Date: April 16, 2004

Manufacturer Information
Name: IBEX
Website: http://IBEXwear.com

Product Information
Product Tested: IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies (wool baselayer) Top #0110 and Bottom #0111
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Fabric Description: 100% superfine Merino wool (18.5 micron)
Color: Top is red; Bottom is black
Size: Men’s Large
Weight Listed: Top average weight is 7 oz/198 g; Bottom average weight is 4.5 oz/128 g
Weight as Delivered: Top 6 oz/170 g; Bottom 5.2 oz/147 g
MSRP: Top $52.50; Bottom $50 USD

Product Description
The IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies Top and Bottom are a lightweight baselayer made of superfine Merino wool. The fabric is ribbed for insulation and is naturally stretchy for close-to-body fit. The Top has raglan sleeves and the Bottom has a gusseted crotch for freedom of movement. The product literature claims that Merino wool does not itch or develop odors, has a broad comfort range, and is machine washable.

Initial Report
Product Arrival—The Woolies arrived on 4/7/2004 via FedEx in a white cardboard box. The Top and Bottom were individually packaged in plastic bags. An attractive product tag attached to each piece identifies the product and size, and briefly describes the benefits of a wool baselayer.

Quality, Construction, Features, and Fit—Overall the quality of both pieces is quite good. It is amazing how thin and light they are. They don’t seem like wool, rather they seem more like a synthetic (I’m not sure if that is a complimint or not). They have a very soft and comfortable feel. However, I would like to note that the top has one small hole next to the seam on the top of the right shoulder. It is only about .25 in/6 mm, so I can understand how it was missed by quality control. Also the left leg of the Bottom is 1 in/3 cm longer than the right leg. If I were purchasing these products, I would not be willing to accept these defects, especially the hole in the Top.

Construction—All seams are flat-felled to eliminate abrasion. All hems are 1 in/3 cm. The top has a crew neck and raglan sleeves, and the bottom has a gusseted crotch to allow freedom of movement and avoid chafing. The Bottom has an elastic waist and does not have a fly opening.

Features—According to product information, the Woolies do not stink or itch, they have a broad comfort range, and are machine washable.

Fit—Excellent. The size large Top fits me perfectly (my normal shirt size is 15.5 in/39 cm neck, 34 in/86 cm sleeve). The arms cover my wrists, and the body extends 6 in/15 cm below my waist. The Bottom likewise is a perfect fit (my normal pant size is 34 in/86 cm waist and 34 in/86 cm inseam). The leg length is sufficient to cover my ankles. The fabric is stretchy and moves with me without binding; the sleeves and legs do not pull up when I stretch. Overall, the fit of both pieces is right on target for size large; sleeve and leg lengths are generous, which is great. Note that the garments stretch to fit when I put them on, and the fit is much better than the measurements below would indicate.

Top Measurements—All measurements are relaxed (not stretched): body length is 26.25 in/67 cm; sleeve length is 32.5 in/83 cm; neck circumference is 17.5 in/44 cm; chest circumference is 35 in/89 cm; waist circumference is 38.25 in/97 cm.

Bottom Measurements—All measurements are relaxed (not stretched): total length is 42 in/107 cm; inseam is 30 in/76 cm; waist circumference is 26 in/66 cm (44 in/112 cm stretched); hip circumference is 32.5 in/83 cm.

Washing Instructions—“Cold wash gentle cycle or hand wash using mild detergent (Ivory Snow). Dark colors separately. Do not bleach. May tumble dry low (72 F/40 C) or lay flat to dry. Low iron if necessary.”

Test Plan
Test Locations and Conditions—I will test the IBEX Woolies in a variety of terrains and climates. In the spring I will do numerous trips in the canyon country of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. During the latter part of the test I will do numerous trips in the high mountains of Colorado. The testing environments will consist of: Sonoran desert, desert brushlands, badlands desert, canyon country, pine forest, montaine forest, and high elevation alpine country. Expected climatic and weather conditions include: dry and arid, intense sun, strong winds, dust storms, heavy rain, snow, low temperatures, high temperatures, and high elevations with intense UV radiation.

