Poll: crew neck or zipT

I haven't used these shirts but my vote goes to zipT.

I used a Smartwool microweight T on my AT thru hike this year. One shirt, worn every single day, lasted from the NJ/PA border all the way to Katahdin. I don't even think there were any slight holes in it, just some fraying on the seam at the bottom of the shirt. Great shirt, despite the fact that although it was microweight, it still seemed hot. No stench though!

I'm a huge fan of the Zip-T. But does is this for short or long-sleeve? I'm assuming long-sleeved. This year I used a Patagonia zip Capilene 3 long-sleeved shirt, and loved the ease of putting it on everynight in camp. The added ventilation is a huge plus, and maybe a must, if you are going to be wearing this while hiking. For around camp use, I'm considering switching to a silkweight crew long-sleeved shirt. Won't be as convenient, but will save a few ounces.

My preference is absolutely for the zip-T, for its better ventilation. That being said my hiking partner can't stand a zipper or vertical seams against his neck. YMMV.

As for the micro-weight Smartwool, top notch kit, I wore one for the majority of the year on trail. Durable, no stink. Only downside (or not?) is it is surprisingly warm, too warm in some cases. I tend to sweat through it on warm days.

I have not used a zip-T, but I know some people like them for ventilation management.

I have been using a Smartwool l/s microweight T for almost a year and bought a s/s one for the warmer summer months, mostly due to the positive comments here at BPL. I am glad I gave them a try. They can handle a wide range of temperatures, and I have found I can use a combination of the l/s shirt and a windshirt comfortably to temperatures in the low 30's while I'm moving.

Yesterday a few of us snowshoed all day in temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 20's, and I was fine in the T, a fleece vest, and a windjacket. They wear well, although my shirt has a few small holes in the midriff section and sleeves from when I did a face plant and 30' slide down steep, wet heather this summer. That was due to user klutziness and no fault of the shirt. I am definitely a true believer of the lightweight merino shirts, year-round.

I bought both a long sleeve and short sleeve for our trip to walk the Camino in Spain lat Fall and they were great. Not only did they wash in cold water great but dried quickly!
They were great also for layering when it was cool and rainy!
These were both crew neck.