5 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Thomas Barrett, Fordingbridge   (8-5-2012)

I bought these trousers for hill walking and a little scrambling but went for these specifically due to the excellent cut.

The legs taper to the ankles meaning they seal tight to your boots using the ankle zips. This also means when used with gaiters (as I often do) there isn't masses of excess material 'filling up' the gaiter and leading to excess sweatiness around the lower legs and ankles. They are also cut close in at the crotch to allow excellent range of movement without feeling restrictive. The element of stretch in the Exolite fabric also aids comfort and functionality. Speaking of the fabric, it is tough and durable and very water resistant.

The only drawbacks I would say are no grip tags on the vent pockets and that the vents themselves are quite obscured at rest by unnecessary flaps of fabric behind the zips. They vent much more effectively when moving but little when stationary unlike other trousers which are more 'open' at the vent.

These 2 minor issues are not enough to lose a star however. Great athletic fit and finish top notch from M.E, as expected!

5 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Neil Saxon-Jones, Lincoln   (4-5-2012)

Recently bought these for year round use. Extremely comfy and a good snug fit. The fabric is pretty weatherproof and the stretch is just enough for better movement. In the winter, I did sometimes put some power stretch tights underneath but only on really cold days. I don't think they'll be too warm for use on warmer summer days. As ever, great service from Facewest.
Thanks.

5 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Marcin Gorski, Warszawa   (20-3-2012)

I bought the Ibex Pant for my ski-mountaineering outings and I am very satisfied with my purchase. I am not sure but I think that the stretch fabric used on the Ibex pants is ME’s own invention. However, stretch is very good and so are breathability and water resistance. At the same time the fabric is not to heavy. The outer of the fabric is quite hard (for example compared to Scholler) therefore it will not snag but the inner of the fabric is soft enough to be worn next to the skin.

The cut is athletic and the knees are well articulated. There are two zipped pockets on each trouser leg and as they are mesh lined you can increase breathability by keeping them open during high aerobic activities. There is also an additional pocket on the rear. The waist belt is integrated (no loops) so the trousers are comfortable to wear because the belt will not be riding up. Because of the quality fabric, athletic cut and good ventilation the Ibex pants are very wearable especially when you want to move fast and light. I even wore them on a ski-mountaineering race and they performed superbly.

4 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Eliot, South Wales   (8-3-2012)

Great pair of trousers. The fit is perfect, and nice and snug. The pockets are roomy and well placed. The breathability really is good, even in warmer conditions where a thinner trouser may seem better. The water resistance is some of the best on a soft shell pant of this price I've seen, not to mention the fact it lasts for a great amount of time! Definitely worth a look!

5 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Jonathan Butler, London   (17-3-2010)

Very impressive pants. They are a perfect fit, snug and tapering below the knee: no more wet and muddy flapping trouser legs getting in the way. Their 4-way stretch and the lightness of the fabric means you don't even notice you are wearing them, yet they are warm enough for winter use. In four days in the Cairngorms this winter, I wore leggings underneath only once. They shed water nicely, keeping drizzle out, and dry quickly. ME gear is also well-made: I expect these to last me for ages. I wish I’d bought them years ago!

5 Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant Review

Reviewer: Derek Robertson, Edinburgh   (16-11-2009)

As with all products, there is some compromise with these trousers: they are a specialist item which work best walking, scrambling and climbing, but look faintly ridiculous in a bar.
The cut allows great movement yet is not such that the legs billow in the wind, which is often the trade-off in less well designed items. The material is tough enough to survive, unmarked, when rubbed against rock, but has a pleasant soft feel.
I purchased them because I was fed up with trousers that lived up to the promise of being 'fast drying', but became soaked as soon as the first bit of wet grass brushed against them - these have a reasonable degree of water resistance and are fast drying when they do get wet.
I would thoroughly recommend them, but would also recommend you take a change of trousers for the pub.