DriClime Windshirt

 

Page Type Gear Review
Object Title DriClime Windshirt
Manufacturer Marmot
Page By GuitarWIzard
Page Type May 27, 2002 / May 27, 2002
Object ID 300
Hits 5096
Vote
The DriClime Windshirt is an insulated shell. Very warm and breathable it is one of the most versatile pieces we have ever used. The shirt like cut allows it to be tucked in without coming out easily. We like it over a light base layer for endurance activities when it is cold and as a versatile component of a multi-layer system in the mountains. It is incredibly warm if worn next to the skin and layered over.
  • DriClime bicomponent lining
  • Windproof
  • Water Resistant
  • Cool Max pit vents
Accolades:
  • Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (2003): "Very warm and breathable it is one of the most versatile pieces we have ever used."
  • Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (2002): "More employees at AMH own this than any other garment."
  • Backpacker (2002) Editors' Choice Gold Award

Reviews


Viewing: 1-14 of 14

Bronco - Jun 17, 2002 2:18 pm - Voted 1/5

Untitled Review
Light, warm, breathable, pretty impressive water and wind resistance.

Does not hold up to much abrasion as in bush wacking, rock climbing or wearing it under your harness/pack. Disapointed after only 3 or 4 outings with visible damage to the shell. Material is not stretchy so fit is important.

Glencoe - Sep 29, 2002 5:53 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
The one piece of gear I always have with me all year around. It's an add on layer during high output in the summer, a wind jacket in the spring and autumn and layers over a poly shirt and under a shell in cold conditions. I'm actually wearing it now too!

Always seems to be the perfect thing in any conditions. I treated mine with NikWax and I'd call it waterproof. It is light. At night I turn it inside out, stuff it with clothers and use the soft liner as a pillow case. The shell fabric can be cosmetically damaged by rocks and thorns - but that is a minor con for all of the pros this garment has. I've had one for two years and it is indispensible.

labang - Mar 17, 2003 5:20 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
Five stars!



I bring this thing almost everywhere i go. It is very warm, breathable and nicely wind resistant. I've used it many times as a next to skin layer but most of the time I wear it as a mid or outer layer. The driclime lining is extremely soft and has stayed that way after many washings. The nylon exterior is more durable than I thought it would be and only has maybe one or two snags after maybe 250 days of wear. Stains also wash out very easily.



This piece has been the greatest godsend for skiing. I used to always worry about whether to set out with a shell and a fleece jacket or just a shell. Now I always use my shell and windshirt and never overheat.



I also love the packability. It is my first jacket to grab in the morning if I'm unsure what the temperature will be because it takes up so little space in my school pack.

Dean - Apr 17, 2003 5:46 am - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
I read the previous reviews and said to myself , "dang, I gotta get one of those" So I went and bought one. I went to Lake Tahoe for several days of skiing and for several snow hikes as well. The product lived up to all the hype and is now part of the gear I will always keep in my pack.

Used it everyday and was impressed with it in every way possible. Thanks to all of you who took the time to write a review. This is indeed a great product.

Pufflebrush - Apr 21, 2003 10:20 am - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
This is the most versatlile jacket I have ever seen. I wear this fine garment everywhere. Good water resistance, super light suprisingly warm and extremly breathable.

Though the fabric is very water resisant it will well through in a steady downour, but it dries very very fast.

Not the toughest jacket out there, but its really not designed to be dragged across the rocks. Packs down to the size of a grapefruit so you can take it anywhere.

Great for everything. Buy one.

bbense - Jun 20, 2003 4:32 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
I'm mostly writing this review to get the average up over 4.5 stars. I've used a couple different "light shell" jackets and this one is the most verstile. It's more windproof than the Cloudviel Veiled Peak Pullover and it seems to wick better over a synthetic t-shirt than the Vieled Peak. The advantage of the Vieled Peak is that it is a much more abusable fabric and breathes a bit better. If I had to bushwack for miles, take a long run on a chilly day or grovel up a chimmey, I'd take the Vieled Peak. For just about anything else in the mountains, I'll take the dri-clime windshirt.

windshirt. The windshirt also works really well as an underlayer under a soft shell such as the Cloudviel

Ice Floe Jacket. It adds just enough wind blocking to

make you much warmer without serious limiting the

breathablity. I've tried single plain windshirts and they

don't breathe nearly as well as the Dri-Clime windshirt.

