Gear Review: Patagonia Men's Capilene® Lightweight T-shirt

I also put it to the test in my closet. Once I realized that it takes up less space than the average t-shirt, weighs less, and can be worn under just about any fall or winter top, I was hooked on a new idea. In minimalist fashion, I asked myself, "Why do I need 30 cotton t-shirts? Can I narrow it down to seven (one for each day of the week) and not only wear it as a t-shirt in the spring and summer by itself, but also wear it as an undershirt in the fall and winter? I was pretty stoked by the idea of cutting down the amount of clothing I have in my closet, and that's how the minimalist mindset fits into this story.

When I first put the base layer on, it felt soft on my skin and was light as a feather. I could also tell how the material would keep me cool in warmer weather. It almost felt like I had a superhero costume on, so maybe it would also improve my athletic performance?

While exercising outdoors, I noticed that the material wicked sweat away like a windshield wiper does rain off of a windshield. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but it was very efficient in keeping my body dry. This becomes very important when wearing it as a first layer under a mid and top layer in the winter, because if your body is not dry, you will get cold from that sweat on your skin.

Wearing the base layer under a flannel was extremely comfortable, too. Sometimes flannels can be a little bulky with a t-shirt underneath, so having that thin, soft layer made all the difference. It didn't bunch up in the sleeves, and it didn't catch on the fabric next to it.

I'm excited about my new strategy of minimizing the clothes I own, and I owe it all to this shirt. I can also see how this piece of clothing will work for me over a wide range of outdoor conditions. I'm ready to get outside and conquer the next adventure!

Pro tip: Stuff this lightweight shirt into your backpack. You never know when you might need an extra layer out on the trails!