Initial Report: Hot Chillys Bio-Silver Top

My e-mail: bpskids@charter.net
My name: Jodi Cornelius
My Age: 41
Height: 5’4”/1.6 m
Weight: 160 lbs/73 kg
Gender: Female
City: Derrick City
State: PA
Country: USA
Date: October 20, 2003
My area of the country: Northwest Pennsylvania near the Allegheny Mountains

Product Information:
 
Manufacturer:  Hot Chillys http://www.hotchillys.com
Product:  Hot Chillys Bio-Silver Bi-Ply Outdoor Top Crew Neck Style
Year of Manufacture:  2003
Listed weight: Not listed
Weight as delivered (Women’s Large): 9.6 oz/272 gm (weighed on a precision ink scale)
Color: White
Other available colors: Black
MSRP: None listed

Features from the Website:

FABRIC
OUTER LAYER-100% MTF Microfiber Polyester
INNER LAYER-75% MTF Polyester with 25% Bio-Silver
Bi-ply knit places Bio-Silver combined with MTF
Polyester next to the skin to conduct heat and rapidly transport moisture
Inherent anti-microbial silver yarns fight bacteria and odor

CONSTRUCTION
Tri-component bi-ply knit for warmth and comfort
Soft feel knit with performance features
Anatomical cut for relaxed fit allowing freedom of movement without bagging
Flat seam construction for seam strength and to eliminate abrasion
IDEAL FOR...
Mountaineering, Climbing
Cross Country Skiing
Back Country Expeditions
Skating, Cycling, Running, Hunting,
Fishing, Camping

Test Plan:  In testing this shirt, I plan on wearing it while hunting, any outside exertions, and on some winter overnights that I am planning on this winter.  What I am looking for is the following:

How well does it wick moisture?
How warm does it keep me as a base layer?  As a single layer?
When I sweat, does it make me feel clammy?
How well does it repel odor?
How does it stand up to washings?  Dryings?

I will be wearing this shirt in the woods for the most part, but will also wear it at work (provided the stink factor stays low – don’t want to be fired because I smell like I rolled in something that died a while back!).  I am also going to put the stink factor to the test by wearing this shirt during hunting season this winter.  Two weeks straight of going outside and hunting.  I am looking forward to testing its stink factor and its warmth factor during this time period.

First impression:  I received the package from UPS.  Inside the plain brown box, there was a hanging display box that contained my shirt.  Upon opening the box, I discovered a very lightweight white long sleeved shirt with a crew neck.  The box has a very pleasant outdoor scene wrapping the outside along with the information as to what shirt I have in my hand.  There is a “Hot Chillys Warmth Factor” scale on the box and it shows its warmth factor at “8”.  At the bottom of the front of the box, there is a yellow chilly and it states that it is a “medium” – which I take it to mean that it is in a medium range for warmth.  My impression of that is that it is for moderate temperatures but not extreme cold or extreme heat.  I do have an email out to their website on these questions.

Things I like:  I was a tad concerned about ordering a Large as I have usually noted that most clothing for outdoor use is made smaller than “normal” sizes.  However, I decided to go by their website information and went with the size I would normally pick.  I am pleased to say it fits really well.  Sleeves are an appropriate length and although I usually can’t stand long sleeves, these sleeves fit well enough that they don’t hang in the way of my hands but are wide enough that I can slide them up out of my way without feeling constricted.
 
Things I dislike:  The information on their box is not clear as to temperatures this shirt would be comfortable in.  I realize that each person is different as to what is hot or cold to them, but these indicators aren’t clear.  There is nothing on their website either to explain what their factors/indicators mean.  I would like to see that clarified.

My Background:  I have been backpacking for 2 years now and before I camped quite a bit.  I consider myself somewhat new to backpacking and am on my way towards becoming a lightweight packer.  I wear Wild Roses Sedona P-Tights for my pants, but have yet to find what I like in a top.