Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Lite LS Shirt > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report

Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite Long Sleeved Shirt- Initial Report

May 10, 2004

Thomas Vickers
36 years old
Male
5 ft 11 in tall (1.8 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
redroach@pobox.com
Southeast Texas, Houston Area

Background: 
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house.  I started hiking in my college years and my style has evolved over the past 17 years - from my discovery, heavy gear period (internal frame packs, sleeping bags and tents) to - believe it or not - heavier, more expensive gear.  Over the last 3 or 4 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions) and I have rediscovered the pleasure that can be involved in being outdoors with your gear.  While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible

Manufacturer Details:
Website:www.exofficio.com
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colors: Blue, Sand, Juniper
Weight: NA

Details from Tester: (all measurements are approximate)
Size: Medium
Color: Sand
Weight: 8.7 oz (247 g)
Arm Length (shoulder seam to cuff): 24 in (61 cm)
Collar Circumference: 17 in (43 cm)
Torso length (base of collar to tail of shirt): 29.75 in (76 cm)
Chest: 40 in (102 cm)

Additional Tester Measurements:
Arm length: 22 in (56 cm)
Chest: 38 in (97 cm)
Waist: 33 in (84 cm)
Neck: 16 in (41 cm)

Initial Website Impressions:
I visited the Ex Officio website and found out far more than I ever intended about the product that I was going to test.  The color swatches for the shirt were very vibrant and easy to see. There was no confusion in my mind as to what the shirt color would look like.  For that matter, I felt that I also had a good grip on what the shirt would look like when it arrived at my door.

The one thing that I would like to have seen at the website were more photos.  One showing the back of the shirt and one showing the shirt with the sleeves rolled up would be a really nice touch.

The website also contains a good amount of detail about the BUZZ OFF process that gives this shirt its special bug repellant properties. The FAQ section provided good answers to common questions about the BUZZ OFF insect repellant. 

Over all, I expected no surprises after visiting the website.

Arrival:
A large, flat box was waiting for me when I arrived home from work.  Inside the box I found a plethora of items for me to dig through.  Sealed in plastic bags were the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite long sleeve shirt and the BUZZ OFF Convertable pant.    Along with the test items there was brochure explaining all about the BUZZ OFF Insect Shield insect repllent clothing and its benefits, a cataloge of 2004 Ex Officio BUZZ OFF clothing, an Ex Officio BUZZ OFF ink pen, and a folder containing a press release about the BUZZ OFF line of clothing and a printed FAQ about the BUZZ OFF process. 

Attached to each piece of clothing was a hang tag which contains information about that particular piece and a warning tag telling the purchaser DO NOT DRY CLEAN. 

The feature tags claim that the  Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite long sleeved shirt is insect repellent, UV Block 30+, Moisture Wicking, Quick Drying, Lightweight, and Wrinkle Resistant. 

Description and Initial Impressions:
Once I got the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite long sleeved shirt out of the plastic wrap, I received my first surprise.  It was soft and very good looking.   According to Ex Officio, the fabric is 65% polyester and 35% cotton.  I had never imagined that the fabric of this shirt was going to be so nice. 

The shirt is a basic long sleeved, collared, button down shirt with a straight hem at the bottom.  The Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite shirt that I received was the Sand color that I had requested.  The Sand color is a very light khaki tone and the dark brown buttons of the shirt go well with this color of fabric.

There are two chest pockets, one on either side, that have 5.5 in (14 cm) zippers that are covered/protected by flaps of cloth.   Each of these pockets measures approximately 5.5 x 6 in (14 x 15 cm) and are made of mesh rather than being solid fabric pockets (The mesh pockets are inside the shirt so that no mesh is visible outside).

The long sleeves roll up above my elbows are are secured in place by a piece of fabric that buttons over the rolled up sleeve.  

There is a mesh "cape" vent in the back of the shirt which is designed to allow better ventilation while wearing the shirt.  The true nature of this vent is not apparent while someone is looking at the shirt which I think adds to the useful, yet casual nature of this garment.

The buttons and seams all appear to be well sewn and durable.  No loose threads or buttons.   I am not a big fan of buttons, mainly because they can break or tear loose at inopportune times, but from my initial inspection of the shirt, I should have nothing to worry about. 

I have worn the Ex Officio BUZZ OFF Lite long sleeved shirt for one day so far.  I was outside cooking on the grill all afternoon and I figured that there would be no better way to kick off this test than by putting the shirt to some good use.   My family commented several times on the look of the shirt and most of them were amazed that is was more of that "back packing stuff you are always trying out."    They really thought that the shirt looked too nice to be something I am going to stink up on one of my hiking trips.

At this point I am truly looking forward to this test.  The shirt really looks far too 'classy' to be just a hiking shirt, but I am going to put it through its paces anyway.   If a shirt this nice can stand up to my trail use then I am going to be more than a little surprised. 

Test Location:
This test will have 4  testing locations:

Southeast Texas - Little or no altitude. Night temperatures ranging from 70 degrees F to 85 degrees F (21 degrees C to 29 degrees C). Daytime temperatures from 80 degrees F to 100 degrees F (27 degrees C to 38 degrees C).

Arkansas (Eagle Rock Loop Trail) - Altitudes of 500 - 2000 feet (152 meters to 610 meters). Night temperatures ranging from 60 degrees F to 80 degrees F (16 degrees C to 27 degrees C). Daytime temperatures are unknown to me, but probably hot).

Central Texas - Little or no altitude here either. Night temperatures ranging from 70 degrees F to 85 degrees F (21 degrees C to 29 degrees C). Daytime temperatures from 80 degrees F to 100 degrees F (27 degrees C to 38 degrees C).

These trips will range in length from 5 days each (Colorado and Arkansas), several 3 day trips in Central Texas, to many weekend and overnight trips in Southeast Texas.

Test Plan:
Testing will be carried out on backpacking/hiking trips and on any other outdoor activity that will bring me in close touch with bugs.  This will allow me access the shirt's performance in the field as I complete a variety of outdoor activities.

1. Does the Buzz Off Insect shield technology work well? I live in mosquito central and most of my hiking trips will be taking place during serious bug season.

5. How well does it hold up to backpacking/hiking? How durable is the fabric?  How durable are the buttons?     Will they stay attached during the testing period?

6. Will it be comfortable to wear while wearing a pack? Will the shirt be too hot?

7. How well does it resist stains? (I have already dropped a half cooked steak on it)

8. How long can it be worn between washings? How bad does it smell after prolonged periods of wear? (this is  important since the insect repellency is limited by washing)

9. Does sweating in the shirt seem to negate or reduce the BUZZ OFF protection?

10 . How well do the zip pockets work? Are they durable? Do they jam easily?

13. Does the Airomesh lined cape vent help ventilate the shirt? Even while wearing a pack?

Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Lite LS Shirt > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report