Introduction:
These are black, thin gloves of non-scratchy, stretchy "superfine" Merino wool. You can find a more detailed description in my Initial Report. Also, I have discussed how they performed in most conditions which I consider to be of interest to backpackers like me in my Field Report. This report only deals with the few additional findings I have made in the Long Term Testing phase.

Field Experience:
These gloves have accompanied me literally everywhere I went in the Long Term Testing period, just as during the Field Testing phase. They've seen some more of the woods around where we live and the stretch to work (on my bicycle), as well as having accompanied me into the German/Luxembourg Nature Preserve for four days. I have worn them rather regularly into June, on cool mornings, both hiking and on my bicycle. In actual summer, I've used them on a cold night in my hammock, for stealth on a night hike (to cover my hands - dirt would have done the trick, too) and for protection when gathering (lots of) firewood. They did not see much precipitation, but some wind.

Warmth:
Too warm for summer, really. But why would I wear gloves in summer? Only if my hands were getting chilled by wind on a cool morning, maybe - or if I felt that the night has gotten colder than expected by the time I enter my hammock. I've encountered the former scenario many times, the latter twice. The gloves worked really well in the former, as was to be expected from my Field Report. In the latter, they worked well when I put them on in the beginning, while my hands were still warm. I assume this is because once my body gets chilled it reduces circulation to the extremities. Once circulation is reduced, my hands don't warm up again by themselves without some other effect boosting circulation. At any rate, I have felt that putting these gloves on at night when my hands were cold did little to warm them (I have noticed the same phenomenon in relation to my feet and warmer socks). Once I've kick started circulation (running around the hammock a few times at night, followed by some knee-bends and push-ups), the gloves kept my hands warm.

Durability:
Having worn them some more has not made them look more worn, with one exception: When gathering firewood at night, I put them on because it was getting just a little bit cold and to give my hands a modicum of protection when encountering broken twigs etc. (we did this without a light). The gloves gave what little protection I expected of them (I've noted in my Field Report that they aren't the equal of "protection gloves"). They also incurred a few sap stains, however. I was able to get some of the sap off and make the gloves non-sticky where some sap remained by scrubbing my hands with dirt (without taking the gloves off). Washing has removed most, but not all of the remaining sap. The right glove now has a small, somewhat lighter patch on the palm where some sap seems to have become a permanent part of the glove. While this is a direct sign that the gloves aren't new anymore, it is both the only sign and not a problem. It isn't sticky and I can feel no difference.

Summary:
I love these gloves. They are so small and light that I don't notice taking them with me. Around here, with temperatures usually not far below freezing, they provide all the warmth I need in a very small, light package and do not insulate me from my environment - I like that a lot. I'm the type who'd rather wear a broad-brimmed waterproof hat when it's raining than pull up a tight-fitting hood, and the gloves fit this approach - well, like a glove. I know I won't be going back to my thicker winter gloves. Should I get the chance for an extended trip where I expect harsher conditions, I guess I will go for thin, light, waterproof/breathable mittens under which I will wear the Ibex Wool Liner Gloves. Should make for a take-anywhere package that's still light and compact. In my usual climate, I consider this pair of gloves, together with a multi-functional head covering ("Buff") to be *the* colder-weather combination, extending my hiking comfort range downward by at least 5 C (9 F) at a weight penalty of only 100 g (just over 3 oz).

Pros/Cons:
Pro: Light. Pack small. Make my hands feel a nice bit warmer whenever I want them to. Hold up well to moderate use.
Con: Get soaked by rain. Tree sap won't come out.

Thanks to Ibex Outdoor Clothing and BackpackGearTest.org for letting me test this cool item.

Personal Biographical Information:
Name: André Corterier
Gender: M
Age: 33
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight: 80 kg (175 lb)
Email: andreDOTcorterierATfreenetDOTde
Home: Bonn, Germany

Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking in my late teens using Europe’s "InterRail"-System – weight hardly mattered, as we were on trains a lot. I recently rediscovered backpacking and have started out slowly – single-day 15 mile (24 km) jaunts by myself or even shorter hikes in the company of my little daughter. I am getting started on longer hikes, as a lightweight packer and hammock-camper. I’ve begun upgrading my old gear and am now shooting for a dry FSO weight (everything carried From the Skin Out except food, fuel and water) of about 10 kg (22 lb) for three-season camping. Not quite there yet.

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Long Term Report

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