Climbing with Workman! A thorough review of the popular model for Spring/Summer 2020 ~ Tops and Base Layer Edition~

Monday, June 22, 2020

Introduction to mountain climbing , recommendations , trail running , workman , offerings

written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department

From experience, if you try on T-shirts and cut-and-sew tops made for mountain climbing, trekking, or trail running and encounter some extreme conditions, you will realize how comfortable, safe, and functional they are, in other words, how high their quality is. However, at first glance, it is undeniable that their price is high. However, once you understand the quality and comfort, there are many people who will not be able to let go of them even in their daily lives

Of course, it's also true that even products from specialized brands can be hit or miss. Even so, it's not easy for someone new to the outdoors to buy the right gear and clothing for each season and activity. If you only buy high-end products just because they're safer, you'll run out of energy before you even get to the bottom of them all. That's where Workman comes in. I've reviewed many products so far, and each time, they've repeatedly shown me how surprisingly cost-effective a specialized brand is for a wide range of entry-level outdoor gear

So, this time, we picked out tops and base layers from Workman's 2020 Spring/Summer models (mainly new products) that seem to be suitable for outdoor activities in terms of functionality, and actually tried them out on a mountain climb. When it comes to mountain climbing, mountain shirts and cut-and-sew tops (base layers) are products that are consistently usable year after year. Will we be able to find any new bargains this season?

table of contents

About the review: Picked items and evaluation criteria
- Evaluation criteria
Review results & spec comparison table
Impressions of each model
summary

About the review: Picked items and evaluation criteria

As always, unless otherwise noted, this site outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and trail running . By "usable" here, I mean outdoor activities such as hiking and light mountain climbing. Conversely, even if an item receives a low rating here, it may be fine for light outdoor activities such as camping or motorcycle touring, so please interpret it with that in mind.

This time, we've picked out the following three tops and base layers from the 2020 Spring/Summer collection, with the aim of being suitable for hiking, mountain climbing, and trail running. These three models are not specifically designed for mountain climbing; they are workwear that incorporate the features of outdoor tops and base layers. However, we've picked them out because we believe they have plenty of potential for use unless you're doing extreme mountain climbing

1335 Climbing Long Sleeve Half Zip
1347 Heat-shielding -5℃ Cool Climbing Short Sleeve Polo Shirt
1342 Smooth Skin ZERO DRY -5℃ Long Sleeve Half Zipper

Evaluation criteria

The following five points were set as indicators for review of the evaluation items.

Comfort: Can you continue to wear it comfortably, such as the stickiness after sweating and the low stress on movement?
Breathability: Not only is it simple to air well, but also whether the air circulates well even when it contains moisture.
Water absorption: We compared the functionality that absorbs sweat when sweating.
Quick-drying... After absorbing sweat, we compared the speed of drying after washing.
Durability: Even if it has high performance, it's no good if it quickly falls apart. This is an indicator of the durability of the fabric.

With these five points in mind, I actually walked and ran on mountain trails to test the product. I rated each item on a scale of ◎◯△, and gave it a 5-star rating for its recommended level for light hiking

Review results & spec comparison table

If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here

comprehensive evaluation	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
item	ZERO DRY -5℃ Long Sleeve Half Zipper for a smooth, dry skin	Climbing Long Sleeve Half Zip	Heat-shielding -5℃ cooling climbing short-sleeved polo shirt
This is ◎	Dry feeling Ease of movement	Highly breathable Flat seams	Lightweight and comfortable Chest pocket
This is △	Feels heavy to wear	Quick drying	Durability
Comfort	◎	◯	◎
Breathable	◯	◎	◎
Water absorbency	◎	◎	△
Quick drying	◎	◯	◯
Durability	◯	◯	△
Specs
Reference price (excluding tax)	¥1,500	¥1,500	¥980
Actual measured weight	179g	186g	161g
Size range	S, M, L, LL, 3L	S, M, L, LL, 3L	M, L, LL, 3L
material	Front: 100% polyester Back: 100% polypropylene	100% polyester	100% polyester
UV protection	○	×	○
Product number	1342	1335	1347

