Field Report:
Ibex Scout 1/2 Zip Shirt

Date: January 17, 2006

Tester Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Chest Size: 41 in (104 cm)
Sleeve Length: 34 in (86 cm)
Email: (willi_wabbit at bresnan dot 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 48 years. 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 7 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 information.

Product Information Manufacturer: Ibex Outdoor Clothing LLC Manufacturer Website: http://www.ibexwear.com Product Tested: Ibex Scout ½-Zip Shirt Year of Manufacture: 2005 Fabric Description: Merino wool, double knit fabric with a flat knit on the inside and a lofty boucle knit on the outside Color: Deep red (other colors are Graphite and Cerulean Blue Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL Size Tested: Men’s large Weight Listed: Average weight 15.1 oz (428 g) Measured Weight: 15.2 oz (431 g) MSRP: $130 US

The Ibex Scout ½ Zip Shirt worn on a snowshoeing trip.

Product Description
From the Ibex website: “A midlayer with a versatile, double knit wool fabric. Flat knit on the inside, lofty boucle knit on the outside, it offers maximum temperature regulation. Clean design suits technical or everyday wear. This half-zip pullover is perfect as a midlayer or outerwear for hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, skiing, and everyday use.” On an attached product card: “Ibex wool provides superior temperature regulation, quick-drying comfort, and second-skin softness.”

How the Ibex Scout Shirt was Tested
Test Period—Mid-November 2005 to mid-March 2006.

Test Locations—Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona).

Testing Conditions—The terrains consisted of: badlands desert, canyon country, forests, and high elevation alpine country.

Temperatures during the first two months of testing ranged from 12 F to 52 F (-11 to 11  C), wind ranged from calm to 30 mph (48 kph), and elevations ranged from 5,000 to 12,000 ft (1524 to 3658 m). Precipitation during the test period amounted to only a few light rain and snow showers.

Activities and Amount of Use—In the first two months of testing I have worn the Ibex Scout Shirt a total of 22 days in the following activities:

In addition to the above outings, I wore the Ibex Scout Shirt overnight in a sleeping bag a total of eight nights while backpacking and winter car camping. I also wore the shirt for casual wear on five occasions.

How I Used the Ibex Scout Shirt—I tried wearing the Ibex Scout shirt as a base layer directly against my skin, and found it to be a little too scratchy. I much preferred to wear it over a single wicking baselayer or two baselayers. Depending on the temperature and wind conditions, I wore either a wind shirt or a synthetic insulated jacket over the Scout Shirt. In really cold or windy conditions I wore a down insulated jacket plus a shell jacket over the Scout Shirt. When I wore it in my sleeping bag I wore it over two base layers.

Measurements and Data—After each trip I recorded the following data in relation to my comfort in the Ibex Scout Shirt: 1) temperature, 2) estimated wind speed, 3) estimated humidity, 4) altitude, 5) precipitation (including what form), 6) clothing or sleeping system, 7) clothing worn with the shirt, and 8) how well it performed in terms of warmth, utility, and comfort.

Product Information and Performance
Following is my evaluation of the Ibex Scout Shirt based on two months of testing.

Fabric-- Merino wool double knit with a flat knit on the inside (smooth) and a boucle (looped) knit on the outside. The fabric is about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. The textured outside surface will increase warmth by trapping air when another garment is layered over it.

Construction and Quality—Flatlock construction, with additional tailored seams on the underside of the sleeves, chest, and torso. Set-in sleeves. No elastic in the hems. The bottom hem is horizontal (no dropped tail in back). The quality is superb; I did not find any flaws in the fabric or sewing.

Sizing and Fit—The shirt is sized large enough to fit over a thick base layer, but is not large enough to fit over another heavy shirt or jacket (go up a size to do that). The body extends about 7 inches (18 cm) below my waist, and has a 1.25 in (3 cm) reducing taper from chest to hem. The fit is relaxed. For me, the sleeve length is adequate but not extra long. The sleeves reach my wrists with my arms horizontal, and cover my wrists when I lower my arms. Articulation is good, there is minimal binding and the sleeves pull back about one inch (2.5 cm) from my wrists when I raise or cross my arms. The inside surface is smooth, so it slides fairly easily over other clothing.

