[Workman Testing at My Own Expense] Extremely convenient for low mountain hiking in autumn and winter! Hands-on review of the "Thermolite Trek Half Zip" and "Symbol Fleece Half Zip"
written by Yosuke.C
A visit to Workman makes you feel like you're on a treasure hunt. All the products on display are priced so low you won't believe your eyes, and searching for items suitable for mountain climbing or hiking has become a regular event every season for the past few years.
I found some interesting items for this fall/winter season too. So, I 'll be reviewing Thermolite Trek Half Zip & Symbol Fleece Half Zip,
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip is an upgraded version of the THERMOLITE Eco Mode Thermal Crew Neck, which we've previously featured on Outdoor Gearzine. If it were a small update, there might not have been a need to feature it again, but this upgrade retains the good points of the previous model while being more specifically tailored for mountain use, so we decided to feature it again to see what the changes in specifications bring.
Thermolite Trek Half Zip on the left, Symbol Fleece Half Zip on the right
The Symbol Fleece Half Zip might seem like a successor to the Block Fleece Trekking Crew Neck, but it's actually made with a moisture-wicking, heat-generating material. Those familiar with materials will know that moisture-wicking, heat-generating materials aren't suitable for layering while hiking, but what about when worn as a mid-layer rather than a base layer? I personally wanted to know how the Symbol Fleece Half Zip, breathability, felt when worn as a mid-layer while hiking, so I tried it out in the mountains!
I've worn it to the max in late autumn and early winter in places like Tanzawa, Chichibu, Oze, and Nikko, where temperatures ranged from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius, so I'd like to share with you all how it felt.
table of contents
Key Features of the Thermolite Trek Half Zip and Symbol Fleece Half Zip
Thermolite Trek Half Zip. 185cm, normal build, wearing size LL
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip designed to rival everyday wear, is made from 100% recycled materials and features Thermolite®, a material developed by the American company Invista. Thermolite® is lighter than cotton thanks to its hollow core, trapping body heat and creating a layer of air for superior warmth. Its excellent breathability keeps you comfortable even when sweating. The front and back of the garment are made from different fabrics, with Thermolite from the front to the cuffs and stretch material from the shoulders to the back, where a backpack is carried, allowing for unrestricted movement. The back, where sweat is most likely to accumulate, is made from a quick-drying material for enhanced comfort. Thumbholes in the cuffs extend to the back of the hands for added warmth in colder temperatures.
Symbol fleece half zip. 185cm, normal build, wearing size LL
The Symbol Fleece Half Zip is a simple fleece design with a chest pocket. Its highly stretchable fabric allows it to move with your body, allowing for easy mobility. The durable outer material resists fraying even when caught on twigs, while the distinctive block-shaped fleece lining provides warmth while allowing for breathability. The moisture-wicking, heat-generating yarn helps increase warmth through sweating while active, even in cold weather. The sleeves feature thumbholes, allowing you to keep the backs of your hands warm when you feel cold.
What I like about the Thermolite Trek Half Zip
- High breathability and good balance of heat retention
- Half-zip ventilation and neck warmth and protection for added security
- Lightness
- Stretch back for ease of movement
- Highly quick drying
What I like about the Thermolite Trek Half Zip
- The outer fabric easily frays when caught on a twig
- The cuffs get loose quickly
My favorite points about the Symbol Fleece Half Zip
- High elasticity for easy movement
- The outer fabric is sturdy, so it feels secure when worn alone.
- Moisture-wicking, heat-generating materials are often avoided, but a highly breathable mid-layer is a good choice.
- Half-zip for ventilation control and neck protection and warmth
- With thumb hole
What I like about the Symbol Fleece Half Zip
- The zipper on the chest pocket is stiff
- Durability
Main Specifications
| Item name | Thermolite Trek Half Zip | Symbol Fleece Half Zip |
|---|---|---|
| weight | LL size: 201.5g (actual measurement) | LL size: 314g (actual measurement) |
| size | M, L, LL | Details unknown |
| material |
|
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | ||
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Not easily stuffy | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Breathable | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Quick drying | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip has been upgraded with a balance of breathability and warmth, quick-drying properties, and ease of movement.
