Backpacking Light’s New Thorofare Collection

I have been wearing the Icebreaker Merino briefs for over a year now and love them. I like them much better than Capilene. They are very durable and I have wore them with comfort in 90+ temps.

The best part is the no stink factor as with all Merino, I can wear a pair for a week if necessary.

Ed

Thanks.
Durability is my main concern but it looks promising. Any info on sizing, especially compared with the capilene briefs? About the same? One larger than other and if so which one?

I understand the benefits of the Thorofare shirt in hot weather but what is the advantage of wearing the Thorofare shirt over a thin baselayer in colder conditions? Wouldn't a windshirt provide better wind and water resistance at a lighter weight? Even if the Thorofare is a little more breathable, a windshirt is still plenty comfortable especially in the colder conditions I am talking about. Also, the Thorofare shirt isn't exactly designed to provide insulation/warmth so it would not be beneficial in that department either.

Hi Peter-

The air permeability of the Thorofare shirt is between that of a typical stretch-woven softshell and a more tightly woven windshirt. (It's closer to the softshell.)

While the design of the shirt (no hood, collar, air leaks around the buttons, etc.) are different than a traditional windshirt, the Thorofare could replace one in a lot of conditions.

For cool conditions, I used to carry a base layer, windshirt, and lightweight wp/b jacket. With the thorofare, I can go a shade lighter on the base layer and ditch the windshirt, relying on the wp/b jacket if conditions get very windy.

-Mike

Hi Tom – sorry haven't tried the Capilene so can't comment on size. I'm normally a medium in underwear, and these are no exception. They're quite a trim fit, so – total guesswork here – I would be suprised if they were larger than the Capilene.

They seem like they'll last well, I've worn them for about 20 days walking and they still look new.

Hi Mike,

The air permeability of the Thorofare shirt material is 5cc max – what ever that means.

Spray rating is 80/50 and I don't know what that compares to either.

Might be a good question for Richard if Mike doesn't know what that means.

I wore my Thorofare pants and shirt on a dayhike of the Coosa Backcountry Trail in GA today. The temps were 70 to 80 degrees with 50% humidity.

The pants and shirt did not wick moisture as best I could tell. My skin was drenched the entire trip and at one point when I bent over to retie my shoe water dripped out of my sleeves. The lack of wicking could've been due to the humidity but I don't know for sure. I would limit the usage to Spring and Fall, at least in the SE. The upside was my core remained cool despite the heat and humidity.

That sounds like vapor-barrier clothing to me, and that's NOT what I want for hiking. Another good reason to avoid these garments (besides the price).

The price is not bad at all to me. But, since when was loose fitting clothing really meant to be wicking? Nowhere on the product page is it claimed to be. What do you define as wicking? Loose fitting clothing is meant to allow evaporative cooling, I always thought.

Chris, I'm just outside Nashville. 50% is actually lower humidity than usual for here… and you're closer to the ocean than I am. My trips into GA have always shown to have a higher humidity than here. Did you wear anything for a base layer to do the wicking?

Hi Chris Wallace,

More questions.

Where you wearing a backpack? What kind?

Do you own anything that you think would have worked – for you – better?

Thanks.

I have used the shirt on a few day hikes. Temps 80-100F. Humidity around 30%, wearing an old VauDe Siena daypack (has a aeroflex frame to keep it off the back). I didn't have water dripping out of my sleeves… but my skin was pretty damp and whenever the pack contacted me was wet. I think there is very modest wicking but mostly the dry conditions + heat was driving evaporation directly off the skin. My initial impression is that my skin was slightly less damp than when I used a Railrider Adventure Shirt shirt in similar conditions. I will want to use the shirt more before I conclude that… this might be me self justifying adding another shirt to the closet.

In response to Bob's "sounds like a vapor barrier"… it's nothing like a vapor barrier (I have done that a few times while training… UGH!), but not nearly as pleasant as a wicking, highly air permeable base like my cheapo but effective Terramar Micro Mesh shirt or my slightly warmer featherweight powerdry shirt. I wear shirts like the thorofare or rr adventure shirt when I am going places that chemicals aren't sufficient to keep the bugs off (or on trips I am testing a new shirt :-) When bugs aren't an issue I much prefer a shirt that wicks well and is more air permeable.

