Field Report -- Duofold^® Varitherm^TM

                            Midweight 360º Stretch

                                       High Performance Base Layer

Ryan Christensen
March 7, 2006

Reviewer Information:

Name:  Ryan L. Christensen
Age:  41
Gender:  Male
Height:  6’ 2” (1.88 m)
Weight:  225 lb (102 kg)
Email address:  bigdawgryan@yahoo.com
City, State, Country:  Idaho Falls, ID, U.S.A. 

 

Backpacking Background: 

 

I began hiking, camping, backpacking at twelve, and continued until 25.  After a long hiatus due in part to a bad back, I resumed hiking and camping four years ago.  I now share my love for these sports with my teen-age boys.  The past several years, we have hiked or camped nearly every month, year-round.  We vary our experience: desert, forest, meadow, and mountain; spring, summer, fall, and winter; sunshine, rain, wind, or snow.  We began backpacking together last summer.  I am a lightweight backpacker, but carry a full array of necessary gear.

 

Product Information:

 

The information below is primarily from the product packaging as received.

 

Manufacturer	Duofold, a Sara Lee Company
Manufacturer’s website	http://www.duofold.com/
Year of Manufacture Top Bottom	2004 2002
Material (per Duofold website)             Top             Bottom	96% Polyester, 4% Lycra©  Elastane 96% Polyester, 4% Lycra©  Elastane
Style Received             Top             Bottom	Long Sleeve Crew Ankle Length
Material Received Top Bottom	96% Polyester, 4% Lycra©  Elastane 88% Polyester-VarithermTM, 12% Lycra©  Elastane
Color Received Top             Bottom	Royal Blue (my description, as none was given) Burgundy
Size Received Top             Bottom	XL L
Laundering Instructions	Machine wash cold with like colors.  Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low.  Warm iron if desired.
Warranty	None Stated
MSRP             Top             Bottom	$20 US [per link from Duofold website] $20 US [per link from Duofold website]

Product Description: 

The Duofold Varitherm^TM Midweight 360º Stretch High Performance Base Layer is high-tech long underwear.  Please see my Initial Report for more detailed information.

 

I am testing different versions of the Duofold Varitherm^TM Midweight 360º Stretch High Performance Base Layer than the other two testers.  For what ever reason, the top I received was manufactured in 2004 and the bottom in 2002.  Hence, the colors are different from those currently offered by Duofold.  Furthermore, the material blend in the bottom is different from that in the top.  Fortunately, the material in the top is what Duofold currently uses in both its Varitherm^TM Midweight 360º Stretch High Performance Base Layer tops and bottoms. 

Product Claims: 

Duofold claims the Varitherm^TM Midweight 360º Stretch High Performance Base Layer provides moderate warmth in cold weather; aggressively moves moisture away from the skin and dries quickly—keeping the body feeling warm, dry and comfortable; and stretches in all directions and fits comfortably close to the body for maximum skin contact, and the perfect performance fit.

Testing Conditions:

I live in Idaho Falls, which is located at 43°29'30" North, 112°1'57" West (43.491775, -112.032509) at an elevation of 4,700 ft (1,433 m).  Conditions thus far during the test period have been in line with the average winter temperatures for southeastern Idaho.  Most days were in the 20’s to low teens F (-2 C to -11 C) and some days/nights near or below 0 F (-18 C).

Other than the initial donning to test fit, my first “real” wearing of the Varitherm^TM Midweight base layer was in December, just shortly after receiving them.  The temperature was in the low 20s F (-7 to -5 C) and a light snow was falling.  I went out to clear the snow from my drive and walkways.  In addition to the Varitherm^TM Midweight base layer top and bottom, I wore a long-sleeve T-shirt, blue jeans, and my coat.  Of course, I also wore boots, gloves, and a baseball cap.  Because of back troubles, I now use a snow blower rather than shovelling the snow.  I cleared the snow in my yard within forty-five minutes.  I did not think that a sufficient test, so over the next two hours, I cleared the drives and walks for five neighbors.  During this time, I was very warm and worked up a sweat.

Although I should have known better, there was no specific instruction to launder the items prior to wearing them.  Because I was eager to start testing, I did not launder them first.  Consequently, the dye in the burgundy bottoms colored my white underwear pink.  However, there were no such issues with the dye in the blue top.

I have worn the Midweight base layer on numerous occasions including a couple of outings for some outdoor target shooting, snowshoe trips to the Kelly Canyon Nordic area, and other ventures outdoors to clear snow, sled with the kids, go to work, etc.  I even wore them to bed a couple of times.

The first trip to shoot paper targets with rifles was the warmest of all the days thus far that I have worn the Midweight base layer.  The temperature was 28 F (-2 C).  The sky was clear and sunny, and there was minimal wind at first.  However, the wind picked up later in the afternoon and the temperature began to drop.  Wearing the Midweight base layer, blue jeans, a long sleeve T-shirt, and a fleece jacket I was warm enough even being outdoors for five straight hours. 

