Inputs On A Lightweight T Shirt For The AT

Although generally used in the mountains in Europe, I much prefer the Icebreaker Aero Half-Zip Long Sleeve.
It’s my go-to 3-season baselayer.

It’s made out of so-called ‘Icebreaker Cool Lite’, which is “65% Merino wool, 20% TENCEL®, 15% Nylon”. It’s part of their Featherweight (135) series.

The nylon makes sure it holds up well, the merino makes sure you don’t stink and on my scale it’s 159 grams / 5,61 ounces (Size S).

Take a look at the Outdoor Research Echo Duo. Less than 3 oz in size M. Anti-stink treated.

My go to hiking T is the Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite (150 g). It’s a more relaxed fit, like a regular t, but with a bit of stretch.  Mostly wool with a bit of elastic so low stink (I find the cool lite blend stinks a bit).

If I’m hiking in buggy areas then I much prefer a bug shirt instead of bug spray, and go with a long sleeve button up insect shield treated.

I’m a big fan of the OR Echo shirts. Among the lightest, comfortable shirts I’ve ever worn.

OR Echo series (pointy nipples are very obvious if you care) are about the lightest and most breathable on the market IMO. With that said, the anti-stink capabilities have not been the best. I sometimes grab my icebreaker tech lite t shirt instead because of that.

Very interested in this 135g Icebreaker stuff. Its been a coupe years since Ive looked into shirts.

I managed to stink up an Icebreaker Tech Tee on the JMT in an irretrievable manner. Mirazyme didn’t touch the smell. I think it’s due to the nylon in the Tech Tees. If you go for merino for anti-stink my $.02 is to get 100% merino.

Matthew, good to know!

I manage a good 2-3 days before my tech lite icebreaker starts to stink.

Yeah, from personal experience I can say that 21 days is too much! I only rinsed it, no soap. I still cringe at the thought of the smell.

Duluth Trading (home of the “anti-plumber’s-butt T-shirt) overlaps with UL backpacking with their wicking T-shirts.  “93% nylon/7% spandex knit, . . . the fabric is treated to resist odor.”

And cause guys like me buy a mess of them for the job site and to wear around town, their stuff is less expensive than outdoor labels.  Not Walmart or Old Navy cheap, but much better quality.  $24.50/wicking T-shirt, a little less in quantity.  That’s been my go-to wicking under layer for some years now.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/mens-buck-naked-performance-v-neck-undershirt-83009.aspx?kw=wicking&processor=content

The other thing they are really good for is tall, slim guys – some of their T-shirts are 3″ longer than normal, so you can get the length you need without ordering huge sizes that flap around in the breeze.

I decided to go with a Rab Meco 120.  Maybe not the lightest but hopefully it does the trick.

Not that lightweight, but your average 100% Linen button up shirt is cooling and has very good anti-stink properties (close to Merino), and is much more durable and harder wearing than Merino.  I’m assuming this is for around late spring/summer time?  It’s not good for colder temps though–the same properties that make it great for hot weather, make it no so good for colder temps. (an inexpensive, very light, nylon fishnet under shirt can mitigate that during colder temps though).

Since you’re pretty much going to be wearing this shirt most of the time i’m assuming, why does it have to be very lightweight?  I can understand wanting a lightweight shirt or what not, if it’s going to be spending a lot of time in your pack, but i’ve never noticed the weight of a t shirt while wearing it.  Pack items are a different matter, as weight does add up quickly between various items.  The only thing i notice weight wise while actually wearing and hiking, is shoes, definitely can make a difference when comparing UL, light, and heavier footwear.

If you’re in any shape whatsoever, highly unlikely your body will notice a 3 to 5 oz difference in a worn shirt, even if doing long days/miles.  If it were me, i would focus a lot more on weight of pack, sleep insulation, shelter, foot wear, not bringing redundant or unnecessary gear, etc.  and focus more in the durability and properties of the shirt rather than weight.

BPL heresy?  Then brand me a heretic.

Justin, what is your opinion on woven vs knit shirts for hot weather?

Whatever you get make sure it is treated with Permethrin because of all the deer ticks you will encounter. Railriders are pretty good.

https://www.railriders.com/men-new-equator-top-with-insect-shield-p-1060.html?cPath=104_111

Does anyone here worry about shoulder seams?  I just hurt myself carrying an overloaded pack and a shirt with thick seams under the shoulder straps. They gouged into me and I didn’t realize for five or six hours. I’m eyeing a shirt without a seam beneath the weight of my shoulder straps.

Hi Justin,

I think both have pros and cons.  Woven tends to be better for bugs, and if done right (still breathable enough), can actually be more cooling because there is more conductive fabric on the skin (like we talked about before). Because there is less air space for water to occupy, they tend to dry a bit faster, which is good on the humid AT.

Knits tend to be noticeably more breathable, a bit slower drying. They tend to feel cooler with breezes and wind, but less so than wovens with still air.

I’ve worn both knits and woven tops that i liked a lot in hot weather, but if it’s really buggy, i would go more with woven, but one that has decent breathablity.  As far as just comfort in heat, thickness, specific material, etc probably matters a bit more than knit vs woven overall. I’m not particularly a fan of Merino in hot, humid weather despite the odor reduction. I’m sure really light and thin Merino is probably ok, but then it becomes very non durable unless reinforced with other fibers.  Linen on the other hand, is both cooling and pretty tough stuff for a natural fiber.