So we might be able to discover the niche for the new shirt and pants from BPL.com I want to share what I know about the fabric.

The new Thorofare fabric is from a product line that comes in at least 10 different weights per square meter/yard. They range from a low of 55 grams per square meter to a high of 272 grams per square meter. The Thorofare fabric is the lowest weight in this family – 55 grams per square meter or 1.65 oz per square yard.

The (Secret) company has this to say about this product line:

Main Properties:
– Patented 'denier gradient' structure moves moisture away from the skin.
– Weatherproof.
-Tough and durable.
– Very low comparable weight and packing volume.

Used In:
– High performance outerwear.

What is it?
– (Secret Name) is the result of extensive development work in the laboratory and field. (Secret Name) applies capillary action technology conventionally applied to base layer products. This means that during high aerobic activity, moisture is transported away from the skin to the outside of the fabric where it evaporates.

How Does it Work?
– (Secret Name) has a unique 'denier gradient' structure. It combines two different yarns with different properties. On the inside you'll find a yarn with larger filaments, on the outside a yarn with smaller filaments. You can actually see the different yarns when comparing the inside and outside of the fabric. Following the laws of capillary action, moisture will move from larger filaments to smaller filaments.

(Secret Name) 3-dimensionally wicks the moisture away from the body. The engine behind this process is your own body heat. On the outside the smaller filaments have a relatively high surface area which causes the excessive moisture to evaporate quickly. Through evaporative heat loss (Secret Name) reduces overheating, which in return reduces excessive sweating.

The raised yarns on the inside of the (Secret Name) fabric create a micro-climate between the skin and fabric. This prevents the fabric from sticking to the skin during intense activity. It also supports the moisture movement process.

Is it Waterproof?
– Protects against wind, drizzle and occasional rain or snow showers.

How does it Benefit the User?
– Lifts moisture away from the skin – keeping you dry.
– Texture on the inside holds the fabric away from the skin – creating a comfortable 'microclimate'.
– Reduces wind chill factor – keeping muscles warm.
– Lightweight and soft to handle – allowing full freedom of movement.
– Strong and robust – suitable for rigorous use.
– Comparable low weight and packing volume.
– Up to 75% less bulky than most 'soft shell fabrics'.
– Some products incorporate stretch for a closer athletic fit.
– CPF 30+ filters UVR.

How Does it Benefit the User?
– In high performance outerwear.

How do I Wash it?
– Machine or hand wash at 104 degrees (F).
– 86 degrees (F) for stretch fabric.
– Use a synthetic setting and mild soap.
– Avoid fabric softeners.
– Rinse well in cold water.
– Cool tumble dry or iron on a synthetic setting.

Product Specifications: (55 grams per square meter product)

Composition – 100% Polyamide
Warp – 20 denier, 20 filaments. Semi dull, nylon 66
Weft (face) – 20 denier, 20 filaments. Semi dull, nylon 66
Weft (reverse) – 30 denier, 26 filaments. Bright, nylon 66
Weave – Duplex
Width – 53 inch – usable
Technology – (Secret Name) with 2-way stretch

Air Permeability – 5cc max
Spray rating – 80 / 50

Thread count per inch – (Warp – 508 +/-5) (Weft – 589 +/-5)
Tear strength (Kg) – (Warp – 0.8) (Weft 1.0)
Shrinkage (cool wash at 40 degrees C) – (Warp 3.0%) (Weft 5.0%)
Abrasion resistance – 40,000+ at 12.5k PA

(1) As reported in (Secret Name) company data.

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So what does all this mean to us?

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Chris Holden – I did not wear a base layer shirt and only wore boxer briefs under the pants. Since the Thorofare clothing was designed to be a base layer, I though this would be sufficient. The boxer briefs were so wet I got chaffing where I never have before.

Bill – I was wearing an Osprey Talon 22 which I use as my day pack. I've never worn a LS shirt or pants during summer so I don't don't really have anything to compare. I'm usually in trail running shorts and SS poly shirts.

This info seems to have been copied and pasted from the Pertex website. Their add is at the top of every BPL email update. Why is this a "secret"?

Hi Scott,

"Why is this a "secret"?"

