Mountain Hardwear Off Road Shirt : Sun Block Chemise

Weighing in at 11 oz, Mountain Hardwear's Off Road shirt is a lightweight long-sleeved safari-style backpacking and hiking top. I first wore mine on a day-long hike, but had a hard time focusing on the surroundings because I was too busy geeking out on my new garment, which is jam packed with useful features.

I think the only annoying thing about hiking on a hot day is taking a rest and having a big wet spot on my upper back and shoulders where my pack was. I hate that. And then while I'm sitting there, a brisk wind usually picks up and turns that big wet spot into a big cold spot. That didn't happen with this  top. The Off Road shirt has wicking mesh on the shoulders -- right where my pack straps sit -- so all that sweat just disappeared. It also has a huge mesh vent across the upper back. Another cool bit of venting technology: the mesh panels hidden inside the side seams. As I move and stretch, the seams open a little to expose the mesh.

Then there are those practical features and details that make the Off Road shine. It has strategically placed buttons that I can use to keep my sleeves rolled up. I've worn other similarly styled shirts before and the sleeve buttons were always in the wrong spot, so my rolled-up sleeves were always rubbing on my elbows. It's got abrasion-resistant fabric on the shoulders and forearms to protect against all-day pack rub. It also has a couple of hidden zippered pockets on the chest that are accessible even with my sternum strap buckled. Another bonus: it's stretchy -- which is great when I've got a pack on.

Best of all: I didn't have to wear sunscreen. The top's rated to UPF 25, and it's got an extra bit of fabric on the back of the collar that flips up to protect my neck.

Bottom LIne: Bombproof, feature-packed hiking shirt that'll keep you dry and protect you from harsh sun rays  -- N.W. (Nov '07)

Price: $80

Buy Online:

Manufacturer's Site: www.mountainhardwear.com