User Review: Marmot DriClime Windshirt

Marmot DriClime Windshirt
Above: The current DriClime Windshirt, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 17, 1999 by Robb McLeod

Rating:
Fabric: NR-160 Nylon Taffeta
Fill: Driclime bi-component knit
Price Paid: $160 Cdn.

This is a really nifty little piece that's intended to be used as a super-lightweight (~ 300 g) in the summer or a wind-proof base-layer in the winter. It is basically designed along the lines of a dress-shirt. The shell is a super-smooth nylon that must be very near to being a microfibre. The lining is a bi-component polyester knit sort of like fleece but superior at wicking and much more airy. The underarm gussets are made from Cool-max mesh. The underarm gussets seem very well designed to not limit arm movement. The front zipper is the wind-resistant water-resistant type and there's a backing flap of fabric, but it's not perfect at sealing out gusts.

The piece works well over a wide range of temperatures, largely because it's windproof and the pit vents. If you want to cool off, zip open the front. If you want to be warmer, tuck the tail into your pants, put on some gauntlet gloves, and seal off the collar. The collar is the weak link in sealing off the jacket. It is cut quite wide, and the seam for the collar lies directly on top of my collar bone. This provides a pretty good seal as long as you stand strait up, but my neck gets cold.

The water-repellency is excellent, largely due to the fabric being an almost-microfibre. I have gotten wet by water leaking in through the seams but they can be sealed with seamgrip -- the shell fabric almost never seems to "wet-out".

Warmth-wise, I'd rate it about equal to a expedition-weight thermal top under a windshell. There's enough space underneath to layer a polartec100 jacket and a thermal top, which allows me to keep that sweaty Gore-tex jacket in my pack when the wind is blowing and it's below freezing.

Overall, I'd rate this product a 9.5/10. It's relatively inexpensive (compared to say, Windstopper fleece), lightweight, and super-functional.