Patagonia Capeline 3 : Wicky and Warm

Patagonia's base layers have been favorites among outdoor athletes for decades. They're bombproof, sweatproof, virtually stinkproof, and backed by a company known for their commitment to the environment.

My Patagonia Capilene 3 base layers are what I grab when I need a go-anywhere, do-anything undergarment.

I recently tested three Patagonia base layers, all from the Capilene 3 line. That's the weight designed for high-exertion, cold-weather activities -- think winter trail runs or cross country skiing. Capilene 1 is a great weight for high-exertion hot weather activities, Capilene 2 is for high-exertion mild-weather activities, while Capilene 4 is designed for super cold-weather or cold-weather activities that don't produce as much sweat.

The first base layer I took out for a spin was the Zip-Neck top, which I wore as a base layer under a cycling jersey on a cool early winter road ride. I like it a lot. First, the back of the shirt is a little lower than the front, which offered an extra bit of protection from cold drafts sneaking in from behind. I especially appreciated that feature while hunched down over the drops at 40 miles an hour. I also liked being able to unzip the shirt to for some fresh air on a couple of long, hard ascents. One more thing I liked was that there actually is no seam in the armpit of this shirt. That's awesome for a slim-fitting base layer, especially when I'm on a bike. No seam means no armpit wedgie and no armpit chafing.

Next time out, I threw on the crew-style Capilene 3 top and bottoms beneath shorts and a wind shell for a trail run behind my house. Again, Ota love the lay-flat seams on the inside of all the garments. I tend to always notice base layer bottoms because so many of them have seams that are always rubbing against my legs, but I almost forgot I had these bottoms on. Same thing went for the crew top -- I nearly forgot I was wearing a base layer At the end of the run I was pretty exhausted, but I wasn't clammy and wet thanks to the Capelin's efficient wicking abilities.

The quick-drying Capilene 3 is Patagonia's trademarked polyester fiber, and it now uses a proprietary odor-control technology called Gladiator, another feature I really like. Base layers by their very nature are prone to smelling bad -- they're always right up next to your skin -- but Gladiator keeps the stench at bay. 

I've heard about base layers from other companies that employ silver ions to repel smells, but Patagonia touts its alternative as an all-natural, environmentally-friendly option. The rationale is that silver is a heavy metal that can pollute groundwater, and that bacteria can build resistance to silver over time. Not so with Capilene and Gladiator. 

What's also cool about Capilene is that these days, the garments are made with at least 50 percent recycled content -- and the material is recyclable as well. Patagonia actually has a Common Threads Garment Recycling Program in place.

Bottom LIne: One of the definitive base layers in the outdoor industry; strong, long-lasting, high-performance, and backed by a company with a great environmental record. -- N.W. (Jan '07)

Price: $44 for bottoms or crew neck top; $50 for zip-neck top 

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Manufacturer's Site: www.patagonia.com