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Reviews > Clothing > Shirts > Ibex Scout Half-Zip Shirt > James Triplett > Long Term ReportLong Term Test Report:
IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip
Midlayer Merino Wool Pullover (Found in the "shirt" section on the IBEX website.) by James E. Triplett March 21, 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:
Product 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  Long Term Review: Test Conditions: The test conditions for the long term phase of the test are similar to that of the earlier stages of the test, except that back then the temperatures were getting colder, and now the temperatures are getting warmer as we approach spring. Temperatures when I have worn the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip have ranged from 0 to 50 F (-18 to 10 C) for this portion of the test, and the climate has included mostly clear skies, but also light rain, and light to heavy snow on occasion. Since my field report I have worn the Scout 1/2 Zip exclusively in Eastern Iowa at elevations of around 800 feet (245 meters). I have used the IBEX Scout while hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, camping, and a variety of other outdoor activities such as shoveling snow and cutting and hauling firewood. I have used the IBEX Scout as a midlayer and exterior layer, and estimate that I have worn it for more than 250 hours during the test period. Fit and Comfort: The IBEX Scout fits great and has become so second nature that I put it on in the morning without even thinking about it. I never consider what to wear, but rather decide if I should wear the Scout as outerwear, or if it is cold enough to need an outer shell over it. The length of the Scout is perfect for me. It extends past the waistband of my pants, yet is not so long as to hang out beneath other jacket layers. The sleeves are ample, and can extend nearly to the base of my thumbs, or be pushed back slightly to accommodate gloves or the sleeves of an additional layer. The IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip pullover has a trim straight-down fit, but is not tight on my body. It allows for good articulation of my arms, and is not binding when wearing a backpack.  Field Testing: I have used IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip almost continually since receiving it (after exchanging it for a larger size), and it has exceeded all my expectations. I'm including some more images in this report, which I took recently, as I believe they capture the luscious red color of the Scout better than the images in my initial and field reports. As far as reporting goes... I have continued with my use of the Scout 1/2 Zip in the same fashion as reported on earlier, and experienced the same excellent results. And those results are... that this is a brilliant garment in many ways. In pretty cold weather, below 0 F (-18 C), the IBEX Scout is a great midlayer capable of keeping me warm in pretty much any conditions. With a wind barrier over it, I am always warm enough, and often a little too warm, even in strong winds or light rain. As an outer layer, I find that the lofty Bouclé knit material keeps me warm while still allowing sufficient airflow. I find this perfect for cooler days when I am exerting myself significantly. The Scout has worn well, and despite heavy use shows no excessive wear in the elbows or shoulders, and has not faded noticeably. I have washed it over a dozen times, which was enough in fact that I considered it might actually weigh less than when it was new. I weighed it again using the same scale, and it was 0.1 ounce (14 grams) lighter than what it originally weighed. I think it is pretty impressive that after all the wear and washing it has been through, it hadn't lost any notable amount of fibers. Summary: I have worn the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip midlayer pullover more than any other piece of clothing during this test period. Despite the heavy use, it appears as fresh and new as it did the day I got it. And beyond that, the IBEX Scout 1/2 Zip midlayer pullover performs impressively. It is light enough for mild conditions, but has suburb insulative characteristics which make it an awesome layering piece, allowing a very light jacket to easily become cold weather gear. In the case of the IBEX Scout, no news is good news... and I am happy to report that the Scout continues to be an impressive part of my trail gear, without any degradation since my earlier reports. As I said once before, the Scout has earned a permanent place in my outdoor wardrobe.  Respectfully submitted, -James T.
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