Initial Report: Ibex Shak Hoody
TESTER BIO
Name: Jennifer Williams
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m)
Weight: 120 lbs (56 kg)
Bust: 34 in (86 cm)
Waist: 27 in (69 cm)
Hips: 36 in (91 cm)
Sleeve: 30 in (76 cm)
Email: jensmail78 (at) yahoo.com
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: November 18, 2005
Backpacking Background:
I grew up horseback riding, skiing, camping, and hiking, but I just started backpacking about three years ago. All of my trips have been one or two night stays. My trips normally range from coastal trails in the redwoods to mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada. I tend to hike where I encounter rain and dampness. This year I am looking forward to making some longer trips in northern California and gaining more experience. I am not a lightweight backpacker yet, but would like to reduce my current pack weight significantly.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Ibex Outdoor Clothing LLC
Year of manufacture: 2005
URL: www.ibexwear.com
Listed weight: 15.2 oz (431 g)
Weight as delivered: 14 oz (400 g)
Size: women's small
Color: Black
Material: 100% New Zealand Merino Dense Knit Wool
MSRP: $140 (US)
Product Description:
I was pleased to see that the Ibex Shak Hoody arrived in a small box without any excess packaging. Included with the hoody inside the box was a card explaining the concept of biomimicry and how making clothing from wool benefits the environment because wool is a natural, biodegradable fiber. The card also states that Ibex is working towards accounting for all of the producers of their wool and ensuring that the growers use humane practices. The hoody also had two tags attached to it. The first tag contained contact information and explained that the product is covered by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. The second tag explained that the Shak fabric is "a mid-weight fabric that has superior temperature regulation, is naturally anti-microbial, non-flammable, and machine washable."
The Shak Hoody I received is black, with dark gray trim around the hood, sleeves, and thumbholes. There is a white, embroidered Ibex sheep logo on the lower back of the hoody. The wool fabric is not as soft as polyester fleece but is quite soft compared to other wool garments I have used. It is definitely not itchy. The zipper extends from my chin down to the middle of my chest and there is a chin guard at the top of the zipper made from the same material as the trim (it feels like cotton). The sleeves are extra long to accommodate the thumbholes and they come down to my knuckles. There is a thin piece of fabric that fits between my thumb and index finger that creates the thumbholes. The body of the hoody hits at my hips and is a good length for keeping such a mid-layer in place under outer layers. All of the seams look tight and clean and there are no snags in the fabric. Overall the Shak Hoody looks very stylish and well made.
Fit:
I tried the Shak Hoody on right away and the size small fit well. The sleeves come down to my knuckles and the thumbholes are in just the right place on the sides of the sleeves. Although, after wearing the hoody a few times I occasionally notice that the sleeves and thumbholes are a bit restrictive when I bend my arms or reach out with my arms. I might just be getting used to the thumbholes still. When I don't have my thumbs in the thumbholes I just push the sleeves up a little higher and the holes are not very noticeable. The Shak Hoody is semi-fitted without being too tight. My fitted t-shirts and lightweight long underwear fit well under it as base layers. I also wore a loose t-shirt under the hoody and it felt a little bunched up at first, but I was able to smooth the t-shirt out by tugging the sleeves down inside the hoody. When the hood is down, it lies pretty flat against my upper back and doesn't create much extra bulk. When I put the hood on it is fitted against my head and looks very streamlined. With the zipper zipped up, the hood closes around my ears and chin. However, it doesn't come very far down on my forehead. I don't have a particularly long neck, but the hood feels a little short and pulls the shoulders of the hoody up slightly when it is on. This isn't that noticeable now, but might feel restrictive with an outer layer on over it.
So far I have worn the Shak Hoody a handful of times to work as an outer layer. It is very stylish and comfortable and I will definitely wear it around town as an everyday sweater. The hoody has kept me warm in the early mornings without overheating once I get into the office. I look forward to taking the Shak Hoody out on the trail soon.
FIELD INFORMATION
Central and Northern California Coasts:
I will go on two backpacking trips of two or three days in duration as well as many day hikes in multiple state parks and national forests ranging in elevations from 0 to 6000 ft (1800 m). The temperatures will be between 35 and 70 F (2 to 21 C). As the season gets farther along there will be frequent chances of fog, wind, and rain on these trips. On the backpacking trips I will carry a 25 lb (11 kg) pack. I would most likely use the Shak Hoody as my mid-weight insulation under a waterproof shell or as my outer layer, over a silk-weight base layer, if the weather is clear on hiking and backpacking trips. Depending on how cold it is, I will likely sleep in it.
