Clay E. from United States, TX Public Profile

My previous review was made before I'd put my Drift into action, and two weeks later we were in Yellowstone NP where it saw daily use. The balky zipper I spoke of didn't resolve itself, and the hang loop pulled out the second day; based on these two things Voormi replaced the Drift after we got home with a Twilight, the color being much preferred to the Sage.

I used this as a heavy mid-layer, but also as outer layer x-country skiing to and through back basin areas. One trip I spent way too much time floundering in snowbanks while breaking trail--and breaking through--and trying to slowly extract myself my arms plunging repeatedly into seemingly bottomless snowbanks. I overheat easily, but even as a third layer (the other two merino) I didn't feel the need to zip open, and even after my arms and front torso spent almost more time incased in snow, I was dry beneath the Drift.

At 5'8" and 165 pounds, the Large is almost snug even with a single layer beneath (it's nice enough to wear around town, too), but since the weave gives I never feel constrained. The outer surface--the hardened part--sheds wind well enough along with the snow, and holds warmth in during low activities but breathes well when I get going. This is not a light nor easily packed layer, so I left it at home on a recent trip to Grand Canyon where temps went from freezing to sixties most days.

That part--packability--might be the single drawback to this piece: when pack space is tight, and weight limits are get

For years I’ve used a sling bag that was part of a bike shop promotion over 20 years ago: compartment for shoes in the bottom, and the top of this nylon bag for clothes and other things. It’s been fraying for a few years so I thought I’d try the Cube.
I have to drive to ride trails, so it’s nice to pack everything in one place and have it handy when I get there are change.
Squeezing helmet and shoes—Giro Xen and Specialized Mtn shoes—into their respective stretch mesh holders isn’t an easy task. In fact, I’d say this is a roadie’s bag for that reason. Plenty of room for everything else, but the struggle to get the helmet/shoes in place is kind of a drag, and makes one wonder about longevity.
Well made, lots of room for everything else, but time will tell if shoving the shoes and helmet into place shortens the useful lifespan of these dedicated spots.

I've been a wool advocate for decades, but not until Ibex started producing their sublime line of merino clothing did I find the right tools for the job of hiking, riding, just existing, year round. While I've had no issues of durability with all-merino garments, having a top that repelled wind and rain while providing that elusive-but-to-wool microclimate was elusive...until the Drift. The 75/25 homegrown wool to synthetic, looks and works great.
I broke it in in Yellowstone in January, and from skiing the backcountry to trying to get that elusive wolf shot; used as an outer layer while breaking trail backcountry (and spending a lot of time floundering when my skis kept breaking through the surface and me going shoulder deep into snowbanks and staying dry and comfortable), or underlayer for a down jacket; this has been a pretty revelatory jacket. And, the Twilight looks great.
I cannot emphasize the value of having this entirely homegrown and made garment, but to say: this proves again (as Ibex has been proving for 15+ years) that having homemade garments at a competitive price is not just doable, but worth supporting.