Some things are very hard to review, not because they don’t work, they don’t fit or I haven’t used it and I’m just lying. No, it’s the photies.
I refuse to use stock photies because it’s lazy and looks rubbish. So, after a year I’ve finally got up the courage, managed to keep my face straight, stomach pulled in and keep hypothermia at arms length long enough to get a shot of my secret winter weapon. The Chocolate Fish Taranaki Merino Wool Singlet.
The vest (for that’s what I call it, “singlet” sounds like a baby X Factor contestant) is your classic shape, long body, nicely clean cut around the arms, slim fitting and devoid of features, just as it should be. The merino is a nice light 190weight, is smooth with a little stretch and all the regular superpowers of warmth, stink destruction and eternal comfort.
“I have a baselayer, I don’t need a vest”. Indeed, neither did I until I started wearing this last winter and felt the benefit right away. It’s that little bit of extra protection to your core for cold weather, and it stays completely put on your body, no exposed kidneys etc after that tricky scarmble. Having no arms it’s not being pulled at during movement or by other layers binding onto it.
The arm-hole seams are low profile and although they line up with a pack strap I’ve had no rub points, which I was worried about.
In camp it’s great as it’s like keeping liner gloves on, you’ve always got that little bit of protection. In the sleeping bag too, it’s comfortable without too much insulation if you need to regulate your temperature and your sleeping bags don’t have zips like most of mine.
On the move I’ve found myself leaving a shell off for a little longer, but I’m not overheating either. Wearing it under a long sleeve zip-neck merino or synthetic base layer gives great ventilation options without too much insulation or exposing your bare skin too much.
There’ll be a personal aspect to this, it’s not going to be a universal fix-it, a wearer running hot or cold will make a difference to the results.
I’m just pleased that something I’d never even have considered trying turned out to work very well for me.
Ah bugger, I’ll need to remember to wear in next summer on it’s own. See, always learning.
I like it, I think its an extra layer to keep you warm in the winter, which is at -15°C a nice thing. And if it doesn’t rub with packstraps and does fit under another longsleeve, then its really perfect.
I read you on the photo front – have some shots to be taken for baselayers and I too have problems keeping a straight face!
I’m still trying to get a good shot of the X-Bionic long trekking shorts. Soon… I hope!
Wow, he’s a stud. Who is he? ;)
Hard to say, but he really should have taken those childs horseriding gloves off for the photie.
Hmm, you look familiar, I think I’ve seen you before somewhere, but where….?
Ah, got it – one of the Die Hard movies!! ;O)
…I knew this would be a mistake…
lol
Aye ,it’s Loose Willis :)
I didn’t know you got marigolds in that colour?
I didn’t know they were filming a sequel to CliffHanger?
Scotland’s answer to Syl-vest-er Stallone?
Yeah… I’m deleting this later.
I was holding my stomach in so well too, bastards.
All this ensemble really needs to attain maximum awesomeness is the addition of a big ass cigar and a shoulder holster.
Would love to see a PTC vs Chuck Norris square go. Reckon it would be a battle of Superman vs Nuclear Man proportions. :P
Fair play to you though, my moobs preclude me from any such hilltop photo opportunities…
Outdoor UFC it’ll never catch on
Yes, yes…
Outstanding effort!
Hmm.
It’s actually a fore-warning for some “catalogue” shots coming soon for a hoody, t-shirt and jeans I’ve got on test…
Blimey mate, I thought Borat was on a visit to the highlands for a second there! Don’t let those X-Bionic folk get you testing their latest mankini though eh, we definitely don’t want to see that… ;-)