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Initial
Report:
IBEX Guide Lite Pant
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Date:
November 8, 2004
Item Tested: IBEX Guide Lite Pant, Men’s Size Large
Manufacturer
Information
Name:
IBEX
Website: http://www.ibexwear.com
Product
Information
Product Tested: IBEX Guide Lite Pant (#500A)
Year of Manufacture: 2004
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
Size: Men’s Large
Weight Listed: average weight is 15.7 oz (445 g)
Weight as Delivered: 18.1oz (513 g)
MSRP: $185 US
Product
Description
The IBEX Guide Lite Pant, according to the IBEX website is a “Climawool®
softshell touring pant designed for the backcountry, yet comfortable
enough to wear everyday. Perfect for 3-season use or upgradable to winter
conditions with the addition of a baselayer. Pull-on elastic waist with
integrated belt, zippered handwarmer pockets. Zippered ankles open wide to
fit over boot tops, gusseted design keeps snow out. Semi-fit.”
According to a hangtag on the Pants, product uses are “x-country
skiing, ice climbing, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing”. Product
literature claims that Merino wool does not itch or develop odors, has a
broad comfort range, and is machine washable.
What is a
Soft Shell?
Unlike a hard shell, such as a Gore-Tex garment, soft shells are made
with a highly breathable, but weather-resistant fabric. IBEX Climawool is
a “stretchwoven” softshell. This means it incorporates Lycra, which
increases its ability to stretch and accommodate body movements, and
incorporates the benefits of wool into the fabric. The beauty of softshell
garments is their high breathability and broad comfort range, much greater
than hard shells (garments that have a microporous membrane laminated to
nylon, like Gore-Tex). They are also quite durable and water resistant.
For serious winter rain, snow, or cold, a hard shell garment is still a
good way to go. But for spring/summer/fall moderate precipitation
conditions, serious outdoors people find a softshell much more versatile.
Anyone who has drenched himself with sweat in a hard shell while pushing
hard in the backcountry, will find that the breathability and temperature
regulation of soft shells are a blessing. A soft shell garment generally
weighs a few ounces more than a Supplex garment or a hard shell, but the
additional comfort and versatility are usually worth the extra weight
Initial
Report
Product Arrival—The Guide Lite Pant arrived on 10/23/2004
via FedEx in a durable plastic package. The pants were packaged in a
plastic bag. An attractive product tag attached to the pants identifies
the product and size, and briefly describes the benefits of Climawool
Softshell garments.
Initial Impressions—These pants
are impressive. 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 Guide Lite
Pant appears to be a high quality, high performance garment that is built
to last. I would prefer a color other than black.
A tan or brown would not show the dirt as much and should be cooler
to wear when hiking in sunny/warmer weather.
Quality—Overall
the quality of the pant is excellent. I could not find any
flaws.
Construction—All seams are flat and smooth on the inside
to minimize abrasion. Sewing is excellent. Most seams are double sewn.
Features—The pants have an elastic waist with an
integrated .75-in (1.9 cm) elastic belt and buckle. There are two zippered
side hand warmer pockets and one zippered rear pocket, all with a soft
mesh lining. The legs have gusseted (flared) cuffs with a nine-inch (23
cm) ankle zipper to allow them to fit over boots more easily.
According to product information, Climawool does not stink or itch,
the pants have a broad comfort range, and are machine washable. One
interesting feature: the fly zips from the bottom up rather than top down,
making it easier to unzip while wearing a backpack.
Fit—According to product literature, the Guide Lite Pant
has a “semi-fit” cut, which I interpret to mean that it is neither
tight nor loose. My waist size is 34 in (86 cm), which is at the bottom of
IBEX’s size large (34-36 in/86-91 cm), so the pant is a bit on the baggy
side for me. I chose to go with size large instead of medium (31-33
in/79-84 cm waist) because I wanted to have enough room to wear long johns
under them in cold weather.
Measurements—Inseam is
33 in (84cm); waist circumference is 30 in (76 cm) relaxed and 39 in (99
cm) stretched.
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.”
Test
Plan
Test Locations and Conditions—I
will test the IBEX Guide Lite Pant in a variety of terrains and climates.
In the late fall I will do several backpacking and car camping/day hiking
trips in the canyon country of Utah and New Mexico . In winter I will use
the pants for more car camping/day hiking trips in Utah and Arizona , and
will also use them for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
In spring I will do more backpacking and car camping/day hiking trips in
Utah . The testing environments will consist of: Sonoran desert, desert
brushlands, badlands desert, canyon country, and pine forest. Expected
climatic and weather conditions include: dry and arid, sun, strong winds,
dust storms, rain, snow, low temperatures, moderate temperatures, and high
elevations with highly changeable weather.
