Technical Summer Wear Shirts

[Aushiker]

Hi

Okay this might be a bit left field but you never know what knowledge is out there

I have a cycling tour coming up, about two months or so of tootling along from Darwin to Perth, leaving around July. Given that this will, even at that time of the year, be pretty warm weather for a fair bit of the ride and sun protection is also important I am looking for suitable shirts to wear.

Such beasts will ideally be loose fitting, summer weight, smell resistance (can be two weeks between washes and only a couple of shirts to be worn between washes) and a reasonable degree of UV protection. Am I asking too much? In the cycling world the likes of Ground Effect, a New Zealand company do a shirts such as the ZZ Top or the Rock Lobster but I am wondering if there are similar products in the bushwalking market place. They don't have to be technical tees or have rear pockets either.



I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks
Andrew

[Moondog55]

I used to use the older style Paddy Pallin "Tech-Tee" and Tech-Sun" shirts, of them all the best were the first generation with the mesh and the high taslan shawl collars. my current Tech-sun is in Coolmax, and honestly not as multi function or as cool in hot weather as the older model.
They need pockets and double shoulders to be truly useful for everything.
The mesh to use isn't readily available in shops but a double layer of the cheaper polyester mesh would probably work OK

[photohiker]

Mountain Designs used to do a coolmax long sleeve top that was brilliant, but it's off the range now.

Generally, I find that shirts in this category are better without pockets.

Interested to see what comes up, I had a quick look recently and didn't come up with anything useful.

[Maelgwn]

I just wear an old business shirt from the op shop with a big collar on it. If you are not going to wash for that long its going to stink no matter what you do!

[Moondog55]

I just wear an old business shirt from the op shop with a big collar on it. If you are not going to wash for that long its going to stink no matter what you do!

if going with traditional fibres Sportscraft and Blazer both do a cotton / linen blend that is superb in stinking hot weather, and they should be available in short and long sleeve versions

[blacksheep]

if no stink is on that list I'd strongly suggest lightweight merino. seen these? http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gea ... 07481.html

[Aushiker]

Hi

As I was out and about today I dropped into Anaconda and Kathmandu for a look. Not much at Anaconda as I pretty much expected but I did pick up a Gondwana Brumby shirt which is 50% bamboo and 50% Cotton. Was on clearance for $42 so not a big issue if it does not work out. Only down side is that it is short sleeved.

From Kathmandu I got a long sleeved short which is more "technical" in its material, if you can describe 100% nylon as technical for $70. Still over priced but it feels good on and is quite light material. It is a Kangsar which has a UPF 45 rating, long sleeved and comes with insect repellent apparently. If that works against March flies I will be very impressed indeed.

I also tried a lightweight merino long-sleeve t-shirt at Kathmandu but found it warm even in the air conditioning at the store.

Both of these shirts are normal button up so not cycling shirts by any means but I will give them a try next week on a four day ride. These rides are touring rides so speeds in excess of 20 km/h require big hills If nothing else they will be okay bushwalking shirts.

Also I suspect that they will not do well on the smell meter.

Still open to ideas as well.

Regards
Andrew

[johnw]

Hi Andrew,
Apologies if you've already thought of this, but it can be worth trawling the Torpedo 7 site. I've gotten a few bike-related things from them and generally been quite happy. If it's primarily for the bike you may want to stick with a dropped tail style. Some of the products they stock are more MTB oriented, so no rear pockets etc. I've toyed with the idea of these below by Mace but currently unavailable in my size (noting the sizing would be generous as they say it can be worn over body armour):

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/M0JEMN1MJ/title/mace-mens-matrix-jersey-long-sleeve

When they have stuff on sale it is often in limited sizes and colours.

Last edited by johnw on Sat 10 Dec, 2011 12:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[flatfoot]

Good topic!

I personally prefer loose fitting as it's cooler in summer. In winter I like to wear a short sleeve thermal as a base layer. If I'm in camp, I'll switch to a long-sleeve thermal. I find long-sleeve thermals to be too hot to walk in during winter or colder conditions (particularly if wearing a Goretex rain shell).

[nq111]

I agree - great topic and one that gets too little attention IMO.

For dry heat loose cotton etc is great.

For humid heat I actually think a tight fit is better - no air pocket of warm humid air against the skin and the direct skin contact maximises wicking and evaporation. Strangely, the principles are very similar to what you want next to your skin in very cold weather as a first layer (high wicking in that case so you don't get too damp). Cotton is useless for humid weather activity.

