|
| Home | Guest - Not logged in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
» Register
» Login
Gear Reviews
Documents
Tools
» Contact
|
Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ibex Scout Half-Zip Shirt > James Triplett > Field ReportField Test Report:
IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip
Midlayer Merino Wool Pullover (Found in the "shirt" section on the IBEX website.) by James E. Triplett January 17, 2006
Personal Biographical Information:
Backpacking Background: I am an
experienced hiker, backpacker, and camper, and am gaining more
experience with winter camping every year. 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 week-long
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 generally sleep
in a tent, and seem to be collecting quite a few of them to choose from.
Manufacturer Information:
Additional IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip information: (from the IBEX website) Description:
Colors
and Sizes:
This half-zip pullover is perfect as a midlayer or outerwear for:
Machine washable Bouclé, made from New Zealand Merino wool  Review: Test Conditions: I have worn the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip nearly every day since I received the XL size pullover (as a replacement for the L size I originally received). This has included miles of hiking and snowshoeing in Eastern Iowa with a temperature range of -10 to 50 F (-23 to 10 C). I have also worn it for chopping wood, shoveling snow, and other outdoor activities. Additionally, I have worn the IBEX Scout on a day-hike through Central Park in New York City, and on several day-hikes in Ballwin, Missouri, over the Christmas holidays. The IBEX Scout has been used over a thin t-shirt as an outer layer, and over up to three shirts and under a wind and rain jacket as a midlayer. Descriptions of my layering techniques are outlined below. Fit and Comfort: I originally requested and received a size large IBEX Scout as detailed in my initial report. The size large was smaller than expected based on the IBEX sizing chart, and in a nutshell was too small for me to wear comfortably. I contacted IBEX and they said to simply follow the exchange information which came with the packing slip, and that they would be happy to exchange it. I paid the return shipping and a couple of weeks later I received an extra-large Scout 1/2 Zip. The new Scout fits beautifully. The sleeves are long enough to extend to the ends of my wrists, as they measure in at 36½ inches (93 cm), which is 2½ inches (6.4 cm) longer than the large Scout. The collar to the hem dimension of the XL only measures an inch (2.54 cm) longer than the previous Scout, but because the whole pull-over is larger it rides low enough to go past my waist nicely. The body of the pull-over is almost 4 inches (10 cm) bigger in circumference, and is roomy enough to layer additional clothing underneath. The XL is a tremendous improvement over the "large", mostly in the length of the torso and arms. (The zippers and chest pocket are the same size on both of the two pull-overs I have measured.) As noted in the Product Information above, the XL weighs in at 1.8 oz (50 g) heavier than the Large. The bouclé material of the IBEX Scout is comfortable to wear. I was hoping for a warm midlayer which isn't anything like the rag wool sweaters of old, which can irritate my skin. The Merino wool IBEX indeed, isn't anything like the rag wool sweaters of old. It has a soft, and a little bit waxy feel to it, and it is not itchy at all. I have worn it over short sleeved shirts and the Merino wool hasn't caused any irritation on my arms, even when perspiring slightly. It feels great!  Field Testing: The IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip has been used in a variety of configurations. When hiking in temperatures around 40 F (4.4 C) or higher, I can slip it on over a thin wicking t-shirt and be sufficiently warm. This is true even when the only thing on my lower half is the IBEX Approach Tights, some socks, and trail shoes. When the temperature drops to around freezing I can add a long-sleeved, cotton, "Body-Sensors" shirt between the Scout and the wicking shirt, and I am again comfortable. When the wind picks up, or the temperature drops between 0 and 32 F (-18 and 0 C), I have found that my Red Ledge Cirrostratus jacket makes a great outer layer over the IBEX Scout. As the IBEX Scout breaths easily, the wind-blocking attribute of the rain jacket works quite well to seal in heat. (See the layers used in the image above.) I have even ventured out with only the IBEX Scout, two or three sub layers, and the Cirrostratus jacket, in temperatures as low as -10 F (-23 C), by adding a Psolar.EX Face Mask. I should note that to make all these