Field Tests Overview:

During the long-term testing period of two months, I have worn the IBEX Shak Hoody primarily as a midlayer for two winter sledge trips totally nine field days and nights. In addition, it has also been worn for activities such as cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trips were to locations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and to the province of Ontario in Canada. The Michigan location included trails and bushwhacks through deciduous forest to open areas along the lakeshore. The Canadian trip was a five day bushwhack through boreal forest and included frozen lake passages. Winter weather varied from overcast and calm to heavy snowfall and wind. Temperatures ranged from a low of 1 F (-17 C) to a high of 35 F (2 C) with humidity in the normal range of 60 to 95 percent for those areas. All of the trips were at low altitude ranging from 600 ft (183 m) to almost 2000 ft (610 m), with a moderate amount of elevation changes. 

Batchawana River Backcountry--  February 19-23 2006

This winter trip provided five continuous days of backcountry travel in the Algoma District of Ontario, Canada. I wore the IBEX Shak Hoody with a silk Capilene baselayer as this has proved to be the most comfortable combination for me. It was topped by a half-lined Wintergreen Anorak. For most of the trip, I had all three layers on at a time and I was completely content. The hoody layers nicely as the well-fitting raglan sleeves don't add any bulk to wearing it in combination with other clothing. The cold temps were primarily in the 10 F (-12 C) to 20 F degree (- 7 C) range during the daylight hours. This trip involved snowshoeing and pulling a sledge with over 80 lb (36 kg) of gear. The top layer of powdery snow was often 2 ft (61 cm) deep and made travel strenuous to say the least. The total snow depth was upwards of 4 to 5 ft (122 to 152 cm). When it was my turn to break trail, I quickly removed my anorak and the hoody became the outerlayer. I partially unzipped the garment and removed any additional head coverings. I quickly warmed and the hoody was a bit too hot but as soon as I was relegated to the back of the pace line, I cooled off and the hoody wicked beautifully to keep me comfortable. It responded remarkably after several episodes of these exhausting intervals.

In the evenings around camp, I removed the anorak and replaced it with several layers of insulated clothing. I usually pulled the hood of the hoody up over my light wool hat to keep my neck warm and provide additional insulation to my head. I would prefer the hood to be a bit "taller" in height to accommodate my hair and a light hat. However the hoody is still comfortable when worn this way. The hoody bindings and Chin-Guard are perfectly finished and have been a total non-irritant to me. I prefer to wear my light wool hat under the hoody (versus over the hoody) as the hat stays in place better that way.

At bedtime, I removed the insulated layers and crawled into my -20 F (- 29 C) sleeping bag. The hoody is really very comfortable to sleep in. At no time did I feel like I had to adjust it or smooth out any areas. It fits nicely against my torso and arms and stretches when I do. I am really impressed that I can spend five continuous days in a garment  and not feel the urge to scream.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore-- March 5-8 2006

Warm winter temperatures prevailed on this trip of another four continuous days in the backcountry during a winter sledge trip. Early March temperatures steadily climbed with a high of 35 F (2 C) and a low of 9 F (-13 C).  High humidity and snow melt were factors during the daytime traveling hours. I wore the hoody mostly as a midlayer but on the last day the excessive humidity drove me to wearing it as an outerlayer. Before I reached that situation, I moderated its warmth by removing my thumbs from the thumbholes and then adjusted the neck zipper. I often wait too long to remove my outer layer garment and the hoody picks up more moisture in the meantime. I normally get cold easily but I have found that the hoody stays insulative even with the extra moisture present in the wool. It keeps me warm. That moisture will generally disappate a while after removing the outer garment so I have not felt clammy like I do in some of my other garments. Overall, I have found that when the temperatures are above freezing, the hoody becomes too hot for me as a midlayer. This is only because of extremely high energy output. Snowshoeing through wet heavy snow while pulling a sledge with 70 lb (32 kg) to 80 lb (36 kg) of gear certainly qualifies. However I have found it to be surprisingly breathable considering the dense knit of the wool fabric.

Nighttime temperatures were regulated with the use of an additional neck gaiter of lightweight fleece plus a warm sleeping bag. I once again wore the hoody through the entire sledge trip reserving an extra dry shirt for emergency purposes only.

Camp chores have gone much easier while wearing the hoody with thumbholes. They provide extra insulation by partially covering my hands making it unnecessary to wear gloves all the time during mild winter temperatures (20 F/-7 C or higher). It is much easier to light a stove or stuff a sleeping bag in its sack if I don't need to wear gloves.

For additional information on the versatility of this garment please see my field report.                                                      

Likes:

• Thumb-holes and hood
  
• Extremely comfortable
• Versatile as baselayer, midlayer or outerlayer
• Breathable
• Durable after extended use and many washings
  

• Height of hood