Getting our feet wet

Ibex has forged it's way into the minds of sailors out on the water! Our Balance pieces got awesome feedback and reviews from the people over at SailingWorld.com

Reviewer Stuart Streuli writes

"...I wore the Runner Short during the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas last month and it didn't carry the faintest smell after four days of hot, sweaty, and salty sailing."

check out the full review here LINK

Cycling Season in Full Swing

It's that time of year to get back out on your bikes. Check out an awesome review of our Fausto jersey over on bicycling.about.com.

"What I learned was first of all, what a nice jersey this is. It is obviously well-constructed, with deep pockets, solid seamwork and snappy design. Then I got an education on how well wool works in so many different temperatures. The Merino wool with Lycra-stretch blended in the Fausto jersey allows your body to breathe, letting air circulate around and through the jersey."

Read the rest here LINK

Pingo found in Bulgaria

This exclusive photo captured the Pingo around the vicinity of Belogradchik, Bulgaria.
Apparently a couple of intrepid travelers from Alaska have been taking their Pingo jackets on all of their trips since they purchased them in 2006.

Got stories and pictures of you and your Ibex? Send them in and we will share them with the rest of the club...

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.

Synthetics smell foul on Wall Street too!

Good read in The Wall Street Journal on what people add to clothing, continually trying to mimic the natural properties of wool.

As always Ibex wool is no stink with no additives!

                                               Smells Like Team Spirit

By REED ALBERGOTTI
December 29, 2007; Page W1

Athletes have embraced the moisture-wicking properties
of synthetic T-shirts and other workout wear. But many athletes -- and those
who love them -- often discover an unpleasant feature of these microfiber garments: They smell bad.

                                               Read More -

The Qu T makes Gear Junkie's Top Ten

Ibex's Qu T made the Gear Junkie's Top Ten Gear of the Year Awards 2007!

"From marathons and mountain climbs to kayak trips through the jungle of Quintana Roo, 2007 proved to be another epic year for The Gear Junkie. But without the right apparel and equipment, these adventures would not have been possible—or at least not quite as fun. Here are 10 top products that helped make it happen, avalanches, whitewater, crocodiles and all....

9. Ibex Qu T shirt 
Among the most pricey T-shirts on the market, the merino wool Qu T is worth the cost for the right consumer. The shirt looks nice, breathes well, insulates, wicks sweat and never stinks. It can go days without a washing, as wool is naturally antibacterial, making it great for travel. $85"

Check out the entire list of the Top Ten Gear of the Year 2007 by the Gear Junkie here.

Too Deney Terrio?

Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:24 PM
To: Info
Subject: please consider adding a boxer brief in woolies weight

Team Ibex,

You guys make great stuff.  I live in Chicago; my woolies & Shak are my second skin.  I play in the mountains a lot; my woolies & Shak are my second skin.  I can climb, hike, fish or ski-tour all day & still grab a beer without stinking up the pub.  Nice.

Would you consider offering the Roaster boxer brief in your lighter, woolies-weight fabric?  It’s the only base layer piece missing in the Ibex line-up.  I don’t do the traditional, loose-leg boxer thing & having long swore off Smartwool (I find your stuff is better made & warmer for it’s weight) the thought of having to look to another wool brand for a critical piece of base layer…pains me.  I’m an Ibex man.

I own most every woolies style (except the sleeveless top…that’s a little too Denny Terrio, for me) and several pair of the mid-weight ¾ johns, the Loppet jersey & several pair of Roasters (…thanks for adding a fly, by the way.)  And while I really dig the mid-weight stuff for my fall-into-winter pursuits, I find it’s too warm a fabric for spring-into-summer-into-early fall hiking, fishing, etc.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to read this note, and keep cranking out great stuff.

Best regards,

Rand

Warmly Embraced in Ibex Merino

Sent:Thursday, December 13th, 2007
To: Info
Subject: Warmly Embraced in Ibex Merino

It's that time of year for this New York Street Performer where being able to stay outside and sing for my supper comes down to being  able to endure the cold.

Now, when I sing, "Crazy", I won't be talking about myself.  I'm toasty and feel elegant in my Ibex layers.

It's true that beauty comes from the inside out.  In this shot, I'm in my 'roaster boxers' and a pair of fabulous fitting 'Loose Tights'.
On top is a men's 'outback long sleeve jersey' keeping me warm under my 'Carrie Hoodie' (every girl should have one of these).

I also love my 'satellite hat' and 'climawool' gloves.  Did I mention
that I had to go back and order another pair of 'roaster boxers'?
Mmmmm, Ibex - you're perfect!

- Bethany Wild, http://bethanywildii.blogspot.com/
New York Street Performer Extraordinaire and Ibex Customer