Product Information
Manufacturer: Hot Chillys
Manufacturer URL: http://www.hotchillys.com
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Country of Manufacture: USA
Style: Geo Thermal
Model: Mens Zip-T top HC4733
Size: Large Top, Large Bottoms
Material: 7 oz (198 g) flat back textured knit, 51% Bio-Silver nylon, 49% MTF polyester
Color: Charcoal
Listed weight: none listed
Actual weight: 7 oz (198 g) Top
Actual weight: 7 oz (198 g) bottoms
MSRP: Not listed
April 3, 2005

Field Report

I will be reporting in two parts.  The top and bottoms where tested at different times and in different conditions. 


Top:

    The Geo Thermal top has seen a few more trips since my Field Report.  These ranged from a section of the Pacific Crest Trail near Warner Springs and a day hike near Silverwood Lake.  Elevation ranged from 3000 ft (914 m) to 5500 ft (1676 m).  Temperatures ranged from 40 F (4 C) to 60 F (16 C).  During these two trips I wore the GeoThermal top as a second layer over a light weight synthetic t-shirt.  The top was a little snug, but the stretchy characteristics of the top made it comfortable.  A size X-Large would have been a better size choice for this usage.  I like wearing a t-shirt with a very light, long sleeve layer over it when I start out early in the morning.  The zipper is still comfortable while fully zipped up.
    The top has maintained its shape and stretch characteristics after six months of testing.  The one problem I have with the fabric is how easily it becomes snagged on something, creating a "loop" of thread that sits above the fabric.  This was not noticed on my Field Report, but has since developed during Long Term Testing.  The other problem area is where the hip belt and shoulder straps sit in relation to the top.  The fabric has developed "pills" in the areas where the shoulder straps reside and rub.  I believe this to be just cosmetic as I haven't noticed a difference in the performance of the top.
   The Bio-Silver material within the fabric continues to repel the back country funk.  Most other synthetic fabric shirts that I wear while hiking collect a funky smell rapidly, whereas, the Geo Thermal top did not have any bad smell, even after wearing it for three consecutive days.

Bottom:

    I did not have the opportunity to test the bottoms during the Long Term Testing period.  I did not experience temperatures requiring me to wear these.

Things I liked:
    -Comfortable, soft fabric
    -No back country funk

Things I disliked:
    -delicate nature of the fabric

As weather allows, I will continue to use the top as a light weight base layer or second layer on cold mornings.  I intend to do some winter camping late this year and will have the opportunity to use the bottoms again.

Reviewer

Name: Scott Downard
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.


Backpacking Background
    As a teenager, I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts.  After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts, I abandoned backpacking.  Ten years later, when I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again.  I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years.  I hike in the local mountains and desert areas.  I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather.  Some rain is encountered.  I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excursions with some five day trips.  I tend to hike fast while backpacking.