Comments on: Gear review: Paradox DriRelease thermals from Costco

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sun, 31 May 2026 20:20:20 +0000

In reply to Pete. Thx for the great info! Seems that way with most military clothing items for sure.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 31 May 2026 04:36:24 +0000

Hi Paul, super late to this as usual but wanted to add my experience. I’ve used a ton of the surplus base/mid layers over the years. I’ve found for the base layers there is a difference between makers and colors. If you get one that you don’t like, try a different maker or different color. They may have a different cut, different seams, different flexibility, Also there is a difference in polypro between branches: the layers made for the Army are cut differently and are of different fabric from those made for the Marines. Also the fabric has a different hand: some can be a bit scratchy and some are as comfy as Patagucci. Suspect this is caused by specification/procurement requirements since each branch writes their own specs (your tax dollars at work in a less than optimal manner).

The half-zip mid layer waffle fleeces tops and bottoms are outstanding. The ones made by Sekri or Halys for the Marines are top notch. I am tall and thin so I took my size large long Halys waffle fleece top to the tailor and had it tapered through the trunk to fit me closely as you would do with a dress shirt. Wow, What a huge difference that made. That thing is almost too warm. Wait til the offseason and you can get them on eBay for $30 in nearly new condition.

Also the surplus polypros are available in all sorts of oddball sizes eg large short. I’m 6-3 and 205 lb so I need large long. Have not found large long in commercial polypros. Thanks Paul!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:44:55 +0000

In reply to Bill Ebt. Thanks for the input.

By: Bill Ebt

Bill Ebt — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 10:28:04 +0000

I’ve been wearing them for 2 years now and I don’t like them. The ankle fit is all wrong and there is no ankle band. The whole thing slides up under outerwear.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 19:09:03 +0000

In reply to Baba Jaga. The true effective way to be green-friendly is to purchase fewer regardless of material. Less consumption and more ““Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”. Anything else is capitalistic green washing.

By: Baba Jaga

Baba Jaga — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 17:56:52 +0000

I realized it’s not the merino but plastic bottles stretched to look like a fabric in chemical process. I do not think it’s healthy to absorb plastic via skin, same as consuming water from plastic bottle. So much talk about saving environment and allowing production of plastics and recycling in more chemicals. Recycling cotton, wool, silk sounds smart and real care of the earth. The biggest organ deserves to get a better fabric to touch. 11 % of polyester would maybe be ok (?)but not the other way. The advertising on box is misleading. Costco could do better as exemple.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:12:17 +0000

In reply to Dave.

R-Value is for pads typically; use CLO value for clothing.
https://roastsurvey.com/blog-post/understanding-clo-values/

It’s probably similar to the CLO value of other thermals of similar thickness and material. I encourage you to research if this type of info if it interests you.

Otherwise, I find the clothing provides the same wicking ability and warmth as similar garments I’ve used over the years.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 04:46:12 +0000

In reply to Paul Mags. Do you have any knowledge of the R value of this material in comparison with other synthetics?

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:58:04 +0000

In reply to Dave. Thanks for the feedback but my experience, about a decade with various pairs, is very different.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:52:36 +0000

These materials stretch in weird ways. Pullin them over ur feet they snap up ur legs, requiring u to pull em back down. They don’t stretch enough to get over ur heel and cling to ur ankle. I find they require u to manipulate them at every curve of ur body to get em on. And getting em off… They don’t have enough elastic properties, Leaving u snug in some areas while loose in others. Maybe that’s why we don’t wear plastic bottles as clothes. Keep tinkering ur almost there.