EMS Guatemalan Camp Shirt Review

While I do most of my hiking in t-shirts, I found the Guatemalan Camp Shirt at EMS on sale and figured I'd give it a try.  I haven't been disappointed with it and I'm glad I found it.

The shirt is made from wicking nylon and is treated to offer UV and stain protection.  The fabric is wrinkle resistant and since it is a midweight fabric, there's some level of protection from abrasion damage.  There's a mesh liner on the on the upper portion of the shirt to help draw sweat away from your body and get it to wick through the shirt more quickly. There's also a vent on the back of the shirt, which provides additional air flow and lets heat escape more quickly from the shirt.

I have noticed a few wrinkles, especially after my shirt has been stuffed in a pack, but overall the shirt has functioned as advertised.  It hasn't ripped or been torn, even when I've subjected it to some abrasion and it does tend to feel dryer than a standard synthetic t-shirt.  As for stains, I've really only ever gotten the shirt muddy and with a quick wash, it comes out looking fine.

The shirt is a button-down shirt and can thus be worn either buttoned up or open over another shirt (or bare-chested if it's that warm). I generally wear a thin polyester shirt underneath the shirt and if I get too warm, I can either unbutton the shirt a bit or just take it off and wear the t-shirt underneath. In the hottest weather, I just wear the Guatemalan Camp Shirt alone and am fine - unbuttoning it a few buttons down as the day warmed up.  I also like the fact that it is a light color, so it doesn't soak up as much sunshine and doesn't get as hot as darker shirts.

As a travel shirt, I've worn the Guatemalan Camp Shirt on days we're going to be exploring parks or otherwise be doing more than just sightseeing. The breathability of the shirt is a handy feature for days like that. You don't necessarily want to dress like you are going hiking, but at the same time, you want some of the comfort and the practicality that hiking gear offers. The shirt does well here - providing the wicking of most hiking clothes, while still looking good enough to stop in at a restaurant along the way.

While you can clean your shirt in the river, you can also take it home and throw it into the washing machine and the dryer.

My Thoughts

I've found this shirt to be comfortable, easy to wear, and that it performs pretty much as advertised.  I like a low-maintenance kind of shirt and this is one of them.  It's great for hiking, but also good for days where you traveling, but want the comfort of a wickable shirt while not looking like you're ready for a hike.