Tester Bio
I live in North East Alabama. I enjoy hunting, fishing, canoeing, and most other outdoor activities but backpacking is my favorite pastime. I enjoy hiking with friends and family or solo. I hike throughout the year and actually hike the least in the hot humid months of summer. My style is slow and steady and my gear is light. However I will sacrifice weight for comfort and durability. A typical 3-season load for me is around 20 lb (9 kg) not counting food or water. I usually sleep in a hammock and cook with an alcohol stove. My backpacking trips are usually 2, 3 or 4 days in length.

Product Information

Test item:	IBEX Men's Fall Line Pant
Manufacturer:	IBEX Outdoor Clothing, LLC
Year Manufactured:	2005
Manufacturer's Link:	http://www.ibexwear.com
Color:	Stone
Size:	XL = 38 to 40 (97 to 102 cm) waist
Inseam:	31.5 in (80 cm)
Listed Weight:	None, but the website gives an average weight of 21 oz (595 g)
Measured Weight:	My size XL = 23.3 oz (661 g)
MSRP:	US $225

Product Description
The Ibex Fall Line pants are designed for winter, or more specifically, for individuals who are on the go in winter weather. The website suggests backcountry skiing and backpacking usage.

From the IBEX website
"The newest addition to our pant collection is this all-purpose piece for serious outdoor adventure. The Climawool® Cirrus softshell exterior keeps the elements where they belong. The fabric exterior consists of PTT (in the Lycra® family but much more durable and with stronger stretch recovery) and polyester. The interior is 100% eco-washed wool. Fully articulated knees and seat make this a form-fitting, stress-free companion wherever you go."

The pants feature the afore mentioned Climawool® Cirrus softshell (PTT, Polyester exterior, 100% eco-washed wool interior). The pants are classically styled with a snap closure, belt loops and inside suspender loops. The waist has hidden elastic. There are four zippered pockets in the front and zero pockets in the back. The top pockets are slash style while the ones below these are almost square. Interestingly, the lower pocket on the right side is a lot deeper while the slash pockets on both sides are the same. All zippers except the fly have a small ribbon like pull-tab with the IBEX logo over a raised soft section to make it easy to grab and pull the zippers.

The pants have articulated knees and seat. You can see where four v sections of fabric are removed at each knee which makes the pants bend naturally toward the rear. The bottom (cuff) of the pants has elastic built in. There are adjustable drawcords, boot tie grippers (rubber like rings around the inside of the cuff) and down loops at the inside cuff.

inside view of cuff area

Inside the pants are sewn on patches with information. One label gives care instructions and a breakdown of the fabric; 88% Polyester and 12% Wool. The Polyester is further broken down as PTT 65%, PTE 23%. This is not a laminate but rather a double weave.

Label showing material breakdown and care instructions

Another sewn on label shows several symbols. These would be an umbrella (Resist Water), curvy arrows headed towards a wall (resist wind), thermometer (regulated temperature), washing machine (machine wash) and a hammer (durable).

aforementioned symbols

The Fall Line pants came with 2 hangtags attached. A small round hangtag gives information about Climawool® Cirrus.   The larger hangtag gives the name and size of the product states the warranty information which basically says that the pants are guaranteed for life against any manufacturing and material defect for its lifetime. Thing like accident, improper use or care and normal wear are not covered but damage caused by misuse will be replaced or repaired for a reasonable fee.

Initial impression
I received my pants on 11/8/2005.   My initial inspection of the pants revealed they had no obvious flaws. All zippers functioned smoothly and the seams appeared to be well sewn.   After trying on the pants I was impressed with the fit and comfort. I was a bit worried that the pants might itch without some long underwear on under them but this does not seem to be the case.

The website was very informative but having never seen or felt Ibex's Climawool® Cirrus I really did not know "exactly" what to expect. They are close to what I expected though.

Fit
The pants are semi-fitted for easy layering. My pants are a size XL which corresponds to a size 38 – 40 (97 –102 cm). I wear size 38 X 32 jeans. The waist fits me very well. I won't need a belt unless I want to wear one. The Fall Line pants list the inseam for the XL as 31.5 (80 cm). I measured the inseam on these pants and found them to be approximately 31.5 in (80 cm). Needless to say, these pants also fit me in length very nicely.

I am tickled at how stretchy the pants feel. The pants allow me to move in all directions, kick up my legs or squat easily. In fact, they fit me a lot like my favorite sweat pants.

Test Plan
These pants should be great for cool weather hiking and with an additional base layer, great for extreme cold. However, staying warm is only part of what I want in a winter pant.

As I test the pants I will report on overall comfort. Do the pants bind when I hike up a steep slope? Does the inside wool remain comfortable next to my skin after many hours or wear or after several washings? How do the pants feel under a backpack waistbelt? After becoming wet do they cling and invite chafing, especially in the groin area? I hope the interior of 100% eco washed wool will be comfortable next to my skin without itching me to death.

I will test just how water resistant and warm the pants are? If they do wet out I will want to see if they still keep me reasonably warm?   I’ve heard wool is warm when wet but these pants are only 12% wool. I will be testing for wind resistance and how this affects the pants ability to keep my legs warm. Will I need to wear an additional base layer in really cold or windy (or both) weather? I will report if I have any overheating issues and if the pants dry back out fairly quickly when I sweat in them.

I will also report on how I incorporate using the pants in my hiking routine.   I will use these pants when I might normally be hiking in shorts.   I often wear shorts in weather that has most folks sitting at home by the fire

I will be testing the website claims. It says "Climawool® Cirrus is the latest in our line of exclusive wool softshell fabrics. An innovative double weave with PTT (a more durable form of Lycra® with stronger stretch and recover), polyester and 100% environmentally friendly finished wool on the inside. Lightweight, breathable, and weather-resistant. Woven more tightly than Climawool® Lite yet is still light in weight. Machine washable"

Ease of care is always a concern when considering wool clothing. Ibex says these pants are machine washable but to follow the instructions for cleaning. I will carefully follow the care instructions, which are; machine wash separately in lukewarm water up to 30 C (88 F) using mild detergent. Also wash on the gentle cycle with the pants turned inside out. Dry either hanging or laid flat but do not tumble dry.

I will then report on the results. Do they shrink after washing and drying if I follow the manufacturer’s recommended method? I will also note how well the pants look after washing and drying. If I end up packing the pants during parts of my backpacking trips, I will report on how small they pack and then what they look like after riding in my pack for awhile. They will also spend some time as a pillow. I don't mind a few wrinkles but it is a concern for some.

Anticipated Testing Locations and Conditions
I will be testing in the southeastern US with trips into the local mountains of Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina along with plenty of testing in the woods around my home in North East Alabama. Elevations will generally be less than 4000 ft (1200 m). I will be testing them in warmer fall weather as well as damp cold winter weather.   I will do a lot of winter camping this year and plan to seek out the coldest weather I can find. I'm likely to need some good warm pants when out in this type weather. I will record all trip locations, weather conditions and anything else, which has a direct bearing on the test or would be beneficial for understanding the way the pants are used.

I find that pants are one garment I really wear out, second only to socks and shoes. When I am out exploring or hiking in the woods I am a lot tougher on pants than when I wear them for casual wear. However, I will see how these pants hold up to the rigors of both. After extensive wear, I will offer my insight on how I found they performed. I will report any durability issues or anything else that might be of value in considering these pants. Stay tuned!

Read more reviews of Ibex gear
Read more gear reviews by Coy Ray Starnes

Initial Report

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