Initial Report

Initial Report: IBEX Outback Long Sleeve Jersey

Reviewer Information
Name: Chad Fike
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Height: 5’ 10” (1.77 m)
Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
Email address: abnersdonkey@hotmail.com
City, State, Country: Oakland, Maryland, USA
Date: May 31, 2006

Backpacking Background
I have gone camping, usually very close to home, for over 15 years, but only started seriously backpacking about 3 years ago. I do mostly weekend trips and often take day hikes. My backpacking experience has been mostly in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, including parts of the Appalachian Trail. Each trip has been a learning experience about techniques and equipment. I try to balance weight, durability, and cost with my gear choices.

Product Information
Manufacturer - IBEX Outdoor Clothing, Inc.
Year of manufacture - 2006
Website - www.ibexwear.com
MSRP - $79.00 US
Average listed weight (no size stated) - 6.9 oz (196 g)
Weight as delivered (size medium) - 6.6 oz (187 g)
Lifetime warranty

front view

Product Description
   The IBEX Outback long sleeve jersey came with two cardboard tags attached advertising the benefits of IBEX wool and claiming “it is naturally better than synthetics”. One tag says “IBEX wool provides superior temperature regulation, quick-drying comfort and second skin softness”. The second tag reveals the following about the shirt’s material: “IBEX Wool. Comfort Measured in Microns. 18.5 micron- the finest New Zealand Merino wool fiber on the planet. This web-thin thread makes for the softest, most capable clothing you’ll ever put on. Combined with wool’s natural breath ability and anti-microbial properties, it offers a personal microclimate of comfort.” Additionally the tag points out the following features: “Supersoft Comfort; Unmatched Temperature Regulation; All Natural Stretch; Naturally Anti-Microbial (No Stink); and Machine Washable”.
   The color of the shirt is described as Stone/Kona. The entire shirt is one solid bluish-gray color except for a 1¼ in (3 cm) wide brown racing stripe running vertically the entire length of the rear of the shirt. The IBEX logo, stitched in the same color as the body of the shirt, is found inside this stripe near the neck There are two tags inside the neck of the shirt. One says “IBEX”, and the other shows the size (M) and that the shirt is “Made in U.S.A. of imported fabrics”. A third tag located along the side of the shirt, close to the waist, instructs that the proper care is to “machine wash gentle cold with mild detergent“, and “lay flat to dry”.
   According to the IBEX website sizing chart, my measurements fell within those listed for a size medium. The sizing seems accurate and the shirt seems to fit me very well. The website describes the shirt as “semi-fit”. The shirt has a rather slim athletic fit rather than being baggy or loose fitting. The sleeves are an appropriate length for me. They are long enough to not ride up my arm when I extend them, while the rib cuffs keep the sleeves from dangling too far past my wrist. The overall length of the shirt also meets my tastes. I like a shirt to be long enough to stay tucked in, but not too long if I want to leave it out. I have a pet peeve about loose fitting, stretched-out neck holes, so I like the rather tight fit of this rib crew neck
   My preconceptions of a wool shirt were that it would be somewhat heavy and that it may even feel a little itchy or coarse. In contrast, my first impressions are that the shirt feels very soft, almost like cotton. It has a much softer more natural feel than other synthetic shirts I own. I had wondered if it would be too warm for summer and spring use, but the jersey seems very lightweight. The shirt seems to stretch easily and is not restricting. It appears to be well made and of quality construction. I do not see any loose seams or irregularities.

Field information
   Testing will take place mostly in forested terrain of the Appalachian Mountains of western Maryland and West Virginia. The elevation ranges from around 2500 to 4800 ft (762 to 1463 m). I expect temperatures to range from as low as 40 F to warmer days near 90 F (4 to 32 C) during the test period. I am also hoping to take a week or two vacation during the test time. My tentative plans include a trip to the American Southwest with several day hikes in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Hopefully I will also be able to test in these warmer, drier desert conditions.
   I plan to use this shirt for day hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, and casual wear. I will attempt to ascertain the following from my testing:
   Fit/Comfort- The shirt fits well now, but will that change after repeated use? Will it shrink with washing?   How comfortable is the shirt? Do the straps of a pack cause the material to chafe the skin? Does it look nice enough to wear around town or am I embarrassed to leave the woods in it?
   Durability- How well does the shirt stand up to use? Does it get holes or snag easily? Does it retain its shape or get stretched out? Does it clean up well or get stained easily? Does the stitching stay put?
   Performance- What temperature range is it best suited too? How well does it breathe? Does it wick moisture well? How long does it take to dry out? Since I am trying to be more weight conscious when backpacking, how does the weight of this shirt compare with others I own? Does the fact that it is anti-microbial make a difference or does my stink eventually triumph?

   Thanks to IBEX and BackpackGearTest.Org for the opportunity to test this shirt.

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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ibex Outback Long Sleeve Jersey > Chad Fike > Initial Report

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