White Under Armour heatgear works great - I would swear it is cooler than wearing nothing at all - possibly by compressing the slightly insulating layer of body hair and maybe creating a slightly greater surface area (due to the structure of the fabric) for faster wicking and evaporation (hence faster cooling). But not flattering at all in fit, the white is a bit see-through and the seams aren't designed for pack carrying. If in public you will want to wear a light coolmax tee over the long-sleeve heatgear - but this is still surprisingly cool.

Linebreak is also meant to be good. I believe they had a university do some research that showed that wearing their gear was cooler for athletes when exercising than wearing nothing. I can believe that. I have not tried them but it looks similar - may be a bit better quality - than heatgear. Probably other options as well.

Only one colour for the sun - bright white. Both backyard and scientific experiments have shown the sun-reflecting properties does help with cooling.

Looser, heavier coolmax is ok but not a patch on the heatgear or similar for cooling effect - i have tried all types.

I have tried light wool and I have yet to try an option that has any benefits in hot and humid weather. Great as a second layer in Tassie though.

The current light Northface 'flight series' shirts are quite cool for a looser fit - great material - but a bit over-designed.

[etrangere]

Good post, sounds like the voice of experience nq111. having previously lived in qld before moving to wa I know how much more draining and uncomfortable humid heat of qld is vs the dry heat here in the south west

[Aushiker]

Hi

Looks like I found the right Icebreaker products to go for. Thanks to GJ Coop for his feedback via CGOAB (he is currently riding the outback and has been for some months). He is suggesting Icebreaker GT. GT150 I assume as that is for a lightweight material for warm weather. Wearing this under a lightweight long sleeve shirt seems to be the way to go.

Bivouac Outdoor a NZ company has good prices and free shipping to Australia. They also stock the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap which was I after for wearing under my helmet.



Andrew

[Moondog55]

Rather than wear the cap under your helmet; road workers use a sun shield that fits over the top

http://www.drmanufacturing.com.au/index ... &Itemid=76

Cooler and more highly visible

[Aushiker]

Rather than wear the cap under your helmet; road workers use a sun shield that fits over the top

http://www.drmanufacturing.com.au/index ... &Itemid=76

Cooler and more highly visible

One of the reasons for wearing it under the helmet is sweat management ... I use a cycling cap now and it makes a big difference to my comfort levels. Also works a treat in the rain keeping the rain off my glasses.

Andrew

[Jellybean]

Hi

Looks like I found the right Icebreaker products to go for. Thanks to GJ Coop for his feedback via CGOAB (he is currently riding the outback and has been for some months). He is suggesting Icebreaker GT. GT150 I assume as that is for a lightweight material for warm weather. Wearing this under a lightweight long sleeve shirt seems to be the way to go.

Bivouac Outdoor a NZ company has good prices and free shipping to Australia. They also stock the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap which was I after for wearing under my helmet.



Andrew

Hi Andrew,

The Icebreaker GT tops are great in warm weather, Bivouac (have used them a number of times) is also great as is the Sun Runner cap but absolutely NOT under a cycling helmet! (I am heavily involved in cycling both as a coach and in promoting safe cycling. Wearing anything under a helmet other than a cycling cap - which is made to fit under a helmet - is a big no no as it compromises the fit of the helmet and therefore it's ability to protect your head if you come off. If you want the benefits of a cap either use a cycling-specific cap under your helmet or buy a helmet with a peak and add the drape from the Sun Runner cap. If you have a problem with sweat (and subsequently sunscreen) getting in your eyes, try a Sweat Gutr: http://www.bicycles.net.au/Road-Cycling ... rticle_pi1[singleID]=181 I haven't tried them personally but people I know who use them, swear by them. Happy (and safe!) riding! (I've just driven across the Nullabor and saw half a dozen cyclists out there!)

Cheers,

JB

[flatfoot]

I visited all the hiking stores in Kent St in Sydney yesterday. I picked up a couple of long-sleeve Columbia Mountain Tech omni dry shirts from the Columbia store. They are on sale for $29.95 (reduced from $59.95).

I have a short-sleeve columbia omni-dry t-shirt which is one of my preferred t-shirts for bushwalking and cycling. Hence I was pleased to find the long-sleeve version on sale.

Impressed by the range of stores in Kent Street. It was my first time there and I'll be planning future visits at sale times.

[wazzawalkin]

The corporate clothing places have a range of products at good prices.

Have a look at, http://www.winningspiritonline.com.au/
I have not purchase from them directly but my work has used them for polo shirts and they seem ok.

Cheers,
Wazza