Disclaimer: Ibex sent me some stuff. It’s not the first time – I test drove some wool gear a few years back when I was still writing for Snowshoe Magazine.
I’m going to sound like a shill and for that, I’m sorry, but I hope you trust I won’t steer you wrong. The truth is, I love the clothing Ibex makes – it’s warm, super lightweight, feels great against your skin, and holds up for a good long time. I have a set of their merino wool long underwear that I always pack when I’m traveling (unless, like a dork, I forget, subsequently freezing my ass off in Hanoi) – though sometimes, I wear that stuff on the plane, even. That should answer any questions about how their fabric feels next to your skin – if I can stand to wear it for a long haul flight, well, that nails it.
I’ve tried out their heavy duty outwear and if I was honest, I’d tell you that I cried just a little bit when I got in the car after handing it back to the rep that loaned it to me. I’ve also got a sport top and a zip front sweater – every time I wear the zip front sweater I get smothered in compliments – no one thinks it’s some polar fleece outdoors necessity, everyone says how stylish it looks. It’s good looking, the cut is flattering the zips are sturdy, and it keeps out the weather. The picture on the Ibex site doesn’t do it justice.
I’ve thrown my older Ibex gear in the wash a zillion times and it’s still holding up just fine. I wore the loaner jacket on a day when the weather would not stop changing and it was never heavy and it kept me dry in the rain. I wasn’t crazy about the pants, they just didn’t fit right, probably owing to a certain extra-ness about the pants wearing regions, but I couldn’t fault the material.
The only thing that’s hard to deal with when you’re setting yourself (or someone you love very much) up with some Ibex gear is the price. Their gear is expensive, though it will serve you for a good long time and you will not, I think, be sorry you shelled out for it. Hey, you can always shop the outlet on their website for specials and save a few bucks if you don’t mind having last year’s gear. I sure don’t.
For perspective and honesty, I should tell you that I also adore SmartWool – I’ve reviewed their gear in the past too. They make the best damn socks and their long underwear goes neck and neck with Ibex. SmartWool doesn’t make the heavier outerwear that Ibex does, though they do have some cute hats and their lightweight gloves are terrific.
Polar fleece is everywhere. Yeah, it’s cheap, it’s effective, but it doesn’t have the shelf life that wool does and there’s no contest in the quality. I’m not typically brand driven, but if you asked me what I’d buy, given unlimted budget, I’d be redoing my entire camping/outdoors wardrobe wth Ibex. Seriously. I love their stuff that much. I swear I am telling you the truth.
Thanks for the great comments, the Shak is one of our favorites.
Merino is wonderful for traveling isn’t it?
– Keith
Ooh, such pretty pretty clothes. I completely covet the zip front sweater. And I really like their product descriptions and their blog – someone there likes to write and is good at it. Oh, and I second the recommendation about SmartWool socks. Best. Socks. Ever. Feet stay cool and dry even after hours of sweaty hiking. Tootsies stay warm and dry as the air cools off. I’ve worn pairs for YEARS (not perpetually, of course. . .).
Oh and I just wanted to say that if I ever move back to the states, I’m moving to the Pacific Northwest; it’s so much more me! The rain, the green, the sea. Mmmm.