TNF S/S El Cap Shirt Tested

TNF S/S El Cap Shirt Tested

Price: £35.00

Weight: 202 grammes (men's medium)

Features: Polartec Powerdry double picque fabric, front neck zip, collar, Raglan sleeves, underarm gusset, flat seams, flat ironed-on label for comfort.

Confortable and looks good A little warn for hot weather use

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The Concept Yet another baselayer top, this one's short sleeved, so presumably intended mainly for summer / warm weather use. There's a long-sleeved zip neck top for cooler conditions.

Like all baselayers, it's intended to move moisture away from the skin outwards to where it can be evaporated and not to hold moisture close to the body. A good baselayer is essential to maximise the efficiency of breathable outer layers.

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Features TNF has used Polartec's high-wicking Powerdry fabric, though the double pique knit seems heavier than other Powerdry fabrics we've used. To underline that, the short sleeved version of the El Cap weighs pretty much the same as the long-sleeved Sprayway equivalent and more than ME's long-sleeved Comfort Zone top. The fabric uses its physical structure to move moisture outwards.

Otherwise it's a simple variation on the LS El Cap shirt, but with - you guessed it - short sleeves. You also get a small collar, neck zip and shoulders with flat seams displaced so they don't sit right at the top of the shoulder. Good for minimising pack rub.

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In Action The El Cap's fabric feels soft and comfortable against the skin, silkier and 'drapier' than other baselayers we've tried. It does seem to be slightly heavier than other Powerdry fabrics we've used though and while it does wick well, it doesn't feel quite as comfortable as lighter materials in very hot conditions. Nor does it wick as well as the much thinner Berghaus Xstatic Powerdry fabric, then that doesn't feel as luxurious as the TNF offering.

A stretchier material would give a tighter fit and contact more skin surface than the loose-cut El Cap increasing wicking efficiency .

Otherwise it does the job and is light years ahead of cotton tee shirts. If we were going to quibble, which we are, we'd like a taller collar for added sun protection - though it wouldn't look as neat - and maybe a slightly deeper neck zip for better venting. Otherwise we have no problems with the S/S El Cap.

One observation though is that our old, L/S El Cap has lost a lot of its softness with repeated use and washing, though it has taken a caning over the last couple of years.

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Verdict

The slightly heavier grade of Powerdry used in the El Cap feels nice and hangs with a pleasing loose drape, but sacrifices some funtional efficiency as a result. Thinner, stretchier grades of Powerdry seem to wick better particularly in very hot conditions where the El Cap feels a little on the warm side.

Still an effective base layer though and much better than a cotton tee-shirt.

Performance
Value

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TNF web site

Pushed for time: The slightly heavier grade of Powerdry used in the El Cap feels nice and hangs with a pleasing loose drape, but sacrifices some funtional efficiency as a result. Thinner, stretchier grades of Powerdry seem to wick better particularly in very hot conditions where the El Cap feels a little on the warm side. Still an effective base layer though and much better than a cotton tee-shirt.

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