Ibex Shak Hoodoo Hoodie
I’ve been wearing the Ibex Shak Hoodoo Hoodie for late-winter and early-spring hikes when the temperature has been in the 30s and below and the wind has been strong. I’m impressed by its warmth, versatility for layering, and comfort.
Shak Hoodoo Hoodie Specs
MSRP: $280
Weight: 18 ounces
Fabric: Merino wool
About the Shak Hoodoo Hoodie
The Ibex Shak Hoodoo Hoodie is a lightweight, minimalist layer with the moisture wicking and breathable properties of merino wool that has become my versatile midlayer for winter and shoulder seasons. I wear it under a hard shell jacket on extremely cold or wet days and as an outer layer when the temperature moderates.
Shak Hoodoo Hoodie Features
Warmth: The Shak is made from 100% merino wool that is double-knit for extra insulation, and is good as a single layer at warmer temperatures. When it’s in the 30s and below I wear a thin insulated layer underneath and a hard shell outer layer.
Scuba Hood: The front of the hood pulls down over my forehead, providing extra warmth and rain and wind protection. The hood does not have drawstrings.
Comfort: The flatlock seams, now ubiquitous in outdoor clothing, rest smoothly against my body. And the Shak Hoodoo is made from 19 micron wool, a super fine wool that doesn’t itch against my skin. Coarse wool fiber is 40 microns.
Zipper: Full-length zipper for ventilation during strenuous activity. The zipper can be hard to pull down from the top when zipped all the way up. Grab the coat midway down the front of the hoodie and pull down to straighten the zipper and make it slide easier.
Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 160ish; the large Shak’s slim fit was comfortable for me. Anyone taller or heavier might consider an extra large Shak.
Moisture Management: Wicking and breathable. Merino is known for keeping your body cool during exertion by trapping moisture and releasing it as vapor before it condenses on your body. And merino clothing doesn’t smell after days of use.
Sleeve Thumbholes: Flat, barely noticeable thumbholes with flatlock seams that don’t rub against my wrists. Easy to slide my thumbs in and out while putting on an outer layer.
Chest Pocket: The chest pocket holds my iPhone 11, but a larger phone might be a tight squeeze. No side pockets.
Colors: Midnight navy, deep ocean, black, and ginger bisquite. I tested the midnight navy.
Durability: The Shak Hoodie is made from merino wool with a density of 375 grams per square meter, which is on the high end for durability and cold-weather warmth.
Packability: No stuff sack or side pockets to pack into, but the Shak packs small.
Caring for Merino: Ibex has tips here on how to care for merino wool clothing.
The Shak Collection: Men’s and women’s Shak jacket and vest, men’s Shak Hoodoo Hoodie, women’s Shak Hoodie, women’s Shak Long Jacket, men’s Shak Lite Jacket, and women’s Shak Lite Bomber Jacket.
Ibex’s Commitment: Ibex strives to make its workplaces fair, safe, and nondiscriminatory. The company also checks on its supplier farms to ensure best practices in treating sheep and the land. And Ibex strives to reduce its carbon footprint wherever it can.
Fun to Know: The Ibex Shak collection is named for early 1900s Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Shak Hoodoo Hoodie Pros
Warmth: The Shak Hoodoo is a midlayer with lots of versatility. I wear it over a lightweight top and under a hard shell jacket in temperatures below 30, as an outer layer over a lightweight base layer in temperatures in the 30s, and as a single layer over a lightweight T-shirt above 40.
Comfort: The super-fine merino wool and flatlock seams are smooth against bare skin.
No Stink: Merino wool doesn’t smell horrendously after days of use.
Shak Hoodoo Hoodie Cons
Price: The Hoodoo’s price is at the high end for comparable clothing.
Overall Value
The Shak Hoodoo Hoodie costs $280, a steep price for a midlayer top. But Ibex’s reputation for quality and the Hoodoo’s expected durability should mean years of use from the hoodie.
Similar Merino Outer Layers
Icebreaker Merino Quantum III Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie
MSRP: $220
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Base Layer ½ Zip Hoodie
MSRP: $155
Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie
MSRP: $175
This product was donated for purpose of review.
