Backpacker's Apparel Guide 2007

Filed in archive Outdoor Products on November 30, 2007

I haven't dedicated many posts to outdoor gear and I know I should. So, when I came across Backpacker's Apparel Guide 2007, I thought this would be a great time to start.

The magazine asked 30 students from the Northern Arizona University's Park and Recreation program to test out more than 100 items of clothing, ranging from jackets to t-shirts. The testers wore the clothes while they participated in outdoor activities from backpacking to skiing.

Here's what they deemed the best:

Most Versatile [50-75°F]
Ibex Woolies Crew
"It's like there's a hidden thermostat inside," commented one tester on this top's outstanding natural temperature regulation. We stayed comfortable across a gamut of conditions, ranging from snow (worn under a shell) to a sunny 70°F. The 100% merino is as smooth and soft as a baby kitten; it wads up small enough to fit in a front pants pocket, yet provides as much warmth as a synthetic fabric twice as thick. When the mercury rose, testers said the Woolies wicked and breathed like a second skin, and only started to feel hot in the upper 70s. Flat seams and a body-hugging fit make it comfortable under a pack. And thanks to wool's natural odor resistance, testers on extended backpacking trips reported that their bagels got moldy before their shirts started to stink.

Most Durable [45-60°F]
Outdoor Research Sequence (m) / Essence (f) Zip Tee
"I wore this top caving and beat the hell out of it," wrote one tester. "Yet one spin through the washer and dryer and it was back to looking new." Its unique 88/12 blend of polyester and merino wool was one of the best in the test at keeping testers comfortable in that sweet spot from the 20s (when worn under a shell) to the mid-60s (worn alone). It also dried quickly and shrugged off stink, even after a week on the trail. Fit is slightly roomy in the torso and the sleeves run a tad long, pleasing long-armed testers and those with cold hands.

Wicking Champ [30-50°F]
Duofold Varitherm Expedition Weight Zip Mock
"Cozy as my favorite blanket," said one tester after a rainy, snowy spring snowshoeing trip in the Sierra. The polyester-lycra Varitherm has two layers of fabric sewn together, which boosts warmth and sucks up moisture like a two-ply paper towel. "I've never worn such a thick baselayer that wicks so well," said another tester. The ample four-way stretch allowed us to reach out ("for ridiculous handholds," wrote one climbing fanatic), and the neck zipper aided venting. It's versatile, too: Some testers used the Varitherm as an outer layer over a tee when backpacking in 40°F temperatures.

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