Ibex OD Solo Shirt: The everything shirt

In my line of work, finding a shirt that is both professional yet functional can be a bit of a challenge.  Now don't get me wrong, when I'm out on the trail the most important thing to me is how my shirt performs.  There are many Ibex shirts which fit the bill perfectly for my backpacking, climbing and other outdoor ventures.  However when I'm working, either on a photo shoot, while writing, researching and interviewing for an upcoming magazine article or on a video shoot I tend to want to look a little more presentable than my usual hot sweaty mess that happens on the trail.  It's those scenarios that I've found the OD Solo Shirt shines brightest.  In the short while I've had this piece it has worked hard on numerous video productions, city outings and in the backcountry.  This piece accompanied me on an 8-day road trip around northern California through Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic and the Redwoods National Parks.  From the flight to dinner out in San Fran and even at camp this is quite the versatile garment.  So what makes this such a sought after piece in my bag?  

Same great wool... 
As always (and I wouldn't expect less from Ibex) you're getting the same great materials that go into all their wool garments.  The OD Solo Shirt is made of superfine 18.5 micron New Zealand Merino wool.  This shirt has 100% of the benefits of wool (no nasty smell, quick drying and insulating) and it feels like an awesome soft, cotton jersey.  That's obviously important when designing a summer garment as you'll often be sweating in it and the last thing you want next to your body when it's 90 with 75% humidity is an itchy, scratchy shirt.  I wore this shirt in the woods recently on a very humid day and was more than comfortable and cool because of it's breathability.  

Casual yet professional... 
I know not everyone has the luxury of wearing just whatever when going to the office.  For us creative, free spirited type folks we appreciate having something that looks both good and can be a work horse all at the same time.  I try to appear clean and together when Skyping with a client or sitting down for an interview for a magazine.  The OD Solo fits the part very well and has that stylish feel; keeping me from wearing a t-shirt or needing to change if I'm going to hop from a meeting onto something that requires a little more manual labor.  The shirt sports an over dyed fabric with a button down front (the buttons are metal, not plastic) and a regular fit.  This is such a great travel shirt and looks awesome with a worn-out pair of blue jeans, khakis or even my gray hiking pants.  Recently when in Cali, this was my go-to shirt on travel days when I was in and out of airports, on and off different flights.  

View fullsize

Sometimes I travel light... other times not so much.  My three essential shirts along with a camera, notepad, writing utensils and my computer. 

A must have in my bag... 
Along the lines of what I said above, this shirt has been an awesome companion when on the road.  It gets packed on almost every trip along with an Ibex T and either a Woolies 150 or 220 Crew.  Between those three garments (and of course the essentials for the bottom half) I'm covered for pretty much any temperature I encounter during my summertime trips.  It's great to have this shirt on the ready if I go straight from the trail into town for dinner, to run errands or get a few essentials before heading back to camp.  I don't often hike in this shirt but on occasion I do hit up a fine eating establishment without a shower (gasp) and a quick wardrobe change at the trailhead and boom you can't tell I just spent two days out in nature... except for the dirt under my nails, my animal-like appetite and probably my hiking pants which I'm still rocking.  

This shirt has wrapped up for the season as Ibex released its fall/winter line this week.  However, Ibex also has a long sleeve version of the OD Solo which is awesome as the temps start to head south and the days get shorter.   You can find the OD Heather L/S here in four different colors.