Backside Line
The Ibex Woolies Professional Tech is particularly designed for ultralight heat relatively than as a year-round cold-weather base layer. After doing the whole lot from breaking a sweat to sleeping within the Ibex Woolies Professional Tech throughout dozens of outings within the Rocky Mountains, we’ve dialed in the place it actually shines.
The ultra-breathable design of the Professional Tech makes it perfect for instances when you could cut back the coolness within the air with out overheating throughout an extended climb.
This layer takes benefit of all of the pure qualities of merino wool however gives improved sturdiness and mobility due to Ibex’s distinctive spinning technique and design sample. It additionally consists of handy thumb holes and the selection of a crew or quarter-zip neckline.
Whereas the Professional Tech doesn’t present the complete worth of a year-round, all-in-one base layer, it’s appropriate for ultralight or ultra-athletic adventurers filling a niche of their gear closet. For a lot of different choices, take a look at our full information to base layers.
How We Examined
Every base layer underwent unbiased lab exams to guage efficiency metrics corresponding to moisture-wicking and drying time. We additionally examined these layers within the subject, logging tons of of days within the backcountry to see how they carried out in real-world situations.
Fast Specs
Ibex Woolies Professional Tech
Greatest Ultralight Base Layer
CleverHiker Score:
4.5/5.0
Worth:
$115
Weight:
4.2 oz.(Males’s M)
Cloth/Weight:
Light-weight merino wool + nylon
Execs
- Ultralight
- Elevated sturdiness and elasticity for wool
- Snug
- Stretchy
Consolation
Wool doesn’t have a status for being essentially the most comfy material as a result of it may be just a little itchy when new, particularly in skinny layers. The Ibex Woolies Professional Tech, nevertheless, gives one of many softer merino wool blends we’ve felt, due to its built-in nylon fibers. It additionally options commonplace flat lock seams to cut back chafing.
For additional mobility, the Professional Tech options raglan sleeves and gusseted underarms. The important thing mobility characteristic, nevertheless, is the ultra-stretchy elasticity of the wool. The distinctive spinning technique that Ibex makes use of enhances sure qualities of merino wool, together with sturdiness, thermal effectivity, and elasticity. The bottom layer performs finest when its generously lengthy torso is tucked right into a pair of bottoms, as it may possibly in any other case are inclined to bunch up, and the stretchy material strikes with you.
The match is a real next-to-skin design, so for those who choose a extra relaxed match, think about sizing up or selecting a unique base layer.
Moisture Administration
The Professional Tech manages moisture barely above common with a superb stability of drying time and moisture wicking. In simply ten minutes, the wool/nylon mix expanded to 125% of its authentic dimension by wicking, and it misplaced about 31% of water weight in a single hour (something over 30% is great).
The standout characteristic of the Professional Tech’s moisture administration and thermal regulation is its breathability. The material is noticeably clear. This base layer is good for high-output actions in cool climate—or for that tough second whenever you’re uncertain whether or not to courageous the chilly in a T-shirt or add just a little additional heat.
It helps take the sting off the early morning chill, and whenever you cease to take a break, it lets the breeze in for a refreshing cooling impact.
Heat
This base layer is designed for mobility and ultralight consolation with average heat relatively than heavy insulation. Though it scored low within the heat class, generally that’s precisely what you want.It’s a superb choice for winter high-output actions like ski touring.
Worn with a light-weight shell to dam the wind, it gives average heat whereas sustaining good mobility. We additionally suggest this layer for cold, dry desert journeys the place a base layer is barely needed and also you need to keep away from additional pack weight, or in humid environments the place breathability and a cooling impact are useful.
The Professional Tech is a bit too light-weight for freezing winter or fall backpacking journeys the place you want dependable, substantial heat.
Options & Versatility
Other than the Professional Tech’s wonderful mobility options, it retains it easy with a crew neck, prolonged torso size for tucking, and a few thumb holes. The thumb holes are comfy, bolstered with strong stitching and thicker material, and supply additional protection for the palms.
The Professional Tech additionally is available in a quarter-zip choice, however we most popular the simplicity of the crew minimize.
Due to its skinny material weight, the Ibex Woolies Professional Tech isn’t essentially the most versatile choice on our record – positively not a 4-season quiver killer. When you may discover some utility for it within the winter, it’s primarily designed for warm-weather, summer season backpacking.
The skinny, breathable material feels nice within the warmth however will be fairly chilly when it’s soaked in sweat and catches a cool breeze. Backside line – we see the Professional Tech as a 2 to 3-season base layer.
Ought to You Purchase the Ibex Woolies Professional Tech?
Should you’re searching for a base layer to reliably hold you heat and secure in chilly situations, look elsewhere except you run extremely popular. Nevertheless, for those who usually backpack solely in summer season situations, want one thing that received’t weigh you down, or need to hold your pack mild, the Ibex Woolies Professional Tech is a good alternative.
The skinny, breathable material dries shortly, wicks moisture nicely, and helps hold you comfy within the air with out inflicting overheating. Regardless of its lightness, Ibex’s spinning course of considerably boosts its sturdiness, thermal regulation, and elasticity – the latter making this layer a terrific alternative for energetic pursuits.
For such a distinct segment, light-weight base layer, the worth is admittedly a bit steep. Whereas it may not be the most effective all-around layer for the informal adventurer, it serves a helpful function within the gear assortment of a devoted year-round explorer.
What Different Base Layers Ought to You Contemplate?
Our full record of favourite base layers has choices for each month of the 12 months.
Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Assessment: That is the closest artificial counterpart to the Professional Tech. It’s stretchy, breathable, and fast drying – optimally fitted to high-output actions.
Smartwool Basic Thermal Assessment: With just a bit extra heat and thickness than the Professional Tech, the Basic Thermal gives a bit extra year-round versatility. It additionally wicks moisture extra effectively for higher thermal regulation.
Icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Assessment: The Oasis 200 is even hotter nonetheless. It’s just a little extra reasonably priced than the Professional Tech, however not as sturdy and with lesser moisture managing capabilities total, making it not as geared for cardio exercise.
