Sue Fear

Sue Fear

Australian Mountaineer

My work includes full time guiding for World Expeditions for more than 8 years, leading mountaineering and trekking trips primarily. At the same time, I undertake my own expeditions where spare time permits. In both styles of travel I have excellent opportunity to test gear fully, whilst at the same time, comparing it against other products/brands used by others. Clients and other fellow travelers also have the opportunity to see how the gear performs and that it is being used by a professional in the field.

Conditions on trips have varied from heat and humidity in the lowlands of Asia, to cool, dry climates, and extremely cold and/or damp conditions. Nearly all situations see a variety of conditions where clothing is not treated with care in wear, storage or laundry.

My current schedule will see me continuing treks and climbs through this year to Bolivia, the Tian Shan Mtns, Caucasus and Himalaya, as well as personal climbs in the Himalaya.

Gear used: Thermal underwear x 2 sets; long sleeve crew and long johns, as currently sold in Mountain Designs

Field Testing

  • Dec 1999 - China Bike trip 2wks winter cycling, and 1 week touring Beijing in daily sub zero temps.
  • April 2000 - Shishapangma (8012m) in Tibet approx 45 day program at altitudes between 5600m and 7400m throughout this period.
  • July 2000 - Bolivia Mountaineering program for 3wks at altitudes between 4000m 6088m. but average 5000-5500m in glaciated environment the entire period.
  • August 2000 - Central Asia/Tian Shan Mountains Trekking/touring trip of two weeks in non-glaciated environment, but wet and cold continued rain, sleet and snow for entire week of trekking.
  • October 2000 - Bhutan Strenuous trek in Himalaya, crossing 11 passes between 4500 and 5400m in approx three weeks.
  • Additional use: The thermal top is used regularly as a warm-up layer over a t-shirt for jogging training at home in Sydney. All trips had limited washing facilities so the garments were worn for continued periods without washing. One set were used for camp wear (non-physical) and one for day trekking (physical) to ensure clothes in reasonably good condition were always available at camp and for the evening, regardless of whether washing was done. When washing was done, it was in glacial streams that had \'hard\' cold water.

Feedback based on sustained use in a variety of challenging circumstances in the field

Uses - active / sedentary both have quite different needs. It is good to know you have a garment that can be used for both, and combined with anything virtually to make an effective layering system according to the conditions.

Effectiveness - warmth, wicking & breathable. Holds heat, especially when you cool down after stopping. No noticeable holding of moisture, as may occur with thicker wool garments. Dried out quickly if damp from water or sweat. Differing from synthetic thermals, it seems to cope well with moderating body temperature. When you have become overheated in a cold or hot environment it does not feel suffocating or claustrophobic the way synthetic thermals do. Likewise it insulates well which is its primary function. The aim with layers, is not to have to keep taking them on and off to adjust your body temp, but to have garments that still work with temp variation…

Durability - No signs of wear and tear in anyway e.g. ragging out or pilling. Synthetics stretch considerably after only short use in strenuous activities such as mountaineering or similar. Pants stretch at the waist and knees which can make them almost unusable for day wear. If garments are not of neat fit, they will not be as effective. Washing them in hard conditions, cold glacier water, did not seem to affect them in condition at all. Whereas their synthetic counterparts, seem to stretch out more when washed in hard conditions.

Comfort - comfortable to wear. No feeling of claustrophobia or itchy etc. (Other thermals can do this even before they have been worn continually.) Synthetic thermals are renowned for becoming rank, stretched and uncomfortable in a short space of time, and more importantly, less insulating.

Main benefits - Very durable, non-flammable, holds heat, still comfortable after continued use, still effective after continued use (if aired out occasionally), not odorous.

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