Outdoor Research Harrelson Shirt, Jinx Shirt, Growler Shirt and Zodiac Shorts

Fabric composition and weight both have a lot to do with staying cool on a hot day or staying dry on a wet day. We’ve been told (repeatedly) that “cotton kills” and synthetic fabrics have better moisture management properties thanks to their wicking ability. So what factors should you consider when deciding which fiber is best for you? The possibilities get even more complicated once you start blending one fibre with another or adding nontraditional fibres, such as hemp. To help answer some of these questions we decided to test three different Outdoor Research casual shirts each made from a different fabric or fabric blend. We chose the Outdoor Research Harrelson Long Sleeve Shirt which is made with a hemp/ organic cotton blend, the Outdoor Research Jinx Short Sleeve Shirt which is made primarily of cotton with a pinch of spandex for improved stretch and finally the Outdoor Research Growler Short Sleeve Shirt which is made almost entirely of nylon. We also threw in the Outdoor Research Zodiac Shorts (made mostly of cotton) in order to accent the shirts and ensure our tester wasn’t bottomless which may have offend some people. Let’s jump right in and see how each shirt and fabric faired, shall we?

Outdoor Research Harrelson L/S Shirt

Price: $79US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Caf, Ice, Palm
Weight: 272g / 9.6oz

While the Outdoor Research Harrelson Long Sleeve Shirt was designed with the international traveler in mind it also works really well around town and on hikes in the mountains around home. The 55% hemp / 45% organic cotton blend fabric is low maintenance and feels good not only against your skin but also on your conscience given that hemp and organic cotton are easy on the planet. It’s a fairly thin material which breathes well so on hot days you’ll get plenty of sun protection but won’t over heat. The sleeves can be rolled up and buttoned in place to convert this long sleeve into more of a hot weather short sleeve solution. The oversized boarding card chest pocket also has a concealed zippered section to keep valuables out of view.

Fabric:
55% hemp, 45% organic cotton, woven

Features:
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Wicking
- Curved Hem
- Sleeve Roll-Up Tabs
- Chest Button Pockets
- Stealth Boarding Card Zip Pocket (no e-boarding passes in Punta Arenas!)
- Epaulet Tabs on Shoulder
- Front Button Closures
- Coconut Buttons
- Garment Enzyme Wash

Outdoor Research Jinx Short Sleeve Shirt

Price: $65
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Caf, Dusk, Palm
Weight: 125g / 4.4oz

The smooth comfortable feel of cotton is the first thing you’ll notice about the Outdoor Research Jinx Short Sleeve Shirt but when summer’s mid day heat cranks up you’ll be glad that it’s so lightweight and breathable. The 98% cotton, 1% spandex, 1% polyester fabric blend protects you from the sun, looks good anywhere and keeps you really cool both temperature and socially. While I didn’t notice the benefit of the 1% spandex in the fabric blend I did find that the lightweight cotton was a welcome weight on hotter days and even though it was cotton it breathed exceptionally well and dried fast.

Fabric:
98% cotton, 1% spandex, 1% polyester

Features:
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Chest Button Pocket
- Front Button Closures

Outdoor Research Growler Short Sleeve Shirt

Price: $75US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Ice, Pewter, Redwood
Weight: 146g / 5.2oz 

Nylon is renowned for its wicking/breathable performance and the Outdoor Research Growler Short Sleeve Shirt is completely made of the stuff, other than the 2% polyester which completes this fabric blend. While it excels at moisture management it won’t look too ‘techy’ after a day of climbing or hiking and will fit right in at dinner or the office. While nylon can feel more heavy than a lightweight cotton it is hydrophobic so it doesn’t retain moisture which is ideal for high energy output activities like climbing and hiking.

Fabric:
98% nylon, 2% polyester

Features:
- Lightweight
- Quick Drying
- Wicking
- Front Button Closures
- Two Chest Button Pockets
- Curved Hem

Outdoor Research Zodiac Shorts

Price: $60US
Sizes: 30, 32, 34, 36, 38
Colours: Charcoal, Indigo, Mushroom
Weight: 274g / 9.7oz

With a 98% cotton / 2% spandex fabric blend the Outdoor Research Zodiac Shorts provide a natural soft feel while also having some stretch for activities that require good mobility. The durable weight will stand up to scuffs and scrapes that you may encounter at the crag or on trail while still looking good enough to wear anywhere.

Fabric:
98% cotton, 2% spandex stretch woven

Features:
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Movement-Mirroring Stretch
- Button and Zipper Fly
- Gusseted Crotch
- Belt Loops
- Cell Phone Pocket on Back Thigh
- Back Patch Pockets
- Front Slash Patch Pockets
- UPF 50+

Verdict:

For hot weather wear the Outdoor Research Jinx Shirt was by far my favourite. Once the mercury got above 30°C this was my go to shirt which surprised me as I thought the nylon fabric of the Outdoor-Research Growler Short Sleeve Shirt would have been the clear choice given its moisture wicking properties. Given the light weight and almost see through weight of the Jinx Shirt it felt as if I wasn’t really wearing anything which is the perfect quality on a stinking hot day. Even though it was pretty sheer the Jinx Shirt still provided plenty of protection from the sun’s rays. The Growler Shirt, however, was much less breathable and the nylon made for more of a clammy feel. Having said that, when I did start to sweat the moisture was wicked away and tended to evaporate quickly given the hydrophobic qualities of the nylon fabric. The Outdoor Research Harrelson Long Sleeve Shirt’s 55% hemp; 45% organic/cotton blend fabric was a very close second as far as overall comfort and coolness. While not as light weight as the Jinx shirt the Harrelson Long Sleeve was more versatile at dusk and dawn when things tended to be cooler. Once the mid day heat arrived the ability to roll up the sleeves and button them in place was a nice feature.

With any of the Outdoor shirts reviewed here you can be confident you’ll get good sun protection, breathability and moisture control while still being able to go from work to the trail with out a costume change required. Each shirt also worked well with the Outdoor Research Zodiac Shorts given their clean design and straight forward material and cut. The Zodiac shorts are another Outdoor Research piece that is casual enough to hang out around town in but provides enough mobility, durability and comfort to hike and climb in.

Overall the debate of cotton versus nylon or hemp will remain unresolved as it ultimately comes down to personal choice. I preferred the light weight breathable approach of the Jinx cotton fabric or the hemp/cotton blend of the Harrelson Long Sleeve simply because they feel more natural and soft next to my skin but the merits of nylon cannot be over looked.

PROS:

- The Growler Short Sleeve Shirt’s nylon content makes it ideal at transporting moisture away from your skin
- The Jinx Short Sleeve Shirt is light weight and thin so it’s very comfortable to wear on really hot days.
- The Zodiac Shorts are a no non-sense design that are practical and functional.
- The Harrelson Long Sleeve Shirt’s hemp/cotton blend has a soft feel and casual look which is ideal for work or play.

CONS:

- The Zodiac Shorts material is fairly stiff so they make some noise as you walk
- The Growler Short Sleeve Shirt does not breath well since it’s made of mostly nylon fabric

Rating: 8.5/10

Innovation       1/2
Function          2/2
Aesthetics/Fit  2/2
Features          1.5/2
Quality/Price   2/2

This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

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