Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > IBEX Journey Long Sleeve Crew > Test Report by Marina Batzke

IBEX JOURNEY LONG SLEEVE CREW SHIRT
TEST SERIES BY MARINA BATZKE
LONG-TERM REPORT
June 04, 2022

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
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TESTER INFORMATION

I converted from day hiking and car camping to backpacking in 2013. My backpacking trips are one or two weekend excursions per month in Southern California. The locations range from Joshua Tree National Park desert areas in the cooler months to mountainous elevations in the summer months. I always hike with a group and like the gear talk in camp. While I am looking for ways to lighten my pack, I am not an ultra-lighter: I like sleeping in a tent with a sleeping bag on a comfortable pad. In January 2017, I added snowshoeing to my winter activities.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: IBX Brands LLC. doing business as Ibex
Year of Manufacture: 2022
Manufacturer's Website: http://ibex.com
MSRP: US$98.00
Listed Weight: 5.4 oz (153 g) for size S shirt
Measured Weight: 5.7 oz (162 g) for my size L shirt
Other details: The IBEX Journey is available in a men's and a women's style.
The women's style is available in five colors: Sophora Japonica (like a fall golden yellow), Sea Green (darker green), Soft Moss (lighter green), Terracotta (like a rusty red), Black
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

the soft moss Ibex shirt

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I received the Ibex Journey long sleeve crew shirt in women's size L and soft moss color. The shirt was protected inside a clear plastic bag, which was inside a brown envelope for transportation. Two cardboard tags with company and product features were attached to the shirt with a small safety pin and a short fabric band = no plastic used.

The first cardboard tag describes how Ibex has teamed up with Climate Neutral, a non-profit organization that helps Ibex create carbon neutral products and be a carbon-neutral company.

The second cardboard tag describes how Ibex does not use ordinary wool but merino wool that is antibacterial, moisture wicking, renewable and sustainable, breathable, features odor control, requires minimal care, is wrinkle resistant packable, SPF (sun protection factor) resistant and thermo-regulating.

I immediately liked the soft light green color. A close inspection showed all seams to be flawless and perfectly sewn. The fabric is soft and pleasant to touch. On the left lower arm, the Ibex logo is embroidered in shirt-color matching green.

the embroidered Ibex logo

The manufacturer Ibex describes the shirt fabric as 89% Merino Wool and 11% Nylon (as core for durability), natural moisture wicking and odor-resistant material.

On the manufacturer's website the shirt is described as regular fit, and shall be the first layer. That is a bit unusual for me, since I always wear a thin undershirt and next a colored shirt like this.

A size M shirt is described with a center back shirt length of 26 in (66 cm). My size L shirt has the same center back shirt length of 26 in (66 cm). In the front, from the top of the collar to the very bottom, the L size shirt measures 21.75 in (55 cm). The front of the shirt measures 2 in (5 cm) shorter than the back.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Imprinted into the shirt on its inside back, I find the care instructions. Only machine wash cold. Neither use fabric softeners nor bleach. Possible to iron cool if needed. Line drying recommended.

the imprinted label

TRYING IT OUT

I had reviewed the sizing chart on the manufacturer's website before deciding on this size and determined size L. Now I can say: L fits me - their chart was correct.

On my L size shirt, the collar circumference is 21 in (53 cm). I like that the shirt collar is not low cut. I don't like my neck getting burned when under the bright California sun and I often wear a neck scarf with low cut shirts to prevent sunburn on my neck.

I measure a 26 in (66 cm) sleeve length. I like that the sleeve fabric goes beyond my wrist and covers a bit of my hand. Less chance of getting sunburn on my wrist.

Before wearing new clothing, I always give it a first wash. I washed the Ibex Journey with my colored laundry at cool setting. I hung the shirt to dry. It touched dry a few hours later and looks perfectly fine without any ironing. I have not yet worn the shirt to determine how the merino wool fabric feels on my skin long term.

SUMMARY

The Ibex Journey long sleeve crew shirt is a light weight merino wool based shirt. I like the shirt fit and its color that much, I can easily see myself wearing the Ibex Journey to work and while out in nature.

