The following review was written by ATRA team memberAnita Ortiz and features the ibex Springbok Collection. Anita has been running on trails for over 40 years and her race resume spans from 5k trails to 100 mile ultras and includes numerous USATF championship titles and team USA medals. Product was provided at no cost for the test and review.
The first time I wore the new ibex Springbok shorts and Sport Tee was during a 12-hour mountain running race. And while I am aware of the mantra which states, “never try something new on race day,” I always seem to test my luck with this type of thing. Sometimes it doesn’t work out so well. Take for example, the running shoes pulled straight out of the box on the morning of a 50-mile mountain race with 21,000 feet of climb and descent. I paid the price for 2 weeks after that one! But sometimes, it’s a great thing. ‘Ibex Day’ was that day!
It was mid-May in the Colorado foothills. The weather app was predicting a warm(ish) day, but it was definitely starting out cool(cold) and blustery(windy). I was really jazzed about the dusty rose Springbok short sleeve Sport Tee and Springbok shorts I’d received from ibex a few days prior. It was a sweet looking outfit. I also needed a top layer to start the day and luckily had an ibex long sleeve Springbok Sun Hoodie to complete the fit. I just hoped that the features of the Springbok collection would translate into a comfortable running day as the temperatures fluctuated over 12 hours.
According to ibex, the Springbok Sport Tee is made of Merino wool with a bit of nylon and elastane added in. Ibex calls this fabric ProTech Lite. They claim it to be their most featherweight option boasting breathability, odor control, and thermoregulation in a lightweight and durable fabric.
However, on first look, the Springbok collection does not appear ‘lightweight’; rather, it seems sort of thick. It definitely was soft and well constructed, including some special features like raglan sleeves and gusseted armholes for optimal mobility. The long sleeve Springbok Sun Hoodie, also made from Ibex’s ProTech Lite fabric, had a 3-panel hood which could fit over a hat for full face protection, thumbholes to support easy layering, and a button closure at the neckline. But neither shirt seemed particularly “featherweight.” In fact, both seemed kind of like…well…wool.
When the race began I quickly realized this was not your grandma’s old fashioned wool!
The ibex clothing completely lived up to the hype throughout the course of my 12-hour day.
During the first few hours of racing I stayed comfortably warm but not too much so–I was perfect. As the day rolled along and the outdoor temps increased, I remained comfortable. Even during the heat of the day, as I was getting sweaty, I never felt too hot. The Springbok Tee regulated my temps perfectly, wicking moisture away from my skin. I did notice the shirt getting damp from sweat, but it was never drenched and remained comfortable throughout. In addition, while sweaty … and as a storm swept through, the wind never made me feel chilled. It was as though the shirt knew just what my body needed–warm or cool. I guess that’s ‘thermoregulation’! What a great thing!
Another feature to brag about with the Springbok collection is the UPF 35+ rating. UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), indicates how well the fabric protects your skin from ultraviolet radiation–how much UV radiation passes through a fabric. A higher UPF rating means the fabric blocks a greater percentage of UV rays. Obviously you want a higher rating for optimal skin protection. A UPF rating of 25-39 (out of a high of 50+) is considered ‘very good’ protection, blocking 96-97% of UV rays. The 35+ rating given to the Springbok collection is exactly what was needed on a sunny Colorado day in the mountains.
If I could change one thing about the Springbok Sport Tee, it would be the length. It seemed to be a bit short and boxy in the body. I am, however, very long-waisted, so perhaps this wouldn’t be an issue with other outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, I’d recommend the Springbok collection for its splendid thermoregulation and UPF rating.
I suggest you have your own ‘ibex Day’! Slip on the comfortable ibex Sport Tee or Sun Hoodie and go hit the trails. I promise, this is one test of the mantra that will work out beautifully.
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