Atayne POV Shirt Review and Company Discussion
October 13, 2008 by Bryon Powell · 7 Comments
Atayne is an Arlington, Virginia based start up that makes technical shirts using recycled plastic and non-toxic chemicals. The Atayne story begins with a red shirt the toxic dye from which bled significantly the first time that Atayne co-founder, Jeremy Litchfield, wore it. From there, Atayne developed a pair of men’s and women’s technical tops that are made from recycled plastic and use Cocona (activated carbon from coconut shells) as a microbial inhibitor. Having tried one of these shirts, we can attest that it fits well, wicks moisture adequately, and doesn’t smell any worse than other technical shirts treated with silver or other nasty stuff. In other words, it’s a fully functioning tech shirt that comes without the guilt of buying a virgin-petroleum based shirt as well as the comfort of that comes from not being exposed to any nasty chemicals.
One of our favorite things about Atayne’s Point of View line of shirts are their slogans. The one we tried read “Run Hard, Tread Lightly,” while our favorite, the 4R shirt reads, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Run.” Kinda catchy, huh? All of Atayne’s shirts are currently offered in moss (green), glacier (blue), and stone (gray). You can buy the shirts from Atayne for $38 – about what name brand tech shirts go for these days. You can get free shipping on any Atayne order by entering the code – friendirunfar – in the Coupon Code/Promotional Code Field when you check out.
Atayne is also trying to be a good steward outside of the clothing realm. For instance, the company held a competition at a race this summer to see which team could collect the most trash along the course. (Read about it.) Rumor is Atayne will hold a trash collection event in the DC metro area later this fall. We hope that happens.
- The Story of a Red Shirt – Jeremy Litchfield – A good way to get updates re where Atayne is and where they want it to go. It’s also interesting for the in-depth, behind the scenes account of an entrepreneurial experience.
- Polka Dot Shorts – Mike Hall – Only one post so far, but you simply must watch the video in the post’s The Motivation section.
So what do y’all think of Atayne? Anyone else tried their shirts? Anyone going to?
Related articles:
- Atayne Earth Week Contest on iRunFar.com We’re excited to announce that Atayne is sponsoring an Earth Week contest here on iRunFar.com. We’ve previously written about Atanye and their sweet POV shirts. As for performance, Bryon just...
- Atayne Earth Week Contest Winners Ok, with added suspense here are the winners of the 5 $50 gift certificates in that Atayne/iRunFar Earth Week contest. If you are among the following, please contact iRunFar with...
- The iRunFar Store Launches! Take a look at the iRunFar store!...
Filed under Apparel ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
I am an avid Atayne-wearing runner and have now rounded out my collection to one of each POV in each color (which pretty much guarantees I only have to do running-clothes laundry once per week! That saves A LOT of water.). I love these shirts. I’ve tested them out on trails, on the road, in sticky heat, and I can’t wait to try them out on the Black Forest Trail, skiing, and training for my first ultra. The ladies’ shirts are great and they actually are cut to fit our shape, which is hard to find these days. Nothing over-the-top, and nothing flashy/in your face. Just a really high quality running shirt that does exactly what it claims to do, that’s really all we need. Best part, these guys really live what they preach. Very down to earth, and really believe in what they do. It really is an honor to volunteer alongside them, and always a great time. I volunteered doing course clean-up at the Maine Marathon last weekend and got an excellent first-hand experience with what it’s all about. These guys are for real, and I can’t wait for the next course clean-up. Somehow they make picking up sticky Gu packets, water cups and used kleenex from the side of the road enjoyable :)
Paige,
Thanks for the perspective on the women’s shirts and the race clean up.
I look forwrd to seeing you on the Black Forest Trail in November.
I am an Atayne fan as well: inspired by the story and the mission, and impressed by the performance of the shirts.
Up until Atayne, I had pretty well abandoned tech shirts in favor of merino wool. I am still a fan of wool, but noticed that the really lightweight wool shirts for summer running can’t hang in the durability department.
My Atayne shirt has held up well across the board–sweat (moisture is too nice a word for running in the heat!) wicking, keeps odor to a minimum (like wool), and extremely comfortable. A go to shirt, for sure.
Another bonus of a small company–you deal directly with the folks in charge. They are accessible and looking for feedback. And as you have mentioned with race clean-up, activism, and the like, they are engaged and walk their talk.
Nice review Trail Goat, and good show Atayne! –Mike V.
Thanks for the review Bryon! And thanks for the kind words Paige and Mike. It's people like you spreading the word that will build this 'peanut butter & jelly eating start up'. In return for your gracious comments, Atayne promises to continue to lead with it's values first – just as we did in the design of our performance tops :)
Trail Goat – we will get something together soon regarding the PHT – that's a promise.
Thanks again
Mike,
It’s a pleasure watching a great little company grow up and succeed.
I sure hope I’m around the day of the PHT clean up. I ran with a 16 pound pack yesterday, so I’m go to go on garbage hauling.
Got my new Atayne shirt (Moss Green – Run Hard, Tread Lightly) in the mail yesterday. Super Fast Shipping!!! It’s nice to deal with a company that has the main man working the front line!
Went out for my first run in it today. 10 miles of technical single track later and I was one impressed runner. It held up well! Nice and lightweight, breathable, and it smelled better then me when I finished.
I don’t know if it was the green color or the catch slogan on the shirt, but I noticed so much more trash on my trail today, so I got to work and by the end of my run all my pockets where packed with trash. I’ve decided that when ever I run in my Atayne shirt, it will be trash pick-up day.
Thanks Atayne for a real product with a real important message! That’s a win-win combo you got going for you and for the rest of us as we catch on to your business model.
If any men are looking to purchase an Atayne shirt don’t be afraid to go one size smaller then usual. You’ll find the fit perfect!
I went for the first run in my new Atayne 4Rs shirt and loved it. Really good quality, comfortable and light weight.
I agree with Will regarding the sizing: I took an extra small versus my normal small (and sometimes even medium) from other manufacturers.
It was also great dealing with Jeremy – the service was exemplary!
I’m an Atayne fan!