Sierra Nevada:
I will go on a short, one or two night backpacking trip in Tahoe National Forest at elevations between 7000 to 9000 feet (2100 to 2700 meters). Temperatures are typically between 20 and 60 F (-7 to 16 C). Depending on the timing of this trip, I might encounter some early, light snow or rain.
I will go car camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park. Elevations are between 4000 ft (1200 m) and 8600 ft (2600 m) and temperatures will range from 54 F (12 C) to 30 F (-1 C). Weather could be variable and might be sunny and warm or rainy/snowy and cold.
During all camping and backpacking trips I will sleep in a 2-person, 3-season tent in a down bag rated at 15 F (-9 C). I typically wear a silk-weight base layer and a fleece vest or long sleeve shirt as a mid or outer layer. The Shak Hoody would replace these mid layers under a hard-shell outer layer if weather is cold and/or wet. If I am doing very aerobic activities, I will use the hoody as an outer layer over a lightweight base layer in order to prevent overheating.
Skiing/Snowboarding/Snowshoeing:
I will also go snowboarding, alpine skiing, and snowshoeing in the Lake Tahoe Area and in the Wasatch Range in Utah. The mountains around Lake Tahoe range from 6500 to 9800 ft (2000 to 3000 m). The Wasatch Range varies between 7000 and 11,000 ft (2100 and 3300 m). Temperatures in both areas can range between 0 and 40 F (-18 to 4 C) in the winter. I will do most of my snowboarding/skiing at resorts, but will do a small amount of backcountry boarding as well. When snowboarding/skiing I wear a helmet and I occasionally carry a small CamelBak containing water, snacks, and emergency gear. The Ibex Hoody looks like a shirt that I would wear as an inner layer on cold, windy days. While snowshoeing I will likely wear it as an outer layer over a thinner base layer in order to avoid overheating during the workouts.
TEST PLAN
My general test plan for the Shak Hoody will involve wearing it on all of my hiking and backpacking trips this fall, taking it on an occasional coastal kayak trip, and including it as a base/mid layer or outer layer while snowboarding and snowshoeing (depending on the weather). Since I live in the bay area near San Francisco, but spend a lot of time in the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, I will encounter a variety of conditions during this test period. My daily time outdoors will include sunny cool days with increasing rain, wind, and fog as the season progresses. Weekends will be spent skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in cold, snowy, and windy conditions in the mountains around Lake Tahoe. I will also spend about 3 to 4 weeks skiing and snowboarding in the Wasatch Mountain Range in northern Utah.
Versatility:
Since most of my activities involve working up a sweat and then cooling off during breaks or down time, I will evaluate the ability of the hoody to wick moisture from my body while still keeping me warm. Does the fabric breath well enough that I don't get overly sweaty in the first place? If it gets wet, does it dry quickly? How much does the partial zip front help ventilate during high-energy activities?
Fit:
I will evaluate the semi-fit styling aspect of the hoody to determine if it is too fitted to wear lighter layers underneath. Is it stretchy enough that the form fitted style does not feel restrictive? Does it retain its shape if stretched a lot or repeatedly? When worn as a base layer under a shell, does it bunch up or fit seamlessly under the shell?
Hood:
Does the hood stay in place without falling or blowing off? Does it fit just as well when the shirt is unzipped as it does when zipped? Will the hood fit under a ski helmet or is it too bulky? Does it chafe around my ears or chin? Is the hood too tight?
Thumbholes:
I will use the thumbholes to keep my hands warm but still maintain dexterity with my fingers. When wearing the hoody as a mid layer, I will use the thumbholes to anchor the sleeves to my hands while taking my outer layer on and off. I will evaluate how well they fit under gloves and mittens while in the snow. The loop that goes around the thumb seems thin. Does this cut into my hand and cause discomfort? Does the thumb loop stay comfortable while I am using ski poles? Are the sleeves long enough that using the thumbholes won't stretch them out or decrease range of motion? Is it easy to slip my thumbs in and out of the holes if I want to stop using them without taking the shirt off? Can I wear the shirt comfortably without using the thumbholes? Do they bunch up when not in use?
Fabric & Durability:
Generally, is the hoody made well: tight seams, durable after washing, doesn't develop holes, etc.? Does the fabric pill or snag easily? Do any of the seams chafe? Is the chin guard soft and does it actually protect from the whole zipper? Is the zipper smooth without any snags or gaps? Is it easy to grasp the zipper pull with gloves or mittens on? Is the garment easy to wash and care for? Does it resist stains and odors?
Thanks to Ibex and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this item.
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