Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew - Women's Review

The Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew is perfect for ladies seeking ultralight performance, layered at the base of their cold-weather kit during winter. It would work as a standalone layer in shoulder seasons, but the material is a bit sheer, so you'll want to add a layer underneath. The 85% Merino wool and 15% nylon construction includes Nuyarn technology to enhance the performance as well as the durability of the layer.

Warmth

Ultra-lightweight base layers, like the Pro Tech Crew, are definitely not the warmest option for layering during the frigid months of winter; however, the weightless feel has some benefits, and the Pro Tech specifically offers some features that create a warmer experience than other lightweight options. For example, the high neckline, longer torso, and longer sleeves, complete with thumb loops that cover the entire hand, are a good start. The innovative Nuyarn technology incorporated into the construction also enhances the wool's thermoregulating performance by 35%.

The Pro Tech Crew is a soft, cozy layer that's perfect as a stand-alone top for spring and fall trail runs or summer hikes at higher elevations. We also loved layering the crew beneath our ski bibs during spring skiing as the wicking performance was perfect for sweating on the skin track and drying out by the time we finished our descent. The Merino/nylon blend is a lightweight 125gsm and ultra-fine 18μm thread size, which has a soft skin feel and disappears on the body. For an ultralight design, it provides ample warmth.

Breathability

The beauty of an ultralight, somewhat sheer base layer is its incredible breathability. Merino wool naturally wicks moisture while the Nuyarn technology enhances performance. Our testers found it difficult to sweat enough to make the Pro Tech Crew soggy, unless it was buried beneath a ton of other layers. This is good news if you're spending time in the backcountry, but breathability can also be key if you're layering this top under your favorite sweater to stroll around town.

We had a few beautiful spring testing runs while backcountry skiing in 60F temperatures with full sun at 7,000 feet. The Pro Tech Crew was too warm, and we tied it around our waist. But even twisted up around our sweaty waist, the layer didn't absorb the moisture, and we were able to put it back on completely dry during our cool-down. If you're after the wicking performance of Merino wool within an ultralight and breathable design, the Pro Tech Crew is one you can rely on.

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Comfort and Fit

It's obvious that Ibex put a ton of thought into creating an ultra-soft, comfortable top with a majority Merino wool construction. The Pro Tech Crew combines with 15% nylon to increase stretch and help the lightweight layer hold its shape during use, while gusseted underarms enhance mobility and prevent chafing during fast-paced activities. Our lead tester loved the slim fit and didn't mind that the layer was a little sheer in the lighter color option.

While doing lots of research online, we noticed some women complaining about the slim fit with many recommending sizing up; however, we're glad we didn't, as the size fit great once it arrived and even stretched a little after several washes. We appreciated the flat lock seams and raglan sleeves that increased comfort and reduced friction while layering beneath outer layers and a backpack. Overall, our team thought this was one of the most comfortable crews in the lineup. We'd recommend darker colors for those who don't like sheer fabric.

Durability

Ultralight merino layers are notorious for being super delicate, and while the Pro Tech Crew falls into this category, it incorporates innovative Nuyarn technology that makes the layer almost 9x more durable than traditional wool layers of similar weight. The Nuyarn twist-free spinning process forgoes traditional ring-spun wool constructions to create a more durable weave. Add a touch of nylon to the mix, and the Pro Tech Crew can maintain its shape and performance for multiple seasons.

Having had ultralight layers fall apart on them before, our testers were skeptical of the Pro Tech Crew until they noticed it maintained its shape wear after wear, even better than some synthetic counterparts. Although the fabric stretched a little after heavy use, it didn't snag or pill. While it won't last as long as a 100% polyester crew, we think it's a worthy trade-off for the comfort, breathability, and warmth-to-weight ratio that you can only get from wool.

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Drying Speed

Ultralight layers like the Pro Tech Crew can be the perfect choice for those seeking a fast drying speed. In addition to great wicking performance on the body, the Pro Tech is so ultralight that it dries quickly off the body in the sun.

In one of our tests, the Pro Tech Crew fully dried in about 25 minutes when left outside in humid 30°F weather, making it one of the fastest-drying in our current lineup. This makes it a great choice to wear on cool-weather trail runs or hikes, when you might soak through the layer on the way up and need it to be dry to keep you warm on the way back down.

Layering Ability

The Pro Tech Crew has a close body fit that is easy to layer. The longer torso and sleeves (with discreet thumb loops) stay in place when pulling on a fleece or sweater over top. The design is so thin that there's not much space for layering anything beyond a bra or tank underneath. The raglan sleeves also position the flatlock seams so they don't interfere with or chafe below a backpack.

Depending on the fabric of your mid layer, it can feel a little grabby and bunchy with the Pro Tech Crew. Our testers noticed that when layering smooth synthetic fabrics over top, the interface was fine. But when trying to put on a tighter-fitting wool or fleece layer, there was more friction, and we had to make some adjustments throughout the day. Overall, the close-fitting crew layers well beneath puffy jackets, loose-fitting midlayers, and sweaters without issue.

Should You Buy the Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew?

If you're looking for a stylish, lightweight Merino wool layer andlong-lasting performance, the Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew is our favorite lightweight crew. Although ultralight, this layer is perfect as a stand-alone layer in fall/spring conditions, and even better as the base of your cold-weather kit during the depths of winter. Although a bit of an investment up front, the lasting quality will allow the Pro Tech Crew to perform for many seasons to come.

What Other Women's Base Layers Should You Consider?

If you like the performance of Merino wool but want something a little warmer, consider a midweight option like the Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Crewe - Women's. The Oasis provides great performance throughout the year and is available for a more affordable price. And for those who wanna stick to their budget yet still experience the next-to-skin comfort, wicking capabilities, and odor-free performance of wool, we recommend the Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino. It is a very similar weight and fit to the Ibex, yet lacks the high-quality Nuyarn technology, so it might not last as long.