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Ibex Wool
Glove Liner
Long
Term Report
By : Shaheen Patel
Date : 10th October, 2005
This Long Term Report is
supplemental to and should be read in conjunction with my Initial
and Field
Report for the product.
Product
Information
| Product:
|
Wool Glove Liner
(Ibextremeties) |
| Manufacturer:
|
Ibex |
| Website: |
http://www.ibexwear.com |
| Year of
Manufacture: |
2004 |
| Size: |
Extra Small |
| Color: |
Black |
| Material: |
Merino Wool with
Lycra blend |
| MSRP |
$25 US |
| Listed Weight: |
1.3 oz (36.85 g) |
Product
Description
The Ibex Wool Glove
Liners are lightweight gloves made of fine Merino wool/Lycra blend.
They are designed to be worn alone, or inside another glove as a liner.
Test Location:
The product was
tested in the Sierra Nevadas, California and on various trails in
Northern California for 7 months, March through September. The
weather conditions ranged from snow and drizzle to chilly conditions,
with temperatures from 20F (-6C) to 60F (33C). I have used these
gloves in the summer too.
Field
Experience:
Over a period of seven months, I have used these gloves
extensively, carrying them on every backpacking and hiking trip I have
gone to. On chillier days I have used them for my evening walks
too!! They are so light and take such little space that I don't
have to think twice before I shove them into my pocket. On quite
a few occasions I have taken them with the 'just in case I need them'
attitude, and have been glad that I did indeed carry them.
I continued testing the product for the
following features:
Fit and Ease of Use
Even after extensive use
(and abuse on occasions) the gloves continue to fit me perfectly.
I was expecting the fit to loosen up over a period of time, due to the
use, but that has not been the case.
In fact the 'extra
space' I had initially reported seems to have gone after a regular wear
and wash. There definitely is some shrinkage, which has worked in
my favour as far as the fit is concerned. But then given that the
product has wool-blend, a little shrinkage is to be expected. The
fit is still very comfortable and the material soft and stretchy to
touch. The gloves have retained their original shape and
look.
The ease of use is one of
the reasons that I carry this pair on almost all my trips. I have
been able to setup and pull-down camp wearing the gloves, which is a
big win for me, as it offers protection against the early morning and
late night chilly temperatures. The material allows for a good
grip as opposed to the bulkier gloves I had been using
previously.
Due to the fraction of
shrinkage that I experienced, the fit is snugger and when used as a
liner for the bulkier gloves, it feels more comfortable. Also,
the earlier con I had experienced of the liner coming off if I
removed the outer thicker glove no longer exists.
Warmth
My experience on the
warmth factor has been consistent with the findings reported in the
Field Report. These glove liners offer perfect protection in
conditions which are cold but not brutal. Once my fingers warmed
up, the gloves retained the heat factor, without toasting them.
Wet/Damp
conditions
Though the gloves did not get wet
very easily in snowy conditions, when I fell into a stream, it was a
different experience altogether. Yes, they did get soaking wet,
instantly. Peeling off the wet gloves was very easy, as was squeezing
the excess water out. They dried off pretty fast, which is a big
plus over the other fleece glove liners that I was using earlier.
Drying
Once the excess moisture is
squeezed out, the glove liner dried off within 30 minutes in the
sun. This is really quick drying, especially given the fact that
it has a wool component, which typically takes longer to dry out.
Wear and Tear
I have used the product both as liners with other gloves when
required, but have also used them a lot just as an outer layer.
Using them by themselves, especially around the campsites, conducting
various activities from tent pitching to camp cooking, I expected the
material to show wear. However, the pair is as good as new each
time I wash it after my trip.
There are some minor snags due to the fact that I was brushing aside
thick shrub trying to find my path on one of the trails. But
given the number of times, and the duration I have worn the
gloves, the wear and tear does not show at all. Despite the
delicate feel and look, the product is holding up very well to the
outdoor usage.
The stitching and seams are still very
tight and strong.
Summary
Overall I am extremely
pleased with the product and the quality offered. And since they
are so light and take such little space to carry, I have started
carrying them in my car glove compartment, carrying the 'just in
case I need them' attitude a step further; and am glad I do, as
they have come in very handy on the occassions I have given in to my
whim to swing by the beach for an evening walk.
I totally love the Ibex Wool Glove
Liners. Thank you for the opportunity to let me test this product.
Personal
Information
Name:
Shaheen Patel
Age:
40
Gender:
Female
Height:
5 feet 2 inches (1.5 m)
Weight:
115 pounds (52 kg)
Email
address: shaheen_patel@yahoo.com
Backpacking
Background
I am relatively new
to backpacking. But having started again this year, I have
rediscovered the passion and have been very aggressive, with the number
of trips, the mileage and the intensity. Most of my
trips this year have been in Northern California, which I hope to
amend next summer.
I still need
to work on packing and carrying less weight than I currently do.
My 'just in case I need it' attitude does not always work in my favour,
especially at the end of a long day, when every extra pound feels like
a ton in weight.
I have been very lucky to have found some cool and experienced
folks to go backpacking with, which make the experience even more
enjoyable. The weekends that I am not backpacking, I am hiking
locally, on one of the very many Bay Area, California trails.
Read more reviews of Ibex gear
Read more gear reviews by Shaheen Patel
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