Meet the reviewer
Arc’teryx Silene Crew Shirt SS Women’s: first impressions
If you've had enough of hiking and climbing in old cotton T-shirts and are ready to upgrade to a performance-ready top, this hiking shirt might just be for you. Spun from ultra-light polyester yarn, it's built to withstand the demands of backpack straps, harnesses and abrasive rock but still soft and comfortable on your skin.
The best feature of this shirt is its moisture-management capabilities, whisking sweat away from your skin on a hot climb without ever feeling damp. It breathes exceptionally well and dries quickly so you don't get chilly on a windy summit when you stop for a breather.
• List price: $90/ £80
• Gender specification: Women’s
• Sizes: XXS - XXL
• Weight (XS): 2.4 oz / 70 g
• Materials: 100% Polyester treated with DWR
• Colors: Velocity Heather, Euphoria Heather, Black Heather
• Best use: Rock climbing, hiking
The relaxed fit means that even without added stretch, this airy top easily moves when you do so it never feels restrictive, and the Raglan style sleeves and hemming technique cut down on seams to minimize chafing. That said, we found the design to be slightly off with the neckline not sitting flush against the skin.
As far as T-shirts go, it offers decent coverage to help protect your skin from the sun and though it's a synthetic top, it is treated with an antimicrobial agent which does seem to reduce how smelly it gets with wear. It's treated with DWR which is unusual for a T-shirt and we're not totally sure why, since we'd be more likely to throw on a light waterproof jacket if it starts to sprinkle and it's very quick drying anyway.
All in, we do enjoy the feel and performance of this top, but it does come in at quite a high price point, perhaps unsurprisingly given the brand. Learn more in our article on why Arc'Teryx is so expensive.
Arc’teryx Silene Crew Shirt SS Women’s: in the field
When it comes to hiking and climbing, I basically have two merino wool T-shirts that I rotate through for every adventure. I love that I can wear them multiple times in a row without them getting smelly, I like the feel and thermoregulation properties of wool and in general, they're a bit less sporty which makes them a bit more me. However, I got to test out this top recently when I attended the Arc'teryx Climb Academy in the Lake District and wore it for some scrambling, bouldering and hiking.
Here’s how it performed:
Sizing, fit and comfort
I usually wear a small but I'm probably on the small end of that size range so I tested an XS in this shirt and that was the right choice for me. It has a relaxed fit which lets me move, but isn't baggy. That said, there is something very odd about the design of this shirt, so the neckline doesn't sit flush against my skin but rather sticks up all around. It wouldn't stop me wearing it on the trail, but it does look a bit off and I doubt is intentional.
Before I noticed that however, I did notice how comfortable this top is. Even though I've said I usually prefer the feel of a merino wool blend, this polyester is lovely and soft against my skin and they've cut down on seams (which may account for the strange neckline) so I haven't experienced any chafing.
Moisture management and breathability
As far as I'm concerned, the best thing about this shirt is how well it manages moisture and I'd recommend it to anyone planning on hiking or climbing in hot weather, or who sweats a lot and is tired of their clothes clinging to them.
I'm not a particularly heavy sweater, but we've enjoyed some warm weather here lately and this fabric has that magical quality of never feeling damp. I've only experienced this before in The North Face Flight Series Weightless Tank Top which isn't as soft and comfortable as this shirt. I've even tested this out on a couple of trail runs and it's great at keeping me dry and comfortable in warm weather.
I recently wore it during a warm, very steep hike and it breathed really well the whole way up. When I got to the top and removed my backpack, my back was of course a bit damp but the shirt was completely dry within in minutes.
Durability and odor control
The obvious benefit to synthetic material over natural fabrics is that it's more durable, and I do trust this top to look good as new in a year's time (though I'll be sure to update this if I'm proven wrong). The lack of added stretch from elastane also bodes well for it to keep its shape.
Ordinarily, synthetic tops need washed after every use because they absolutely hum, however, and in my mind that cuts down on their durability (and sustainability of course). This one is treated with some kind of antimicrobial and while I wouldn't exactly say the armpits smell delightful, I've now worn it about six times without washing it and I'm planning on wearing it again today. That's a record.
Arc’teryx Silene Crew Shirt SS Women’s: the bottom line
This unassuming-looking tee is a top-performer for adventures where you plan to sweat. It's highly comfortable and light but durable and keeps body odor at bay for a couple of jaunts. For that, you'll pay a premium price for a T-shirt, but it is versatile enough that you could wear it for many different types of activities and that may soften the blow. We recommend trying it on before you commit to see how you feel about the neckline, and compare it to The North Face Bolt Tech T-shirt for an option that's easier on the wallet.
