Proof has long offered casual t-shirts made of merino wool, and cotton performance button downs made of cotton and stretch. Here though they marry those two to try and create a button-down travel shirt, I have been testing it for some time and I have fallen in love with it.

Material

Ok, first, I think calling this shirt merino wool is a bit disingenuous, at least for this site, because this shirt is 88% polyester, 12% merino wool. There is just not a lot of wool here. That said, the shirt material is quite nice, as the outside has a very slight brushed finished making the shirt almost feel more like a traditional flannel than a button down.

The weight is nearly perfect for a smart casual level shirt. It’s not thick enough that it will drape like a flannel, nor is it thin enough that it becomes opaque in any light. It’s very well done and the hand feel of the material is amazing.

Fit & Style

This is a shirt that has a very tailored fit, especially through the sleeves where I find that rolling the sleeves can be tight, while the cuffs are loose enough I can wear a watch under them with no issue. The fit is very flattering and right out of the gate, I love it. The collar sits properly, the top button placement is excellent.

What is really going to make or break the this shirt for most is the body length. It is primarily cut to be worn untucked, and that works extremely well in this shirt. But it does have just enough length in it for me that I can tuck it in so I can dress it up a little.

So for travel, tucking it in to go to a nice restaurant, I think this shirt plays that card extremely well. But as a shirt to walk into a business casual setting, I don’t think it works well. The brushing on the face is too soft, and makes it look too casual. This is casual to smart casual all day long. Which for most people should be all you need.

Performance

The big question is how does such a low merino wool percentage shirt perform. And the answer is: reasonably well actually. This won’t be the most performant shirt from an odor resistance perspective but 2-3 wears is pretty reasonable. More if you are wearing an anti-perspirant or something of that nature.

The variant I got is an ivory color for the most part, and the dirt will show first on that, well before odor is a factor. To that end, the shirt also has two vents on each armpit to help the shirt breathe a little more, which is a welcomed addition from my view.

What does bode well for travel is that the shirt washes up rather nicely. It dries reasonably fast, and with not a terrible amount of wrinkles, and even the wrinkles it does dry with, tend to be visually hidden by the fabric itself.

All in all the performance of this shirt is better than pure polyester, but not as good as wool. But it should last longer than wool and be more durable.

Overall

Given that most of my testing was done in my home for this shirt, I have fallen in love. The cut of it is sharp, and the comfort is off the charts. It feels great to wear, and I find my self reaching for it first, and having to remind myself that I wore it yesterday, and I should wait a day.

Will I travel with it in the future? Yes, but only for leisure travel. It will not however fit into my office rotation, whenever we return to offices.

Great shirt, and I think most people will get more use out of this than a pure merino wool shirt as it lends itself to a more carefree garment care.

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I initially backed these pants on Kickstarter so we could give them a test here. The Terrain Pant follows the standard hype on Kickstarter pants, which culminates in this claim: “The one pant you’ll want to take with you (and never take off) on a trip around the world.”

I’ve had these pants for a while now, and the truth is, I have been putting off writing this review because I really do not care to wear these pants. So let me tell you why…

Material

First, these pants are made with “Japanese Nano-Wing® Technology”. Sounds amazing right? The claims are: “water and stain-repellant from the outside, moisture wicking from the inside, quick drying, self-cleaning, UV protected, with the perfect amount of stretch.” On the website there is no further definition, so like me you probably assume this is some futuristic fabric, some distant cousin of dyneema, merino wool, and nylon. When in fact, the garment tag tells us: 95% cotton, 5% elastane.

And as far as hand feel: terrible. Like a stiff canvas issued to soldier before we invented polyester.

Fit and Style

They fit very slim, and the pockets make what would otherwise probably be a really decent smart/business casual fabric look like a weird dressy hiking pant. From the pull tab on the back pocket (why is that there) to the zippered front pockets. The style is strictly casual, and generally just odd.

Performance

There are far too many performance claims on these for me to go through them all, or to even verify them. Also, I didn’t want to wear these more than I had to. So there’s that.

This is cotton with stretch, and heavy cotton at that. They simply do not breath well at all. I live in Houston, I can sniff out a poor breathing pair of pants instantly. Outlier’s heavy Strong Dungarees breathe better.