Impressions of each model

ZERO DRY -5℃ Long Sleeve Half Zipper for a smooth, dry feel. Recommended for outdoor activities: ★★★★☆

Recommended points

Persistent dry skin
Ease of movement

This is △

Feels slightly heavy to wear

Of the models we tested, this is the only one with different fabric specifications on the front and back. The outer fabric is polyester, while the lining, which comes into contact with the skin, is made of polypropylene, which does not retain moisture. This function, from which the name ZERO DRY® is derived, allows the polypropylene to transfer moisture to the outer fabric even when you sweat, keeping you dry at all times

The white part of the lining is made of hydrophobic polypropylene thread

The outer layer receives moisture from the lining and then spreads it widely to evaporate it. If you sweat a lot, it will drip, but if you sweat just a moderate amount, your skin will always stay dry, and as the name suggests, it will stay smooth and silky

This is the distinctive feature of this model. This structure is also commonly seen in outdoor shirts. Of course, there are differences in quality when you look closely, but it's still amazing that they can offer this much at this price

The raglan sleeves allow for easy shoulder movement and the seams don't overlap with the shoulder straps of a backpack. The hem also stays in place even when you lift your arms overhead, ensuring comfort during exercise

Thanks to the three-dimensional cut, the hem won't ride up too much even if you raise your arms

Different colored fabrics are used from the sides of the body to the sides, but they are not mesh; the fabric appears to be the same specifications, just the colors are different

The fabric color is different, but the specifications are the same

The chest area has a zipper. It can be opened up to the solar plexus, which is useful for ventilation when it gets hot. There is a guard over the chin area to prevent it from coming into direct contact with your chin. Incidentally, this zipper can be locked, so if you keep the hook facing downwards, the zipper will not open or close by itself. These little features are also a nice feature

When the zipper hook is facing downwards, it locks in place to prevent it from moving up or down

The fit is a bit tight, following the contours of your body. While the other two pieces have almost no change in width from armpit to hem, this model gradually narrows slightly. However, there is ample stretch in the lateral direction, so it won't feel too tight. Also, the back is longer than the front, so your back won't be exposed when you bend over

The back is longer so you can bend over and still see your skin

It keeps your skin dry at all times, so you don't have to worry about stickiness and it's comfortable. This year's model uses a fabric on the outer surface that reflects sunlight and keeps the temperature inside the garment from rising , making it especially useful in the summer.

Climbing long sleeve half zip outdoor recommendation rating: ★★★★☆

Recommended points

Highly breathable mesh fabric
Flat seams

This is △

The fabric tends to retain water and is not very quick-drying

The fabric is 100% polyester. It absorbs sweat and water, dispersing it and releasing it. This means you can stay comfortable even if you sweat a little. However, if you sweat a lot, it will inevitably overwhelm you and start dripping. It's best for moderate exercise intensity

However, mesh fabric is used in areas that tend to sweat and become stuffy, from the sides of the body to the armpits and inside the arms, ensuring breathability in areas where sweat accumulates, so the overall quick-drying properties are not low, and it is also comfortable to wear in situations where you sweat a lot

Mesh fabric is used from the sides of the body to the inside of the armpits to improve breathability

The fabric has not been specially treated on either the front or back, but it feels smooth to the touch and does not feel uncomfortable even if it gets a little sweaty and damp

The shoulders have raglan sleeves, so they don't feel tight when you raise your arms, making them comfortable to wear not only for running but also for any activity that involves dynamic movements

Raglan sleeves allow stress-free movement around the shoulders

The stitching is generally neat, and the seams are flat so you don't have to worry about them touching your skin

Flat seams on the back for comfortable wear

The front zipper is long enough to open all the way up to your stomach, and there's a chin guard to prevent it from hitting your chin when the zipper is fully closed

The zipper won't interfere with your chin even when fully zipped

There is a zippered pocket on the left chest. The pocket is large enough to easily fit a 6-inch smartphone, making it highly practical. However, if something is too heavy, it will bounce when you walk, so you can't put anything heavy in it. By the way, the area around the zipper has a reflective print, which reflects light in the dark

