This started as a gear test, a review of the Haglofs Katla Tee
Shirt, something which to my embarassment I've been using all
summer, but simply haven't got round to reviewing.
It's
embarassing because the Katla is possibly the most technical tee
shirt in the world and a cunning answer to a question no one ever
seems to have asked before, what happens to a baselayer top when you
use it with a heavy pack.
Well, as anyone who's done that will know, the fabric gets
abraded, pills and wears out faster. Clothing designers know all
about abrasion damage, that's why many shell jackets and insulation
tops have reinforcements on their shoulders and hips to cope with
rubbing pack straps and hip-belts, but to the best of my knowledge,
this is the first time anyone's done something similar with a
technical tee shirt.
What Haglofs has done is used three different fabrics in the
Katla. The front of the shirt is a conventional knitted polyester
fabric for good wicking performance, but the back uses a tighly woven
- almost soft shell - polyester / elastane mix for much higher
abrasion and pilling resistance. The same fabric sits on the hip
areas as well. Finally, under the arms is a third fabric for better
ventilcation and odour resistance thanks to X-Static silver yarn.
The end result is a top that with its high wicking fabric and
odour resistant silver strands and flat-locked seams, breathes and
wicks like a normal baselayer, but can be used with a pack without
bobbling and wearing. It's just very cunning at while at 40 quid it's
quite expensive for a baselayer tee, it seems to do just what it says
on the box. Hopefully, while it's having a break for winter at the
moment, it'll be back in the Haglofs range next spring.
Which brings me to another question - when oh when oh when, is one
of the pack manufacturers going to come out with a smooth faced,
lightweight clothing friendly pack that doesn't try to rub big holes
in your ultralightweight clothing?
My commission is ten per-cent on each unit sold, thanks :-)
gearboy
