First of all, this is a great little blog. I am very much digging it as I plan my grand expedition.

I've noticed the pricing on the web of the various high-end (and high-priced) travel clothing and then I saw your mention of Campmor's website.

It's very difficult to tell the difference between an ExOfficio, a Royal Robbins and a Campmor Men's travel shirt across the web, but the 3-1 price difference sure jumps out.

Have you (or has anyone?) used the Campmor brand clothing and is there a significant difference between it and the high-end brands (or is it all in the label?)

I haven't used Campmor but have tried other off brands. Usually the cut is less generous - especially around the neck and through the shoulders. I've also found that the stitching is not as tight, and the buttons (if any) further apart, which leads to gaps. For ladies clothing, the shirts are built for a small man instead of a more feminine (tailored) cut. A larger busted woman can look utterly frumpy in this sort of cut. Another place they cut corners is with the zippers - intead of the more expensive hidden zippers, the regular ones are used. There can also be a difference in the weight of the fabric in relation to how it tears or snags. I find that the more expensive shirts are light weight but still snag resistant. Cheaper shirts may also pill - you won't find that out until several washings. Another factor is the UPF rating - this can vary with the type of fabric.

In short, these kind of shirts can really vary. If you find a cheap brand that works for you - great! Otherwise the name brands like Ex Officio, Columbia, Royal Robbins are pretty much a "sure thing" in regard to minimum standards.

I've found Ex Officio to be truly worth the extra money. Try Sierra Trading Post to get last year's colors at a significantly reduced price. Since their inventory keeps changing, you need to keep checking back to find your size/color.