As for stretch, it appears to be two way, which stretches along the horizontal of the pants. This is mostly fine and the preferred method if it is not 4-way stretch. However the gusseted crotch is rather small, and so the pants are more restricting because of the slim cut. Either the pants need a larger gusset, 4-way stretch, or a looser fit.

For me, the rest of the performance points don’t matter because the pants are simply not more comfortable than any other pants I own, for any type of wear.

Overall

They are stiff, they don’t breath well, they don’t move well, and they are a little noisy to walk in. Also, my pants came with some snags in the fabric out of the package. The cut is flattering, but that’s the only nice thing I can say about them.

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.

When I saw Everlane’s $50 denim sale back in March, I decided to give The Performance Jean from their Uniform collection a try — all Uniform pieces can be replaced if they fail or you are dissatisfied within 365 days of purchase. With that guarantee and at such a low price, it made it an easy decision to give them a try.

Material

These jeans are made of a four-way stretch 94% organic cotton, 2% elastane, 4% other fiber. The “other fiber” seems unusual to me, but I’m betting it is something for extra stretch.

The Dark Indigo color I got is a nice mid-dark color, what I’d consider a standard dressier jeans color.

Fit & Style

Based on the size chart, I went with the Athletic fit. That gives a little extra room in the seat/hips and the thighs, which works well for me as the stretch is only slightly noticeable.

Being a larger company, there also is the benefit of Everlane offering odd-sized waists, four lengths, and four fits, so it should be pretty easy for anyone to dial in a great fit.

Style wise, these aren’t anything special. They are standard, athletic fit jeans with a little stretch — nothing more or less.

Performance

The athletic fit combined with the slight stretch makes these jeans comfortable, and about on par performance-wise with other stretch jeans you can find at this price point.

Surprisingly, the jeans bag out a little in the thighs and seat between washes (although the waist didn’t stretch). I’m guessing this has something to do with the 4% “other fiber” content.

Overall

I found these jeans to be average and about the same as other “performance” (meaning a little stretch) jeans you can find at this price point. The stretch and slight bagging out are what you’ll find in most of them.

I still prefer my Revtown Sharp Jeans (our review), but if you are looking for something standard or in this price range, these will meet those expectations.

Overall, not recommended.

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.

Note: these pants were provided for review by Outerknown.

I’ve been really enjoying my Outerknown Sur Sweatshirt (our review) ever since I purchased it over the winter, so when I got a chance to give their Verano Beach Pants a try, I jumped on it, especially given the current work from home situation.

Another benefit of Outerknown is their dedication to sustainability, sometimes that is just greenwashing, but it seems like Outerknown has demonstrated their seriousness here.

Of course, no can make a bad piece of clothing good, so let’s take a look.

Material

These pants are made from a 7 oz, 55% hemp, 45% organic cotton in a soft twill weave.

Even though the fabric content is the same as the Sur Sweatshirt, the weight and weave give this a whole different feel. While not a lightweight fabric, the fabric doesn’t have a heavy drape, and seems like it would be reasonably cool in the heat. There also isn’t any of that hemp roughness that can be in some hemp-heavy fabric blends.

The only negative to the fabric is that it gets quite fuzzy and a little bit pilly with the first wash, but it doesn’t seem to get worse.

Fit & Style

These pants are intended to be “trousers that wear more like joggers” and the claim is also made that “You could sleep in these and then wear them to a meeting and no one would think twice.”

As far as the fit, I agree they are trousers that fit like joggers. The elastic waistband and interior drawstring tie push them into the “joggers” category, with the shorter length (31 inseam on the XL) pushing them all the way over the edge. I was between the L and XL, so went with the XL. The elastic in the waistband isn’t particularly stretch/strong, so I do find myself relying on the tie if I have anything in my pockets.

As far as wearing these pants to a meeting, I don’t think I could get away with it for any meeting I’ve ever been to. Then again, Outerknown leans towards a west coast beach style, so maybe there are cases where these would be appropriate for a meeting. However, I can see that the slash side pockets and button back pocket do add a little extra towards the “less casual, casual” nature of these pants.

Performance

These have been great pants to wear while working from home. They are extremely comfortable (although not stretchy) and are warm enough for our still cool days here in the northeast. When taking the dog for a walk on some windy days, I did notice that these blocked the wind better than any of the synthetic joggers I own.

The magic of hemp here is that I think they will still be comfortable in the summer, as hemp in fabrics like this tends to breathe well.

