Berghaus X-Static Top

Olivia kellas-kelly
Reviewed: 18 February 2010

A REASONABLE WICKING BASELAYER FOR THE PRICE

wicking abilities

itchy fabric, and holds smell.

not the best, but not the worst either

Jon Codd
Reviewed: 04 August 2008

DOESN'T DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

Soft on the skin
Stays dry

Expensive
Pongs
Shows wear

Here I'm talking about the short sleeved version of the X-Static top by Berghaus. At least that's what the label says.
So why do the underarms pong after one outing, just like an El Cheapo polyester tee shirt? In the whiffiness stakes the Berghaus doesn't work anywhere near as well as my other X-Static base layer (M. Hardwear) which can remain virtually odourless for activity-days on end. That's the performance I'd expect to justify the premium price.
OK the Berghaus is nice and comfortable to wear, but I was also a tad disappointed to see wear marks on the back of the shirt after its first outing with a day sack.
One caveat to my review is that I bought the Berghaus a couple of years ago. I see that some other users are happy, so maybe B have got their act together?

Sand Dancer
Reviewed: 01 August 2008

STOOD THE TEST OF TIME

Comfortable & breathable
Long front zip for additional venting
Adequate collar
Smell resistance
Hard wearing

Possibly pricey

Had a couple of these for a few years now and they are still going well. I easily managed to overpower (and everybody round about) Coolmax etc, but smell resistance of x static is good. I cannot make a comparison with merino tops cos every time I consider buying one I ask why?

curly
Reviewed: 24 July 2008

MUCH BETTER THAN I HAD EXPECTED

Well finished and very comfortable against my sensitive skin.
Xstatic fabric works well for me
Ease of ventilation with sleeves and zip
Provides warmth when required

None as far as I am concerned

I put my xstatic top to the test day and night on a 12 day long distance summer walk, the top shows no signs of wear, I was always comfortable on the move with simply my lightweight event shell for both rain and wind.
I used a 1/2 season sleeping bag and was able to stay comfortable within a wide range of temperatures only needing the addition of a sleeveless 100wt fleece above 1500ft.
After 12 days of continuous wear I was still unable to clear a space around me at the bar!
Simply the best all round layer I have yet to come across.

Benco
Reviewed: 07 May 2008

GOOD BASELAYER TOP

Light, good wicking, not smelly, durable

a bit grippy on the outside, neither one thing or the other collar, expensive

I've had one of these for years and it still works well and has kept its shape (unlike some), it has a zipped collar that is quite short and loose, I like a collar either to be low cut crew neck (and wear a scarf/buff) or to have a zip and close up high on my neck, this does neither. This is a not a big problem though and overall it works really well.