The Ibex Goat Tee and Springbok shorts are comfortable, ultralight Merino wool clothing for warm-weather pursuits.
Overview: Ibex Goat Tee, Springbok Shorts
Goat Tee
MSRP: $85
Fabric: 89% Merino wool, 11% nylon
Intended Use: Warm-weather adventures
Springbok Shorts
MSRP: $100
Fabric: 83% Merino wool, 12% nylon, 5% elastane
Intended Use: Warm-weather adventures
About the Ibex Goat Tee and Springbok Shorts
The Goat Tee and Springbok shorts are so light I barely know I’m wearing them. They are smooth-against-the-skin comfortable, with flatlock seams that don’t chafe. I’ve worn them in 90-degree East Coast humidity and found them to be good at breathing and moving perspiration away from my body.
Goat Tee and Springbok Features
Materials: Merino wool filaments are wrapped around nylon, giving the shirt and shorts a soft wool feel with a durable core. Ibex calls the GOAT’s fabric Weightless Wool and the Springbok’s fabric Pro Tech Lite.
Comfort: I wear Ibex shirts for warmth in the winter, so testing a Merino wool shirt in hot weather seemed counterintuitive. But during hikes in nasty East Coast heat and humidity the GOAT crew and Springbok shorts were up to the challenge. I can’t say they made the 90-plus humid days comfortable, but they did keep me from becoming a ball of sweat.
Moisture Management: Both the shirts and shorts do a good job of moving moisture away from my skin on excessively hot days and during high-burst activity. And both the shirt and shorts dry quickly if they get wet.
Odor Resistance: Merino wool shines when it comes to shedding stink and sweat, and the GOAT crew and Springbok shorts did just that.
UV Protection: The GOAT has UPF 50+ sun protection.
Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, 165ish, and a medium shirt and large shorts are good for me. The shorts have a waist drawstring and a 5-inch inseam.
Stash Pockets: The Springbok shorts have two deep pockets in the front, a small zipper pocket on the back waistband, and a very small front inside pocket that can hold a car or house key.
Inside Mesh: The Springbok’s inside mesh liner keeps me cool and dry.
Care: Cold wash, line dry.
Pros
Ultralight: The fabric is thin and light.
Comfort: Smooth against my skin, flat seams that don’t chafe.
Breathable: The shirt and shorts are good at wicking moisture, keeping me feeling cool and dry under the fabric.
Cons
Too Many Pockets: The Springbok shorts have four pockets, which some people may appreciate. But I think loading the pockets with gear negates the ultralight weight of the shorts.
Overall Value
The prices for the Ibex GOAT crew and Springbok shorts are in line with other Merino wool warm-weather shirts and shorts. But the Ibex clothes stand out for their ultralight weight, smooth against the skin comfort and ability to shed sweat.
Similar Merino Wool Tops and Shorts
Smartwool T-Shirt and Cargo Shorts
MSRP: $80 for the T-Shirts, $85 for the cargo shorts
Material: Merino wool
Icebreaker Merino 75 Cool-Lite T-Shirt and 125 ZoneKnit Speed Shorts
MSRP: $100 for the T-shirt, $95 for the shorts
Material: Merino wool
This product was donated for purpose of review.
