Patrik Orcutt 04.07.23
Outdoor Research is a Seattle-based manufacturer of technical apparel and gear for outdoor sports, They were formed back in 1980s after a climber was attempting a summit of Mt. Denali when he and his team had a failure of a set of gaiters that sent them packing back down the mountain. That climber was Ron Gregg and after just over a year, Ron would have started his own outdoor brand, Outdoor Research (OR). Back in 1980, their flagship product was an improved pair of gaiters, fixing the problems Ron had with older pairs. Today, OR’s product line includes everything you would need for alpinism, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, paddling, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. This particular review will focus on their ultralight Outdoor Research Echo line of clothing.
I have been wearing garments from the OR Echo line for more than 4 years now and have been using them for hiking, military trips, and general everyday wear. The Garmonts I have been testing include Echo Short and long-sleeve T-shirts, Quarter Zip, and Hoodie. All OR Echo line garments were independently purchased and reviewed by myself and Beyond Clothing has not been allowed to preview this review.
Specs – Outdoor Research Echo Line
- Fabric: 100 Percent Recycled Polyester
- Manufactured in: Bangladesh
- MSRP: $46 – $75
Comfort and Fit – Outdoor Research Echo Line
All of the tops in the outdoor research echo line are incredibly comfortable and not too tight but still well fitting. I like mini outdoor companies OR sizing can run a little bit small but I wear a medium in all of their tops. For reference, I’m 5 foot nine and 165 pounds With an athletic build. Whenever I find myself packing for a trip to a new place, I’m always reaching for something from the echo line. Whether it be the hoodies or the three-quarter zip or just one of the T-shirts these garments are always incredibly comfortable and well-suited to almost any environment.
Breathability – Outdoor Research Echo Line
Being that all of these garments are technically sun shirts, they are highly breathable. This makes them very well suited for hot environments or if you have a backpack on while you’re hiking. The 100% recycled polyester also has an anti-odor property to it meaning that you’ll smell a little bit better when you reach the peak of that mountain you’re climbing. I love throwing one of these on on a hot day or if I know I’m going to be out in the sun for a long time because I can still stay relatively cool and not sweat as much as if I was wearing a cotton shirt.
Versatility – Outdoor Research Echo Line
Even though these are marketed as being son shirts, these garments are highly versatile. I have used mine in all four seasons and various weather conditions. In the summer they are great on their own with a pair of shorts to keep you cool. In the winter These are great base layers to build up to whatever you might be facing that day temperature-wise. I will routinely wear these under a hoodie or a shell as they do retain warmth when layered properly. I think these are great candidates for travel as sometimes you don’t know what the weather will be like when you get somewhere, or the weather is drastically different than where you’re coming from. They’re all very light so bringing a few of them in your bag won’t take up much space either.
Durability – Outdoor Research Echo Line
Even though I see some people online complaining about the durability of the echo line of tops, my oldest shirt is coming up on for years and still works great. This particular shirt only has a few scuffs and spots where the material is starting to fray but other than that it looks just like the day I bought it. I’m not someone to baby my clothing either as I wore one of these shirts while working with snipers in Greece and spent the majority of the day on the ground or in bushes. I also want to touch on the fact that after five days of camping in Glacier National Park, my echo hoodie helped me not smell as bad as I probably felt.
Competitive Options – Outdoor Research Echo Line
Likes
- Super comfy
- Super lightweight
- Oder wicking
- Incredibly versatile
Dislikes
- Expensive unless you have the OR pro deal account
Wrap Up – Outdoor Research Echo Line
The echo line of garments/tops can range in price from $46-$75 per item. That is a bit on the pricier side but you are getting a very high-quality product. If you’re an outdoor research pro affiliate you can get all of these garments for half price. At that price point, I think these are all an absolute steal. I love all of my echo garments and wear them year-round. If you’re planning a multi-day hike or going to the range or traveling for a week I’d recommend trying out a few of these garments because they’re freaking awesome. The 3/4 zip is my personal favorite.
