Outdoor research Echo LS zip tee

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How about sizing? You know by any chance if it's similar to their other shirts?

I think I saw the Echo shirt but they had only the s/s version. If it's the same then I can say I have never seen any fabric thinner than that.

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Well, I have a Echo L/S Zip since a few months but I haven't had the chance to use it yet. Also no info on sizing.
It's indeed a very light fabric, 78 g/m2, and it's used in the S/S too.

Thanks. I have a OR Torque l/s that I love the thin power dry fabric of. Thinnest power dry summer shirt I've seen. It doesn't have a zip though, and I think this fabric is even thinner, which is why I was thinking about trying it out for the humid summer coming up.

I only don't know how well it protects against the sun although I saw one review where the user was pleasantly surprised after use in the desert. I have though no info about his skin type so maybe it is not entirely trustworthy.

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This Echo as well as the OR Torque shirt and an older Cap 1 shirt I have all seem to be UPF 15. I wonder if at a certain point you can't really get a higher UPF because of the thinness of the material. In any case, would be nice if it was more protective, but experience tells me that for me at least it is good enough. Haven't really gotten a tan under my shirt during my weekly treks in the summer. I did choose routes with more tree coverage though (I'd say 40~50% of the 4~5 hours was under cover), so your mileage may vary.

I think seeing somewhere that an UPF-measurement happens on an already aged fabric so a fabric rated 15 for the UPF may have a higher initial UPF-rating.

When I posted I didn't see your comments Rick. Thanks for the info.

To the OP, is there any special reason you want a different shirt as a base layer underneath? You could totally use these by themselves. If warm, then roll up sleeves and unzip. I find exposing the wrist/neck veins really makes a difference. Roll down for the extra thermal or solar protection.

Here's a recent thread that might be relevant:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=88498

I have a Medium that just arrived and it's 111gr. Amazing like you say for a l/s with a very nice and deep front zip. It's so light it almost feels like you have nothing on. I want some underwear made out of this..

Will definitely be good for the coming summer.

I also just picked up the long sleeve and love it as well. A large fits like a regular large on me (6'2 215) and the sleeves are the perfect length which can always be a problem.

If the polygiene treatment really keeps the stink away this might be the perfect backpacking shirt at ~4 oz.

I have the version without the zip. Since this shirt is so, so breathable, so quick drying, and so light/thin, a zip is really kind of pointless and just extra weight. Haven't weighed it yet, just not as into doing that as much anymore.

I used it past week and it may be handy to write about my experience with it:

fabric 78 g/m2 (about 2,3 oz/yd2) 100 % polyester so-called Airvent
very light and thin, excellent in hot weather. I opted purposely for the white color (not available anymore) as its reflectivity enhances coolness in hot weather. The downside for some are the yellow sweatmarks I got in the armpits. There is certainly a smell after a few days but it's much less then in another shirt I use.
Sunprotection is, despite a rather low UPF of 15, good to very good. I have a pale skin and burn very easily, but no problem at all. I usually take a L but here I chose the XL as it does have the OR trim fit and I want a loose fit in hot weather. Even with the larger size, fit was no problem or overly loose.

As an albino and thus not able to tan, I found the Echo LS to be quite protective. At least when new, these shirts were more reliable than the SPF. 80 I use on bare skin. They are also very breathable and fast drying.

My medium is 106grams. I have used it for 7 days straight on 2 occasions. No-stink works well. I wear this shirt from roughly 50 degrees on up. Love it.

I own a short sleeve echo and am looking to get a long sleeve, and am wondering what the difference between the echo line and torque line are? I'm specifically looking for the coolest, most breathable of the two.

thanks!

I have an echo l/s, no zip.

Compared it to a vented ex officio reef runner for my jmt hike by mowing yard on hot day in both.

The 7oz vented reef runner won hands down.

I was surprised at how hot the l/s echo was in spite of such thin fabric.

Steven I have a couple of both the Echo and Torque shirts and the Echo's are definitely cooler and more breathable. I use Torque for Spring, Fall, Winter. Echo for the insane humid and hot summer.