Ibex: Second to None

From: Keith L.
To: info@ibex.com
Sent: Wed 1/16/2008 1:31 PM

Dear Ibexians-

I have to say thanks once again to you folks down there at Ibex, for the amazing products you produce, and for the commitment you have to the "second to none" quality that keeps me coming back and wearing your gear.  I rode my bike to school this morning in sub zero temps quite comfortably, as usual.  I want to give you a quick history of experiences in my life that have been warm and comfortable because of what you have done. 

I spent the winter of 05-06 learning to tele ski in the Tetons in your ultimate guide sweater and Baffin Jacket.  That winter changed my life; I will forever be a groomer hating, powder loving, back-country fanatic.  I spent the fall of 2006 cycling from Prudhoe Bay Alaska, to Key West Florida wearing just one pair of your roaster briefs, your dash hybrid tight and shak full zip jersey.  Although I wore the briefs every day for over three months, I only broke out the hybrid tights and shak when the temps dropped.  I will always remember how miserable the weather got in the Yukon and how warm I was on the worst of days.  You can't help but appreciate that kind of quality on an unsupported cycle tour across North America. 

I spent the winter of 06-07 Mushing dogs in North Pole Alaska for an Iditarod team in training.  The temps dropped to 30, 40, and 50 below, and clad in as much wool as I could find I managed to freeze only my nose and ears on a regular basis.  I spent the summer of 2007 as a glacier guide outside of Juneau, Alaska. Guiding via dogsled on the Norris Glacier.  While my counterparts dressed for the high seas in their rubber suits, I managed by doubling up Shak Jerseys and by wearing a loden vest.  On a day off I managed to get myself disoriented in a white-out storm on the Lemon glacier in the mountains approaching the Juneau Ice-field in 2007, and had to spend an unexpected night out in a storm.  I huddled under some twisted ridgeline shrubbery trying to get out of the wind and rain.  Soaked through, I couldn't help but be grateful for the Qu-T and Norgie crew I was wearing under my synthetic jacket.  I managed to wait out the storm and find the trail back to Juneau the next day, happy and breathing.  Life is an adventure, and as long as you continue to baffle me with quality, I will take Ibex with me. 

Thanks again for everything,
Keith L.

Alaska helping to spread the word about Wool

Anchorage Daily News, January 13, 2008
by Melissa DeVaughn

"Today's wool is nothing like granddad's old cardigan or those itchy knit caps from the '80s. These days it is light, soft and more functional, even in wet weather. It lasts forever and doesn't retain that "you've been working out" odor. It can be thrown in the washing machine just like cotton...

...Today's wool is called Merino, which is named after the sheep that produce it. The best Merino is grown on certified farms in New Zealand. The certification comes from a newly launched New Zealand program called Zque, which sets rigid industry quality standards including rules about how the sheep are raised, how the dogs are maintained and how the wool is transported. Only wool producers who meet those standards can be Zque-certified.

This breakthrough has helped such performance clothing outfitters as SmartWool, Ibex and Ice Breaker to offer a product they can back."

LINK

Click  here to read about Ibex's participation in Zque.

   

Woolies Crew get an "A"!

Ibex Woolie Crew makes the grade and scores an A from mountainzone.com in their Outdoor Gear Review.

"... The Woolies Crew is a lightweight long sleeve merino wool base layer from Ibex. The cut length of the shirt is a little longer than normal, as a base layer should be, so that it can remain tucked in. Comfort features include tag-free design and outside seams. The sleeve cuffs are long, making it easy to slip on another layer of clothes. The fit of the Woolies Crew is very comfortable; not too tight not too loose."

Click here for the full review.