• 100% Merino wool; dense knit outer surface, interlock interior surface.
• New for Fall '04
• Merino Wool
• Mid-weight warmth
• Reversible
• No itch
• Easy care. Machine washable.
• Average Weight 2.2 oz.
• USA
• It's there when you need it: coldest day, fiercest conditions.

Description [return to top] The Neck Gaiter is part of IBEX’s Ibextremities series, made with (according to the tag) “100% SUPERWASH MERINO WOOL”. It is a tightly woven reversible tube made to fit around the neck, preventing drafts like a scarf, but without the hassle of tying it on. There are two seams on the front, tapering inward in curves from top to bottom, presumably to allow shaped flexing around the chin.

The Neck Gaiter is Rock Red (a brick-like red) on the outside, with a Graphite (dark grey) IBEX logo on the front, and is Graphite on the inside. I can see that reversing it is perfectly possible, but the tags on the back would be visible. The gaiter stretches easily over my head, tucks neatly into my collar, and can be worn either under or over the line of my chin depending on the amount of protection I want.

First Impressions [return to top] Although the website did not give measurements, and there is no entry on their sizing chart for the gaiter or hats, I found the remainder of the site informative and received pretty much what I expected.

Field Information [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 to 30 ºF (-4 to -1 ºC) to highs around 95 to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC). Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 2,000’ (610 m). All of these events will likely involve a significant amount of time spent just standing around, watching and/or supervising the boys. I wear a hat year-round when outdoors, and I generally do not wear hoods or scarves. This limits me to high-collared jackets in cold weather. A gaiter could remove that restriction, and give me some additional flexibility. My weekends, when not working during the day, are spent outdoors as much as possible. The gaiter will be with me nearly every day of the testing period – to include to and from work, camping and hiking, and Boy Scout trips – so it should get quite a durability workout. Besides, it will get my lady off my back about the condition of the jacket I’ve been wearing lately.

Things I am/will be looking for: Fit. Does it fit me? Is the sizing on the web site accurate? Fabric. Is the Merino durable (I have no prior experience with the fabric)? Does it stretch? Does it fade? Is it windproof? Waterproof? Does it pill, pull, or snag readily? Warmth. How cold can it get out and still keep me warm? Does it ventilate well? Comfort. Am I constantly aware of the gaiter, or does it just seem to disappear while I am wearing it? Can I wear it comfortably while sleeping? Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Does it dry well? Does it hold much dirt in the first place?

Things I like [return to top] Light. Compact. Comfortable. Warm. Things I don't like [return to top] None yet.

Backpacking Background [return to top] My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. I spent 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology – when I got out, I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and a car accident have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and take a closer look at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it to 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Clothing > Accessories > Ibex Neck Gaiter > Chuck Kime > Initial Report