layering techniques work over such a wide temperature range, I have had to adjust the weight of stocking cap, gloves, and socks accordingly. That being said, even on bitterly cold days, I usually return from my hikes with the jacket and Scout unzipped at least partially. It seems that the warmth of the IBEX pullover and other layers rarely, if ever, cause me to feel cold after I've been hiking a short time. The weight of the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip is perfect for mobility in cold outdoor conditions. Even with all the layers described above, I am able to wear a backpack comfortably, and can snowshoe, use trekking poles, and generally maneuver without excessive binding of all the layers. Articulation is excellent. When I have the IBEX Scout on as an outer layer, it offers as much ease of movement as a well worn sweatshirt. Chopping and hauling firewood is unrestricted by the Scout. IBEX describes the fit as "relaxed", and while I wouldn't go that far, it does not hug my body the way the Approach Tights do, and it is unrestrictive as I have described. It does seem like it has a "tailored fit", which by saying I simply mean that it goes straight down and is not baggy or excessively large in any area. I am able to pull the sleeves up to my elbows when I wish. At times I have wished for side pockets on the Scout 1/2 Zip, however the chest pocket is sufficient to carry a drivers license, or a few dog biscuits for my lab, or even, heaven forbid, a cell phone. About the only negative thing I can think of at all, and this is not unexpected for a wool garment, is that burs and debris tends to cling to the IBEX Scout. The looping of the threads of the wool make a good nesting ground for burs, and small chips of wood, for example, which need to be individually plucked off of the jacket. Care and Cleaning: I have washed the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip multiple times, as I wear it daily and it has become soiled on occasion. I first washed it after I had been out in the cold, 5 F (-15 C), and my little John Deere tractor with a snow blade quit running. While I was repairing the sediment bowl and fuel line, I managed to get gasoline on the cuff of the IBEX Scout. I ended up washing it four times in order to get the fuel smell completely removed. I have also washed it after hauling snow covered wood from the valley up to my wood shed. While doing this dirt and mud managed to find it's way to several areas of the Scout, and I decided to wash it. I have never had to wash the Scout due to perspiration. Except for the fuel, there has been no foul odor detectable on the pullover. In fact there has been no odor at all, even after wearing the Scout for several days in a row. All the washing has been done in cold water, machine wash, and the Scout 1/2 Zip has been hung up to dry. The results? The Scout has cleaned up well, dried within 24 hours, and has shown no fading or other color changes with this treatment.  Test Plan: My test plans are unchanged and include evaluating the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip midlayer pullover for fit and comfort, warmth and durability, and the features from the IBEX website listed above. I will be using the Scout 1/2 Zip on all my day hikes and weekend trips, evaluating different layering techniques both under and over the Scout. This will primarily be in Iowa and Missouri. 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.
Summary: I have worn the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip midlayer pullover with a great multitude of layering techniques. The only thing I haven't tried is to wear it as a base layer, with nothing underneath, and I don't plan on doing that as it doesn't seem like the appropriate use for this wool "midlayer" garment. Once receiving the correct size, the IBEX Scout fits and works wonderfully. I find it somewhat amazing that I can go out in 0 F (-18 C) temperatures with just a long-sleeved t-shirt, the IBEX Scout, and a rain jacket, and be perfectly warm without an abundance of material encasing me. The combination of the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip and the Red Ledge Cirrostratus jacket make down jackets and bulky layers unnecessary for even the harshest conditions here in Eastern Iowa. The IBEX Scout is attractive as an outer layer, and I find myself wearing it in populated areas almost as much as I do on trails or in the backwoods. The Scout has earned a permanent place in my outdoor wardrobe. Respectfully submitted, -James T.
Read more reviews of Ibex gear Read more gear reviews by James E. Triplett Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ibex Scout Half-Zip Shirt > James Triplett > Field Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