LIKES:
soft, pleasant fabric to the touch (not yet worn long-time)
care instructions imprinted (not a scratchy sewn-in label)
nice light green color (called soft moss)
ideal collar circumference
perfect sleeve length
great fit (manufacturer's online sizing chart helped)

DISLIKES:
none

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Weekly Sunday morning walks on Palos Verdes, Southern California, USA
on average 3.2 mi (5 km) with minor ups and downs
Temps ranging from 65 F - 85 F (18 C - 30 C)

Palos Verdes Dayhike, Southern California, USA
4.4 mi (7 km) with 245 ft (75 m) elevation gain
sunny with a beautiful blue sky
Temp 72 F (22 C)

Tanoble Drive to Henninger Flats Dayhike, Southern California, USA
9 mi (14.5 km) with 2500 ft (760 m) elevation gain
sunny with a light white cloud dusting in the afternoon
Temps from 60 F (16 C) in the early morning to 71 F (22 C) in the afternoon

Deukmejian Park to Mt. Lukens Dayhike, Southern California, USA
10 mi (16.1 km) with 2900 ft (884 m) elevation gain
sunny with a beautiful blue sky
Temp 78 F (26 C)

Chino Hills State Park Dayhike, Southern California, USA
13.7 mi (22 km) with 1369 ft (417 m) elevation gain
sunny and warm with a bright blue sky
Temp 68 - 75 F (20 - 24 C)

Placerita Canyon State Park Dayhike, Southern California, USA
7.1 mi (11.4 km) with 1662 ft (507 m) elevation gain
cold, overcast, stiff breeze to strong wind on exposed ridges
Temp 55 F (13 C)

Sam Merrill Trail to Mt. Lowe Dayhike, Southern California, USA
13.7 mi (22 km) with 3776 ft (1151 m) elevation gain
foggy, overcast, lots of moisture in the air
Temp 66 F (19 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Every time I initially put on the IBEX Journey long sleeve shirt, I feel a bit of an itch on my arms and along the neckline. Once I start hiking and I am distracted, I no longer notice the slight itch. During the field testing period, I have always worn a thin, light undershirt underneath the IBEX Journey. Therefore I do not notice any slight itch on the core of my upper body.

On a typical California morning, I have started out wearing a midlayer shirt over the IBEX Journey. Then as I start climbing and my body warms up, I remove the midlayer and I rely on the IBEX Journey with the light undershirt below.

The Placerita Canyon State Park outing was different. The day started cold and the wind increased as I climbed higher. On the exposed ridges the wind felt frigid cold and I put on my rain jacket which acted as a windbreaker. The IBEX Journey worked great below the rain jacket by staying breathable and wicking moisture away from my body. I did not feel any chill underneath the rain jacket, even though the shirt had initially been moist from sweat on my back underneath my daypack, since we had 1662 ft (507 m) elevation gain in the first two mi (3.2 km).

On the Chino Hills hike and the Sam Merrill hike to Mt. Lowes I was sweating a lot. My back underneath my daypack was sweaty moist. For a short while I hiked while tugging my hand between daypack and moist shirt. When we stopped for a snack or lunch break, I removed the daypack and held my back into the sun. Within minutes the IBEX Journey shirt dried up and I put the daypack back on to walk on comfortably.

near Eaton Canyon Falls

Chino Hills State Park

One odd habit I have noticed is that I use my shirt sleeves to wipe sweat of my forehead and out of my eyes. I am building up distance and elevation gain to prepare for a July 4 strenuous backpacking trip and I have noticed that I am sweating a lot due to the elevation gain on my recent hikes. While hiking, I briefly remove my glasses and quickly use the IBEX Journey shirt sleeves to soak up the sweat. The moist sleeve ends dry up quickly and a while later, the procedure repeats. I should pack a bandana ... As a side note: I not only like the long sleeves of the IBEX Journey shirt for their sweat-soaking capabilities but I prefer wearing long-sleeve shirts as protection against the strong Southern California sun.

In an effort to test for odor development, I have worn the IBEX Journey on a Saturday dayhike and on a Sunday weekly morning hike, even have gone grocery shopping afterwards. I have not noticed any sweaty odor. Once I wore the shirt two weekends in a row and still I did not notice any sweaty odor.

