The Outdoor Research Gauge Tee is called the 'Ultimate Cooling Shirt' when you are producing heat in hot humid environments. As part of Outdoor Research's #ORInsightLab, I was given this tee to test and review. I took the Gauge Tee trail running and on a 6 day coastal backpacking trip in Pukaskwa National Park in Ontario, Canada.
Outdoor Research Gauge Tee
Size: XS-XL
Colour: Pewter, Desert Sunrise, Oasis
Weight: 2.9oz/ 82g (size M)
Price: $65 USD
Features:
The Gauge Tee is a combination of three technical fabrics. The first is Polartec Delta (51%) - an advanced cooling fabric that creates a system to regulate heat loss next to your skin. It also uses 45% Tencel - an eco-friendly fabric made from wood that is more absorbent than cotton. The remaining 5% is made from spandex.
Pros:
The first thing you notice when you look at the Gauge Tee is the honeycomb weave fabric . It's light and stretchy and has an airy feel to it. The Desert Sunrise (pink) colour is very eye-catching and I received many compliments while wearing it.
The fabric is softer against the skin than most technical wicking tees and the seams didn't cause me any chaffing or irritation. I sized up to a medium in this tee so that it had a bit looser fit. I found it very comfortable to wear - no skin cling.
As promised this tee manages heat and perspiration extremely well. In the hot humid summers of the Northeast, I was impressed by how well this tee dumped heat. Will sweat be absorbed into the fabric? Of course it does, but it dries very quickly through convection. After sweaty humid summer trail runs, I never felt heat was being trapped by the shirt against my core.
I enjoyed wearing it on my backpacking trip - it moved well with my body and kept my body temperature regulated (no overheating!). Overall I was impressed with this tee's technical performance.
Outdoor Research Gauge Tee
Size: XS-XL
Colour: Pewter, Desert Sunrise, Oasis
Weight: 2.9oz/ 82g (size M)
Price: $65 USD
Features:
The Gauge Tee is a combination of three technical fabrics. The first is Polartec Delta (51%) - an advanced cooling fabric that creates a system to regulate heat loss next to your skin. It also uses 45% Tencel - an eco-friendly fabric made from wood that is more absorbent than cotton. The remaining 5% is made from spandex.
Pros:
The first thing you notice when you look at the Gauge Tee is the honeycomb weave fabric . It's light and stretchy and has an airy feel to it. The Desert Sunrise (pink) colour is very eye-catching and I received many compliments while wearing it.
The fabric is softer against the skin than most technical wicking tees and the seams didn't cause me any chaffing or irritation. I sized up to a medium in this tee so that it had a bit looser fit. I found it very comfortable to wear - no skin cling.
As promised this tee manages heat and perspiration extremely well. In the hot humid summers of the Northeast, I was impressed by how well this tee dumped heat. Will sweat be absorbed into the fabric? Of course it does, but it dries very quickly through convection. After sweaty humid summer trail runs, I never felt heat was being trapped by the shirt against my core.
I enjoyed wearing it on my backpacking trip - it moved well with my body and kept my body temperature regulated (no overheating!). Overall I was impressed with this tee's technical performance.
Cons:
The major con I have with this tee is its long-term durability. Before going on a week long backpacking trip, I had lightly snagged the tee and caused some pulls with some threads. After using it for backpacking there are now a dozen pulls as well as a quarter size hole near the neck seam. After 9 days of what I would describe as regular use over 6 weeks, I can honestly say I am disappointed with how the fabric holds up. This is definitely unusual for Outdoor Research products, as I have had much success with the durable and breathable Echo Tee.
Best Uses: Trail running
The major con I have with this tee is its long-term durability. Before going on a week long backpacking trip, I had lightly snagged the tee and caused some pulls with some threads. After using it for backpacking there are now a dozen pulls as well as a quarter size hole near the neck seam. After 9 days of what I would describe as regular use over 6 weeks, I can honestly say I am disappointed with how the fabric holds up. This is definitely unusual for Outdoor Research products, as I have had much success with the durable and breathable Echo Tee.
Best Uses: Trail running
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