Reviews > Clothing > Underwear > Duofold Varitherm Silkweight > Marcy Beard > Field Report

Field Report: Duofold Varitherm Silkweight Base Layers

Date of review: March 2006

Backpacker Bio:

Name: Marcy Beard
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Weight: 135 lb (61 kg)
Chest: 35 in (89 cm)
Waist: 31 in (79 cm)
Hips: 39 in (99 cm)
Email address: marcy dot beard at gmail dot com
City, State, Country: Austin, Texas, USA

Backpacking Background:  I have hiked in Vermont, Central Texas, Arizona, and the French Alps.  Most of my hikes have been day trips, with the longest camping trip to date lasting 6 days.  Typically I trek on trails ranging from easy to rocky and steep, occasionally venturing off trail on moderate terrain.  In the past two winters my husband John and I have experimented with snowshoeing and hiking on snow.  Our gear focus is usually on lightweight items that are quick and easy to use and ideally have multiple purposes.

Product information from the Duofold web site:

“Lightweight insulation for a high moisture vapor transport rate. Mechanical stretch for freedom of movement and silver based yarns for odor inhibiting capabilities”
Manufacturer's website: http://www.duofold.com
Year purchased: 2005
Item #: 461D (Women's Tank) and 461B (Cross-over Waistband Tight)
Size: Large tank top and XL tights (available in S to XL)
Color: Grape (available in Black and Grape)
Stated Weight: None listed
Actual Weight: Tank = 2.5 oz (70 g), tights = 5 oz (140 g)
Fabric: 100% polyester
Features: Exceptional moisture management - quick drying, mechanical stretch for freedom of movement, wicking waistband for total moisture control
MSRP:  $23 US (tank), $25 US (tights)

Description:

These base layers are made of light “silkweight” material that has a tight weave and is not see-through.  They are stretchy, including at the seams, and close-fitting.  My other base layers tend to hang rather loosely on my body, while the Duofold top and bottom are similar to my running-specific clothes.

The entire tank top is constructed of the same material.  There is a front and back panel and two small side panels.  The neck opening is 7.25 in (18 cm) across when the shirt is laid flat.

The tights are also completely polyester except for the elastic waistband.  The waistband is 1.25 in (3 cm) wide and forms an attractive “V” shape at the naval.  Each leg is one piece of material from the waist to the ankle, with an additional small panel in the crotch.  There is no elastic at the ankles.

Both items have small iron-on patches inside them instead of tags, with a description of the size, material composition, and washing instructions.  I’m an aggressive tag remover because bits of material rubbing on my skin make me crazy, so these patches are a wonderful solution to my usual laundry day quandaries.

Test Conditions:

In January and February, I wore the tank top while hiking and running in Austin, Texas and nearby parks.  Typical temperatures were 50 to 80 F (10 to 27 C) with sun and wind.  I slept in the bottoms in our tent and in our van, with nighttime temperatures of approximately 30 to 50 F (-1 to 10 C).  I did not get any experience in rain with this clothing, as Texas received very little precipitation this winter.

In February my husband and I traveled to Torino, Italy, to watch several days of the Winter Olympics.  Activities ranged from sitting and standing outside, standing in lines, and walking to/from the venues.  It was somewhat cold, from 20 to 40 F (-7 to 4 C), with snow and wind.  We spent time in the low-lying city of Torino and in the mountains up to 6500 ft (2000 m) in altitude, and I wore the bottoms under fleece and waterproof layers.

After Torino, we jumped on a plane to travel to Tanzania where we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and went on a short safari.  The climate varied considerably during the trip, from 15 to 75 F (-9 to 24 C) with sun, rain, or snow as we hiked at altitudes from 1000 to 19,000 ft (300 to 5800 m).  I slept in the bottoms each night and hiked across the saddle towards the summit with both pieces on under waterproof layers.

Field Test Results:

I originally received 2 items which were slightly too small.  I traded in a medium-sized turtleneck for a large tank top, and also swapped sizes on the bottoms from large to XL.  The larger sizes fit much better and I have enjoyed wearing them.  My contact at Duofold was very responsive and understanding in my request, and the new sizes were sent within a reasonable amount of time.

The material is soft and comfortable.  I don’t notice that I’m wearing anything, which is generally how I like my clothing.  All of the seams are neat and well sewn.  The cut of each panel is attractive.  The wide tank top neck does not constrict my neck, a concern with the turtleneck top that I started with (which speaks more to my idiosyncrasies about turtlenecks than the shirt itself).  The material lies flat on my skin and does not bunch up anywhere.  The bottoms are the correct length for my legs, and the waistband is the perfect size such that the bottoms stay up without feeling too tight.  And I’m particularly partial to the grape color.

I wore the tank top over a jog bra several times while running and my impressions were positive.  It wicked away any sweat, while staying comfortably close to my skin and not flapping in the wind.  The armholes are the proper size, not too tight under my arms and not so loose that the top moved around.

I also tried the tank top (still with a job bra) as the only layer under a loaded pack.  In hot weather it would be nice to have the option to walk with nothing on my shoulders, although my preference continues to be a light short-sleeve shirt for sun protection.  The tank top has just enough material to cover my skin under the straps of the pack so there was no rubbing, but I have to pay attention that the material stays in place.

In warmer weather, I use the bottoms mostly while sleeping.  They are soft and warm, perfect for my time inside a sleeping bag.  There is no uncomfortable constriction at the waist or ankles.  I also wore them during a cold hike one day on Kilimanjaro, and found that they worked as well as my light tights as a base layer for keeping my legs warm.  With a layer of fleece and raingear, the Duofold products help to hold in body-generated heat while wicking away moisture so I never became damp or cold.  I did not completely soak these items to test their drying ability at any point.

I have worn additional layers over both the top and bottoms, and this has not adversely affected the comfort of the clothes.  They don't bunch up nor cause any problems with the fit of any of the layers.

Regarding durability, both pieces have held up just fine.  None of the seams have frayed and there is no sign of wear.  I have washed them several times and each time they come out of the dryer looking like new.

Future Testing:

In March and April, my husband and I will be backpacking in Europe, mostly in southern France, Italy, and Greece.  Temperatures and weather are expected to be 30 to 80 F (-1 to 27 C) with the possibility of rain.  I will be wearing the tank top under a light shirt while backpacking and I will continue to sleep in the bottoms.  If the daytime temperatures drop, I will wear the bottoms under rain pants for warmth.

Summary:

The Duofold Varitherm Silkweight Base Layers have proven to be comfortable, durable, and warm.  I have been happy with them in the testing so far.

Likes:
    The thickness and softness of the material
    No floppy tags to irritate my skin
    Responsiveness of customer service

Possible improvements:
    Perhaps I am an anomaly, but the sizing chart seems slightly off.  It may be that it is difficult to accurately predict sizes for close-fitting base layers such as these.

Thank you Duofold and BackpackGearTest for giving me the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Clothing > Underwear > Duofold Varitherm Silkweight > Marcy Beard > Field Report