A 6-inch smartphone fits in easily

The fabric isn't that thin, but it's breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying, and the zipper and mesh on the chest allow heat to escape, so you can wear it any time of year, from spring to summer to fall, and you'll want to wear it a lot. However, it doesn't seem to have any odor-proofing properties, so it might be a good idea to buy several and wear them in different ways

Heat-shielding -5℃ cooling climbing short-sleeved polo shirt . Outdoor recommendation: ★★★☆☆

Recommended points

Lightweight and comfortable
Chest pocket

This is △

Durability due to the thinness of the fabric

This is the only model among the three that features a cooling effect. It's a great mountain shirt for summer. For this reason, I chose the short-sleeved polo shirt, but they also have a long-sleeved model, so you can choose the one that best suits your taste

The fabric is soft, lightweight, and very comfortable to wear. It's also knitted at a low density, making it highly breathable and comfortable to wear even on hot summer days

The fabric is thin and low density, making it highly breathable

Despite the much-anticipated cooling effect, I surprisingly didn't feel as cold as the name suggests. However, the fabric uses heat-blocking yarn, which reflects sunlight and prevents the temperature inside the garment from rising, so combined with that, it's safe to say that it stands out among the three in terms of cooling sensation in hot weather. The hotter it gets, the more comfortable it becomes. However, to be honest, this is the only short-sleeved model, so I can't deny that this difference is what's causing this feeling, and once I started to sweat and became drenched, the previous two models felt better in terms of moisture absorption and quick-drying

Snap button on the chest

The pockets are heat-sealed, just like the climbing long-sleeve half-zip, but they are smaller and the zippers are designed to be inconspicuous rather than durable

The pocket is small. The smartphone in the photo is an iPhone 5 (4 inches)

The fit of the body is loose. It is designed to be a little loose rather than snug. It has a lot of stretch, so if you want a snug fit, it's best to choose one size smaller

Lateral stretching is very effective

It's highly breathable, sweat-absorbent, quick-drying, and lightweight, so it should be comfortable to wear even in midsummer. The silhouette isn't too slim-fitting, so that might be a concern when trail running or climbing. It's best suited for mountain climbing, trekking, and campsites. At under 1,000 yen and available in a wide range of colors, it's also great for everyday wear. It's lightweight and quick-drying, so it's convenient to bring a few with you on camping trips or travels and wash them whenever you sweat. It's a highly versatile model

summary

This time, we tested the 2020 Spring/Summer models from Workman's Field Core series to see if there were any tops and base layers suitable for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, trekking, and trail running

My personal recommendation is the Zero Dry -5℃ long-sleeve half-zip jacket, which keeps your skin dry . The lining is made of a moisture-resistant fabric, so the parts that touch your skin stay dry at all times. It has a snug fit, which I like, making it a great item to wear from spring to fall. It won't make you feel cold from sweat, even in the early fall when the temperature changes, so I think I'll be using it for a long time this season.

However, the climbing long sleeve half-zip is no less impressive. Although it is slightly less dry and offers better overall comfort, it is a hybrid design that uses mesh fabrics and is extremely breathable. It doesn't have UV protection, but it can be used to protect against sunburn in midsummer. The flat seams on the lining also make it very comfortable to wear. These two long sleeves have their pros and cons, so it's hard to say which is better, so it's best to choose one based on your preferences and the situation.

The heat-shielding -5℃ cooling climbing short-sleeve polo shirt is light and comfortable, highly breathable, and blocks heat by reflecting sunlight, making it ideal for the scorching heat of midsummer. However, the fit is surprisingly loose and the absorbency is not very good, so the fabric becomes unable to handle heavy sweating. Therefore, it seems more comfortable to use as a change of clothes after activities or for everyday use than for activities themselves.

The models we tested this time are sure to be very useful depending on the situation! Some models may sell out quickly, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out

In addition, since fall 2019, this website has been providing tools that reviewers have been interested in as a Workman Ambassador. However, the content of the review article is created in accordance with the regular review policy of this site, and we have not checked it in advance, and we have not received any financial compensation other than providing goods.