Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie

Review by Erin Trail

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is a performance Merino jacket built for active adventures.

Details

• Exterior Fabric: 85% Merino, 15% Nylon, 310 gsm, 21 micron
• Interior Fleece: 78% Merino Wool, 22% Nylon, 145 gsm, 18 micron
• Weight(s): 310 gsm
• Micron gauge: 21μm
• Utilizes Nuyarn® technology

Review

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie, at first glance, looks like a basic hoodie.  But after wearing it for the past two months, it’s become a integral part of my daily wear and cold weather adventures.

I am a size medium on the Ibex size guide and found that the Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie fits true to size.  The sleeves hit just right, just past the crease of my wrist.  The thumb holes in the sleeves are both comfortable AND don’t stretch out after extended use. The length is also good, hitting me across the widest part of my hips.

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is one of the softest things I own.  The interior fleece is a looped knit, making for a really nice feel against the skin and also helping it retain warmth.  The interior knit is pretty delicate and has a tendency to snag, so use caution when wearing rings or other things that can catch.

The exterior fabric is a smooth knit that has slightly fuzzy texture to it.  I haven’t noticed any wear on the knit – no pilling or wear spots, which is pretty impressive. The exterior is also pretty durable, likely due to the tight weave of the fabric.

I also really like the pocket options: two zippered hand pockets, two internal drop pockets, and one zippered external chest pocket (large enough for a phone).  I also appreciate that the front zipper is a two-way zipper, allowing me to vent from the bottom as I warm up.

Another nice feature is the extra layers of knit in the lower half of the jacket.  The hand pockets have one layer Merino knit on the frontside and the hand pockets are made from a sandwich layer of thinner knit, effectively providing three layers of Merino to keep your core warm.

I have been wearing the Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie during the following activities:

• Midlayer on a cold alpine ski day
• Hiking
• Casual errands or to the office

For me, this has been a fantastic top layer on fall and winter hikes where temperatures are in the upper 40s to 50s and there is no wind.  My temperature is nicely regulated and the two-way front zipper, scuba hood, and cuff thumb holes give me a range of options to stay warm as conditions or my efforts change.

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is also stylish enough where it can double as casual or even office wear.  My office has been FREEZING lately and I’ve been wearing this hoodie pretty regular without anyone batting an eye.

Using the Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie as a midlayer for skiing was probably the most aggressive test that I’ve been able to manage with our lackluster winter.  I’ve only had one day on the mountain so far, and it was a COLD and windy one. I wore the Ibex Woolie Pro Tech Crew as a base layer and the Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie beneath a ski shell.  The hoodie fit well over my bibs and it never felt restrictive or tight.

After a few hours, I was pretty cold and ended up needing to put on an additional midlayer. I don’t know what the exact temperatures were that day, but I’d guess mid-teens. I did utilize the SCUBA hood as a second warmth layer on my head (with a balaclava and my helmet). The hood fit well beneath my helmet and helped to keep my head plenty warm.  I think that the Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie would be a perfect solo midlayer on spring ski days.

Closing Thoughts

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is a well made Merino wool hoodie that’s a great active option.  I found it to provide medium warmth, but it’s not a quiver killer for super cold activities or as a top layer for windy conditions.  The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is perfect for activities where you have high output and need breathability and wearability options or as a top layer for cool weather activities.  The hoodie is well made, soft on the inside and durable on the outside, with features that provide you with plenty of options as conditions or efforts shift.  Priced at $298, this is definitely an investment piece, but one that will definitely last a long time.

The Ibex Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie is available for both men and women in three colorways.  Men’s sizes range from S to XXL and women’s sizes range from XS to XXL.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race