How the Woolies Will Be Used— The IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies Top will be used as a hiking shirt and as a base layer; the bottom will be used as a base layer only, mostly in camp. I will wear both the top and bottom in my sleeping bag. The Woolies will be tested in a variety of outdoor activities, including day hiking and backpacking. On several occasions I will wear the Woolies continuously (especially the top) to test their odor resistance. Testing will be conducted under normal use, using appropriate care to avoid abuse. This will not be a test to challenge the product to see if I can make it fail.

Fundamental Questions—The basic questions to be answered in this test are: 1) How much insulation do the Woolies provide and how broad is the comfort range? 2) How comfortable are they to wear (fit, articulation, no itch, minimal smell)? 3) How do they compare with competitor’s products (Capeline, microfleece)? And 4) How durable are they?

Observations and Data—This test will be mostly subjective, and performance will be measured in terms of personal comfort and versatility. My goal is to test the IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies in a wide variety of terrains, climates, and weather conditions. I will carry a notebook on my trips and record my observations while I am in the field, then transcribe them into a trip report when I get home. I will also take a thermometer with me to record the actual temperatures. Data I will record daily are: 1) how the IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies were worn each day, 2) my exertion levels, 3) temperatures, 4) estimated wind speed, 5) estimated humidity, 6) altitude, 7) precipitation (including what form), and 8) my comfort level (on a scale of 0-10). Recording these data on a daily basis and then writing a trip report will ensure that my evaluations are accurate and consistent.

Factors Evaluated—The specific factors I will evaluate are as follows:

• Performance: How comfortable are they to wear? Is the Merino wool essentially itch-free? How comfortable are they to wear at different temperature and exertion levels? What is their comfortable temperature range? Do they provide adequate cool weather insulation in camp? When they get damp or wet, how long do they take to dry out? How odor resistant are they? How does the top work as a hiking shirt? As a base layer, how do the Woolies compare to synthetic garments made of Capeline and microfleece?
  

• Versatility: How well do they function in a variety of outdoor activities and weather conditions?
  

• Ultralight Use: Does the IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies have a good balance between durability, functionality, and light weight? Do they have a good warmth to weight ratio? Are they as light as it can be, or are there ways they could shed a little more weight without sacrificing comfort or performance? When worn in a sleeping bag, how much do the Woolies extend its warmth?
  

• Usability And Durability: How compact do they pack? How tough are they, i.e., how well do they hold up under “normal use”? Do they hold up to repeated packing and unpacking and repeated donning and doffing? How snag resistant are they? Are they machine washable without shrinking, as claimed?

My Expectations For The Ibex Climacore Ribbed Woolies
Following are my expectations for the Woolies, stated as hypotheses. I will test these hypotheses to determine if they are true or not, and present my findings in my reports.

• The Woolies will be high quality with adequate reinforcement in stress areas: they will be sized well and fit comfortably. (True, except for two defects.)
  

• The IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies as a base layer will be comfortable to wear, with no itch.
  

• The Woolies will provide good cool weather insulation, comparable to or better than Capeline or microfleece.
  

• The Woolies will dry out fast after getting damp or wet.
  

• The Woolies will have minimal odor after extended wear.
  

• The Climacore Ribbed Top will perform well as a hiking shirt, with a comfortable temperature/exertion range that is equal to or better than a synthetic shirt.
  

• The IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies will be very versatile and perform well in a variety of outdoor activities.
  

• The Woolies will be a lightweight and functional component of an ultralight backpacking system.
  

• The IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies will be adequately durable under normal use.
  

• The Woolies will repeatedly machine wash, following instructions, without shrinking.

Personal Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Email: (willi_wabbit at bresnan dot net) willi_wabbit@bresnan.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 46 years. Backpacking is my passion. I am retired and in excellent physical condition. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. 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 5 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 our information.

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

Will Rietveld