Product Information:
Manufacturer:	Ibex
Year of manufacture:	2005
Website:	http://www.ibexwear.com
MSRP:	$39 USD
Weight:	Average weight of 6 oz (170 g)
Weight as tested:	5 oz (142 g)
From the Website:	description: Boxer length midweight baselayer. Form fit is comfortable under performance outerwear. specs: -18.5 Superfine Merino Wool. -Form Fit -Elastic Waistband -Easy Care. Machine Washable. -Average Weight 6 oz. -USA

Product description:
    Made from midweight Merino wool (about the same weight as midweight polypropylene), the boxers arrived nicely packaged in zip-lock bag, with much of the product literature printed on it. Once opened up, the boxers themselves bore hang-tags for both Ibex baselayers and for 18.5 Superfine Merino Wool. The boxers are fairly form fitting, and supportive, sitting nicely above my waist and reaching down to mid-thigh. Entirely sewn with flat stitching there are no side seams to the boxers (a nice feature when carrying a pack), and the front, while lacking a fly, benefits from a double layer of wool over the groin area for warmth. The hand of the material is very soft, with a nice amount of stretch to it, and I have not found the boxers to be itchy at all, in fact they feel like nice warm flannel.

My take on the boxers
    Just from looking at the boxers, I'm impressed with them. They are well made, comfortable, and is almost exactly what I was expecting after viewing the Ibex website, although I do wish for a fly. In fact my only complaint about them is that the lack of the fly, combined with a firm elastic band (this keeps them right where you want them) is on occasion problematic, when one wants to answer the call of nature.
    As for the boxers' wicking and anti-smell properties, in the five (consecutive) days of use that they have seen already (gross, eh?), I have found them to be extremely comfortable, to not ever feel damp from sweat, and to be extremely odor resistant. In fact I have yet to any noticeable oder from them!
    I'd have to say that, so far, the Roaster Boxers live up to their claims, although the adding of a fly would be a nice touch for next winter.

Things I like:

Soft.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Not sweaty.
Well designed and cut (seams do not rub, and are flat finished).
Roomy but keep everything in place.
No smell, so far.

Things I dislike:

No fly.

Test Strategy:
This summer, I'm working at a summer camp as tripping staff and plan to use the boxers throughout the summer. Conditions will range from -10 C to 35 C (14-95 F), from hot and dry to muggy, to torrential downpours and as well as snow and high winds, although, most likely, the weather will be excellent. I plan to use the boxers for hiking, climbing, biking, jogging, canoeing and while whitewater paddling, as well as around town. The boxers should see frequent use throughout the test period, probably totaling around 65-75 days of use.

Personal Information:
Name:	Rob Patterson
Age:	21
Gender:	Male
Height:	5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)
Weight:	150 pounds (68 kg)
Email address:	robpatterson5 <at> gmail <dot> com
Address:	Southern Ontario, Canada
Date:	April 5, 2005

Backpacking Background:
I'm an avid backpacker, and have hiked through most of Canada. Because of a number of factors I tend to use heavy to mid-weight gear but am looking at moving towards lightweight backpacking. Thus far, I've always used tents, and heavyweight backpacks. I also am an avid white-water paddler, long distance canoeist, and in the winter ski downhill, cross-country (skate and classic), climb (rock and ice), and with luck this winter I'll learn to snowshoe.

Read more reviews of Ibex gear
Read more gear reviews by Robert Patterson

Initial Report

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