RailRiders vs ExOfficio

For hot & humid areas I choose REI's Sahara pants and shirts (for travelling in the Philippines). Both were great. Cool and fast drying.

For tougher duty here in the Mojave Desert, where I live, I like "5.11" nylon "canvas" pants and the 5.11 nylon ripstop vented shirt. MUCH better in features and pricing than RailRiders or Ex-Officio. They are made for law enforcement but have all the features needed for backpacking. 5.11 is a very reputable company. Brigade Quartermaster also sells their clothes.

Eric

Eric,

I have the REI Sahara pants and shirts. Both great products. I do prefer the Rail Riders, but they are not as 'feature rich' and I think the RRs do better in hotter weather.

However, if my RRs were in the dirty laundry and I wanted to leave right away for a trip, I would not have any problem using the REI or Ex Officio stuff. I would probably just grab whatever is at the top of the stack in my closet.

Is the RR stuff made in the USA?

BTW: I use REI Sahara convertibles and have been happy with everything but the zippers. The zipper on the right leg pocket on all three pairs I own has crapped out.

I have the railriders eco-mesh shirt and use it almost exclusively in the summer. Whether for backpacking, rafting, cycle touring, it is my go-to shirt. I just love the material and it manages to keep me cooler than anything else I have worn. I wear ExOfficio convertible pants I bought used off this site and like them but I would trade them for a pair of RR's in a heartbeat.

>> Is the RR stuff made in the USA?

You're kidding right?

No made in China, like almost everything else.

Exceptions seem to be:

Mountain Hardwear – Viet Nam

Columbia – Indonesia & India

North Face – Indonesian & Bangladesh

I do try to buy stuff made is the USA, and try not to buy stuff made in China, but it is becoming more difficult.

Ok so the main differences are basically this:

RR shirt have more mesh which probably means better ventilation.
ExOfficio shirt is made of 80% nylon, 20% polyester, rather than 100% nylon.

RR pants have more mesh also, and the mesh is on the outside of the pant legs.
ExOfficio pants have the mesh on the inside of the pant legs.

I can't decide, I may end up just getting both outfits.

Sid,

One cannot have too much gear. Wise decision.