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip has a hybrid structure with different materials used in the front and back, with the front and cuffs made of breathable and warm Thermolite, while the shoulders and back are made of a highly stretchable and quick-drying material. The back, where you carry the backpack, prioritizes stretch, quick-drying, and moisture absorption over warmth, while the front, which is more susceptible to the wind, is breathable and warm, making the Thermolite Trek Half Zip more comfortable for you to wear while on the move.
Thermolite material. Transparent fabric with high breathability.
The Thermolite material on the front is so thin it's almost transparent, and it's incredibly breathable and cool, with an excellent balance of breathability, warmth, and quick-drying properties. At first glance, it looks like Alpha Direct, and the fabric's properties are similar: when you sweat, the absorbed sweat flows to the brushed outer surface, drying in no time. Meanwhile, the highly breathable fabric allows fresh air to constantly flow into your sweaty body, so you don't feel stuffy or uncomfortable.
The Thermolite material stretches horizontally but not vertically. However, the shoulders and back are made of a highly stretchable material that stretches both vertically and horizontally, making it easier to move around than the previous model. Also, when wearing the backpack, the back, which is in constant contact with the backpack and where sweat tends to accumulate, is made of a quick-drying material, reducing discomfort such as stickiness caused by sweat.
Different fabrics used for the front and back
The back is stretchy for easy movement
Furthermore, the material on the back is more abrasion-resistant than Thermolite, which has a similar appearance to Alpha Direct, and I was a little concerned about its durability, especially when it comes to rubbing. By switching to a stronger fabric from the shoulders to the back, where friction is more likely to occur, the durability of the garment itself has been increased.
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip offers excellent breathability while also retaining heat . When worn alone, it's highly breathable, but adding a shell jacket over it unlocks the warmth of the Thermolite. It's a garment with a good balance of warmth and breathability, and it even improves ease of movement. I was surprised to find that I could get such performance for just 1,500 yen, and I was impressed by how comfortable it was.
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip highly breathable , but not very durable, and it quickly frayed when caught on twigs or other objects. Like Polartec Alpha Direct, this type of fabric sacrifices durability in exchange for being lightweight and highly breathable, making it a bit delicate to handle. When climbing or hiking, it's common for twigs and other obstacles to come into contact with your body. Sometimes you'll be passing through areas with bushes on both sides, so you need to be careful not to get caught on anything when wearing the Thermolite Trek Half Zip
The Symbol Fleece Half Zip is highly stretchable, allowing for ease of movement and a sense of security when worn alone.
The Symbol Fleece Half Zip is made entirely of highly stretchable material, allowing for exceptional ease of movement. It stretches both vertically and horizontally, allowing for comfortable wear without restricting movement.
Furthermore, the outer fabric is more durable than the Thermolite Trek Half Zip The Symbol Fleece Half Zip is the Thermolite Trek Half Zip, but it's a garment that has been carefully designed for durability, so you can rest assured.
I tend to avoid moisture-wicking heat-generating materials, but the high breathability of these materials made them unnoticeable.
As mentioned at the beginning, the Symbol Fleece Half Zip is made with a moisture-wicking, heat-generating material that's often avoided for outdoor wear. This material generates heat by absorbing moisture and provides excellent heat retention, making it effective for keeping out the cold, but it's not suitable for activities like mountain climbing or hiking, where you'll be constantly on the move. Continuing to exercise causes your body to sweat and your body temperature to rise. The need for a mid-layer in this situation means that ventilation and cooling down are crucial, and if the fabric absorbs sweat and generates heat, it will hinder your ability to cool down, so this material isn't suitable for activities where physical activity is key.
This was my first time trying out clothing made from this material as a mid-layer, and my perception of it changed a little after actually using it. If it were a base layer, it would be a different story, but the Symbol Fleece Half Zip has a distinctive block-shaped fleece lining, with grooves that allow ventilation and drainage, while retaining heat in areas that come into contact with the body through the base layer, so I felt it provided a good balance of warmth and ventilation. It provided just the right amount of warmth, ventilation, and quick-drying effects even while I was on the move.
This is a moisture-absorbing, heat-generating material that I would definitely not recommend if the garment was constructed without taking breathability and quick -drying into consideration, but I found that it is not such a problem if the garment is constructed with breathability and quick-drying in mind, like the Symbol Fleece Half Zip
However, this is limited to mountain climbing and hiking in low-temperature environments where walking is the main focus. The moisture-wicking and heat-generating material is a disadvantage when doing high-intensity, strenuous activities such as running or speed hiking, or when the temperature is high, so its use is limited to low-intensity hiking or low-altitude mountain climbing from early winter through the cooler winter months.
