Artilect performance tee – The tee with a twist

Quick verdict

Best for: This top is great for the more serious adventurer. If you’re all about the layering and don’t want temperature getting in the way of a great day, it’s a solid investment.

Price: £100

Rating: 4/5

In a nutshell:

This top feels like luxury. It’s beautifully soft and the stretch makes it feel and look fitted, whilst still being roomy and light on your body.

Product Details

• Brand: Artilect
• Product name: Women’s Exposure Long Sleeve Tee
• Price: £100
• Available from: Artilect and approved retailers
• Colours / sizes / options: It comes in three colours – rose clay, sky captain (dark blue), sagebrush. I’ve got the rose clay and it’s a warm, dusky deep pink. Sizes come in XS to XL, which roughly translates to a UK ladies 6-8/18-20. I’m wearing the medium and it’s a decent fit – I am a 12/14 in a top usually. A short sleeve version is also available.
• Key features: 5 times faster drying, odour resistant, wicking (basically means that it takes the sweat off your skin and onto the top so it can dry faster – it’s a very good thing when you’re exercising!). They’ve also got 50+ UPF sun protection.

First impressions

I couldn’t get over how soft this top felt. The wool is so gentle, it feels absolutely great on your skin. It definitely feels like a luxury item, to the point that I was worried about wearing it and messing it up!

Often I’ve found walking tops to be too tight or completely shapeless, the fabric of this is such that it fits you without clinging.

Performance / How it worked

I’ve road tested the tee on walks and a run, and it is as promised. On a longer hike in warmer weather I wore it on its own, and notably didn’t get the awful sensation when you’ve sweated on an uphill and then got a chill from a damp top.

Equally, I’ve popped it on under a fleece on a cooler day and it’s helped me stay warm even as two thinner layers. I usually wear a vest or a short sleeved tee but under a big fleece, so this addition to my outdoor wardrobe will help me layer more easily and be more attuned to the conditions without having to be all or nothing.

On a run on a day when the weather couldn’t decide – it was a helpful alternative to wearing a vest and running jacket that would end up tied around my waist and an irritant.

The standout for me was that it does as described, at no point did I feel wet and cold with sweat. I’m a sweaty walker and runner so this is important to me!

Practicality

It’s a great looking item, and you feel like a ‘proper’ outdoors person in it!

On a practical level, two main things for me that I hope will help someone thinking of making a purchase.

Firstly, it washes well. I worried due to the delicate fabric, but its kept its shape and retained the soft feel. When you’re exercising the washer is constantly on isn’t it, and we all know those items that just give up the ghost and washing can’t help…I’ve got high hopes for this not being one of those!

My other observation so far is that you have to be VERY careful with the fabric if you’re wearing it as a solo item. The last thing you want when you’ve treated yourself is to nick the wool with a backpack or anything rubbing on it. This is fine if wearing as a base layer, but be super careful especially if wearing for a long time. I personally wouldn’t wear it as a solo item for a long hike – I’d save for a cooler hike as a base layer.

Is it worth the money?

£100 for a top is a lot of money for me. But, it’s an item that is designed to last and is clearly very high quality. If you get outdoors a lot and are good at looking after your things, it’s an investment.

Who it’s best for

This product is ideal for those who are serious about the outdoors. It would suit those who are regularly doing long hikes, particularly at height where they are having to adapt to changing temperatures. If you’re bagging the Wainwrights, this would be a solid purchase for you.

It may not suit, casual Sunday strollers and infrequent outdoors goers.

Final verdict

This top is a welcome addition to my growing outdoor kit set-up, and I’ll definitely be getting my money’s worth on our camping weekends and hikes.

If you know your stuff and want to prioritise your comfort at all times, then the Artilect is a great buy. It’s nowhere near the cheapest product out there, but that in itself for some will be part of the appeal.

Ratings breakdown

• Design: 5/5
• Ease of use: 4/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Value for money: 4/5
• Overall: 4.5/5

By Amy Blackburn

Image credits – Amy Blackburn