Lowe Alpine Dryflo Zip-NeckTested

Lowe Alpine Lightweight Dryflo Zip Neck

Price: £30.00

Weight: 217 grammes (men's L)

Features: Long sleeves, zip neck, collar, full weight Dryflo fabric (polyester based), flat-locked seams

All conditions base layer Clsoe fit can be uncomfortable in hot conditions

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.

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.

Performance
Value

Lowe Alpine web site

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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