It was useful for leisurely hiking in the winter when the temperature drops.
Half-zip for ventilation, warmth and protection around the neck for peace of mind. Thumbholes for protection up to the back of the hands.
the Thermolite Trek Half Zip and the Symbol Fleece Half Zip have zippers up to the chest, which can be opened to increase breathability as body temperature rises due to activity or the temperature changes. Once you've tried the zip-type, it's unlikely you'll ever go back to the crew type. It was that comfortable.
The collar that covers the neck is simple but effective. The Symbol Fleece Half Zip has a zipper garage with a chest pocket, so you don't have to worry about the zipper.
Even when the temperature is below 10°C or even below freezing, your body heats up and becomes hot when you're out and about for a long time. In those cases, you can increase ventilation and cool down by unzipping the jacket, and the zipper makes it much easier to regulate your body temperature than a crew neck. Conversely, in colder situations, the collar that covers your neck increases warmth and eliminates the discomfort of nylon touching your skin when wearing a windshell. While windshells feel smooth against dry skin, they stick to your skin when you sweat. Even though they're breathable, they don't absorb moisture, so a sweat-soaked shell can be uncomfortable when it comes into direct contact with your skin. A half-zip design that covers your neck minimizes this discomfort, making it a recommended layering piece for mountain climbing and hiking.
The half-zip construction is highly breathable and easy to put on and take off. The Symbol Fleece Half Zip also has a zipper garage so you won't have to worry about the zipper.
the Thermolite Trek Half Zip and Symbol Fleece Half Zip come with thumbholes that cover the back of your hand. Thermolite Trek Half Zip model, protects and keeps the back of your hand warm. I found them very useful when my hands were a little cold but not cold enough to wear gloves. I get hot easily, so I try not to wear gloves unless I'm on a snowy mountain or in bad weather, but the thumbholes are invaluable at times like that. Just having the back of your hand covered makes a big difference in the warmth.
Thermolite Trek Half Zip, a lightweight and easy-to-carry
The Thermolite material is also lightweight, which is a plus. The size I'm wearing is the LL size, weighing in at 201.5g (actual measurement). The back is made of stretch material and the half-zip design makes it heavier than the previous model, but it's still a convenient weight to carry around. It can be worn actively as activewear from early autumn to early winter, and can be used as warm clothing from early summer to summer when the temperature is high, making it easy to keep handy when you're worried about the cold.
The Thermolite Trek Half Zip lightness , sacrifices durability in exchange for its lightness and breathability. On the other hand, the Symbol Fleece Half Zip is heavier at 314g (measured in size LL), but its outer and inner lining make it highly durable and able to withstand tougher environments. Which is better depends on the user's priorities and layering preferences. For those who find it a hassle to constantly take off and put on their gear depending on the environment, the durable Symbol Fleece Half Zip will be a good choice, while for those who prioritize lightness over durability, the Thermolite Trek Half Zip is likely to be appealing.
At such a low price, the quality and durability of the details are somewhat overlooked.
It offers a good balance of breathability and warmth, as well as quick drying and ease of movement. Its performance is comparable to mid-layers made by outdoor brands, but when you look closely, you'll find that it's not the highest quality. The cuffs tend to get loose with wear (they go back to normal after washing), and the seams start to tear and fray, so you'll have to overlook that. That said, given the price, I don't think you should expect too much.
Summary: If you love mountains, you won't regret having one! It's a great mid-layer for low mountain climbing in winter.
We've introduced some recommended mid-layers from Workman.
Like its predecessor, the Thermolite Trek Half Zip offers a comfortable balance of warmth and breathability, while the highly stretchable back panel provides greater mobility, making it a more versatile mid-layer. While the Symbol Fleece Half Zip uses a moisture-wicking, heat-generating material that is often avoided , the block-shaped fleece allows for breathability and quick drying, making it a comfortable piece to wear.
Workmanwear continues to offer excellent value for money. While it's fine if you plan on using it in harsh winter mountain environments, it will also be useful for hiking in rural areas and climbing low mountains. This winter, enjoy the outdoors in comfort wearing Workman's mid-layers!
Written by: Yosuke.C
People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.
From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.
A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.
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