If you love mountains, this is a must-have item. A hands-on review of Workman's THERMOLITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck & Block Free Trekking Crew Neck, a top perfect for low mountain hiking in the fall and winter

Workman's prices are so unbelievable that they'll make you lose your sense of money (and I mean that as a compliment)

Recently, the designs have become more sophisticated, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that the gap between the clothing made by outdoor brands and that of other brands is narrowing

This time, we'd like to introduce two tops we found at Workman that look perfect for hiking in the fall and winter: the THERMOLITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck and Block Free Trekking Crew Neck

The THERMOLITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck (left) and Block Free Trekking Crew Neck (right) are affordable, warm-weather garments perfect for fall and winter hiking

These two pieces of clothing are basically tops that act as a "mid-layer" worn over underwear or a base layer while on the move, but they need to provide moderate warmth while on the move, while also being breathable and quick-drying enough to eliminate stuffiness and allow sweat to evaporate quickly when you start to sweat. In a broad sense, they are what we call "thermal clothing for hiking" that is convenient for autumn and winter hiking

These highly functional layers offer a variety of functions, including heat retention, breathability, sweat absorption, and quick drying, yet both remain surprisingly cheap! So, what you're probably wondering about is their functionality and comfort when using them in the mountains. No matter how cheap they are, you don't want to pay a single yen for inferior products

To answer these questions, I have been using it in the mountains. I have thoroughly tested it from early autumn to early winter, from Yatsugatake in early winter, where temperatures can drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius, to Okuchichibu, Tanzawa, and Okutama, so I think I can write a review that will be useful for people who hike in the mountains during this time of year

If you would like to know more about midlayers, please take a look at our previous feature article

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Let's take a look

Key Features of the THERMOLITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck

The plain, simple THERMO LITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck (hereinafter referred to as "Thermal Crew Neck") is made from a material made from 100% recycled PET bottles and is a garment that uses "THERMO LITE®︎" developed by the American company INVISTA

THERMO LITE® is a hollow polyester fiber that is lightweight and has excellent heat retention

Favorite points

• High breathability
• Lightness
• High heat retention when wearing a shell
• High quick-drying properties
• A design and flexibility that is natural even when worn everyday

Things I was curious about

• durability
• Snug fit around the neck

Main specifications

High breathability

The thermal crew neck is made from a synthetic fiber called THERMOLITE, which is not only excellent at retaining heat but also highly breathable

The thermal crew neck is highly breathable, so much so that you can see through the fabric. In terms of other materials, the look and feel is similar to Alpha Direct

When I actually wore it, I realized how breathable it was, beyond my imagination. When the wind blew, it was incredibly cool. In situations where I was sweating while moving around in the forest, the high breathability allowed me to move around without over-sweating or overheating. It was very comfortable to have a moderate breeze blowing against my body while I was moving around

Even when you are active for long periods of time and sweat, you won't feel stuffy, and the air passing through will allow it to dry quickly, so you won't feel sticky or uncomfortable

Lightness

Thermolite is also known for its light weight. I'm wearing the LL size, which weighs just 142.6g (measured). This is a great weight for UL-oriented hikers

I tested it from early autumn to early winter, but it seems like it would work well as a thermal garment from early summer through to summer, and it's easy to keep in your backpack when you're worried about the cold even when hiking in low mountains

High heat retention when wearing a shell

The best thing about thermal crew necks is the balance between breathability and warmth. In my experience, it's difficult to achieve both, and prioritizing one often means sacrificing the other, which can be a source of worry when deciding what to layer

The thermal crew neck achieves a high level of compatibility, and is most effective when combined with a shell jacket

When you wear a shell jacket over a thermal crew neck, the Thermolite material maximizes heat retention, and when you remove the shell jacket, it becomes breathable

When the wind blows, you may feel cold due to its high breathability, so a thermal crew neck will provide better performance if used in conjunction with a shell jacket rather than on its own

It has excellent breathability, so sweat dries quickly even when you wear it, reducing discomfort while you're out and about

If I were to use it on snowy mountains in the middle of winter, I would probably want to choose thicker clothing, but I felt that it would be useful all year round on relatively low-altitude mountains such as Tanzawa and Okutama

A design and flexibility that is natural even when worn everyday

The simple, plain design and supple fabric make it comfortable to wear, and the size is just right—not too slim, not too wide—so it can be worn as everyday clothing without feeling out of place. I wear it two to three times a week. The excellent balance of breathability and heat retention makes it perfect for commuting between warm trains and the outdoors

