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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Lite LS Shirt > Michael Herman > Long Term ReportEx Officio BUZZ OFF Lite LS shirt
After testing the Ex Officio Lite LS BUZZ OFF shirt for 6 months I came away with a lot likes and some dislikes about the shirt. The durability and bug repellency were great but the design of the shirt was a dislike to me. Since my field report I have tested this shirt mostly around the Midwest but also in the summer in West Virginia. In the Midwest the temperatures have ranged from 100 F (32 C) and 43 F (6 C). In West Virginia the temperatures were around 60 F (16 C) and 50 F ( 10 C). It is not usually windy in the Midwest; however, I experienced quite a bit of wind in West Virginia. I have seen quite a bit of rain while backpacking in the fall in Indiana and Illinois. The bug repellency of the shirt works by being treated when made. This allows the user to wear the shirt and have protection against bugs. It has repelled no-see-ums, mosquitoes, gnats, ants, spiders and possibly a raccoon. When backpacking a raccoon got in to a bag sitting next to mine one night but didn't touch mine. I think this may have been because my Ex Officio BUZZ OFF clothing were on the top of my bag and stopped the raccoon. This is just my theory though. During the summer months, sometimes around 100 F (37 C), I would roll up the sleeves while wearing the shirt. After doing this I still didn't have bugs landing on my exposed arms. I also wouldn't have as many bugs by or above my head as I would when not wearing the shirt. The bug repellency is supposed to last for 25 washes, I have washed my shirt 18 times and the bug repellency still is there just as it was the first time wearing the shirt. The comfort and design of the shirt is where I think the shirt fails as a good backpacking shirt. The shirt is designed with a slit across the back that allows air to circulate in the back. When wearing a pack this was very ineffective and did not allow air to circulate at all; therefore, my back would be soaked in sweat. This is a typical thing that happens to all shirts I have worn while backpacking and therefore this isn't nesscerrly a negative of the shirt, but I was hoping that the shirt would have addressed the problem when I first received it. When not wearing a pack the vent does help a little, but only a little. In warmer temperatures such as 100 F(37 C) I wish that there was more circulation in the shirt. When the sleeves are rolled up not much air was able to circulate around my arms as a normal t-shirt would allow. This was because the shirt didn't have loose fitting arms. The design of the shirt is also an issue to me. It is a full button down shirt with a collar, something that I don't see people backpacking in. When I am backpacking I prefer not to look like I dressed up for the occasion, (this could be perfect however if you like that look). If I could change the shirt I would have made it a short sleeved shirt regular t-shirt. Other than the design of the shirt and the lack of air circulation I liked the the comfort of the shirt. The fabric softened after a few washes and the shirt is definitely comfortable to wear around the town or at the park. The durability of the shirt has been beyond expectation. I have had no problems with the stitching or any rips and tears. I have crawled around on my knees and arms while working on cars and the shirt has not seemed to wear at all. While bush whacking I was surprised to see that after the shirt was getting caught on bush branches that there were no rips or tears. All the buttons have stayed on with no sign of cracks or wearing. Overall I believe that the construction of the shirt was well done. After testing this shirt for six months I have enjoyed the bug repellency of the shirt and the durability; however, I did not like the design or the lack of air circulation in the shirt. I have taken this shirt out of my standard backpacking gear. It is now a shirt that I will wear to the park or other outdoor event where bugs might be an issue, but it will not accompany me on backpacking or day hiking trips.
What I dislike
Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Lite LS Shirt > Michael Herman > Long Term Report | |||||||