summitteam - Jul 11, 2003 12:13 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
The Windshirt is the most flexible piece of technical equipment I have ever owned in this class. I wear it rock and ice, summer to winter- for a recent May Whitney trip all I carried was midweight underwear, the Windshirt, and my shell. Only in really wet snow or rain did I ever have to break out the shell. The windshirt was able to shed snow and retain a degree of dryness. It’s practically replaced all of my 200-weight fleece! Better yet, it doesn’t add bulk to my pack. And—it’s not that expensive! Basically, this gear ROCKS! Now, with Marmot’s 4th (?) version of this “shirt” it’s proven itself as an indispensable piece of climbing gear.

ScottyS - Jan 28, 2004 9:29 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
This baby is cool. It really shouldn't be in the "shell" catagory, though, because of its lack of waterproofness. This thing is made to be worn next-to-skin, over polypro, or whatever.

It's pretty warm, and will keep you that way temporarily if you get soaked. The stretch material and hood make it a great climbing shirt, but the outside layer is easily cut on sharp objects. It doesn't weigh too much, and makes for the perfect dry-weather dayhiking companion.

The *only* bad thing about it (besides waterproofness) is the lack of compactability. Because of the fuzzy lining (which prompted my wife to get one too) it just doesn't squash into a small pack like nylon shells do.
Get one with the hood. I dare you not to love it.

UncleBob - Aug 23, 2005 12:12 am - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
This is my most used peice of clothing for alpine.

Wonderfully light and very versatile I've summited many 10000+ peaks in summer wearing nothing but a base layer and my dri-clime windshirt. With a hardshell on top I'm confident I'll have more than enough insulation for anything in the canadian rockies south of the Yukon. Dries fast and breathes well.



It's not very rugged, so some care is required when facing a hostile environment.

Jonodo - Nov 5, 2005 12:25 am - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
I've had this jacket for over 5 years now and it's been great. It is super lightweight and plenty warm when you're on the move. I generally use it as my outer layer with just a shirt under. I'd recommend it for just about any day trip in the summer.



My complaints are as follows:

1. Not very durable. Be careful climbing on rough granite or bushwhackig. The material is quite thin and susceptabl to tears.



2. Not heavy enough when in camp. You will definately need to layer during the sedintary hours in camp. It just doesn't have enough insulation.



3. Only one small chest pocket. I find this annoying.

grunt - Dec 30, 2005 11:58 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
One of the most versatile pieces of clothing I own. I almost never go into the backcountry without it. I use this jacket for hiking, backpacking, running, walking, and sometimes casually. I wear it as outerwear through three plus seasons - over a t-shirt on a windy and cool summit in the summer, or over a light or medium weight longsleeve baselayer spring, fall, and west Texas winter.

The fit is perfect - the sleeves are plenty long, the neck is close but not tight, and the body is not too short.

The chest pocket doesn't hold much - I use it for chapstick when hiking or a housekey and ID when running. Unless I push the small item I am carrying to the very back corner of the pocket, it presents an unflattering appearance. Probably woudn't be a problem for guys.

Although I don't recommend bushwacking in this jacket, I've worn the same one for almost four years of normal hiking and outdoor activities without a tear or significant snag.

bledl - Feb 8, 2006 12:58 pm - Voted 5/5

Untitled Review
one of the best clothing pieces i own.

very lightweight, but still much warmer, than it seems. use it for mountaineering, rock climbing, running & mountain biking or just walking to uni in winter. last weekend i wore it on a mb trip. all the trees and the ground were covered by ice (temps. about minus 10 degrees) but even on the downhill parts i didnt feel cold (wore it together with patagonia underwear & midweight crew). fits in every small bagpack and is relatively cheap. my new one actually seems to be quite waterproof, too.

Tonka - Feb 2, 2007 8:39 pm - Hasn't voted

Great piece
I agree with most. This is one of the most versitle pieces. I wear it with a wicking layer underneath and it keeps me warm while on the move in temps down to the single digits.

lizrdboy - Mar 27, 2007 11:01 am - Voted 5/5

Everyone Agrees!
Myself, my climbing partner and my brother all have the Windshirt and we all love it. I've had mine for 10 years and it's still one of my best pieces of gear. It works great in everything but rain.

Viewing: 1-14 of 14