Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

I have a love / hate relationship with my DriClime, which weighs in at 14 oz's. I find it best for day hiking although it has found it's way into my overnight bag on a couple of occassions.

It's a versatile garment. I use it next to skin when hiking in mid-temps (45 degrees), and layer in a l/s t-shirt at 30 degrees, and layer in a s/s t-shirt under that which keeps me warm when active down to 20 degrees.

It's kept off the rain during mild continuous drizzles or light mistings, with the DWR finish keeping the water beading right off me. Even when the shoulders start to wet out, it remains dry to my skin for some time.

It offers some nice features including lined hand warmer pockets, and a zippered chest pocket for valuables.

My size medium fits my 5'10" 160 lb frame pretty well, and it does not include a hood, which is fine with me since I nearly always pack a hooded rain jacket or hat.

If I'm on an overnight hike where I will be hiking in sub-40 degree temps, it can be difficult to leave the jacket out of my kitty.

Negatives

There are three things I do not like about the jacket.

First, the weight is almost intolerable given my light-weight goals. If I bring my two t-shirts, the DriClime, my MicroPuff pullover, and a rain shell; the setup will keep me comfortable hiking or sitting still if dealing with a range of temps from 80's down to 20 degrees. If you added that up, it's 46 oz's which isn't exactly ideal for torso clothing.

Second, for me it provides little meaningful insulation for warmth when sitting still. This is a personal thing, and I am usually cold when others aren't. That means that I need to bring something with more substantial insulation with me if temps are going to drop below the mid 50's. I've also used the jacket for skiing and found it imperfect since I got cold on the ski lift going up the mountain.

Third, if the jacket gets soaked, it does not dry out quickly. It becomes a heavy impediment until the clouds break and I can lay it out.

I would rate the jacket a 5 if it could lose 6 oz's. As it is, the weight makes it a difficult choice for lengthy hikes. I have brought it on two overnight hikes, but really, it works best for me when just day hiking.

Edited by gmoney on 01/24/2006 13:36:24 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

My daughter more or less lives in her driclime windshirt. Three seasons around town (not summer), backpacking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, you name it. It is best used as something to wear when active facing mixed condtions. DWR is very good so Helen can go several hours in light rain / mist before it gets to her, and we have found the jacket doesn't absorb a lot of water so it dries very quickly even if it wets out. Snow rolls right off it. Can be worn as a base layer, light insulation, or a shell. Has nice handwarmer pockets.

Downsides? It's a bit heavy for the amount of insulation it provides and isn't quite as versatile as a seperate mid-weight base + unlined windshirt which is what I typically take. It would also benefit from a hood.

Rating: 3 / 5

I've been wearing Driclime windshirt since the early 1990's and have to say the original is still the best. The original has a lofty feel, wicks great, breaths, and repels water very well (likely because the shell was made of Pertex). The cost in 1993/1994 was $110.00.

In looking for a woman's version of the jacket (they only made men's back in the day), I purchased several newer Driclime windshirts in the late 1990's and early 2000 all at half of the cost of the orginal. All were horrible....shells ranged from all nylon, all polyester, and one which was 50/50. The newer garmets did not breath as well as the original, they wetted out very quickley, and did not have that lofty feel that made the original so great.

I wish they would just bring back the original!

Rating: 3 / 5

Marmot Driclime Windshirt
Purchased 2004
Size Women's Medium
Weight 9.4 oz

I really liked the windshirt at first as a layering piece. It breaths well and provides a nice level of warmth. It goes with me on every shoulder season and winter hike, but stays home when cool/cold weather is unlikely, as my rain jacket is required, insulation isn't needed, and the rain jacket cuts wind adequately.

When I bought this jacket it was considered lightweight, but newer windshirts weight around 3 oz. I expect this jacket will soon be relegated to wear to my kids' soccer games in town rather than backpacking.

The durability of the jacket is suspect; I fubared the zipper the first time out, and burned numerous small holes into it my first time out and subsequent trips) while sitting near my campfire. I can still zip and unzip, though with a little difficulty.

It is a very wearable jacket in light snow showers or very spotty rain, but is not waterproof.

Likes

Very breathable for it's warmth
Decent color choice
Good coverage, even in back
No hood--I prefer a separate hat to tailor to conditions

Dislikes

Durability--outer shell and zipper
Heavy nowadays
Other pieces of gear may be sufficient to meet weather demands w/o adding extra weight
No pockets
No neck coverage

Rating: 4 / 5

This is a 2008 "Original" DriClime Windshirt. It is stripped down to the bare essentials. Front zip and one chest pocket. My medium weighs 9.4oz.

The lining is soft and warm. The material breathes decently and maintains a good microclimate for colder conditions. It is a core piece for my winter day hiking as a base,mid,shell layer but for longer trips I prefer my Beartooth Hoody and my Ion windshirt. They provide more flexibility in variable temps.

My one wish is that it had a hood for stormy conditions like my Ion windshirt.

Rating: 5 / 5

This is a very good piece of gear that works quite well at what its intended to do. I really don't understand the comments about its weight. This isn't much heavier than any other windshirt plus a baselayer. That is the thing. This thing replaces your baselayer. Its designed for cool and breezy conditions. Mainly at higher altitudes. Its a baselayer plus windshirt. You'll be hard pressed to find a combination that is significantly lighter than this. I also think that this is the only windshirt that is truly a windshirt. You wear it like an actual shirt. Most windshirts are basically wind jackets. This is designed to be your baselayer in mountain conditions.

What I really like about this piece is that it simplifies my clothing system. I bring a silkweight baselayer to hike up the approach trails on climbs. At high altitude camp I can layer the Driclime over it. In warmer conditions I can use the Driclime by itself. Sometimes I will bring only the Driclime. You can pull up the sleeves and create a short sleeve shirt. The arm pit vents prevent you from overheating. Its a very versatile piece of gear. Sure its not an UL piece but I really don't get the overweight comments. At most you could save 2 oz by going with the lightest W/S available and your baselayer of choice. It suits my purposes well, which is high altitude hiking and climbing.

Edited by strat1080 on 11/09/2009 20:05:10 MST.