Initial Report

Initial Report–Hot Chillys Geo-Thermal Bio-Silver Base Layers

Personal Information:

Name: Laurie Corbin
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Email: mslimpsalot@yahoo.com
City, State: Cumming, GA
Date: October 7, 2004

Backpacking Background:

I began backpacking and hiking in college and, after a hiatus, returned when I could no longer ignore the call of the outdoors. I am a four season backpacker and avid dayhiker who tries to get out three to four times a month. Because of an old ankle injury, I have been forced to adopt the lightweight approach to backpacking. I hike mostly in the Southeast U.S.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Hot Chillys
Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.hotchillys.com
Listed Weight: None for tops or bottoms
Actual Weight–Zip T (Womens M): 5.9 oz (167 g)
Actual Weight–Bottoms (Womens M): 5.7 oz (162 g)
Color: Charcoal
MSRP: Not Listed

The base layers are made of 7 oz. (198 g) material that has a waffle-weave appearance that has a soft, silky feel.   The inside of the fabric has a brushed feel. Hang tag states that the material is 51% Bio-Silver nylon and 49% MTF polyester. It is said to have an anti-bacterial finish which should fight hiker funk. There is no other information on Bio-Silver nylon provided by the manufacturer. The top has 1.25 in (31.75 mm) sleeve cuffs and a 1.5 in (38.1 mm) collar made of the same fabric as the base layers. The nylon zipper is 6.5 in (165 mm) and has a small 1.25 in (31.75 mm) red plastic hot chili attached to the zipper with a small metal clip. The shirt tail hem is double stitched and is longer in the back than the front. Hopefully, this will keep the shirt tucked in when worn under a pack. The hem is not elasticized or tapered but seems to be slightly flared. The seams are stitched flat for comfort. The care tag is not on the back of the collar but on the left side seam 2.5 in (64 mm) above the hem line.

The bottoms have a 1.4 in (35.56 mm) wide elastic waistband emblazoned with the red and green Hot Chillys name and chili peppers. The seams, like the top, are flat stitched for comfort. The leg bottoms are double stitched but not cuffed. The crotch is gusseted and the knees are not articulated. There are seams down the outside and inside of the legs.

The base layers fit loosely but are not baggy. They fit well as a first layer but allow a layer of warm air beneath. I prefer a looser fitting base layer and find these quite comfortable. The shirt fits well across the shoulders and doesn’t leave my wrists cold. The bottoms are comfortable and are long enough to keep my ankles warm. I’m impressed by this since most base layer bottoms end mid-calf. My ankles will be grateful on cold nights.

Field Information:

I will test these base layers on backpacking and hiking trips in Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee as well as a ski trip to Colorado. I stay quite warm while hiking in cooler weather but have a tendency to get extremely cold very quickly if I don’t keep moving. My base layers must wick like crazy while I move so I don’t chill when I stop.   I hike most of the year in shorts with base layer bottoms underneath so they must be quite durable as “outerwear” as well as underwear. I recently wore holes in the knees of my current base layers in last week’s trip to British Columbia so this test call couldn’t have come at a better time. I have a week long trip on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail planned in addition to several multi-day trips in the Carolinas. The temperatures will range from 30-65 degrees F (-1.1 C-18.33 C) during the day to 15-45 degrees F (-9.43 C-20.41 C) at night.

Test Plan:

1) Durability–Can the Hot Chillys stand up to multi-day trips and being washed on the trail? How well does the Bio-Silver Bi-Ply fend off the hiker funk and will my husband let me in the truck with him after a week in the woods? Can they hold their shape or will they sag after a few washings? Will the zipper in the top continue to function after I catch it in my balaclava a couple of times? Will they develop holes under the forearms (my usual place) and allow the cold air in?

2) Temperature Control– Can the Hot Chillys keep me warm and yet breathe while I hike so I’m not wet when I pause for lunch or a snack? Will the zipper on the top be long enough to allow me to vent when necessary? The base layers are rated a “7" for warmth on the website. How warm will this be for me, a notoriously cold sleeper?
3) Ease of cleaning–Will the base layers bounce back from a stream washing? How fast will they dry while on the trail?

Read more reviews of Hot Chillys gear
Read more gear reviews by Laurie Corbin

Reviews > Clothing > Underwear > Hot Chillys GeoThermal Tops and Bottoms > Laurie Corbin > Initial Report

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