Terramar Geo Fleece

[Owen McMurrey]

Anyone else tried Terramar's grid fleece baselayers?

I recently bought their "Body-Sensors Geo Fleece Expedition Weight Pants"-$20(!) at Campmor, and got to use them this past week on a trip to Colorado.
Very nice baselayer. Warm and breathable, quick-drying while worn and active. Basically all the stuff I've read about Capilene 4 at 1/4 the Cap4's retail cost, though they weigh 2.1oz more than Patagonia's listed weight of 5.7oz for the Cap4 bottoms.
I'm curious if anyone has compared them side by side, and can comment on the similarities and differences.

These bottoms were actually bought for sitting around camp and supplementing my sleep system when pushing it to lower temperatures. I was prepared for teens or lower, but it did not get that cold on my trip, with the lowest temp being around 29F. They ended up being pressed into service another way, though…

I had been surprised at how cozy they were when first wearing them around the house, yet without getting overly hot. Even more surprising was wading through cold waist deep water with them under rainpants, then hiking in them afterwards and actually feeling comfortable the whole time. I wore them for 2 full days with my full zip rainpants vented from waist to mid-thigh, hiking in the rain and crossing flooding creeks and drainages.

Terramar also makes a looser fit bottom and various tops(zip-neck, crewneck, hoody w/handwarmer pocket, full zip jacket) of the same material, several of which are available for cheap at Sierra Trading Post.

Here are the bottoms with the "Ultimate Sleep System"(well, that's what I call it!):

The underside:

Size Medium weighs 221g/7.8oz and is noticeably warmer than my Capilene 3 bottoms @ 208g/7.3oz or the Icebreaker Bodyfit200(size L due to slimmer fit) @ 202g/7.1oz

[Phillip Asby]

I have a Geo Fleece top that is my main base for sleeping in cold weather – I like it a lot and it works great. The quality has been quite good as well.

I'd like a pair of the bottoms since I'm so pleased with the shirt.

I have some lighter base layer Terramar bottoms and top that I used in more temperate conditions.

I also have their pro mesh boxer briefs that I hike in almost exclusively which are a great deal and as good as the one pair of much more expensive ExOfficios I have at 1/3 the price.

[todd]

Those look awesome! Do you think a Medium would fit a 34×32? I have skinny legs!

Thank you for showing these to us.

[Owen McMurrey]

Todd, based on mine, I think a Medium should fit you. Any bigger in the waist, and you might need to size up.
I've been dropping some weight, but I was 33/30 when I bought them. They fit almost perfectly, except being a little long. They're stretchy, so a little bigger or smaller should be ok. Snug on me through the legs, as I think they are supposed to be, and mine aren't skinny.

[Steve K]

Those Terramar Grid Fleece layers are a good value. It's like the R1 stuff, but a bit lighter, so excellent for fall and spring temps especially. I think it compares reasonably to Cap4 in warmth.

[Woubeir (from Europe)]

Well then, hope that this thread moves to the backyard quickly because if they look and work like Polartec Powerdry High Efficiency (or Powergrid like they seem to call it now), Polartec might go to court for patent-infringement (like they currently are doing with Pontetorto).

[James holden]

you have discovered why grid fleeces are so commonly used amount climbers these days

– excellent wicking due to reduced contact surface and dual component construction … also dries quickly due to this and synthetic fabric

– excellent breathability due to the gaps between the waffles

– very compact, not bulky like normal fleece

– fairly durable as the outside presents a decently smooth surface unlike some fleeces, and less delicate than wool

they are da bomb for active and semi active uses

;)

[Owen McMurrey]

Yeah, I've had grid fleece tops before, and the funky fitting R1 weight surplus bottoms, but have never used them while active. I run so hot that I don't use a midlayer or long bottom baselayer unless the highs are in the teens(once in TN during the polar vortex this January being the ONLY time that's happened).
Was very impressed with how the bottoms maintained body temp in both directions in such challenging conditions.

[Billy Ray]

"you have discovered why grid fleeces are so commonly used amount climbers these days"

Marketing created fad… a year or two from now when all the 2nd tier companies are selling it they will come up with something else.. stripes or x's and o's… and after that. and after that… so it goes… Marketing created fad after Marketing created fad.

The clever marketing people plant the idea in your head that it is warmer… or just as warm at less weight… or whatever… they pro-deal a bunch… the guides show up with them… then, man… I've got to try one of those… and you ACTUALLY begin to believe the marketing… warmer… yea… I can feel it, man…. and I'm even climbing better… wow !!!!

