Product Name:
REI Lightweight MTS Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck

Personal Biographical Information:

Name John (Jack) Corrigan

Age: 39 years old

Gender: Male

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.77 meters)

Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)

Torso: 20 inches (508 millimeters)

Email: k9sar@ceinetworks.com (Website: http://www.jackquest.com)

Region: New Berlinville, Pennsylvania (Southeastern Pennsylvania)

Report Date: 14FEB2003

Background:

I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska.

I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through Penn's Woods.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Manufactured Date: 2001

Manufacturer URL: http://www.rei.com

Listed Weight: Not Listed

Delivered Weight: 7.2 ounces (204 grams)

(Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale)

Additional Product Information:

Color: Navy

Size: Extra Large (Men's)

Product Number: 648246

Field Information:

Location(s):

Primarily Eastern and Central Pennsylvania

Description of Location(s):

The Pennsylvania terrain varied from flat rolling grasslands, moderately and densely forested mountain areas. The elevation ranged from 500 to 2500 feet (152-762 meters).

Weather Conditions:

The temperature usually ranges from 70° F to 90° F (21° C to 32° C) in summer with periods of high humidity, 50° F to 70° F (10° C to 32° C) in late spring and early fall and 30° F to 50° F (1° C to 10° C) in winter with short periods of colder temperatures.

Style:

My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling and canine search and rescue activities. My treks are usually limited to 3-4 days in length. Although, my last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Experience:

The REI Lightweight MTS (Moisture Transfer System) Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck was my first synthetic base layer purchase. I was always a traditional thermal underwear guy. It really wasn't until my involvement in search and rescue that I realized the error of my ways. Periods of high activity or exertion followed by periods of low activity are common and required a more modern solution.

There were two features of the REI Lightweight MTS Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck that influenced my purchase. The first feature is that the back is longer and stays tucked in over the course of the day. The second feature is the zippered neck. This really comes in handy during those in between seasonal times. Temperature can be regulated by using the zipper to ventilate as the day heats up. The zipper length is about 8 inches (20 centimeters). On the downside, when the neck is fully zippered it does not fit my neck tightly like a conventional turtle neck.

Care instructions are easy, machine wash (warm water) and tumble dry (low heat). I have forgotten many times and washed and dried this shirt in hot water and high heat. The REI Lightweight MTS Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck has held up great and maintained its original shape. It still wicks moisture and dries quickly, like the day I bought it. As far as odor control goes (without washing), the shirt starts to take on a life of its own around the third day. Of course, this could be more a personal chemistry issue rather than a fabric characteristic! I have not experienced any chaffing or rubbing due to tags (screen printed instructions), the zipper or the sewn seams.

The REI Lightweight MTS Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck has and continues to serve me well. Once the weather turns cold, it is a required piece of gear for me.

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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > REI MTS Long-Sleeve Zip T-Neck > Owner Review by J. Corrigan