Overall

The Verano Beach Pants will continue to be a comfortable pair of pants for around the house for me. I look forward to seeing how they perform as the weather warms up.

If you can push the casual style of these further, they could be a great, non-synthetic, summer replacement for jeans, as they are half the weight of a typical pair. Just keep in mind the fuzzy texture the fabric takes on. They also work well as a pair of casual pants for around the house, especially if you are looking for a more unique fabric blend or something different.

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.

When I saw the Proof Stretch Flannel come up in the clearance section of Huckberry, I couldn’t help but grab one to try. Based on the description, I expected something heavy that wouldn’t get much wear until late Fall, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Material

This shirt is cotton with 2.3% spandex added for stretch. It is more like brushed cotton shirting than flannel to me, which is a nice change over a traditional flannel. This gives it a soft hand while still feeling like it will be durable enough to hold up to weekend work.

The stretch is only slight, but combined with the back pleat, it gives the shirt enough give to move with you.

Fit & Style

The fit is spot on for me. It has a nice tailored cut, without being too slim. It works well either tucked or untucked, and definitely can be dressed up with a pair of chinos.

Some other nice touches that make the shirt more polished than a typical flannel are the button-down collar and the single pocket (without a flap).

The style leans casual, or as a casual Friday shirt for work, but not business casual.

Performance

This is a solid, more traditional, cool weather shirt. It breathes well and gives a little extra warmth over a typical cotton shirt. It will definitely continue to get wear into the spring, and I will bring it out again in the fall.

Odor resistance wise, I found this about on par with what I expected — two wears with an undershirt.

Shirts like this can come out of the wash with tons on wrinkles. Here, the wrinkles mostly fall out while hanging to dry and a light iron returns it to a crisp state.

Overall

The Proof Stretch Flannel turned out to be better than I expected. While it doesn’t have many performance features, it’s a solid shirt that I will get a lot of wear out of.

It is a steal on sale at $35, and would be at home in many closets (and I recommend the Navy Check, it is sharp).

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.

Mack Weldon is known for their underwear, but offers a wide range of Men’s basics. We’ve previously taken a look at their 37.5 Oxford (our review) and SILVERKNIT Polo (our review), and I’ve been giving their WARMKNIT Waffle Long Sleeve Crew a test this winter.

Material

The fabric here is a micro-waffle knit blend consisting of 43% modal, 38% Thermolite polyester, 14% wool, and 5% spandex. The modal makes the shirt soft, the wool some enhanced odor resistance and moisture wicking, and of course the spandex for stretch. Thermolite is a hollow-core fiber that traps more heat than traditional fibers, allowing the shirt to be warmer than it’s weight gives away.

Fit & Style

Based on the sizing chart, I chose an XL, and that gave me a nice, close to the body fit that is great for layering. While I mostly wore this shirt as a layer, it works well on its own as well.

The shirt has a raglan sleeve, which, along with the stretch, makes it extremely comfortable. The ribbed wrist cuffs make for a nice finished look.

While overall I’d say this is a quite casual piece if worn other than as a layer, overall the cut and finish helps it look more polished.

Performance

With the 14% wool content, I didn’t expect much in the way of odor resistance, but I was pleasantly surprised. I’m able to get a few wears out of this shirt before it needs to be washed. The shirt also wicks moisture well, but I’m not sure the wool adds anything in this department (I would compare it to other polyester/modal/lyocell blends I have).

The stretch here adds to the comfort of the shirt. Even though it is 5% spandex, it’s not overly stretchy, so there is no bagging or weird draping.

And finally, the Thermolite. This hollow core polyester fiber does make a difference in the warmth to weight ratio. The shirt is quite light and thin, but it is nice and warm, making it a great layering piece. In addition to just being warm, it also regulates temperature well. I found it to be not too hot indoors, while still being warm when needed.

Overall

I was quite impressed with the WARMKNIT Waffle. It is very soft and comfortable, is warm without being bulky, and resists odor well enough to give a couple of wears.

The price is right at $68 but it is a great deal when you get it at the typically found 20% markdown (either a coupon or their loyalty program).

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.

Note: Ben’s sample was purchased during the Kickstarter campaign, while Steve’s sample was sent by Western Rise for review.

