|
Date: November 14, 2005
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 47 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 6
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 boucl'e knit (finely textured curls and
loops) 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 front and back. |
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.”
Initial
Impressions
In the US this style is commonly called a pullover. The Ibex ½ Zip Scout
Shirt is a high quality product. The fabric, construction, and fit are
superb. It is indeed suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities, but
someone could just as easily purchase this garment for sporty casual
outerwear in cool temperatures. My first impression was it’s too nice to
use for outdoor activities; I don’t want to mess it up! It appears to be
most suitable as a mid layer for a variety of active cold weather
activities, with a wicking base layer under it and a breathable shell over
it. However, since Ibex claims it has “second-skin softness”, I will
also test it as a base layer. At 15.2 ounces (431 g), it seems too heavy
for backpacking, but should be a great layering piece for day trips of all
kinds.
Test Plan
Test Period—Mid-November
2005 to mid-March 2006.
Test Locations—Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and
Arizona).
Testing Conditions—The testing
terrains will consist of: badlands desert, canyon country, forests, and
high elevation alpine country. Expected extreme conditions include: snow
storms, strong winds, dust/rain storms, heavy rain, intense sun, low
temperatures, and high elevations with strong UV radiation. I expect to
test the shirt in temperatures both above and below freezing, and in wet
and dry conditions.
Activities— The Ibex Scout
Shirt will be my primary mid or outer layer and will be used up to several
times a week in the following activities: backpacking, snowshoeing, car
camping, ice fishing, day hiking, and casual wear.
How the Gear Will Be Tested—I
will test it in different clothing systems and outdoor activities as a
base layer, midlayer, and outer layer. I will wear it against my skin,
over different base layers, and under different outer shell layers. I will
also test it as part of my sleeping system for lightweight backpacking.
Measurements and Data—After each trip I will record 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.
Factors Evaluated
Specific
factors I will be evaluating the Ibex Scout Shirt follow. Some factors
have been completed in this Initial Report.
Fabric-- Merino wool double
knit with a flat knit on the inside (smooth) and a boucl'e knit (finely
textured curls and loops)
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 extra tailoring 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.
 |
| Ibex
Scout Shirt Inside: the front pocket (left) has a brushed tricot
lining and is attached to the upper and lower seams.
|
Ibex Scout Shirt Outside: the fabric is smooth on the inside (left), and
textured on the outside (right). |
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— How well does it
perform in layering systems with other performance clothing? Do its
features (zippers, pockets) function properly? Does it easily slip over
other clothing, and does other clothing easily slip over it? Are the
sleeves long enough to cover my wrists, and is the body long enough to
cover my hips?
Warmth and Comfort—How is its
temperature regulation, i.e., does it hold body heat well and does it have
a broad comfort range? Is it sufficiently warm for cool/cold weather
hiking? Is it comfortable over a wide temperature range, e.g., days that
start out below freezing and warm up into the 50’s or 60’s F (10 to 21
C)? How comfortable is it to wear as an outside layer in cool weather
activities? How does it feel against my skin?
Breathability and Moisture
Management —Does it readily expel heat and moisture at moderate to
high exertion levels, or do they build up in the garment and create
discomfort? Does it dry quickly to avoid chilling when I stop for a rest?
How does it compare with a synthetic base layer or mid-layer?
Weather Resistance—Is it wind
resistant? Does it shed rain or snow, or does it soak up and hold it?
Weight—At 15.2 ounces (431
g), the Scout ½ Zip Shirt is on the heavy side, making it less suitable
for backpacking. I will use it for backpacking and evaluate its weight
versus its utility.
Odor management—Does the
shirt build up odors with extended wear, and does washing completely
remove odors?
Durability—Does it snag
easily? Does the material pill in wear zones? What is its life span likely
to be with outdoor use?
Versatility—What activities
and clothing systems is it most suitable for?
Cleaning—Washing instructions
are: “Machine wash gentle, cold with mild detergent (Ivory Snow), do not
bleach, lay flat to dry”. I will evaluate how well it cleans up and
whether it shrinks or not.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Ibex and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting me
to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld
|
