|
Date:
May 11, 2005
 Product Information
Product Tested: IBEX Scull Cap (#815)
Manufacturer Website: www.http://ibexwear.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Fabric Description: Climawool Lite™ is Skifans fabric made by
Schoeller. It is a stretch woven blend of 72% nylon, 20% merino wool, and
8% spandex. The inner surface is napped merino wool. The fabric has quite
a bit of vertical stretch and minimal horizontal stretch.
Color: Black
Colors Available: Black, blue
Sizes Available: Medium, large
Size Tested: Men’s Large
Weight Listed: average weight is 2 oz (57 g)
Weight as Delivered: 1.5 oz (43 g)
MSRP: $30 US
Product Description
The IBEX Scull Cap, according to the IBEX website is “Climawool
Lite® in a low-profile design that sheds snow and cheats the wind”. It
is a “low-profile, lightweight Climawool® softshell performance beanie
for Nordic skiing, winter running and cycling, snowshoeing, and
ultra-racing”. Product literature claims
that Merino wool does not itch or develop odors, has a broad comfort
range, and is machine washable.
Field
Test Report
In the first two
months of testing (March-April 2005) I have used the Ibex Scull cap on 9
trips totaling 21 days, as follows:
|
Activity |
Days |
|
Day
Hiking |
13 |
|
Backpacking |
5 |
|
Snowshoeing |
3 |
Test
Locations And Conditions—In
March I made two late winter car
camping trips, totaling ten days, to Southern Utah and day hiked in remote
sections of Arches National Park. At Arches we scraped through numerous
slot canyons, explored lots of slickrock, bushwhacked, and scrambled. That
trip was followed by a five-day backpack on the Navaho Reservation in
Northern Arizona, where we hiked through a remote canyon system for five
days. This trip involved a lot of bushwhacking and scrambling, and
numerous creek crossings. After this succession of trips I did three day
trips at home, consisting of a day hike in the rain and three snowshoe
trips.
I encountered a wide variety of weather on these trips. In Utah I had
several windy days where I wore the Scull Cap under my hiking cap for
warmth and to reduce the roar of the wind in my ears. In camp I wore the
cap on cold mornings, evenings, and as a sleeping cap at night. On my
backpacking trip in Arizona I hiked in strong winds and snow showers the
first day, and wore the Scull Cap under my hiking cap for warmth and to
cover my ears from the wind. Nighttime temperatures got down to freezing,
and the Scull Cap was worn for warmth in the mornings, evenings, and as a
sleeping cap at night. Back at home I wore the Scull Cap on a rainy day
hike to see how it would do in the rain. On my snowshoe trips I wore the
Scull Cap under my hiking cap when I got above timberline (11,800 ft/3600
m), where it was breezy and chilly when the sun was blocked by clouds.
Construction And Quality— All seams are flat and
smooth on both the outside and inside to minimize abrasion and to fit
easily under other clothing. Sewing is high quality and very sturdy.
Overall quality of the cap is excellent. I could not find
any flaws.
Features—The top of the
cap has a square shape with four panels sewn together, which is sewn to a
2 in (5 cm) headband. The headband has a moisture absorbing lining. According
to product information, Climawool Lite® does
not smell or itch, the cap has a broad comfort range, and is machine
washable.
Fit and Comfort—The cap
(size large) was snug on my head at first, especially when worn over my
ears. After using it a few times it stretched a bit and now fits
perfectly. The headband has about 2 in (5 cm) of stretch. The inside of
the cap is brushed Merino wool, and feels very comfortable against my
skin.
Measurements—Hat circumference relaxed is 22 in (56 cm),
stretched is 24.3 in (62 cm). Height is about 5 in (13 cm).
 Performance—The Ibex Scull
Cap is the most versatile 1.5 ounces (43 g) in my pack. It is always the
cap I take for extra warmth when I need it. In camp I usually wear the
Scull Cap by itself. In cold/windy hiking conditions I often wear it under
my billed hiking cap (Outdoor Research Sahara Cap) because I like having a
sun visor. By itself, it stays on well in the wind and is quite wind
resistant. It is tall enough to cover my ears, which I really appreciate
in the wind. It seems to ventilate well because I can feel a light breeze
through it when I wear it in the wind. On the trail, I have found it
surprisingly comfortable to wear over a broad range of conditions. In
camp, I have found it to be warm down to about freezing. I wear another
cap over it for colder temperatures. In my hike in the rain the Scull Cap
had no problem shedding a steady rain. I stayed warm as long as I kept
moving.
Durability— I have run into a
few tree stubs while wearing the cap, with no damage to the cap (but a
little damage to me). The Ibex Climawool softshell fabric is tough and
shows no signs of wear.
Washing Instructions—“Machine wash in lukewarm water up
to 88 F (30 C), separately, gentle cycle, inside out. Use a mild detergent
(Ivory Snow). Do not use fabric softener. Do not tumble dry. Hang or lay
flat to dry, cool iron if necessary. May dry clean using any solvent
except trichloroethylene.”
My
Expectations For The Ibex Scull Cap
Following are my expectations for the IBEX Scull Cap from my Initial
Report. I have added a comment or two after each regarding the status of
my testing.
-
Quality,
construction, and fit will be excellent. The cap will provide good
head coverage and maintain a good fit over time. (True. Quality
and construction are excellent. The cap was a little snug at first,
but has loosened up and now fits perfectly.)
-
The
cap will be comfortable to wear against my skin. (True. The inner
brushed wool surface is very comfortable.)
-
The
Scull Cap will be a very useful and versatile, and can be used in a
variety of ways. Other clothing will slide over it easily and it will
stay on my head in wind. (True. I have worn it on a variety of
outings and conditions. It is easy to put on and stays on well. My
hiking cap easily slips over it and then snugs with a cinch strap.)
-
Worn
as a single layer, the Scull Cap will have a broad temperature comfort
range, wick away perspiration, dry quickly, and shed wind and light
showers. (True so far. I am very pleased with its versatility and
performance over a variety of temperatures and conditions.)
-
Worn
as a base layer under another hat, the Scull Cap will be warm, have a
broad temperature comfort range, and wick away perspiration.
(True. I find it warm by itself down to about freezing. Wearing my
hiking cap over it extends its warmth a bit.)
-
The
cap will not develop odors when worn for extended periods. Washing
will completely remove any odors. (True so far. I have washed it
twice so far (by hand using Woolite) and it looks and smells like
new.)
-
The
cap will be sufficiently durable for off-trail hiking in brushy
terrain without snagging or pilling. (True. I have done lots of
bushwhacking with this cap and it shows no signs of damage.)
-
The
cap will provide a lot of warmth for its weight and will be suitable
for ultralight backpacking. (True. It weighs only 1.5 ounces (43
g), has a broad comfort range when worn on the trail, and is warm down
to about freezing in camp.)
Personal
Information
Name:
Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Head Circumference: 22.5 in (57
cm)
Email: willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State:
Durango, CO 81301
Location for Testing:
Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).
Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 47 years. Backpacking is my passion. In
the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in UT, AZ, and NM. In the summer I
backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado.
Backpacking Style—I have been
a lightweight backpacker for many years and an ultralight backpacker for 6
years. My current challenge is super ultralight backpacking--getting my
base pack weight below 5 pounds (2.3 kg). At home, my wife and I give
presentations on ultralight backpacking in the local area, and have
developed a website called Southwest
Ultralight Backpacking to share information.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank IBEX and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me
to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld
|