The only thing that bothered me was the durability and the fit around the neck. This may be because I wear it a lot, but soon after I started using it, the brushed outer fabric on the back and elbows got crushed. It didn't seem to reduce its performance, but it was a bit disappointing

The fit around the neck is a little tight, which is a matter of personal preference. A tighter fit is better, and I personally would have preferred a little more room (though I still like it, since I wear it 2-3 times a week)

Key Features of the Block Free Trekking Crew Neck

This Block Free Trekking crew neck features a seamless, heat-sealed chest pocket for a comfortable fit. Its UV-blocking fabric provides effective protection from UV rays. The lining has a block construction, providing both warmth and moisture wicking. Mesh on both sides allows sweat and heat to escape efficiently, preventing overheating while on the move

The sleeves have thumb holes that allow you to keep the backs of your hands warm when you feel cold

Favorite points

• High elasticity
• High breathability
• High heat retention as a single unit
• With thumb hole

Things I was curious about

• Chest pocket zipper is stiff

Main specifications

Detailed Review

High elasticity

The first thing that surprised me when I put it on was how stretchy it was. It stretches both vertically and horizontally, so it doesn't restrict your movement when you wear it

When mountain climbing or hiking in autumn and winter, mid-layers are clothing that you will be wearing all the time, so high elasticity and comfort are priorities for moving around comfortably

High breathability and heat retention

The block structure provides good heat retention and breathability (perspiration)

The most distinctive feature of the Block Free Trekking Crew Neck is its lining, which has a block structure

The block structure, reminiscent of POLARTEC® Power Grid, is just as it looks, and I could feel the high level of warmth and breathability. Polartec® is a material that I have always relied on for thermal clothing in my outdoor activities. That's why this is something I couldn't overlook. In fact, this was also the deciding factor in my purchase. In terms of performance compared to Polartec, Polartec wins overall, including durability, but the fleece keeps you warm when it gets cold, and when you're active, the fleece absorbs sweat and allows it to ventilate through the grooves in the block structure, drying quickly

Furthermore, the underarms, where heat and sweat tend to accumulate, are made of mesh fabric, which efficiently releases heat, and combined with the block structure, provides high breathability

The mesh on both sides allows for quick heat release

High heat retention as a single unit

The difference between the thermal crew neck and the Block Free Trekking Crew Neck is that it is more suitable for use on its own. Because the outer fabric is sturdy, it will keep you warm even when worn alone (in other words, it is less breathable than the thermal crew neck)

It is also recommended for those who are concerned about UV protection as it uses UV-blocking fabric (although be careful not to underestimate the UV rays in winter, as you will suffer)

When I wore it in late autumn on Mt. Yatsugatake and Mt. Tsurugidake in the Northern Alps, I was able to move around with just the Block Free Trekking Crew Neck underneath, even though the daytime temperature was around 0-5°C. However, if you wear a shell jacket on top in windy places like ridges to block out the wind, you should be able to move around without feeling cold

With thumb hole

The Block Free Trekking Crew Neck has thumbholes that allow you to keep your hands warm when it gets cold

The thumbholes prevent your wrists from being exposed while you're out and about, which is a great feature for outdoor activities in cold environments

Chest pocket is difficult to open and close

The chest pocket, which is also an accent piece, is difficult to open and close due to the high stretch of the fabric, which is a shame. The presence of this pocket makes the jacket look sporty, so I thought it would be better if it wasn't there so that it could be used as everyday wear

Summary: Great for hiking in low mountains in autumn and winter! A must-buy item with great value for money!

We introduced Workman's recommended mid-layers

The "THERMO LITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck" is lightweight and has a good balance of heat retention and breathability, so I think it will be a versatile piece that will be worn throughout the three seasons from spring to autumn

For those who want a slightly sturdier fabric that can cover low mountains in winter, we recommend the Block Free Trekking Crew Neck

The Workman mid-layer we introduced is soft to the touch and comfortable to wear, but to be honest, it doesn't come close in terms of durability or performance compared to outdoor brand clothing, which is designed for use in harsh environments and has undergone rigorous field testing before being released

However, I wonder if it's really worth putting it on the same level in terms of price... after all, it's an excellent value for money

Is there a huge difference? The difference is getting smaller

I feel that the day is approaching when we will be able to choose Workman's clothing with confidence, rather than just thinking, "This is good enough."

Enjoy the outdoors comfortably this winter with Workman's Merino series!

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Yosuke

A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience

From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains

A freelance writer who enjoys the outdoors all year round, he shares his experiences and the best gear he has used

opo outdoor blog

   

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