SmartWool "Microweight Fitted Tee"
Initial Report by André Corterier
Date: 2005-MAY-23
Year of manufacture: 2005
Manufacturer: SmartWool Corporation
URL: http://www.smartwool.com/
MSRP: 49.95 USD
Weight - scale accurate to 5 g (0.2 oz)
listed weight: none given
measured weight (size L): 155 g (5.5 oz)
Manufacturer's Statements:
Apart from the advertisement spiel, where the manufacturer praises the wicking ability and odour-resistance of its
SmartWool garments, under "Materials" the manufacturer states:
100% SmartWool jersey knit
Crew neckline
Flatlock seam construction - eliminates chafing
Wear as a layer or by itself
Under care instructions, it states:
Machine washable and dryable. Do not use bleach.
"Do not use bleach". That's pretty much the extent of the warning regarding care. Wool has sure come a long way
since the days in which machine washing and machine drying a sweater would reduce it in size by two sizes. I
must be getting old, I remember those times. I remember that sweater too...
Regarding the Microweight line, the website states: The body fit of the Microweight line provides a snug
fit that provides a great foundation layer.
Introduction:
The SmartWool Microweight Tee is, well, a T-shirt. In the case of the "nickel microstripes"-coloured one, a grey
T-shirt, which upon closer inspection reveals itself to have a kind of horizontal pinstripe pattern of different shades
of grey. It's quite fashionable, really. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing the manufacturer does not
provide a picture of the Tee in this colour on its
website. On the website, I found SmartWool apparel by pointing the
mouse at the guy in the hat running across the top of the screen which is shown once the site has been "launched".
I could then click on "Apparel" and then on through "Men's" and "Microweight"
to the pictures of ... well, T-shirts. The blue and the black one shown are different styles. Having seen the Tee I
was sent, I assume the T-shirt shown when I clicked on "steel blue" to be a men's Microweight fitted Tee in what
the manufacturer calls "steel blue". The Tee shown once I clicked "nickel microstripe" was invisible. I'll see
about providing a picture in a later report (still don't own a digital camera). The colour can be seen on pictures
of other apparel on the same website.
Inspection:
Upon inspection, all the seams of this garment seemed flawlessly executed and as flat as advertised. There were no
snags in the material, discolourations or similar issues. The tag stated "M-LG" which I take to mean "Men's Large".
There's really not much more to say - it's a T-shirt. Its special feature is the material it's made up of. I'll
report on its effects once I've taken this baby out to play.
Trying out:
I've worn this T-shirt as a base layer under standard office clothing to work. It felt nice on my skin; the
Microweight SmartWool is really soft. It seemed to deal with a little bit of sweating (bike ride to work and back)
well, but I do not consider this to be sufficient activity upon which I could make a judgement call. However, I have
a three-day, three-night trip coming up this weekend on which I plan to wear it non-stop and will let y'all know about my
experience then and thereafter in my Field Report.
Fit/Comfort:
I've mentioned the softness of the fabric before. It also seems somewhat more stretchy than cotton, which adds to
the comfort factor. The size "L" I received fits like a regular size "L" T-shirt would, maybe just a little smaller,
though without taking up stretch just to accommodate my body. I find it quite stylish - and for once my wife agrees
with my evaluation.
Test Plan:
Lightweight is always good - Microweight sounds even better. But is it? Durability may be a concern. As usual, I
plan to baby this item before I segue into the harder demands placed on equipment when bushwhacking or tumbling.
Machine drying will also be tested. Odour resistance will be put to a brutal test in August when I have a four-day
outdoor marathon of backpacking, climbing and martial arts practice coming up. I plan to test this T-shirt non-stop
during that time up to the point where I begin testing my buddies' patience. I'll let y'all know how long it took.
Personal Biographical Information:
Name: André Corterier
Gender: M
Age: 33
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Chest: 100 cm (40 in)
Weight: 80 kg (175 lb)
Email: andreDOTcorterierATfreenetDOTde
Home: Bonn, Germany
Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking in my late teens using Europe’s "InterRail"-System – weight hardly mattered, as we were on
trains a lot. I recently rediscovered backpacking and have started out slowly – single-day 15 mile (24 km) jaunts
by myself or even shorter hikes in the company of my little daughter. I am getting started on longer
hikes, as a lightweight packer and hammock-camper. I’ve begun upgrading my old gear and am now shooting for a
dry FSO weight (everything carried From the Skin Out except food, fuel and water)
of about 10 kg (22 lb) for three-season camping. Not quite there yet.
Read more reviews of Smartwool gear
Read more gear reviews by Andre Corterier
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