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Ibex Springbok Collection Review

The Front Range in July is a heat-management masterclass: cool, predawn trailheads that rocket to 90 °F by lunch, sudden afternoon deluges, and bone-dry gusts off the Divide. I logged three solid weeks—tempo runs on Boulder Creek Path, vert days at Apex Park, and an impromptu FKT attempt on Green Mountain—in Ibex’s new Springbok Sport Tee and Springbok Short. Here’s how the lightest pieces in Ibex’s line handled every mile.


Why These Pieces Caught My Eye

Both garments use Pro Tech Lite, a feather-weight, 140 gsm knit that blends 83 % merino with nylon and elastane for stretch and durability, all in an 18.9-micron yarn—soft enough for next-to-skin comfort but tough enough to survive a waist belt or running vest.


Springbok Sport Tee: Fast, Cool, Chafe-Free

Specs that matter

  • Quick-dry merino/nylon blend with UPF 35+ for high-altitude sun.
  • Raglan sleeves & flat, merrow stitching eliminate hot-spots under pack straps.
  • Gusseted underarms keep arm swing fluid on steep grades.

Trail reality

  • Early-morning climbs: The tee breathed better than any 100 % synthetic top I own—no clammy chill on ridge-line rests.
  • Midday heat: Sweat evaporated fast; fabric never glued itself to my back.
  • Multi-day odor test: Merino’s natural anti-odor mojo let me squeeze in a second session before the wash without offending the coffee shop crowd afterward.
  • Pack compatibility: Those raglan seams did their job—zero abrasion on a 10-mile pack run with 1.5 L bladder.

Springbok Short: Lightweight Storage & Built-In Comfort

Specs that matter

  • 5-inch inseam built for unobstructed stride.
  • Pro Tech Lite liner-brief—same merino blend as the tee—for breathability where it counts.
  • Dual hand pockets plus a secure zip pocket on the back waistband.
  • Fabric is PFAS-free (a win for sustainability).

Trail reality

  • The brief stayed put; no ride-up even after soaking creek crossings.
  • Side pockets swallowed gels; the rear zip kept my car key silent and bounce-free.
  • Shell fabric (nylon/elastane) shrugged off sandstone scrapes and dried in minutes after a surprise thunderstorm.
  • Waistband fit dialed—elastic, yet stable when I stashed a phone for a cooldown walk.

Durability & Care

Multiple cold-wash/line-dry cycles later, both pieces look fresh off the hanger—no pilling, collar flare, or stretched hems. That nylon filament truly reinforces the knit without sacrificing merino’s feel.


Sustainability Notes

Ibex produces these items in small batches, uses mulesing-free wool, and eliminated PFAS finishes on the shorts—proof that high performance and low impact can coexist.


The Colorado Verdict

  • Temperature swing champs: From 45 °F trailhead starts to 90 °F road tempos, Pro Tech Lite never felt too warm or too thin.
  • All-day comfort: Seam placement and gussets keep friction to a minimum—critical for long, hot efforts.
  • Value proposition: At $80 for the tee and $100 for the shorts, they sit at the premium end, but daily versatility and multi-season utility justify the spend.

I love gear that tells a clear story: feather-weight merino engineered for speed, crafted responsibly. As a runner, I just love gear that disappears once the watch starts. The Springbok Sport Tee and Short do both.

Bottom line: If your summer calendar includes everything from sunrise ascents to after-work strides—and you’d rather focus on splits than sweat—the Ibex Springbok duo deserves a spot at the top of your drawer. Lace up, layer up, and let Colorado’s trails be the only thing that takes your breath away.