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Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Ibex Approach Tights > James Triplett > Field ReportField Test Report: IBEX Approach Tights
by James E. Triplett 
Personal Biographical Information:
Backpacking Background: I grew
up car camping all through my
childhood as a means for family vacations. I later started hiking
to bouldering areas in Southern Illinois, which somehow led to
continuously hiking the lower 1/3 of
the Appalachian Trail, with an external frame Kelty Tioga (loaded
to over 50 lb / 23 kg) and some rather massive Vasque boots. Now
I
hike every day, and backpack when possible, which leads to many
weekends backpacking and camping each year. I try and take at
least one annual one-week backpacking
trip, in addition to many one to three-night weekend trips.
My style can best be described as lightweight, but not at the cost of
giving up too much comfort. I prefer a tent over a tarp, in fact
I love tents, but have not yet tried a hammock.
Manufacturer Information:
Product Information:
Additional IBEX Approach Tights information: (from the IBEX website) Features:
Colors
and Sizes:
Our best selling cold-weather performance tight with stretch. Wear it layered or alone depending on the conditions for:
Review:  Test Location and Conditions: I have worn the IBEX Approach Tights during two weekend hiking/camping trips in Eastern Iowa, and on daily day-hikes when temperatures remained cool. The temperature ranges for this test period have been from 18 to 60 F (-8 to 15.5 C). The Approach Tights have been used during light rain and snow, but predominantly on clear days. Hiking distances have ranged from two to six miles (three to ten kilometers), at elevations between 500 and 900 feet (150 to 275 meters). Trail conditions include dirt, rock, pavement, and snow covered forest. Initial Testing: For temperatures below approximately 40 F (4.4 C) I have worn the tights under my normal lightweight hiking pants. The exception being when I have used the tights in rainy weather in which, on occasion, I have used them under my full-zip rain pants. For temperatures from about 40 to 55 F (4.4 to 13 C) I have worn the tights as an "only-layer" with nothing under or over the tights. On one occasion I wore the tights as an only layer when the outside temperature was 60 F (15.5 C), but the tights proved to be too warm for these conditions.  Fit and Comfort: The IBEX Approach Tights fit rather nicely. As I mentioned in my initial report, I opted for the size large tights to insure a proper fit in the waist, hips, and legs, noting that the length may end up being shorter than desired. I have been pleasantly surprised that the length is plenty long enough, and the waist and other areas of fit have been perfect. I have found the IBEX Approach Tights to be more comfortable than I had imagined they would be. I have always thought of wool as course and itchy, yet these tights are neither. In fact, they are smooth and itch-free, even under conditions causing perspiration. I have also always thought of wool as being warm. These tights are warm. Especially under rain pants, I have found the tights to approach being too warm on many occasions. Actual Use: Heading out on pre-dawn morning hikes, with temperatures below freezing, the Approach Tights have been warm and comforting. I tend to pull the tights on over my socks, and the friction of my socks keeps the hems on the legs of the tights down below my ankles. In fact, it is possible for me to have the plain cuffs under my heals and still stretch the Merino wool enough to pull the tights fully on. This is not over stretching the fabric as the wool, polyester, spandex blend, gives easily, and as mentioned is sufficiently long to begin with. The tights have a draw-cord in the hem, but I have not had the necessity to use it. Wearing the tights in cooler conditions under hiking pants is quite comfortable. The tights act as a second skin and my hiking pants feel as though they fit normally. Movement is unrestricted - but the warmth is tremendously increased. Wearing the tights under rain-pants creates even more insulating effects, which in turn provides even more warmth. As the seasons evolved into spring, I began wearing the Approach Tights as an only-layer. The additional airflow has made the tights comfortable in temperatures into the 50's F (10 to 15 C), even under moderate exertion. I find this to be one of my preferred ways to hike. It is a unique feeling to have only the tights and a light upper layer on while whisking through the woods. This brings up another aspect of the Approach Tights. They are silent! Under heavy exertion, or in temperatures warmer than 55 F (13 C), I find the tights to be just too darned warm. I have worn the tights for sleeping in a sleeping bag on one occasion. At the time I was exceeding the temperature rating of the sleeping bag I was using, and the tights seem to help keep my legs warm. Based on this one experience I hesitate to reach any conclusions on the tights isulative abilities during sleep. I will say that they remained comfortable during the night as they hugged my body closely and did not bunch up or become twisted while I slumbered.  Care: I have washed the Approach Tights once. Even after several weeks and many miles of hiking, including the conditions mentioned above where I was overheated, there was no noticeable odor coming from the tights. Despite this, I threw them in the washer with some other black articles, and set the machine to the gentle cycle. There is nothing really significant to report on about washing the tights. This is a good thing! They came out fine, there was no noticeable loss of pigment from the Merino wool fabric, and they air-dried by the next morning when I went to wear them again. The fabric did not stretch or shrink during the washing process. Test Plan: My test plans remain unchanged, and include evaluating the IBEX Approach Tights for fit and comfort, warmth and durability, and the features from the IBEX website listed above. I will be using the IBEX Approach Tights on all my day hikes and weekend trips when tights are appropriate for the weather. This will primarily be in Iowa, although I am currently planning a Rocky Mountain National Park trip which should fall within the test period. The average temperature and precipitation data for Eastern Iowa is in the table below. The elevations here range from around 480 feet (145 meters) near the Mississippi river, to around 800 feet (245 meters) around my house. The temperatures in Colorado, based on previous trips there during the same time of year, range from 70 F (21 C) in Estes Park, down to 35 F (2 C) at higher elevations. The elevations where I plan to go in Colorado will be above 7,500 feet (2,300 meters), and hopefully as high as 14,000 feet (4,300 meters).
 Summary: The IBEX Approach Tights are a treat to wear. They are low on features and high on warmth and comfort. They are flexible for kneeling and bending, and have retained their shape perfectly throughout the test period so far. As we are now in the summer month here in Eastern Iowa I have stopped wearing the tights for the time being. I believe that the test period is being extended into next fall and winter and I am anxious to use this fine product again. Respectfully submitted, -James T.
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