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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ex Officio Micro Stretch Tops > Paul Schilke > Initial ReportEx Officio Micro Stretch Top,
Skivvy Zip Pullover
Initial report
Backpacking Background
In 2002, I completed 92% of the Appalachian Trail,
taking 7.5 months to do so. In September of 2003, I walked 350 miles (564
km) across Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the North Country Trail.
Before those experiences, I was very active outdoors: canoeing through
Canyonlands National Park, biking, day hiking, cross country skiing and doing
other things. I have experimented with lightweight gear such as tarps and
alcohol stoves but I am not a fanatic and use both heavy and lightweight gear.
Initial
Impressions
As I write this review I'm wearing one of the two identical Skivvy Top, Zip
Pullover shirts received. The first time I put the shirt on, I felt cozy
warm, especially so in the chest where the shirt fit the tightest. The
spandex material allows just enough give. The rest of the shirt
fit was not as tight, nor as toasty. I wondered if perhaps my new
base layer was the wrong size. After reading through the information
included with the shirt and viewing the picture of a man wearing a similar shirt
that was semi-form fitting, I concluded I had received the right size,
well kind of.
The Skivvy Zip Pullover arrived at my front door with a twin. Both shirts
were packaged inside an Ex-Officio box. Each shirt was packaged
individually inside a reusable bag with snap closure. The packaging was
complete with an insert that described the four technical properties
of the Skivvy Top. The properties are: high warmth to weight
ratio, moisture wicking, anti-bacterial and breathable.
What is a high warmth to weight ratio? I know that many manufacturers
of technical clothing tout the warmth to weight ratio of their thermal layering
products, but what ratio is considered high? I guess it is a
thing comparative to something like wool or old school synthetics.
However I'd still like to know the numerical ratio that is considered high, or
for that matter low.
The Skivvy Zip Pullover is light and it is warm. I've
worn the shirt as a base layer in conjunction with a Polartec 300 vest
during walks in temperatures of 31° F (-1° C). I was sufficiently warm for
the moderately aerobic activity.
I did launder one of the shirts after wearing it for several days.
Although the label says to machine dry on low, I chose to air dry
overnight. The Skivvy Zip Pullover dried sufficiently,
but it just slightly damp. It also retained lint. A trip
through the dryer should take care of lint and slight dampness.
When I initially pulled the first shirt out of the package, I
noticed a lot of lint sticking to the shirt's "Peach
Finish." I didn't seem to notice it as badly on the second
shirt. I wore the first Skivvy Top around the house and during
walks to campus for several days and it did not begin to smell.
The lack of smell could be due to the working of the anti-microbial
action.
Overall I've been very happy with the fit, form and warmth of the shirt.
The Skivvy Top is comfy. The zippered collar is wonderful, it zips down
and leaves the neck area open for ventilation when I'm too hot.
It zips closed to guard against chilly times. The zipper
action is smooth and works well. The shirt sleeves are designed to stretch
over the hands and have holes which attach over the thumbs. These thumb
holes are a great idea and seem to be comfortable so far.
The shirt looks marvelous. I wear it on campus with my vest and the two
work together. When I remove the vest though, the shirt must be zipped up
to just below the neckline or else my marginal chest hair sticks out. In
the case of fashion, if the shirt were any tighter it might not work for me as
an everyday wear shirt. I've got too much body fat.
The shirt might work best as a base layer, for wicking and for warmth, if
I'd ordered a small. I'm thinking about calling Ex Officio and exchanging
one of the shirts for a different size. When I ordered the shirt I spent
quite a bit of time considering the size to order. After years of ordering
large shirts and coats, I'd begun the process of realizing that I am a size
medium after my Appalachian Trail experience. Now I might be considered a
small by Ex Officio, at least if I want my technical clothes to fit and work
their best as a thermal and wicking base layer.
Test
Strategy
I will be using the Micro Stretch Fleece Skivvy Zip Pullover while snowshoeing,
cross country skiing and tramping through Medicine Bow National Forest.
I intend to wear the Skivvy Zip Pullover alone and as a base layer.
I'm going to be looking for how well the Skivvy Zip Pullover:
The long term report will document how well the Aegis Microbe Shield works to
prevent the development of funky odors. I'm really excited about the thumb
slots! There is nothing like ensuring that your shirt fits over you arms
and hands into your gloves during cold weather. I prefer shirts with
zipper collars, they are much more comfortable and versatile than shirts without
them. I'll be watching the operation of the zipper to make sure it
doesn't snag. I'll be looking to see how the Pullover works with a
pack. Finally, I'll be looking at how well the Peach Finish delivers
wrinkle resistance, softness and most importantly...
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