How the Guide Lite Pant Will Be Used— The pants will be used as
outerwear for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
When camping or ice fishing, I will wear them with wool long johns (IBEX
Woolies) or heavier fleece tights for extra warmth. Testing will be
conducted under normal use, using appropriate care to avoid abuse. This
will not be a test to challenge the product to see if I can make it fail.
Fundamental Questions—The basic questions to be answered in this
test are: 1) How broad is their comfort range in a variety of activities
and weather conditions? 2) How functional and comfortable are they to wear
(fit, articulation, no itch, minimal smell)? And 3) How durable are they?
Observations and Data—This test will be mostly subjective, and
performance will be measured in terms of personal comfort and versatility.
My goal is to test the IBEX Guide Lite Pant in a wide variety of
terrains, climates, and weather conditions. I will carry a notebook on my
trips and record my observations while I am in the field, then transcribe
them into a trip report when I get home. I will also take a thermometer
with me to record the actual temperatures. Data I will record daily are:
1) how the IBEX Guide Lite Pant was worn each time, 2) activity and
exertion level, 3) temperatures, 4) estimated wind speed, 5) estimated
humidity, 6) altitude, 7) precipitation (including what form), and 8) my
comfort level (on a scale of 0-10). Recording these data on a daily basis
and then writing a trip report will ensure that my evaluations are
accurate and consistent.
Factors Evaluated—The specific factors I will evaluate are as
follows:
Comfort: How broad is their comfort range in a variety of
activities, exertion levels, and weather conditions? Are they comfortable
to wear for spring/fall hiking; summer hiking?
Performance: Do they provide adequate cool weather insulation in
camp? When they get damp or wet, how long do they take to dry out? Are
they still warm when they are damp or wet? How odor resistant and
itch-free are they? How do they work as a hiking pant? How do they work
with IBEX Woolies as a base layer compared to microfleece? Since the pants
are water-resistant, will they substitute for rain pants in intermittent
rain or snow?
Versatility: How well do they function in a variety of outdoor
activities and weather conditions? How is their fit and articulation for
various activities?
Backpacking Use: The IBEX Guide Lite Pant is a bit on the heavy
side, so does their comfort justify the extra weight. Do they have a good
balance between durability, functionality, and weight? How well does the
integrated belt work under a backpack hipbelt?
Usability: How compact do they pack? How functional are the side
pockets (large enough, deep enough, warm enough)? Do the gusseted/zippered
cuffs fit over hiking boots? Are the legs sufficiently long to cover the
tops of hiking boots, or other boots? Does the pant have enough freedom of
movement?
Durability: How tough are they, i.e., how well do they hold up under
“normal use”? Does the inside surface of the fabric pill? Do they hold
up to repeated packing and unpacking and repeated donning and doffing? How
snag resistant are they? Are they machine washable without shrinking, as
claimed? Does the fabric’s DWR (durable water-repellent) finish wear
out/wash out over time and need to be renewed?
My
Expectations For The IBEX Guide Lite Pant
Following are my expectations for the IBEX Guide Lite Pant, stated as
hypotheses. I will test these hypotheses to determine if they are true or
not, and present my findings in my reports.
1) The pant will be high quality with adequate reinforcement in stress
areas: they will be sized well and fit comfortably.
2) The pant will be resistant to dirt, wind, and water.
3) The pant worn by itself will be quite comfortable as a hiking pant in a
variety of temperature and weather conditions.
4) The pant worn over a base layer will provide good cold weather
insulation.
5) The pant will dry out fast after getting damp or wet.
6) The pant will not itch or smell after extended wear.
7) The pant will be very versatile and perform well in a variety of
outdoor activities.
8) The pant will be suitable for backpacking.
9) The pant will be adequately durable under normal use.
10) The pant will repeatedly machine wash, following instructions, without
shrinking.
11) The pant will provide adequate protection in light to intermittent
rain or snow.
Personal
Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 62
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Waist Size: 34 in (86 cm)
Inseam: 32 in (81cm)
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 46 years. I am now retired and 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 six 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 our information.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank IBEX and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me
to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld
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Read more reviews of Ibex gear
Read more gear reviews by Will Rietveld
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