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Long-Term
Report:
IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies |
Date: October 6, 2004
Item Tested: IBEX Climacore Ribbed Woolies Top and Bottom,
Men’s Size Large
 Summary
During the six month test I wore the IBEX Woolies as a base layer in
camp on 13 backpacking trips totaling 41 days, and the top as a hiking
shirt on two day hikes. I found the IBEX Woolies to be a very
comfortable and functional base layer for backpacking. They provide
warmth, readily transport moisture, and have no itch or smell. When worn
inside a sleeping bag, the Woolies substitute for a bag liner to avoid
skin contact with the bag. The Woolies top performs well as a hiking
shirt, but the crew neck does not provide enough sun protection and its
durability may not be adequate. Overall, the IBEX Woolies performed very
well for lightweight backpacking as part of a versatile layering and
sleeping system.
Manufacturer
Information
Name: IBEX
Website: www.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)
Colors Available: Top in black, blue, off-white, red; bottom in
black, off-white
Colors Tested: Top is red; bottom is black
Sizes Available: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Size Tested: 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 US
Product
Description
Construction and Features—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. All
seams are flatlock to eliminate abrasion; all hems are 1 in/3 cm. The
top has raglan sleeves. The bottom has an elastic waist, gusseted crotch
for freedom of movement, and no fly opening. Product literature claims
that Merino wool does not itch or develop odors, has a broad comfort
range, and is machine washable.
Quality and Fit—The
fabric is very thin and light and feels very soft and comfortable. The
quality of both pieces was generally good, although the top
arrived with one small hole next to the seam on the top of the right
shoulder and the left leg of the bottom was 1 in/3 cm longer than the
right leg. The fit is excellent. The size large top fit me perfectly (my
normal shirt size is 16 in/39 cm neck, 34 in/86 cm sleeve). The sleeves
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 32 in/86 cm inseam). The leg length is sufficient to cover my
ankles. The fabric is stretchy and moves with me without binding, and
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. See my Initial Report
for more detailed information and garment measurements.
Long-Term Report
Test Locations and Conditions—I tested the IBEX
Woolies on thirteen backpacking trips in Colorado, New
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming and two day hikes in Southwest Colorado, for a
total of 43 days. My longest trips were six days on the Continental
Divide Trail and 4 days on the Teton Crest Trail. The testing
environments were badlands desert, canyon country, forest, and high
elevation alpine tundra. Weather conditions included: dry and arid,
intense sun, strong winds, dust storms, snow showers, rain, cool
temperatures, high temperatures, and high elevations with intense UV
radiation. Temperatures on the backpacking trips ranged from 50 to 80F
(10 to 27C) during the day and 28 to 55 F (-2 to 13 C) at night. Day
hike temperatures were in the low 70’s (21-23 C).
How the Woolies Were Used— On backpacking trips I wore the
Woolies under my hiking clothes and insulation layers in the evenings
and mornings, and by themselves in my sleeping bag overnight. I wore the
Woolies top as a hiking top on two day hikes to see how well it would
perform. On several mornings with temperatures in the low 30’s F (0-2
C) I hiked wearing the top as a base layer under my hiking shirt.
Because of the timing of this test, I did not use the Woolies as a base
layer for snow sports in below freezing temperatures.
Performance—
Convenience—Because
of their stretchiness, the Woolies are easy to put on and take off. I
like their trim anatomical fit and smooth finish, which makes it easy
for other clothing to slide over them.
Comfort—Woolies were very comfortable to wear against my skin.
I had no problem with itching and did not notice any smell. Worn inside
my sleeping bag, the Woolies added warmth and avoided skin contact with
my sleeping bag.
Warmth—At the low temperatures encountered on my trips
(around freezing), the Woolies provided additional warmth when worn
under my hiking clothes and insulation layers in camp. In my estimation
the warmth is about the same as microfleece long johns. For me, the
Woolies were adequate long johns for summertime backpacking in the
mountains, where temperatures can drop to freezing. I found that wearing
the top as a base layer under my hiking shirt while carrying a pack on
cool mornings was too hot in every instance that I tried it.
Moisture Transport—Worn as a base layer in camp, the
Woolies were always comfortable and never felt clammy. They readily
moved moisture away from my body and dissipated it.
Use as a Hiking Top—The Woolies top was quite
comfortable for this purpose. On the first day hike I climbed 2700 ft
(820 m) in 3.5 miles (5.6 km) at a steady pace. The air temperature was
70 F (21 C). I worked up a good sweat and the Woolies top did get wet,
but it still felt comfortable and dried out fast on the hike down. On
the second day hike I climbed 2500 ft (760 m) over a distance of 10
miles (16 km) in temperatures in the low 70’s F (21-23 C). Again the
top worked well as a hiking top. In my estimation, the Woolies are as
comfortable as a Patagonia Capeline top, which I own. However, I did not
like the low cut of the crew neck for this purpose because of its lack
of sun protection. The Woolies top with zip-T neck may make a
good lightweight hiking shirt, however it may not be sufficiently
durable for that purpose.
Versatility—I used the Woolies for backpacking and day hiking
and they have performed very well in both situations. Based on my
experience with the Woolies, they would be my preference to wear as a
base layer for a variety of activities.
Ultralight Backpacking Use—The IBEX Climacore Ribbed
Woolies are a good balance between durability, functionality, and
lightweight. Their warmth to weight ratio is similar to microfleece.
Worn in a sleeping bag, the Woolies work great in lieu of a bag liner
and extend my bag’s warmth at least 5 degrees F (3 degrees C).
Usability And Durability—The Woolies pack down to a small size
for backpacking. I normally stuff them in my pack along with my other
gear. I consider them to be plenty durable for normal backpacking use,
as long as they are not packed against any sharp objects (no gear would
take that abuse). Besides the small hole that was present when I
received the garment (left photo), I acquired a small run/hole at the
neckline (center photo) and also a small hole in the front of the shirt
(right photo). The Woolies
have been washed at least 12 times according to the washing instructions
and there is no evidence of shrinking.
Personal
Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Waist Size and Inseam: 34 in (86 cm); 32 in (81 cm)
Chest Size, Torso Length, and Sleeve Length: 41 in (104 cm); 20.5
in (52 cm); 34 in (86 cm)
Email: willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State: Durango, CO 81301 USA
Location for Testing: Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona,
New Mexico).
Backpacking Style:
Ultralight
Backpacking Experience: 46 years
Personal Website: Southwest
Ultralight Backpacking
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank IBEX and the BackpackGearTest Group for selecting
me to participate in this test.
Will Rietveld |
Read more reviews of Ibex gear
Read more gear reviews by Will Rietveld
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