Mission Workshop – The Hayes Shirt Review
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Mission Workshop – The Hayes Shirt
Is is possible to look stylish while wearing performance apparel? You bet! The Hayes shirt from Mission Workshop is an Oxford style shirt that is designed like performance apparel that keeps you cool when looking good. Mission Workshop is a company out of San Francisco that builds tough beautiful clothing and accessories. The history of this company started over 20 years ago designing bags and clothing for cyclists and has since branched out to meet the apparel needs of elite teams such as Navy Seals, Fighter Pilots, CIA and other demanding professionals.
Hot might be an understatement for the weather this summer. As I spent time in Northern Michigan the thermometers were pushing 95 degrees and the humidity was high. This kind of weather pushes any piece of clothing to the limit let alone a long sleeve casual shirt. Over the past couple of weeks I have spent time walking the streets of Charlevoix in the Mission Workshop Hayes shirt hoping to find some relief from the heat all the while looking good on the town.
Initial Thoughts on the Mission Workshop Hayes Shirt
The Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt is one nice looking shirt. That being said it should look nice, since it does carry a hefty price tag of $190. The shirt I have been testing out is the Charcoal Chambray coloration. I have chosen a medium shirt as my build is 5’ 10” and I weigh 165 pounds. This shirt is designed to either be worn dressed up or dressed down. It is button up with a front breast pocket that is accessed from the side.
The Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt is an Oxford Shirt and has a pretty heavy weight to the material. The material is a called 37.5 and it is considered by Mission Workshop as a ultra performance material that is made to keep you cool even when it is hot.
Most performance materials will wick moisture away from the body. This spreads out the sweat and allows it to evaporate from the apparel. After some extensive research in Japan, the material 37.5 was created to tackle the issue of overheating with an innovative approach. Instead of wicking the liquid sweat, 37.5 is created to allow the sweat to evaporate from the body before it ever pools up on the skin. The sweat is supposed to leave in vapor form keeping you dry and comfortable. The performance of this shirt also is not adversely affected by washing.
Fit of the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt
If there is a dress shirt that can perform like the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt claims I am sold. I don’t even care what the price is. Growing up in the mountains of Colorado I know how to handle cold. Hot humid conditions are a different story. I just melt in muggy heat and have my entire life. When I found out about the 37.5 material and testing a Mission Workshop The Hayes shirt I jumped at the chance as I have found nothing that comes close to being comfortable and stylish. This shirt could be a real game changer.
The fit of the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt is a bit off for me. I chose medium size as I am 5’10” and 165 pounds but would probably move up to a large. I often border between large and medium sizes but on my dress clothes I do like a form fit. The Hayes Shirt is a bit tight in the shoulders and in the forearms for me. If I was a bit thinner in these regions of my body, this shirt would wear well.
Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt Front
Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt Back
Performance of the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt
Aside from being a little on the small side the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt was great to wear. The breathability of this shirt was impressive. I have worn this shirt to work and out on the town with great results. As a teacher in a non air conditioned classroom I could be up moving around with a group of middle schoolers without the worry about becoming a sweaty mess. At a price point of $190 I am not sure that I would make the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt a teaching shirt as the chance of apparel casualty is far too common in a middle school science classroom. Even though this shirt will not be a teaching staple in my work situation, it proved itself in the hot conditions.
The Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt really shines when out on the town. The real test for this shirt was a muggy crowded bar in the lake town in Northern Michigan. It was hot, sticky, and humid and the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt performed as advertised for hours on end. It was a great feeling to not have to worry about sweating through my shirt so I could keep my focus on a fun night out. Where was this 37.5 material when I was in college and hot crowded bars were common? Throughout the night the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt Fit shirt allowed for sweat evaporation so I never became sticky or wet. The moisture continued to evaporate keeping the shirt dry and looking good.
Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt on the Town
Unlike most performance apparel that smells rancid after use the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt does not pick up odor nearly as quick. I definitely have worn the shirt on back-to-back occasions without worry about offending anyone.
Specs on the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt Taken Directly From the Mission Workshop Website
- MSRP $190
- 37.5® ultra-high-performance vapor management technology
- Odor-resistant
- Performance features never wash out
- No chemical finishes
- Highly breathable
- Comfort stretch
- Super durable
- Machine washable
- Tailored construction
- Side-entry breast pocket
- Pen pocket
- 60% Cotton / 40% 37.5® Polyester
- Made in the USA
Final Thoughts on the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt
If you have the cash for a great shirt that will keep you cool in hot conditions then look no further than the Mission Workshop The Hayes Shirt. At $190 it may be your priciest shirt but it will probably be one of your most comfortable when the thermometer rises.
For more information on The Hayes and other Mission Workshop products, visit missionworkshop.com