I have washed the shirt five times so far, together with my other colored laundry. I have always air-dried the shirt by putting it on a hanger. The IBEX Journey still looks fine and fits me well (it has neither shrunk nor lost its shape). I notice no pulled threads or other imperfections so far.

SUMMARY

The IBEX Journey crew shirt is a breathable long-sleeve shirt, made from merino wool.

Likes:
resists odor very well
regular fit (not too tight on my body)
excellent sleeve length
quick drying

Dislikes:
slight itch when I first put it on

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

2-day/1-night carcamp Mission Creek Preserve, Southern California, USA
strong winds, sunny
2.5 mi (4 km) with 350 ft (100 m) elevation gain
2.5 mi (4 km) with 275 ft (84 m) elevation gain
Temp 88 - 61 F (31 - 16 C)

2-night backpack Henninger Flats, Southern California, USA
3 mi (5 km) with 1320 ft (400 m) elevation gain
7 mi (11 km) with 1550 ft (475 m) elevation gain
3 mi (5 km) down
thick fog each morning, melting away around 11 AM for sunny afternoons
Temp 72 - 50 F (22 - 10 C)

Dayhike Muir Peak, San Gabriel Mountains, USA
12 mi (19 km) with 3000 ft (900 m) elevation gain
sunny to overcast
Temp 70 F (21 C)

Dayhike Three Sisters, Southern California, USA
8 mi (13 km) with 1400 ft (500 m) elevation gain
sunny with a light breeze = a perfect California day
Temp 70 F (21 C)

Dayhike Mount Waterman, San Gabriel Mountains, USA
11.2 mi (18 km) with 2450 ft (750 m) elevation gain
sunny and warm, no breeze
Temp 75 F (24 C)

Dayhike Pleasant View Ridge, San Gabriel Mountains, USA
14 mi (22.5 km) with 3334 ft (1016 m) elevation gain
sunny, long day
Temp 75 F (24 C)

1-night backpack Cooper Canyon Trail Camp, San Gabriel Mountains, USA
8 mi (13 km) with 1300 ft (400 m) elevation gain
sunny but not too hot, just right
Temp 66 - 45 F (19 - 7 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

During the Long Term testing period, temperatures in Southern California have increased and I have typically started my dayhikes and backpacks with the IBEX Journey as primary shirt without any jacket or vest over it. I have always worn a thin, light undershirt underneath the IBEX Journey. I am so used to wearing such an undershirt, even when it is summer warm, I rely on it.

On several occasions, I have worn the IBEX Journey two days in a row, and the shirt did not smell sweaty.

I have recently started increasing my dayhike distances and elevation gain. That has resulted in my back being quite wet underneath the daypack, especially in the lower back area. Every time we stop, I make sure to take my pack off and position my wet back into the sun. With a quick pull to lift the IBEX and the thin undershirt off my back, the fabric starts drying very quickly by the warmth of the sun and I can put my pack back on after a brief 5 - 10 minute break. Such short breaks do not dry the shirt back completely but warm it and take some wetness off. If we take a longer lunch break, 30 min with my back in the sun dry the shirt back.

Now at the end of the long-term testing period, the front of the shirt looks perfectly fine. On the back of the shirt especially in the hip area, I notice light pilling. This seems to be the area where the daypack or backpack rests against my lower back. There is just one tiny small stain dot, likely some tree resin in that area as well. No other stains anywhere else on the shirt. Looks good.

Overall, I notice no holes or pulled threads on the visible shirt outside. Only on the inside in the back of the shirt, the stitching along the low seam has come a bit loose (nothing major). I will pull it in with a needle to make sure the stitching does not unravel with time.

ready for the next hike

back of shirt low seam

SUMMARY

The IBEX Journey crew shirt is a breathable, odor-resistant long sleeve shirt that I will continue to wear on my dayhikes and backpacking outings.

LIKES:
great fit
long sleeves covering beyond my wrists, helping prevent sunburn
pleasant neck circumference (I don't like low cut shirts)
odor-resistant
dries quickly on my back

DISLIKES:
None these days - initially a bit of an itch but I no longer notice it

Thank you to IBEX and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this lightweight crew shirt.

Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > IBEX Journey Long Sleeve Crew > Test Report by Marina Batzke