Honestly, I do wish that every shirt I owned was Merino wool. Today’s modern Merino blends have a ton to offer for everyday use and a variety of outdoor adventures. The Ibex Paradox Short Sleeve aims to be your one shirt for all the things and it does so adeptly.
Ibex Paradox Short Sleeve Tee Features:
- Merino and TENCEL™ blend for ultimate cooling
- Exceptionally soft material
- Nylon core for addeddurability
- Standard fit
- 45% Merino Wool, 45% Tencel, 10% Nylon
- MSRP: $80
When a shirt is a paradox
Using a modern blend, the Paradox Short Sleeve arrived — ready for immediate use. The softness of this fabric can’t be overstated as it feels so nice next-to-skin. There is adequate natural stretch that allows the Paradox to move with my body across a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. No, it’s not a running shirt, or a hiking shirt or a workout shirt; rather it is a versatile shirt that can be used for any athletic or daily use.
One of the primary bonuses of Merino-blends is their ability to endure multiple uses without being overwhelmed by body odors. I repeatedly wore the Paradox Short Sleeve across multiple uses from hiking to trail running and it takes several uses to necessitate washing. Speaking of washing, it’s wise to lay this shirt flat to dry. But, it has made it into a few dry cycles. If I do catch it in time, the shirt will fit a little more forgivingly. If it does get dried, it shrinks just a little more than I’d like for all-day use. I’ve consistently worn a size medium in Ibex shirts, but the snug fit has me wanting a size large to use this shirt for anything other than athletic purposes.
Like all my Merino shirts, this has been a go-to for travel. I can wear it on a long drive and wear it around town for various activities and then put it on for a morning hike or trail run. With that, the blended fabric does a masterful job of managing moisture. When the activity is over, I have appreciated how quickly it dries out. With that, I often find myself lounging around for hours on virtual meetings or various other activities and nobody has any idea that I started my morning with a 5-mile trail run.
As mentioned, I wore this shirt on long hikes and trail running in the Wasatch and visiting family in the Seattle area. Across all those conditions and uses, the Paradox excels. With a light outer layer, I appreciate the added warmth it provides and alone the comfort it provides.
There are better dedicated trail running shirts, but most of those can only be worn once before becoming too stinky to bear. Versatility is key here and that’s what I love best about this shirt. The fabric still looks and feels like it did when it arrived. I know I can expect many years of use from this shirt. You can also get the Paradox Long Sleeve, or I might suggest the Mammut Tree Wool FL as one of my favorites.
Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs. wearing the size medium. It’s an athletic fit. For a more versatile fit, I think I’d size up next time.
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The Bottom Line
The Ibex Paradox Short Sleeve Tee combines Merino wool, TENCEL™, and nylon for exceptional softness, odor resistance, and moisture management. I have found it to be ideal for travel, daily wear and light activity. It's also comfortable enough for all-day use and versatile enough for trail runs or lounging. The athletic fit runs snug, so I might suggest sizing up for a more casual fit.
The Good:
- Stink-free across multiple uses
- Super soft next-to-skin
- High-quality blend and construction for a lifetime of use
- Dries out in a jiffy
The Bad:
- Runs a little smaller than typical with Ibex shirts
- I'd opt for something more breathable on a mid-day trail run
- I would appreciate a touch longer sleeves (maybe an inch)
- Comfort
- Fit
- Durability
- Breathability
