Ibex Norgie Crew and Long Janes : Ain't No Mountain High Enough

I've been hearing about the benefits of merino wool for years, but I just didn't believe them.

I finally gave wool a try on a recent trip to Asia, packing an Ibex Norgie Crew top and Long Janes bottoms for two-week trip in mountainous Bhutan. I was doubtful about the anti-smell features everyone preached about wool, especially since the much-used (not washed) items would spend a week stuffed in my suitcase in between my mountain adventures and my return to the states while I traveled in Thailand.

I started my vacation in Paro, Bhutan, with a hike up to Taktshang monastery, a 2,300-foot ascent. It was a cold day under a threatening sky, and one of the guides was concerned I wasn't dressed properly.  I folded over the cuffs of my pants to show him my wicking warm merino Long Janes.

As we climbed, the clouds parted and the sun blazed down. As soon as I'd taken off my jacket, the clouds elbowed their way back in. But even with the temperature changes, I still felt comfortable in my merino base layers. I was surprised at how well they helped regulate my body temperature.

My usual post-hike routine is to strip off my base layers immediately and change into a cotton t-shirt and sweats. But with my Ibex wool gear, I wasn't clammy and wet. I was comfortable and dry. I also wanted to show off my Norgie top because I liked the sporty look -- it's a clay color, with green contrast strips running along the sides of the shirt and under the sleeves. (Also available in red/tan, pictured, and in tan/red.)

The top, which runs true to size, is fairly fitted, so off the trail I wore it under a vest for a more modest look. The pants were so soft and comfy that I even wore them to bed one night, forgetting to change into my pajamas.

The only time these next-to-skin duds did itch was the first ten minutes of wearing, after I'd taken a shower.   ("Your body just isn't used to being clean," my husband told me).   After that, I didn't even notice them. Both are made from superfine merino wool and have flatlock seams, which prevent chafing and make them ideal for layering.  

Both items were quite versatile, particularly the bottoms, which I wore hiking and under a kira , a traditional Bhutanese dress.   (After a morning in my kira at a festival, I raced back to the hotel to take off the outfit and its girdle-like belt. The Long Janes, however, stayed on).

The true test, however, came at the end of the trip.   As we left Bhutan, I stuffed top and bottoms at the base of my bag.   A week later, my suitcase sat unpacked at the front door while I indulged in missed episodes of Grey's Anatomy and went through the mail. When I finally got around to unpacking, I pulled out everything to do a wash. My t-shirts--ugh.   My cotton pants--smelly and covered in stains.   Straight to the wash.

And then I pulled out my Ibex gear. I sniffed the bottoms, tentatively. Nothing. The top: the vague scent of lotion, and maybe, at one of the armpits, the slightest hint of breaking a sweat. One more sniff convinced me that they didn't really need washing. I hung them over a chair, and the next day, folded them up and put them back in my drawer.

Ibex also makes the Norgie Crew in men's sizes, as well as merino bottoms (Long Johns).

Bottom Line: Keeps your temperature just right and doesn't stink, even after three weeks on the road.   That's more than you can say for yourself (or your traveling companion). --C.W. (Dec 07)

Price: $79 Long Janes/Johns, $85 Norgie Crew (on sale now $63.75)

Buy Online: , e-omc.com

Manufacturer's Site: www.ibexwear.com

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