Name: Gail Bosio
Age: 52
Gender: Female
Height: 5'9" (1.75 m)
Weight: 132 lbs (60 kg)
Email: woodswoman2001@yahoo.com
Location: Midland, Michigan USA
Date: November 12, 2004

Backpacking Background: For the last 15 years, backpacking has become a passion. I am a four season backpacker and an off-trail navigator. Although I do take yearly trips to the American West or Southwest, the majority of my trips are in Michigan and Canada. My trips vary from weekenders to two week endeavors. I average over 50 nights a year backpacking in a huge variety of weather conditions, including relentless rain, wet snow and sub zero temps.

Product Information

Manufacturer: RailRiders
Year of Manufacture: 2001
URL: http://www.railriders.com
Size: Medium
Color: White
Manufacture Weight: 5 oz (140g)
Actual Weight: 5 oz (140 g)
Fabric: CoolMax/Nylon
MSRP: $54

The Eco-mesh shirt is designed for the rigors of adventure racing. It is available in a full range of men's and women's sizes, as well as several color choices. Men's sizes range from S-XXL and women's sizes include XS-L. Colors available for men and women include white, glacier, sky blue and birch. The additional color of coral is also available for women.

The shirt provides full sunscreen by covering the upper body with a tightly woven Nylon Supplex fabric. The mandarin collar covers the back of the neck from burning rays. Ventilation is provided by the integration of CoolMax mesh panels into the garment. The panels are located under the full back yoke as well as narrow 4 in (102 mm) wide panels that run from the bottom of the shirt's edge at the side seam to the underarm, continuing to the wrist.

The Eco-mesh shirt is a pullover style which features a single Velcro tab closure at the neckline, a single Velcro closed chest pocket, and elastic encased sleeves at the wrist. The roomy chest pocket measures 7 in (178mm) square. The wrist openings on the garment measure a circumference of 8 in (203 mm).

Field Information

I have owned and worn the Eco-mesh shirt for the last three years on numerous backpacking trips. It has worked well in the desert climes of Arizona and Utah, as well as the more humid, but cooler conditions of Michigan and Canada. The temperatures at which I have utilized this shirt range from Desert dry temps of 70 F to 95 F (21 C to 35 C), plus Midwest humid temps of 65 F to 90 F (18C to 32 C). I can safely utilize this shirt for five months of the year in the Midwest.

The shirt is lightweight, packs well and dries quickly. During hot conditions, I often remove the shirt and wet it down in a nearby river or lake, and then resume wearing it until it dries. The wet shirt acts as a conductor of coolness to my skin. I frequently repeat this process when needed. It normally takes less than an hour to dry in sunny Midwest conditions. A hidden bonus for this shirt is that it protects me from scratching brush and other irritants while bushwhacking.

The sleeve closure and sleeve length are two areas that could use improvement. Although I have small wrists, the elastic enclosure is sometimes irritating in that the sleeves cannot be rolled up. They can be pushed up to an area below the elbow, but the elastic cuts into the skin and makes it uncomfortable. I wish that the sleeves were also an inch or more longer. The current underarm measurement is 21.25 in (540 mm). A tall women's version of the shirt would be highly welcomed.

I often layer this shirt in combination with a long waisted sport tank top. The main body of the shirt is roomy allowing additional layers underneath if desired.

The Eco-mesh shirt has worn well for the extreme use that it has seen. It is simple to wash and can easily be scrubbed and rinsed in the field with only cold water. At home washing instructions also utilize cold water with the addition of mild detergent. I have easily been able to scrub out the most difficult soiled areas. It can be dried on low heat or just hung to dry naturally. The only areas that have shown wear are the CoolMax mesh side panels. There are many "catches" in the mesh panels, but that doesn't seem to inhibit their ventilation performance.

Although I initially thought the manufacturer's price for the garment was high, I have recovered my cost many times over in its effectiveness for my type of travel.

Pros
Breathable
Lightweight
Sun Protection

Cons
Tight elastic cuffs
Sleeve length too short

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Owner Review by Gail Ann Bosio