Gear Review: Woolies Base Layers by IBEX
Ibex Woolies Base Layers use Nuyarn® merino, making them warmer, stronger, and faster-drying than traditional wool. With natural odor resistance and versatile designs, Woolies are the ultimate base layers for hiking, skiing, and everyday wear.
Base layers are the foundation of any layering system, and Ibex has raised the bar with their Woolies collection. What makes Woolies different isn’t just that they’re made with merino wool, it’s the innovative Nuyarn® spinning technology that gives them an edge.
Nuyarn® enhances merino’s natural qualities by wrapping fibers around a performance core, making the fabric stronger, stretchier, loftier, and faster-drying than traditional merino. The result? Base layers that perform as hard as you do, whether you’re out for a backcountry ski, a multi-day backpacking trip, or just navigating a chilly morning commute!
Standout Features
- Nuyarn® Merino Wool: The star of the show. Warmer, more durable, and dries up to 5x faster than conventional merino. And it's soft!
- Year-Round Performance: Lightweight enough for active use but insulating enough for cold-weather layering.
- Odor Resistance: Merino’s natural ability to stay fresh, even after multiple wears, makes Woolies a multi-day adventurer’s dream.
- Full Lineup: From bottoms to crew tops and ¼ zips, there’s a Woolies option for every layer.
- Comfort-Driven Design: Four-way stretch, flatlock seams, and a next-to-skin fit for long days on trail or mountain.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Nuyarn® construction is warmer, more durable, and faster-drying than standard merino | Higher cost compared to other base layers |
| Natural odor resistance for multi-day use | Needs gentle care when washing |
| Comfortable stretch and flat seams for active layering | Slim fit may feel snug for some |
| Versatile—works for skiing, hiking, travel, and daily wear | |
| Better warmth-to-weight ratio than traditional merino |
Trail Tested
Woolies shine on adventures. The Pro Tech ¼ Zip works perfectly as a breathable base layer under a midlayer in cold alpine conditions, while the Woolies Bottoms are ideal under ski bibs or softshell pants. Thanks to Nuyarn, they dry quickly after sweaty climbs and maintain loft for warmth even when damp. On backpacking trips, they pull double duty; you can wear them day after day without them picking up odor, a serious plus when pack space is limited.
What’s most impressive is how soft yet durable these layers feel. Traditional merino can sometimes wear thin or stretch out with heavy use, but Nuyarn keeps its shape and strength, making Woolies truly long-lasting.
These perform well as sleeping clothes during camps in the desert, be it high or low. And of course during summer in the alpine. Overall, most adventurers will get a lot of use from the Woolies layers. They're as versatile as they are soft!
Packing It Out
The Ibex Woolies Base Layer collection isn’t simply another set of merino long johns; it’s a next-generation take on wool performance. Thanks to Nuyarn, these pieces are stronger, faster-drying, and warmer than traditional merino while still delivering the breathability, comfort, and odor resistance we all love.
They’re a smart investment for anyone who spends serious time outdoors and wants base layers that can keep up. And of course, they're as soft and cozy as can be. If you've never worn a Nuyarn piece before, they'll blow your mind!
This article is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