Ask BPL.com.

I'm not sure about these garments. I have not field tested, just worn around home. My initial impressions were (in this order)

a) Very light!
b) Nice colours (I got the tan top and brown trous)
c) Plastic! At first the fabric reminded me of the (new) DriDucks fabric. Very synthetic look and feel to it
d) Good sizing
e) Cold against the skin (it’s still wintery here…I would not consider this as a cool weather base layer)
f) Noisy. This may be the worst feature of these garments, I like the peace and quiet of hiking, kinda steal style, and this fabric makes a lot of crinkly noise when you move
g) Snaps are a big detraction. Not only are they bulky (as in high profile) and hard to do/undo, but they make modifications really difficult. I wanted the cuff closure a little narrower than provided. If there had been buttons (and button holes), this would have been trivial. I also don’t want the sleeve retainers, but to remove those snaps I will end up leaving a hole in the fabric. Again, a button would have been effortless to remove. Lastly, I don’t really need snaps or buttons down the front (I just pull the shirt down over my head) so now I have to figure out how to pry the snaps off before I sew up the front. They also look out of place in an otherwise classically designed shirt. Matching tan or brown buttons would have been a lot more stylie IMHO.
I can’t yet comment on how breathable/wickable/wind resistant they are. I think they will make a good spring/autumn shirt over a merino baselayer, but not sure about against the skin. I might even get away with leaving my standard wind pants at home when I carry these.

Pertex Equilibrium…now that wasn't so hard to say was it?…lol.

I have a pair of RAB VapouRise pants that are PE and the Thorofare clothing isn't the same texture.

>Pertex Equilibrium…now that wasn't so hard to say was it?…lol.

No, not hard. I don't see why it's a big deal though. Call it whatever you like. Methinks some of the claims for this fabric are mildy overinflated no matter what you call it. But heck it's light, and feels pretty robust, Given the long term stellar performance of my Quantum windshirt, I expect these garments will be pretty tough for the weight.

There is a bicomponent PE fabric used in clothing. I wonder if that give a different texture?

Chris,

There are 10 different "weights" for PE. The one you have may just be a different weight.

I just returned from a 2 mile walk wearing just my new shirt and a pair of running shorts.

The temperature was 100 degrees (F) with 40% humidity in the direct sun. Slight breeze at times.

I was carrying my new external frame pack with my "air pillows" attached to push the top of the frame away from my back. The shoulder straps and hip belt touch me and do not have "air pillows" attached to them.

In the direct sun I got hot quick and unsnapped the first three snaps. I also rolled the sleeves twice. I was getting a bit of breeze up the sleeves and a fair amount into the open part of the shirt. I was walking at a 3 miles per hour rate.

I got wet everywhere some part of the pack touched me.

When I got home I weighed the shirt and it had gained 0.14 oz during my 40 minute walk.

I like the material but like almost all material when you put on a pack it get overwhelmed very fast. A few venting options on the shirt might help and I am thinking about a couple of modifications.

As I said I really like this material and if I had a few yards of it I would remake the complete shirt.

When my shirt gets dry I am going to do another test. I will wear my GG – G6 and see how that test turns out.

>When I got home I weighed the shirt and it had gained 0.14 oz during my 40 minute walk.

Was your skin dry at this stage? Just wondering how much moisture didn't even make it into the shirt (ie how sweaty did you feel compared to, say, wearing a loose weave cotton shirt)?

Hi Allison,

After my first hike today my skin was damp where the pack touched it.

I was trying to vent the shirt as much as I could but there are not many was to do it.

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I Just got back from my second 2 mile walk and this is not good. The shirt has "wet out" every place the G6 touched it. That means about all of the back of the shirt is wet. Lucky that the shoulder straps are small and it doesn't have a hip belt.

The shirt gained 0.24 of and ounce over the dry weight of 4.86 ounces in 40 minutes.

That was after the sun had move from over head and the temperature had dropped 12 degrees (F) and was at 88 degrees (F). Humidity was up to 49%.

My back sweat so much it was running around to the front of my body.

I am going to try the GG – G6 again tomorrow if the temperature get back up to 100 degree (F) and see what happens. Is it possible to drown in your own sweat.

Bill's experiences sound similar to my own.