Features--New Zealand boucle knit, half front zipper, zippered chest pocket with brushed tricot lining, flatlock construction, stand up or fold down collar, machine washable.

Measurements—The front zipper is 11.5 in (29 cm) long, and the pocket zipper is 5.5 in (14 cm) long. The body is 24 in (61 cm) high in front and 27 in (69 cm) in back, which makes the hem come out horizontal. Body width at chest height is 23.5 in (60 cm), and width at the hem is 22.25 in (57 cm). Sleeve length is 34.25 in (87 cm). The collar is 2 in (5 cm) wide.

Usability—I found the Ibex Scout Shirt most useful as a mid or outer layer. As a mid layer, it performed very well with one or two wicking base layers under it and a wind shirt or insulating jacket over it. As an outer layer, it also performed very well with one or two base layers under it. The inside of the shirt is fairly smooth, so it slips on over other clothing very easily. I also found that it works very well when worn as a shirt (tucked into my pants), especially when carrying a backpack. The angled front pocket is very handy for stashing small items.

Warmth and Comfort—When I wore the Ibex Scout Shirt as a baselayer against my skin, it was a little too scratchy for my liking, so I only tried it once. When worn over one or two baselayers, the Ibex Scout Shirt is warm and has a surprisingly broad comfort range. I found it very comfortable to wear for hiking in cool conditions (25-50 F/-4 to 10 C), especially on overcast days. Its comfort range was more limited when hiking in the sun (in the Southwestern US the sun is warm even in the wintertime). I used the front zipper a lot to regulate temperature, i.e., opening it when I felt a little too warm and closing it when I felt cool, and found it to be very effective. The Scout Shirt was too much insulation to wear for strenuous activities (for example, hiking uphill at a fast pace), but it was an excellent piece to put on to prevent chilling when I stopped.

Breathability and Moisture Management —Worn over a baselayer or two, the Scout Shirt breathes and expels moisture well at low or moderate exertion levels. It tended to get steamed up inside at higher exertion levels. In colder temperatures (below about 35 F/2 C) and windy conditions, I found the Scout Shirt comfortable at moderate to high exertion levels, and I used the front zipper a lot to regulate the inside temperature. When I stopped at moderate temperatures I often put a wind shirt on over the Scout Shirt, and found that the Scout Shirt (and wicking baselayer) dried out quickly without chilling. In cold weather I usually put a light synthetic jacket on over the Scout Shirt when I stopped, and the Scout Shirt dried out quickly under the jacket without chilling.

Weather Resistance—I found the Scout Shirt to be quite wind resistant in light to moderate winds and moderate temperatures, but in stronger wind and colder temperatures I definitely needed to put a wind shirt or shell jacket on over the Scout Shirt. So far I have worn the shirt in mostly dry conditions, so I cannot comment on how well it sheds rain and snow.

Weight—At 15.2 ounces (431 g), the Scout ½-Zip Shirt is on the heavy side, making it less suitable for backpacking. However, it is a very useful and functional for day hiking, snowshoeing, and other moderate exertion day trip activities in cool and cold weather.

Odor Management—The Scout Shirt does not smell with extended use. I wore it almost continually (day and night) on one six-day backcountry car camping trip in cold weather, and the shirt did not smell.

Durability—I have used the shirt quite a bit as outerwear while bushwhacking and it does not have any snags so far. However, debris tends to stick to the outside of the shirt. It brushes off fairly easily. So far, the shirt does not have any pilling in wear zones, like the underside of the sleeves.

Versatility—The Scout Shirt is a very versatile piece for day tripping in cool or cold weather.

Cleaning—Washing instructions are: “Machine wash gentle, cold with mild detergent (Ivory Snow), do not bleach, lay flat to dry”. So far I have washed the Scout Shirt once, by hand, in lukewarm water using Woolite. It cleaned up easily and did not shrink.

Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Ibex and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me to participate in this test.

Will Rietveld