About a year ago, Alpine Fit reached out and asked me if I’d like to try their Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve Base Layer. On the surface, it seems like a win, right? Free stuff in exchange for blabbing about it–who wouldn’t want that?
If the “stuff” is something you’re proud to promote, it’s a win. If you’re less than thrilled, it gets sticky. If I agree to try something, I inform the company I’ll only share my thoughts here if they are generally positive. Otherwise, I stick to the adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
It’s safe to say the Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve Base Layer impressed me enough to sit here at my computer. In fact, it’s become a staple in my wardrobe.
FIT/STYLE
Alpine Fit sets itself apart from much of the competition by offering more than just sizing with the Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve Base Layer. They also offer two different styles. Per Jen Loofbourrow, “Most brands have just one shape, then scale it to other sizes, but there’s just so many body shapes out there, no matter the size.” The Azalea fit is for hikers who need more volume in the hips and chest area, opposed to the Wild Iris fit which is straighter all around.
The website has a “Fit Quiz” and it’s worth taking. I deliberate over decisions waaaay too long, and I second guessed my choice of the Azalea Fit, initially. I have a blocky build and assumed the Wild Iris fit would be the company’s recommendation, but my measurements put me in the Azalea camp. It would be interesting to compare it to the Wild Iris fit, just for kicks, but I’m happy with my choice. Thankfully, the company offers free returns and exchanges if you’re not, and they are also willing to help guide you by reaching out to them.
When I tried the top on for the first time, I was concerned it was too snug and I’d be annoyed by it. That was put to rest as soon as I took it out for a trail spin. The fabric has enough give that it didn’t encumber my movements, but it maintains its shape beautifully. I appreciate how it hugs my body but doesn’t feel restrictive.
And here’s something you’ll only hear me say approximately once every five years: I look good in this! I find myself reaching for it in day-to-day life as much as I reach for it to hike, because it makes me feel good about myself when I see it on.
I especially like the band of patterned material on the sleeves. Initially, I wasn’t sure about it when I saw it on the website. I definitely like it more in person. I also love the winter moss green color. It’s muted and pleasing to the eye.
MATERIAL
Normally, if I see the word “polyester” on a hiking garment that’s going to contact my armpits or nether regions, it’s a hard pass. While most people claim to get used to their own funk on trail, I don’t. I nearly declined testing this shirt, because I’m so jaded by synthetic materials and smelling horrible in them.
Here’s the breakdown of the Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve Base Layer.
- 69% Recycled Polyester
- 17% Tencel® Lyocell
- 7% ionic+® Polyester (contains silver)
- 7% Lycra® Spandex
That “7% ionic+® Polyester (contains silver)” is where the magic happens, apparently, and it’s what convinced me to say yes to testing it. The silver is woven into the fabric so it won’t wash out, and Jen’s decades of experience in the textiles industry with highly regarded brands really shows up here. This shirt doesn’t pick up my body funk nearly as much as every other polyester-based fabric in my wardrobe.
That said, it eventually starts to smell after multiple days of wear on trail. Realistically, you have to expect that with any type of clothing. And really, after multiple days on trail, you smell, even if the shirt doesn’t. Nothing’s gonna fix that until you get into town and find a shower. 🙂
The magic in this garment, however, is that it doesn’t develop “permafunk” like every other synthetic garment I’ve owned. I’m certain you’re familiar with permafunk, but let me explain if you’re not. You wear a shirt on a hike, and it smells awful within ten minutes. You wash it, and it passes the sniff test as you take it out of the dryer. All good, you think–maybe it just didn’t clean enough the last time I washed it. On the next hike it smells just as bad as the last time within ten minutes. That hasn’t happened with this top, even after a year of consistent use in conditions that would normally have killed other synthetic shirts. For that reason, it gets top honors in the synthetic clothing category.
It is also UPF 50+ which is fantastic, given how much we’re all exposed to the sun in our outdoor pursuits. I used it on my thru hike of the 500-mile Colorado Trail (CT) last fall and was very pleased with how well the fabric breathed. But here’s the catch for me–mentally, no matter how breathable a fabric is, I have a hard time wearing long sleeves when it’s warm. So I confess that I didn’t always choose this shirt to wear while hiking the CT (I wore it at night and while we were in town more often than hiking on warm days). I would definitely take it on another thru hike though, especially in colder temperatures, and I definitely need to get past my issue with sleeves while hiking in warmer ones.
Finally, this is not your typical polyester shirt. It feels more like cotton against my skin. It also wicks sweat well without feeling clammy.
DURABILITY / PERFORMANCE
I intentionally hold off reviewing a product until I’ve had ample time to wear the heck out of it. Over the last year, that’s exactly what I did. I even started wondering if anyone would notice I was wearing it for consecutive days when I wasn’t hiking in it.
It has held up well to many washings, and as mentioned before, it has retained its shape beautifully. I wish I could say the same for some of my garments with natural fibers that often lose their shape no matter how careful I am. After countless washings, it still looks almost exactly like it did brand new. There is a small amount of piling occurring in the armpit area of the shirt, but it’s very subtle and barely noticeable unless I raise my arm.
Here’s something to love too, taken directly from the Alpine Fit website: We support free repairs for the lifetime of the garment as well as alterations (hemming, for example) upon request. Any company that supports sustainability is a friend of mine.
PROS:
- No permafunk
- Stylish
- Multiple fits and sizes
- Holds its shape over time
- Doesn’t fade with sun exposure/washings (at least that I can appreciate)
- Sun protection
- Breathable, soft fabric
- Woman owned, Alaska-based small business
CONS:
- Only able to purchase online either from Garage Grown Gear or directly from Alpine Fit.
- Expensive (but considering how many cheap synthetic shirts I’ve pitched into the Goodwill pile or thrown away, this is a better value and better for the planet since it’s made from recycled fibers)
- It would be nice to see more color options (but I truly love the color I chose….like restaurant menus, I get stuck on things on like and would probably order the same thing even if they had more options).
- Subtle piling after lots of wear and washings.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The final litmus tests for clothes I review is whether I’d purchase the same thing if something happened to the one that was sent to me. Some of the things I test are fun and worthy of a good review, but I wouldn’t necessarily miss them from my closet. I reach for this top regularly, both on and off trail. Similar to my Lightheart Gear dresses and Purple Rain Skirts, I’d be lost without it and would gladly purchase another one. I’m grateful Alpine Fit reached out–they’re a top notch company and worthy of our support, in my opinion. Oh, and they make more than just this top, by the way. In addition to more women’s clothing, they have a nice line of men’s clothing as well.
Serendipitously, shortly before Alpine Fit contacted me, I heard the company’s founder/owner on episode 196 of Day Fire podcast. It’s a fantastic interview and you can listen to it here or find it wherever you listen to podcasts. I enjoyed listening to Jen Loofbourrow talk about her own adventures (including one of the best retellings of an adventure gone wrong I’ve ever heard…this woman is tough) and why she wanted to start the company.
I hope this has been helpful, but leave questions in the comment section below if it prompted any (or let others know if you own Alpine Fit clothing and what you think of it)!
Happy Trails, y’all!