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Ibex Wool Aire Sweater

rated 5 of 5 stars
photo: Ibex Wool Aire Sweater wool jacket

The Ibex Wool-Aire Sweater is a lightweight jacket made of lofted wool encased in water resistant nylon fabric. I wear this jacket year round. I like it best as a camp jacket after a day on a bicycle tour, but I can also wear it while riding when the temps drop. Best of all, if it rains, because it is wool, it still keeps me nice and toasty warm even if it gets wet.

Pros

  • Warmth without bulk
  • Water resistant outer fabric
  • Packs into its own inner pocket
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • The zipper is too lightweight

The Ibex Wool-Aire Sweater is one of my favorite pieces of clothing. Because the nylon shell is filled with lofted wool, it keeps me warm when it's cold. I also don't overheat when it is warmer. It seems to breathe well when I'm working up a sweat.

I wore it under a rain jacket while snowshoeing. As I was working hard, I was sweating. The jacket wicked the moisture away from the inside. I felt warm and dry even though the outside of the jacket was damp under the rain jacket. The Wool-Aire is warm without being bulky. The outer fabric is water resistant, not waterproof. But, even wet, it's wool, so I stay warm.

Because of its lack of bulk, it packs easily into its own interior pocket. There are also two hand warmer pockets that zip closed. The full zipper zips all the way to the top of the stand up collar to keep my neck warm. If I had to choose a weakness, it would be the zipper. It is very lightweight. If the zipper is not firmly in the bottom, it will come out and pull apart from the bottom. A slightly beefier zipper would probably solve this issue.

The Wool-Aire fits true to size without any tightness that would restrict movement. The sleeve length is just right. I can even ride my bicycle without the sleeves pulling up on my arms.

I have worn this jacket on two long distance bike tours. It is still in just as good of shape as when I got it. It's been laundered a few times (machine wash, hang dry), but, again, because it is wool, it doesn't retain odors.

I've had several lightweight jackets before finding the Wool-Aire. This has all the features I was looking for, but not finding, in the other jackets. This is a great jacket for any outdoor pursuit; on its own, or layered as a mid-layer or outer layer.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $295

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Specs

Men's
Price MSRP: $227.50
Historic Range: $159.95-$249.95
Women's
Price Historic Range: $162.48-$294.95
Reviewers Paid: $295.00
Product Details from Ibex »

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