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Date:
March 24, 2005
 Product
Information
Product Tested: IBEX Scull Cap (#815)
Manufacturer Website: http://www.bexwear.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 (43g)
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.
Initial
Report
Product Arrival—The Scull Cap arrived on 3/8/2005 via FedEx in a
durable plastic package. The cap was packaged in a small plastic bag. A
tag attached to the cap identifies the product and size.
Initial Impressions—This is a funky cap; it makes me want to get
out my prayer wheel and take it for a spin!
The outside of the fabric is smooth, which should make it shed dirt, snow,
and water. The inside surface is napped merino wool, which has a soft warm
feel similar to microfleece. Overall, the Scull Cap appears to be a high
quality, high performance garment that is built to last. The black color
looks nice, and has a silver Ibex monogrammed logo for an accent.
Quality—Overall quality of the cap is
excellent. I could not find any flaws.
Construction—All seams are flat and smooth on both the
outside and inside to minimize abrasion and fit under other clothing.
Sewing is excellent and very sturdy.
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 an moisture absorbing lining. According
to product information, Climawool does not stink or itch, the cap has a
broad comfort range, and is machine washable.
Fit—Although the cap is a
size large, it is slightly snug on my head when worn over the ears. The
headband has about 2 in (5 cm) of stretch, so I expect it to fit more
comfortably over time.
Measurements—Hat circumference relaxed is 22 in (56 cm),
stretched is 24.3 in (62 cm). Height is about 5 in (13 cm).
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.”
Proposed Test
Test Locations And Conditions—I
will test the Scull Cap in a variety of activities, terrains, and
climates. During late winter I will be day hiking at lower elevations in
canyon country and doing snow sports in the mountains. In Spring I will do
numerous day trips and backpacks in the forested zone of the Colorado
Mountains and in the canyonlands country of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
In early summer I will be backpacking in the high alpine zone of the
Colorado Mountains.
The testing environments will consist of: badlands desert, canyon country,
forests, and high elevation alpine country. Expected extreme conditions
include: snow storms, strong winds, dust/rain storms, heavy rain, intense
sun, low temperatures, and high elevations with strong UV and intense
thunderstorms.
Test Plan—The Ibex Scull Cap will typically be worn on the trail
by itself or under a billed hat (in wind and cold weather), under a hood
(insulated jacket or wind shirt), and in camp (evenings, overnight in my
sleeping bag, and mornings). On trips in cold weather, the Ibex Scull Cap
will stay on for the entire trip; in warmer weather it will be worn when
needed for warmth and wind protection.
I will test it by itself and as a baselayer under a hat or hood.
On each trip I will take a thermometer with me to measure the comfort
range of the Scull Cap, i.e., the temperatures where the garment is
feeling either too hot or too cold. In my notes for each trip, I will
record the following data in relation to my comfort wearing the Scull Cap:
1) temperatures, 2) estimated wind speed, 3) estimated humidity, 4)
altitude, 5) precipitation (including what form), 6) how the Scull Cap was
worn (single layer or base layer and what other clothing was worn over
it), 7) my exertion level, 8) my comfort level, 9) how much I perspired
while wearing the Scull Cap at different activity levels, 10) how chilled
I feel (when I stop) because of moisture in the cap, and 11) how chilled I
feel from wind.
To make this test even more scientific, I will measure the actual
temperature inside the Scull Cap on several occasions using a compact
indoor/outdoor thermometer with remote sensor that I have. So in warm or
cold weather, when my head feels either quite warm or quite cold wearing
the cap, I can measure and report the actual temperature inside the cap.
My
Expectations For The Ibex Scull Cap
Following are my expectations for the IBEX Scull Cap, stated as
hypotheses. I will test these hypotheses to determine if they are true,
and present my findings in my reports.
1) Quality, construction, and fit
will be excellent. The cap will provide good head coverage and maintain a
good fit over time.
2) The cap will be comfortable to wear against my skin.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) Worn as a base layer under another hat, the Scull Cap will be warm,
have a broad temperature comfort range, and wick away perspiration.
6) The cap will not develop odors when worn for extended periods. Washing
will completely remove any odors.
7) The cap will be sufficiently durable for off-trail hiking in brushy
terrain without snagging or pilling.
8) The cap will provide a lot of warmth for its weight and will be
suitable for ultralight backpacking.
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 at bresnan dot net) 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 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 |