I feel like I have been waiting forever for this shirt, as I backed it on Kickstarter right away. The premise of the Limitless Merino Wool Shirt is: “Looks like an oxford, is more comfortable than a t-shirt, and outperforms your activewear.” That’s a heck of a claim, but I think it actually holds true with this one, so let me explain why.

Material

Yes, this is a ‘merino’ shirt, but actually it is a lot more than that. The fabric itself is listed as: 53% Australian Merino wool, 47% polyester, with a weight of 175 gsm. The thing is, this does not feel like any merino button-down I own.

It’s heavy, where as typical merino button-downs are light. It stretches like crazy, whereas most never stretch. There’s no wool feel to the shirt at all. Honestly this just feels like a polyester performance button down and nothing more. Which defies logic a bit, because it doesn’t perform like one at all.

The fabric itself feels durable and has a great drape to it. It is a bit of a heavier drape, so don’t expect to have a more rigid starched look. This shirt certainly trends a little more casual just from the fabric.

Fit & Style

The fit is listed as tailored and I think that rings true. Steve had trouble finding one that fit him, and ultimately couldn’t find the right size. Whereas my standard Large sizing fit perfectly. This actually might be the best fitting shirt I own, Proper Cloth custom shirt notwithstanding.

The style is pretty interesting, as Western Rise wanted to make a shirt you could dress up, or down, so that you could wear it as your only shirt for any situation. So the button down collar helps the shirt stay casual (and it is a fantastic collar, which doesn’t look unnaturally stiff, while still looking relaxed), the cuffs are mitered to add a little flare to the shirt when you want to dress it up. The tailored cut makes it look great untucked or tucked.

But the real key here is the length of the shirt. When you tuck in a shirt you want it to be longer so it stays tucked in, when you wear a shirt untucked you want it to be shorter so that it doesn’t look out of place. This is a delicate balance to strike when you want the shirt to do both. For my torso they balance is perfect. I can wear it tucked or untucked without issue, and the stretch helps allow the shirt to remain tucked in when you are reaching and stretching your body.

On the style side, there is going to be no issue with casual wear. I’ve worn this to the office and while it is among the more casual looking button downs I own, I find no issue with it in a what I would call the bottom end of business casual. Layer it with a vest, or sport coat, and it looks fine. On it’s own you straddle that line a touch, but you can easily get away with it.

Performance

Merino wool always performs great in shirting as it is highly odor resistant and decently wrinkle resistant — all while having extremely good temperature regulation. This shirt is all of that, but with the added benefit of fantastic 4-way stretch.

Here’s the highlight reel for this shirt:

• Stretch: the stretch is the best of any button down I own. When Western Rise says that they want this shirt to move like a work out shirt, they nailed it. Super comfortable because of that stretch. But the stretch also helps them make the shirt more fitted, which improves the overall looks of the shirt.
• Breathability: is fantastic, you get the normal merino wool properties with a more airy feel. The only downside is that if your arm pits do start to sweat, you’ll see it.
• Wrinkle-resistance: this is not the best performing shirt for wrinkle resistance, but it is very good, the the wrinkles do release well with wear.
• Odor Control: excellent. I wore the shirt 5 times and it still smelled fine. I only washed it because I needed to for this review. On par with all merino shirts here.

This might be the best performing all around button down I have. The only thing I am unsure of is how it would hold up to a GORUCK backpack when traveling.

Overall

I love this shirt. I got the light blue and it is a fantastic color, and I’ll likely get the smoke color as well. I have worn it on the weekends hanging out with the kids, and to the office giving presentations. When I pack for a trip, this will be on my list of must brings, Western Rise really nailed this shirt.

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Steve’s Thoughts

As Ben mentioned, I had trouble getting the fit right on this shirt. My normal XL Western Rise size was just a little too tight around the waist — the bottom button pulled a bit, making the shirt not look great. I assumed an XXL would be way too big based on the size chart, but I gave it a shot anyways because I really liked how this fabric felt, but of course it was way too big.

I did, however, get the Polo Shirt in my normal XL and it fits great. The curved hem and the button-down collar adds a little different look. I do like both, and I think the are functional additions as well. The curved hem helps the polo stay tucked in but also makes it look right when untucked. The button-down collar helps keep the collar looking sharp all day and through multiple wears.

Since this is the same fabric, I echo all of Ben’s comments. It does indeed live up to the advertising copy and makes for an excellent everyday and travel polo.

NOTE: where possible all product links on this site may earn the site money when you buy using those links.