Skip to main content

IBEX: INNOVATIVE MERINO WOOL FOR PERFORMANCE WEAR & BASIC APPAREL

COLLECTION OUTPERFORMS FOR ACTIVE TYPES AND IS COMFY ENOUGH FOR COUCH POTATOES

OUTDOOR RETAILER SHOW, Salt Lake City, August 9th

Words, Images Judith Ecochard and from IBEX website

We had preconceived notions of what Merino Wool is---as we have lots of winter stuff made from the no-itch, super warm yarn.

Well, those thoughts were vanished within five minutes of our review of IBEX’s Women’s and Men’s S/S 09 day and foundation wear.

FACTOIDS: Merino Wool- that in IBEX’s case, is sourced from the finest pink-nosed New Zealand sheep… (humanely raised and sheared, ecologically sensitive-sustainability traceable) …regulates body temperature and “is more comfortable” than any polyester textile on the market. It’s naturally anti-microbial and “works dynamically with the body” to keep one dry and cool. And Merino Wool is practically weightless.

In fact, “…the military loves it because it doesn’t melt and is thermal regulating”…has natural water wicking properties…and is machine washable.

Who Knew?


SPRING/SUMMER ‘09


BALANCE:

In development for two and a half years, the chafe free, super comfy seamless (a circular machine sews it just so)- BALANCE collection launches just in time. With technically superior designs for all gals’ chest/body types, (Light Bra, Bralette, Sport Bra, Support Bra, Sport Top- in A,B, C cup sizes for the later three) …the 86% merino, 10% Nylon, 4% Spandex composition ensures shape retention and ultra-fine softness.

Plus, the matching Briefs, Thongs, Runner and Boy Shorts in solid colors (triathlon red, alligator, ivory, violet haze etc) and feminine flower patterns in black/white and violet haze/white … ensure all is appropriately covered.





For guys, Tanks, Tees, Briefs, Boxer and Runner Shorts are “body mapped” for comfort and support-and super silky soft too.













DAYWEAR: Ibex’s women’s collections has expanded to include merino wool and organic cotton nylon blend, and an organic cotton canvas fabricated fashionable separates (skirts, capris ) with flattering waistbands that hit just below the natural waist. No wonder Ibex gets this-a woman, Ginesse Reynolds, is the head designer.





The best-selling Izzi pants (heather grey, black) with a slimming wide waist-band with cross-over at the center-front—can be matchy matchy with the new all organic cotton, and New Zealand Wool Merino Wool tee shirts. Our top pick is the semi-fitted scoop neck Print-T with a floral hand-screen print and contrast flat lock seams (no rub!) stitching.





Men also get some new threads. The lightly brushed organic cotton canvas options include the Five-O Long Short with a zippered stash pocket and two back zippered pockets with locking pulls, and knee darts for effortless bending.














Echo T tops are the latest handsome upper body cover-up- with a nifty contrast collar on the collar and sleeve cuffs.

RETAIL: Wide size ranges (W-XS-XL), (M-30-38, S-XXL)…widely available in stores nationwide and ONLINE














FYI: Ibex makes superior cycling apparel too.