driclime

[slparker]

Ok... call me a sucker, I read the reviews, saw the garment on sale and shelled out for a driclime jacket... A marmot stride jacket.

First impressions:
I got it yesterday so have only used it for a 1 hour mountain bike commute home. It was 14 degrees dropping down to 8 degrees on the way home. As usual, i sweated profusely on two very steep climbs and then zipped up for quick descents down into cold gullies. Upon getting home i wore it to test the 'chill factor' upon drying.
It seems to do as it says 'on the tin' it absorbs sweat well and not quite as chilling as a windstopper garment. It isn't as windproof as windstopper but sweat dried very quickly, as distinct from the wet baselayer effect from a membrane jacket. It is extremely light and very copmfortable against bare skin.
Downsides: I got the bright colour for dual utility as cycling/walking jacket. It is garishly green like a 80's disco freak... but you can buy more subdued colours. It also has a cheap plasticky look about it even though it is very pleasant to wear on bare skin (as I did). It looks as if it will snag and tear easily although reviews state the robustness of the fabric.

I'm going to malaysia next week and will wear it on Mt Kinabalu so I'll give a walking report. Methinks that it will be a very useful garment for those cold windy days when you're working hard with a pack and sweating profusely. I'm not convinced that it'd hold up in thick scrub or be that great for really windy/cold/wet conditions... time will tell.

[Joomy]

I know Driclime jackets have long been a favourite among NZ mountain guides. Basically a wind shell with a wicking, microfleece layer sewn in.