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Lowe Alpine Lightweight Dryflo
Zip Neck
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Price:
£30.00
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Weight: 217 grammes (men's
L)
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Features: Long
sleeves, zip neck, collar, full weight Dryflo fabric
(polyester based), flat-locked seams
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All conditions base layer
Clsoe fit can be uncomfortable in hot
conditions
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Lowe's Dry Flo is one of our favourite base layer fabrics in both
full and light weight guises. It uses a 'mechanical' wicking process
with thicker polyester fibres on the inside and thicker ones on the
outside helping to shift moisture away from the body. And because the
wicking is down to the fabric rather than a treatment, it survives
extended washing and continues to wick.
We've used it for everything from running and mountain biking to
winter mountaineering and it's been unfailingly good. Paradoxically,
you notice the benefits most when you have overheated and are
sweating hard - the Dryflo shifts the extra moisture quickly when you
are back down to normal temperature. No more, cold, wet, soggy cotton
feeling.
In fact it's so good that it's become pretty much the industry
standard. Wicking ability is impressive - only PowerDry and Capilene
when new are, in our experience, as good, but it's also well suited
in other ways. There's just enough stretch to make it close-fitting
without being overtight, so you get good skin contact all over for
better wicking performance, so it makes the most of the fabric's
moisture transfer ability and helps the layers above it to do their
job too.
The fabric is also smooth enough not to rub and flat-locked seams
minimise any discomfort under rucksack straps. If you're being picky,
you could make the zip-neck a couple of inches longer for better
ventilation, but otherwise the long-sleeved and collared style is
ideal for year round use, with the collar helping to keep your neck
un-burnt in sunny conditions.
Dryflo simply gets on with the job and does it very well indeed.
It's also available in a full weight version which is warmer and
better suited to winter use and stop start activities and different
styles.
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Verdict: The industry standard for
the past few years, this is one of the best baselayers you
can buy. It survives long terms use without ponging and the
mechanical nature of the wicking process means that its
performance remains reliable even with extended washing. The
fabric is soft enough not to be uncomfortable and holds its
texture better than PowerDry (in our experience) and has
enough stretch to hug the skin for more effective wicking.
The Long-sleeved, zip-neck format is optimal, with the zip
allowing venting and the collar giving sun protection.
There's really nothing wrong with it.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Pretty much the industry standard for base layer
material, Lowe's Dryflo scores by wicking well, fitting
close and keeping performance due to the wicking being a
property of the fabric rather than a bolt-on coating, which
can be eroded by washing. Also comfortable against the skin
and under pack straps. The long-sleeved zip-neck is our
favourite format for baselayer use. Top choice.
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