I purchased my Marmot DriClime windshirt in Manchester Center, Vermont, during my southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2000. Prior to this, I was using a 100-weight fleece shirt that just wasn’t cutting it – not warm enough for my only insulation, but too hot to hike in. 4,000 miles of backpacking and paddling later, My Marmot DriClime Windshirt remains the single most-used piece of gear I own.
I’d heard about this jacket for years but never understood why people raved about them so much. It’s just a windbreaker, right?
Wrong.
The DriClime Windshirt has attained it’s cult status among outdoor folks for good reason – It works great over a wide temperature range, dries quickly, and can be used under an array of conditions. It’s a simple garment with few bells and whistles, and that’s a good thing.
Layering is this piece is all about. Depending on the weather, this can be used as a next to skin layer, mid-layer, or outer shell. This versatility allows you to use one piece of clothing for many situations, and allows me to leave an extra shirt at home to save weight.
The range of temperatures this garment can be used for is incredible. I’m comfortable hiking in it over a synthetic t-shirt down into the upper 30’s, and when worn with gloves, hat, and a thermal long sleeve underneath, it easily goes well below freezing while hiking. As the weather warms up, I open up the zipper to cool off. My DriClime is always at the top of my pack and is the first layer I put on when getting chilly.
The nylon shell is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) from the factory. I often use the windshirt in drizzle and light rains rather than break out a rainjacket, but it should’t be considered a rain shell by any stretch of the imagination. Once it gets wet, it dries out in a flash. The jacket is lined with Marmot’s proprietary polyester lining that does a great job of wicking moisture off your skin.
The outer layer is quite breathable but effectively blocks the wind. The mesh armpits allow you to let off some steam without being too breezy.
Nits
I’m 6′2″ and wear a size large. Sleeve length is long enough, but I wish it was about an inch longer in the torso. The thin nylon shell isn’t the most durable material, so I’d think twice before scrambling through a briar patch. Having said that, I don’t baby my gear, and my DriClime is still going strong after many miles of abuse.
Bottom Line
The Marmot DriClime windshirt is a great layering piece. It has just the right combination of features to do what it’s supposed to do without being cumbersome. Bottom line, I love mine, and highly recommend their entire DriClime line for anybody that likes to play outside. As a bonus, you can often find this windshirt available at discount at Sierra Trading Post!
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