When summer gets hot, you need a cool and comfortable shirt while recreating outside. A shirt that breathes, is light weight, and wicks away moisture is key. The Striker shirt from Avalanche claims to have all of those qualities. So I’ve been wearing one for everything from mountain biking to trail running and have a few thoughts. First, the details.
The Avalanche Striker shirt features:
- Next to Skin Fit
- Unrestricted Mobility
- Lightweight Heather Striped Jacquard pieced with heathered mesh
- Reflective heat transfer detail on back
- Reflective Logo
If you’ve never heard of Avalanche here in Utah, I’m not surprised, because I haven’t either. They are a family-owned, outdoor apparel company based in Salem, Massachusetts that is committed to using high-performance, eco-friendly fabrics. Wearing the Striker for the first time, it’s apparent right off the bat that this is a shirt designed for high-output activity.
The Striker shirt is soft and smooth, with a nice next-to-skin feel. There are thoughtful touches, like mesh panels for heat transfer, and reflective logos for safe night activity (especially for the black color sample that was sent to me.)
Black is not the color I would pick for summer recreation, as it tends to absorb heat. But honestly, I took the Striker shirt out on mountain bike rides when temperatures soared into the upper 90s, and I never once felt like the shirt was causing me to overheat.
The biggest test came when I rode a 32-mile loop in Park City on a hot day. Through it all, the fabric breathed really well, and when my body got completely sweat soaked, the fabric stayed cool against my skin. The shirt remained comfortable under my pack straps with no chafing or hot spots in the seams.
I also like how the shirt looks. The cut is flattering (not skin tight and not baggy) and the striped heathered pattern gives the shirt an unusual, distinctive look. This shirt looks more expensive than it is, and at $42 it is a bargain compared to comparable name-brand shirts that run more like $80 or more.
The Good: A functional, comfortable, high-performance shirt that looks good, tackles any summer activity, and sells for a reasonable price.
The Bad: I have no complaints about this shirt. I love it.
Final Word: Check out Avalanche at www.avalanchewear.com – they sell a ton of active outerwear at prices that won’t break the bank. And judging by the Striker shirt, it’s high-quality stuff.