The second target-shooting outing was to shoot clay targets (trap) with shotguns.  This was one of the coldest days out--the temperature was in the mid to upper teens, but the wind chill was below 0 F (-18 C).  With the Duofold Midweight base layer, blue jeans, a fleece top, and a coat, I was quite warm.  However, because of all the standing around, the wind seemed to pierce through my jeans and therefore, my legs got a little cold.  It was bearable, but I should have worn another layer especially because of the lack of physical activity. 

As mentioned above, my showshoeing trips were in the Kelly Canyon Nordic Area, which is located 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Idaho Falls, in the Targhee National Forest, near the South Fork of the Snake River.  The elevation in the Nordic Area starts at approximately 5,900 ft (1,798 m) and reaches an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042 m).  Weather conditions for my snowshoeing trips in the Nordic Area were great; temperatures in the upper 20s F (-4 to -2 C) skies were clear and sunny.  Even though it was chilly, I worked up a good sweat on these outings.

Testing:

My test plan included four main objectives: fit and comfort, function, durability, and overall impression.  I have detailed my test results under each objective. 

Fit & Comfort

1.      Do the top and bottom fit true to size?

      [Results]  Yes, the top and bottom fit true to size, at least in my case.

 

2.      Is the tail on the top long enough to remain tucked in?

      [Results]  Yes.  However, in the future, based on my size, I would consider buying the tall men’s size for a little added length to ensure it remains tucked in.

 

3.      Do the sleeves stay in place at the wrists?

      [Results]  Yes.  More due to the snug fit down the entire length of the arm than merely a snug fit at the wrist.

 

4.      Do the legs stay in place at the ankles?

      [Results]  Yes.  However, like the arms, this is more attributable to the snug fit down the entire length of the leg than merely a snug fit.

         at the ankles.

 

5.      How comfortable is the material?

      [Results]  The material is very smooth and soft to the touch.  It is quite comfortable next to the skin.

 

6.      How comfortable are the wrist and ankle cuffs?

      [Results]  The wrist and ankle cuffs are virtually non-existent.  Therefore, I found no issues with comfort.

 

7.      How comfortable is the waistband?

      [Results]  The waistband is comfortable, not too tight, but tight enough to keep the bottoms in place.

 

8.      How comfortable is the collar?

      [Results]  The collar is comfortable.  My personal preference is for a more substantial collar, similar to that on an ordinary T-shirt.

Function

1.      How warm does the material keep me in cold weather?

      [Results]  When I engaged in moderate physical activity, the Midweight base layer kept me sufficiently warm.  However, when my physical activity level declined, I got a little cold. In my case, an additional layer of clothing would remedy this.

 

2.      How well does the material wick moisture?

      [Results]  Very well.  Not once did I feely really wet and clammy.

 

3.      How quickly does the material dry when dampened with moisture (sweat)?

      [Results]  On my snowshoeing outings, the base layer was dry approximately one hour after ending the intense physical activity.  I continued wearing the base layer during this time and was comfortable as the base layer dried.

Durability

1.      Does the fabric retain its color after multiple uses and launderings?

      [Results] Yes.  The colors remain bright.

 

2.      Do the tops and bottoms retain their shape after multiple uses and launderings?

      [Results]  Yes.  I have not noticed any problems.

 

3.      Does the fabric retain its 360º stretch after multiple uses and launderings?

      [Results]  Yes.  So far, there is no degradation in the stretch of the material.

 

4.      Do the seams hold up after multiple uses and launderings?

      [Results]  Yes.  No frayed or loose seams so far.

 

5.      Does the fabric resist abrasion?

      [Results]  So far so good.  However, the only abrasion I have subjected the base layer to is that of my clothing.

 

6.      Does the fabric pill after multiple uses and launderings?

      [Results]  I have seen some pilling in the crotch, where the legs rub together.   I will continue to pay attention to this throughout the test period and into next winter as I wear the Midweight base layer.  Pilling material is one thing I personally really dislike.

Overall impression

In the future, based on fit, comfort, performance, and durability, would I be inclined to purchase Duofold^® Varitherm^TM, or other Duofold^® base layer products, over other brands—at the suggested retail price—for myself?

 

[Results]  After two months or so of testing, I am quite impressed with this product.  I think it is a great base layer.  I am interested in trying other Duofold^® base layer products in the future.

 

Although the temperatures are rising a bit, there will still be opportunities for me to wear the base layer for a few more weeks.  Therefore, I will continue to review the items listed above as well as any other pertinent issues, which may arise.  

 

Thanks again to Duofold and BGT for the opportunity to test the Varitherm^TM Midweight 360º Stretch High Performance Base Layer.