)
Arm Length: 34 in (86.5 cm)
Email address: tj@leaess.com
City, State, Country: Pensacola, FL, USA
Date: November 3, 2004

Backpacking Background: I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new gear to my “collection” in an effort to get my gear list tailored more towards backpacking, specifically lightweight backpacking. Most of my backpacking trips are short duration, not more than one or two nights. However, I am planning some longer trips in the near future.

Product Information

Year of Manufacture – 2004
Manufacturer URL – http://www.exofficio.com/
Stated Weight – 4 oz (113 g)
Weight as Delivered – 6.3 oz (179 g)
Size – Men’s Medium
Color - Charcoal
MSRP - US $40.00

Initial Information/Observations

I received this item on October 29, 2004. The package was complete and in excellent shape, containing two of the skivvy tops in reusable plastic storage pouches, as well as a packing slip listing the two tops received.
The Ex Officio Give-N-Go Skivvy Top is “lightweight, high performance layer” designed to be used as a base layer in a clothing system. This top is very easy to put on and by following the sizing recommendations on the manufacturer’s website, I actually have a very good fit. I normally wear a large shirt, but based on the sizing on the website I went with the medium. I am glad I did.
The skivvy is a tagless design in the neck, with the sizing, materials, and small icons denoting that the skivvy is antibacterial, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying located just below the collar on the back of the shirt where the tag would normally go. There is a small tag on the left side seam inside the skivvy, approximately 3.5 in (9 cm) from the bottom edge. According to the "tag" (as this is a tagless top) and the website, the top is made of 94% nylon and 6% spandex.
According to the website the skivvy features extended sleeves with thumb holes to facilitate using this as a base layer. I found this feature very easy to use, and the thumb holes lined up properly without having to make any adjustments to the lay of the sleeves. The charcoal is a little darker than what I had expected based on the sample on the website, but I feel is still a color I will be happy with. The top does meet my expectations for fit and feel, and appears well made. I did not notice any loose stitching on either of the tops I received, all seams have a nice finish, and there is even double-stitching at either end of the thumb holes to help hold up to frequent use.
One other item of note is that this top features the shoulder seams located about 2 in (5 cm) forward of the actual shoulder line, which according to the manufacturer is intended to ease any friction or pressure from wearing a pack with this top. The tops also came with a heavy vinyl-type storage pouch, which the package material states can be reused "for carrying trail maps, an extra pair of socks, film, or other valuables." Also on the package, the claims are made that the top will dry in 2-4 hours, is antibacterial, lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable. According to the package, after washing the top "simply wring out, lay flat on a dry towel, roll up like a burrito, and stomp away. Then hang them in a well-ventilated location. They should be dry in hours."

Test Plan

Test Locations- I plan on testing this top in locations ranging from Northwest to Central Florida, as well as into South and Central Alabama. The terrain in these locations varies from flat land to gently rolling hills, with small (no more than 400-500 ft (122-152 m)) elevation changes at any one time. Overall elevation will vary from sea level to 2400 ft (732 m) total. Terrain types will range from crystal white beach sand, to marsh, to untrodden pine forest areas.

Expected weather conditions - Temperatures during this time period are expected to range from highs up to the lower 80's F (30 C) to lows in the teens (-10 C). There are likely to be occasional periods of rain during the testing period, from light sprinkles to heavy downpours. There is also likely to be considerable early morning condensation from the wide ranges of temperatures and the humidity levels.

Style of hiking - I am currently in a transition from car camping to lighter weight backpacking. I do not have a lot of experience with layering my clothing, but feel this would be a great opportunity to experiment and offer the insight of someone new to the concept of layering. I will be utilizing this top on both day trips and longer duration (3-5 day) trips that I have planned over the next few months.

Test plan or strategy - The following are a list of issues I intend to explore:
1. How well does this top function in the range of temperatures I will experience?
2. How well does this top work as part of a layering system?
3. How well does this top function on its own in warmer weather?
4. How easy is this to clean? Does it hold stains? Does it require any special cleaning?
5. How quickly does this top dry out when wet? Is it as easy as the packaging lends me to believe?
6. How well does it seem to wick moisture away? (I tend to sweat a lot and need clothing that transports moisture away from my body, especially given the high humidity I tend to encounter.)
7. How well does the top resist odors? After one day? Several days? A whole week of wear?
8. How well constructed are the seams? Do they hold up well to rough wear?
9. Do any seams sit in a bad spot (such as where shoulder straps cause rubbing, etc?)

Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Give-n-Go Skivvy Top > Anthony Smith > Initial Report