Shirts for the Tropics

treesandsurf

treesandsurf

Location
Hawaii
It has been stated numerous times here and a lot of places that cotton kills. I can attest to that, working here in hawaii I come down from the tree by noon and I'm litterally dripping, it looks like I just jumped into the ocean and came walking out... The wind starts blowing you get chilly and so on and so on.

Anyway, was looking for some recommendations on particular shirts or material that would be good for working in extremely warm weather (I'm sure it would work also for cold weather). Any tips?

jp
grin.gif
 
We have a scale at our company called 1,2,or 3 shirt days. Once is a nice day, 2 just change before you take lunch and 3 change before lunch and when your done for the day. I guess you could try under armor but it won't have the company logo and I don't know how well it would hold up.
 
Treeandsurf
You're problem, and also you're forum name is like salt in the wounds at the moment. Sunshine is just a distant memory. I think perhaps just a couple of spare shirts may be you're best option. Wear one while the other dries.
Slow down a little maybe, drink more,take turns with the climbing, have a siesta, maybe cut some well positioned air vents in your shirts.
I suppose a lighter fabric might not be tough enough for treework. Good luck.
 
Go for the Patagonia Capilene shirts.
http://www.patagonia.com/web/eu/product/....MENS.SHIRTS#yc

Click on the first shirt on the second row.
Than click on the text 'more info' in the following sentence:

Capilene 1 baselayer fabric More Info :

This is the best work shirt for hot days I own, no they are the best shirts for hot days I own. The fabric doesn't pill (is that correct English, I mean that there are no threads pulled out making it look sloppy).
I've bought my first one I think about four years ago and I own about eight now.

They're worth every penny/nickel.

I hope they are for sale over there as well. Couldn't find the item at the United states website.
 
I will second the Patagonia Shirts!! Great shirts! Also look into UnderArmour, Nike Dri-Fit, and any other shirt that has wicking properties. One of my favorite is the Tech Wick from EMS. It has odor protection, UV protection, and wicking built into the fibers!
 
Capilene, Dri-fit, and Tech Wick are all the exact same thing. They are synthetics that wick well when new, but they rely on a hydrophilic coating on the outside to help pull the moisture away. When the coating wears off in a couple years, the shirt is hardly effective. Also, this stuff is known to stink after a couple of hours of sweating in it.

Capilene as we know it is going away and Patagonia is going with the much more sensible Merino wool. I use it in extreme heat and it works very well. The fibers themselves are naturally wicking, so you don't have to worry about the magic going away. Check also the stuff by Icebreaker.

There is a company called Sport Science http://www.smarterperformance.com/home.php that makes fibers that are cotton/poly blends, but apparently it's done in some fancy shmancy way that makes it great. Their shirts are coated with FreshGuard to keep odor down, and apparently it lasts a long time.

I am a nerd when it comes to the ways these fibers are used for clothing...maybe has something to do with my sick rope fetish!

love
nick
 
Nick,
Good point. I fogot all about them. Mainly because they were out of stock when I went. I have been wnating to pick up a New SmartWool Shirt or two. They are my favorite sock co. Wear them cold or hot all season, feet have never felt better.
 
BostonBull, i would definately check Icebreaker. The wool they get uses longer wool staples (longer hairs) and is of finer quality. The biggest difference between the 2 companies is that Smartwool doesn't actually make anything. They get the wool at market (just like everyone else) and then hire other clothing companies to make the stuff for them. IceBreaker has deals with the growers and they save the best stuff for them, then IceBreaker makes the clothing themselves.

I'll admit, thought...SmartWool socks are near perfect.

City Climber, the biggest difference is in where the wool comes from. Typical wool IS heavy, and therefore slow to dry. The heavier wool comes from shorter, thicker hairs from lowland sheep. This wool, being shorter AND thicker is also itchier (leading many to think that they are allergic to wool).

Merino wool comes from mountainous sheep that spend the summer in 100+ degrees temps, but the winter is spent in below freezing temps. To cope, the sheep have genetically different wool. It's finer, the hairs are longer. They are tightly coiled and this coil tighten in colder temps to lock in heat, then relaxes in the heat, making it more breathable.

Polyester is just plastic. It is not absorbent. Wool has the ability to move moisture INSIDE the fiber.

I definately would urge you to start out with a pair of smart wool socks...see how you like it. It's hard to go back to cotton so be CAREFUL!!!!

love
nick
 
[ QUOTE ]


Capilene as we know it is going away and Patagonia is going with the much more sensible Merino wool.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find it odd you say that, this is right from the Patagonia site. They recommend Capilene over wool for hot weather.

How to choose

Both fabrics move moisture away from the skin, provide environmentally safe odor control, and are machine washable, but there are some key differences between the two.

When should I choose Wool over Capilene Polyester?

* If you prefer the feel of a natural fiber on your skin
* For a fabric that's warmer for its weight than Capilene polyester
* For natural odor control that will not diminish even with repeated washings

When should I choose Capilene Polyester over Wool?

* For more fast-forward, aerobic activities
* For hot-weather activities (Capilene 1)
* For a quicker drying fabric
* If you have an allergy to wool
 
[ QUOTE ]


I definately would urge you to start out with a pair of smart wool socks...see how you like it. It's hard to go back to cotton so be CAREFUL!!!!


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, I havn't worn cotton socks in 5 years. I have heard that wearing wool is actually theraputic...

Give the Icebreaker a try, it's worth the money for sure!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


I definately would urge you to start out with a pair of smart wool socks...see how you like it. It's hard to go back to cotton so be CAREFUL!!!!


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, I havn't worn cotton socks in 5 years. I have heard that wearing wool is actually theraputic...

Give the Icebreaker a try, it's worth the money for sure!

[/ QUOTE ]


What gives you the impression i do not own them already?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Capilene, Dri-fit, and Tech Wick are all the exact same thing.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are they also UV shielding as the Capilene is?


[ QUOTE ]
They are synthetics that wick well when new, but they rely on a hydrophilic coating on the outside to help pull the moisture away. When the coating wears off in a couple years, the shirt is hardly effective. Also, this stuff is known to stink after a couple of hours of sweating in it.

[/ QUOTE ]
I wear them as the only layer. The shirt will definitively turn wet but the shirt will not become uncomfortable as cotton does. I never noticed any difference in coating??? between my old shirts an the new ones. You are soooooo right about the stink
crazy.gif
It,s horrible sometimes (happy to be up in a tree at a windy place)


[ QUOTE ]
Capilene as we know it is going away and Patagonia is going with the much more sensible Merino wool.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's it than. I will have to buy the whole European stock, size large, or at least what's left over from it. That's possibly the reason why, when I ordered some more shirts, I've heard nothing back from the reseller.

Thanks for the info Nick. BTW where did you get that (stop production) info from?
 
thank you guys for all the input, I did a search on the ems sight and found a whole bunch of shirts that were on clearance. Check this shirt out, it says 65% modal (??) and polyester, is supposed to help keep moisture out...

jp
grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom