The Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie is an innovative ultralight puffy filled with proprietary Merino Wool insulation and encased in a Bluesign-certified wind/water resistant shell. Versatile as a mid/outer layer, it’s lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. The wind and water-resistant face fabric is completely PFC-free, with Bluesign Certified materials, Oeko-tex Certified dyes, and renewable raw materials for insulation. It combines a 20-denier featherweight face fabric and their 80-gram proprietary insulating fill, made from premium Merino Wool.
Impressions
The Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie is an oddity in the puffy jacket market since it uses Merino Wool for its insulation instead of down or synthetic for the loft. It is not fully Merino and instead utilizes an 80g fill comprised of 80% Merino Wool and 20% Polyester blend. The Merino fill provides plenty of warmth but doesn’t expand or loft as thickly as down.
This Jacket will keep you warm across all four seasons, at camp, home, or during outdoor activities, though it is out of its range on warmer summer nights and cold Arctic days. It works exceptionally well during robust outdoor activities due to its breathability and moisture-wicking capabilities. On top of that, since it uses Merino Wool, it has excellent antimicrobial and thermoregulation properties. On the coldest days, pull up the hood for extra warmth, keeping your head and ears cozy, warm, and well-protected.
It tends to wear small, so go up one size for a more functional regular fit. The Jacket has elastic cuffed wrist hems, an elastic cuffed waistband, and a generous elastic cuffed scuba hood. If the proper size is chosen, it doesn’t have an overly baggy or tight athletic fit, yet it has plenty of room for layering and maneuverability.
The large hood is comfortable and wraps nicely around the head, and if desired, it even fits over a helmet, though it makes for a tight fit. All those elastic cuffs help keep the Jacket securely in place, even when briskly moving around. It features two insulated hand pockets and one chest pocket, all zippered for security. If desired, you can stuff the Jacket into its chest pocket for packability, though the Merino Wool fill doesn’t compress as well as a down-fill model.
The Merino Wool fill does an excellent job of providing wind resistance due to its tighter weave, so errant chilly breezes don’t creep into the innards of the Jacket, taking away any valuable warmth. A huge benefit compared to a down puffy is it’s easy to machine wash, though it still needs to be hang-dried. It’s the perfect Jacket for backpacking, hiking, and camping, keeping you warm and dry in various environments and temperatures. I tended to use it as my primary insulation for cooler outdoor activities, but if needed, you could use it as a mid-layer with an outer shell and extend its temperature range. I found it ideal from the 20s to the 40s, though layering can help with the temperature range, but it is not meant for Arctic weather by itself. The outer jacket material provides extra wind protection, and the water repellency keeps you dry in light wet conditions, though it is not a rain jacket.
So far, the Jacket has been durable, and I haven’t suffered any tears or piling. One thing I haven’t had to deal with is any down feathers poking out through the material! I found it just as warm and cozy as thicker down/synthetic jackets, though obviously, you can’t compare it against a super high loft entity meant for super cold conditions. Its 11 oz weight makes it more than competitive against comparable puffy jackets.
Bottom Line
What sets this warm Merino Wool jacket apart from a normal puffy is its versatility, providing wind resistance, washability, breathability, thermoregulation, and antimicrobial properties. It’s a warm and light puffy jacket that is ideal for winter and shoulder seasons, keeping your body temperature regulated for peak performance. The elasticized hem, cuffs, and scuba hood make for a secure and comfortable fit. As a side note, It’s made with environmentally conscious and safe materials.
The Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie, with its proprietary Merino Wool insulation, is the perfect puffy Jacket for wearing around camp and going outside on chilly days. It’s light, uber warm, comfortable, and just plain cozy. Unfortunately, like many high-end puffy jackets, it’s expensive.
- Ultra lightweight Jacket, 80-gram insulating merino wool fill
- Handwarmer pockets zip shut to keep valuables safe
- Wind and water-resistant face fabric
- PFC-free, Bluesign Certified materials, Oeko-tex Certified dyes, and renewable raw materials for insulation
- Weight: 11.375 oz (Men’s Medium)
{ 0 comments… add one now }