Billy

[James holden]

its a bit more than a fad, the R1 has been around for awhile as has the T3

not to mention that the old stodgy US Army uses em …

they work, plain and simple

;)

[Billy Ray]

the US Military has wasted a lot of money on things that don't work over the years… and been subject to fads just like everyone else… they are more of a model of waste than efficiency when it comes to purchasing decisions..

… we always BELIEVE that the fads things work… such is the brain-wash effect of skilful marketing…

Billy

[Anonymous]

Billy, you make some potentially good points, but from experience, the grid fleece that i've worn does seem to be a bit warmer for less weight than regular fleece (with some kind of wind resistant outer at least), more breathable, and definitely better wicking.

Is it a huge difference, no, but just enough to notice. You don't have to spend a lot for decent quality grid fleece as this thread shows.

I'm partial to the Cap 4 stuff, but look for deals to get it, like 6pm.

As a humorous aside, you know you're being a bit extreme when you're trying to school Eric Chan about marketing ploys etc! As that's something he often talks about in a similar vein. I do believe this the 6th sign of the apocalypse…

[Billy Ray]

"As a humorous aside, you know you're being a bit extreme when you're trying to school Eric Chan about marketing ploys etc! As that's something he often talks about in a similar vein. I do believe this the 6th sign of the apocalypse…"

Indeed ! lol

Billy

[James holden]

do you own and use the fancy grid fleeces daily?

did they work for you when active?

they work quite well for me and the folks that i know who use em

there are many "marketing scams" in the outdoor industry … grid fleeces aint one of em

they wont magically make you a better climber … and if yr simply walking along well groomed trails in good weather theres no benefit

but as some other BPLers here have stated, it works for them in active situations, especially in bad conditions

;)

[Billy Ray]

but as some other BPLers here have stated, it works for them in active situations, especially in bad conditions"

thems thats dun 'drunk the cool-aide'

I have it. Have used it… winter and summer. Notice no difference. Waste or my money.

b

[James holden]

guess a decent amount of bit of BPL is on the grid fleece koolaid then

including a certain BPL staff member and reviewer whos drunk on the marketing koolaid

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/midlayer_technology.html

ive said over and over again that while a normal cheap 100wt fleece will work well for most folks here

if yr highly active in poor weather conditions, a grid fleece works quite well, and is a tad more breathable, wicks a bit better, and is less bulky

;)

[Billy Ray]

you sound desperate Eric… appealing to authority now…

I never expect to change the minds who have already been intoxicated by the marketing hype… once they've bought into 'belief' and spend some much extra on it, they become defensive regarding any slander of their gear… like parents who's children have no faults… No… didn't expect to change hears and minds of those already under the influence… but just maybe some who have not committed their hard earned cash yet will take note and 'just say no'… :)

Billy

[alan genser]

my grid foil hat does a significantly better job of keeping the guberment-alien-illuminati-rothsbergerchilds mind control rays out of my head than regular foil.

[James holden]

Getting personal there billy =P

Appeals to authority … LOL

If grid fleece disnt work for you thats OK there … No need to get upset about it now

It works well for plenty of the folks here

All Koolaid no doubt

Notice that the OP spent 20 dollahs on his fancy marketing hyped up grid fleece

No doubt a massive premium over the normal stuff

Perhaps yoy can tell us exactly what grid fleeces you use in what conditions?

For full disclosure i own a mec T3 thats pretty torn up, a cap 4 thats pretty fuzzed up with a hole or two, a T3 bottom, a t2 bottom and a cap 4 bottom … Which have been worn daily in the shoulder/winter seasons both inside and climbing outside

None of which cost me more than 50 dollahs … No doubt a massive "marketing" premium

LOL

;)

[alan genser]

you are obviously a pawn of the grid-fleece industrial complex.

[Owen McMurrey]

You people act like a bunch of overgrown toddlers.

[David Chenault]

The notion that Cap 4 and ~160 g/meter microfleece function the same is absurd. Different strengths, different applications.

[Ian]

I have a pair of Terramar's silk weight baselayer and have been happy with them even though they are not the lightest option out there. I think they are a great value for the money.

I'll have to order a set of these grid pattern ones later this winter. Thanks for the lead.

[Jennifer Mitol]

Yeah, well I just picked up a pair of the pants on STP for $16 after my email coupon.

I'm totally a slave of the man.

[Anonymous]

"I'm totally a slave of the man."

Doug! I don't know what kind of weird Bdsm stuff you're into, but leave our pure and innocent Jennifer alone, she doesn't know better than go and be a slave of yours! How can any woman resist your charisma and powerful, raw sexual animal magnetism. (grrr baby grrr?)

Jennifer, there are numbered step programs to get out of these kinds of things.

(sorry for the thread drift, totally in jest).

[Author]

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