Product Information:
Manufacturer:	Ibex
Year of manufacture:	2005
Website:	http://www.ibexwear.com
MSRP:	$30 USD
Weight:	Average weight of 2 oz (57 g)
Weight as tested:	1.5 oz (43 g) for the size large 1.25 oz (35 g) for the medium
From the Website:	description: Climawool Lite® in a low-profile design that sheds snow and cheats the wind. specs: -Climawool Lite® -Softshell Fabric -Merino Interior -Average Weight 2 oz -USA best uses: Low profile, lightweight Climawool® softshell performance beanie for: - Nordic skiing - Winter running/cycling - Snowshoeing - Ultra-racing

Product description:
    The hat is made of a very nice, light-blue Climawool Lite® with a smooth outer and a slightly brushed inner. From the outside the hat looks like any other softshell fabric, but on the inside the slightly brushed fabric (very similar to Schoeller Dryskin's brushed inner), is in fact a thin layer of Merino wool, woven into the shell. The headband is lined with a thin, but tightly woven layer of Merino (non-itch) wool for warmth on the inside and Climawool Lite on the outside, and it can be worn either down or rolled up for ventilation.
   Constructed out of a single headband with four, roughly triangular sections of fabric forming the top of the hat, all of the seams in the hat are sewn flat, and the workmanship is excellent. The hat also has an embroidered Ibex logo over the forehead. As the hat is designed to stretch a bit, it may be worthwhile to order the medium unless ones head is in excess of 65 cm (25.6 in) in circumference, as the size Large headband measures 58 cm (22.8 in) in circumference and fitted fairly loosely on my 65 cm (or 25.6 in) head; the hat covers my ears when worn normally. The hat also bears hang tags detailing the advantages of Climawool Lite. For a more complete description please see my Initial Report.

Test Conditions:
    In the two months that I've had the Scull Cap I've used it both as a normal everyday cap around town as well as while biking, climbing, jogging and hiking. Temperatures have ranged from a little below freezing, to the low 20's (in degrees Celsius) (which translates into a bit over 68 Fahrenheit), and the weather has ranged from light hail/snow, to truly miserable multi-day rainstorms, which in turn have become some of the nicest spring days that I can remember.

My take on the hat:
    I'm glad to report that the sizing issue that I encountered in my Initial Report has been resolved and that all of my comments from here on in pertain to the regular size cap (53.5 cm or 20.6 in in circumference at the headband and it fits trim/tight on me) on my 65 cm (25.6 in) head. For those interested, the large size had a headband circumference of 58 cm (22.8 in), but on account of the stretch of the fabric fits a much larger head then mine.

    Warmth wise I've found that the Scull Cap is comparable to either headwear made out of Scholer Dryskin or maybe a little cooler then a 100 weight Powerstretch cap. The midweight wool lined earband is noticeably warmer then the rest of the hat, and the cap is comfortable for aerobic activity in coolish spring weather.

    One of the nicest features of the cap is the way that the Climawool Lite fabric seems to block about 85 percent of the wind but also allows uninterrupted hearing, unlike many fleece laminates. This is really nice as when biking I can hear traffic coming up on me from behind, and the fact that the hat is not completely windproof and merely cuts the wind means that it helps prevent me from overheating while still keeping me comfortable. As for the Climawool Lite's ability to resist rain, I've found the hat's DWR to be OK but not outstanding and the hat to be a nice piece of gear for intermittent light to medium rain. Any heavier and I'm looking for an umbrella or a hood.

    In my experience the wool lining has been fairly absorbent and I have yet to have any issues with sweat trickling into my eyes from underneath the cap. Also the hat has yet to acquire any smell and this means that it has yet to see the inside of a washing machine, not bad for more then a months regular use.

    I've found the headband of the hat to fit fairly tight but not uncomfortably so on my head, coming low almost to my eyebrows, with a high volume crown. This has seemed somewhat uncomfortable and funny looking on me, so I've started rolling the hem of the hat up a bit with great success (it looks something like a Watchcap), although this does expose parts of my ears. The hat works really well under both a cycling helmet and a climbing helmet (Petzl Elios), nicely cutting the wind while allowing some hearing and not so warm that I quickly overheat when working.

    Overall I'd have to say that Ibex has a great product with their Scull Cap, which lives up to all expectations, but that they could improve its fit somewhat.

Things I like:

Soft.
Warm.
Windproof, but I can still hear.
Very comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Provides a decent amount of warmth.
Fits under helmets well.
Looks nice

Things I dislike:

Fits a bit funny on me.

Suggested Improvements:
While I really like how that hat performs, I'd like to see some modifications made to its fit. First, I'd like to see Ibex add a headwear sizing chart to their website, and secondly I'd like to see them bring the fit of the Scull Cap to be more in line with a beanie. Specifically I'd like to see Ibex lower the volume of crown and use six or eight panel construction in place of four, to give the crown a more natural and less boxy look. But really these comments are just for me, and for someone else the cap may fit and look wonderful, Ibex really does have a great product here.

Personal Information:
Name:	Rob Patterson
Age:	21
Gender:	Male
Height:	5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)
Weight:	150 pounds (68 kg)
Email address:	robpatterson5 <at> gmail <dot> com
Address:	Southern Ontario, Canada
Date:	May 9, 2005

Backpacking Background:
I'm an avid backpacker, and have hiked through most of Canada. Because of a number of factors I tend to use heavy to mid-weight gear but am looking at moving towards lightweight backpacking. Thus far, I've always used tents, and heavyweight backpacks. I also am an avid white-water paddler, long distance canoeist, and in the winter ski downhill, cross-country (skate and classic), climb (rock and ice), and snowshoe.

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