Review: Kuiu Gila Shirt

For decades, baselayers were an afterthought, with most outdoor folk just grabbing whatever was at hand—a random cotton shirt, a thin wool chamise, maybe a polyester tee from a 5k if one was expecting to sweat a lot. Gradually things changed, as synthetic fabrics became more mainstream, and now you'd be hard-pressed to find a guy sporting cotton even for a short jaunt in the woods. Which is all well and good, as technical tees are that much more comfortable, not to mention safer on longer, deeper excursions into the backcountry.

Kuiu's new Gila SS Crew takes synthetic improvements even further, adding maximum breathability, impressive odor-resistance, 8% Spandex for mobility, and a snug yet comfortable fit (I'm 5'8" and muscular; the large size is a bit tight but just about right for tucking-in length). This shirt reminds me of the outstanding CoolMax BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) tees from my old army days, which helped combat the oppressive Georgia heat and humidity. For active, warm-weather outings, the Gila SS Crew is the shirt you want.

$59; kuiu.com.