Ibex Women's Nomad Jogger Review: Merino Wool Travel Staple

I’ve been wearing the Ibex Women’s Nomad Joggers during travel days, and for me, they’re solving the issue in the back of my mind whereby I feel constrained by the tightness of leggings. Having a “joggers” staple in my travel wardrobe hits the needs of coziness, comfort and durability, packed into travel bottoms I can also use as pajamas (shh).

As someone who’s always on the lookout for comfortable, functional travel pants, these merino wool joggers really impressed me from the first wear and have become one of my go-to pieces for both travel and everyday wear.

In this review, be sure to check out the photos of me wearing them (sportings sandals for a summer look) and take note of where I discuss size and fit.

The Score View detailed breakdown

4.23 / 5

The Ibex Women's Nomad Jogger is a lightweight merino wool French terry jogger with excellent temperature regulation and moisture-wicking properties. It features a zippered back pocket, gusseted crotch for mobility and slim-fit design that looks polished, though it runs long and slim, making sizing challenging for petite women.

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What makes them special

The Ibex Nomad Joggers are made from 95% merino wool French terry that’s incredibly soft and lightweight - half the weight of equivalent cotton joggers. I find that merino wool is always pulling out tricks that I didn’t know were possible. I have merino wool shirts, too, and they’re all unique finds for travel wear.

The combination drawstring and elastic waistband gives them adjustability that is comfy. I do want to mention that they are a high-waisted style, so keep this in mind.

They feature a zippered back pocket, which is a huge bonus for women’s travel pants; secure storage is often overlooked and women’s travel pants typically do not come with zippered pockets for keeping valuables safe.

The gusseted crotch design means I can stay active without worrying about splitting my pants during activities like squatting or bending down. This is a necessity for me because I am always bending down to do something with either of my kids. I’ve had great luck in finding out about denim brands that have gusseted crotch designs, so now I swear by this, and can’t figure out why any brand would design active bottoms without it.

Perfect for travel comfort and days in transit

I’ve worn these joggers on multiple trips, and the merino wool really shines for temperature regulation. Whether I’m on a chilly flight or walking around a warm destination, they keep me comfortable without feeling too hot or too cold.

The moisture-wicking properties are excellent. I’ve worn them on active travel days and they never feel clammy or uncomfortable. I guess merino wool really is kind of magical.

The slim-fit design with collared ankles gives them a more polished look than typical sweatpants, and they are not sweatpants at all! Merino wool tends to make joggers look slightly elevated.

I feel comfortable wearing them in casual settings while traveling. They’re definitely meant to be fitted rather than baggy, which I appreciate for a more put-together appearance. If styled correctly, I can wear them with a cropped shirt, throw on a jean jacket and maybe a scarf, and with cute shoes, I’m ready to hit the restaurants in my destination.

Size and fit

This is where I want to be honest: I was in between sizes. Things got more complicated because I am short/petite: at 5’2” I am usually wearing an XS, and the waist and length usually pair up accordingly.

With these joggers, they run long and pretty slim. I found the waist to be more snug on the XS by far, and on the size S, it felt better. The issue was the length, and it didn’t seem possible to get these hemmed or tailored. The XS was tight in the waist but way better on the ankle length, and the size S was better in the waist, but exceedingly long on the ankles.

I kept the size XS and sent back the size S, hoping for some stretch in the waistband. I am not saying they are perfectly sized, for this reason, and I don’t think they will fit all body types, especially for petite women.

This particular product will work best for women who are tall or long-legged, and that is just that. If you have a different experience with sizing on the Nomad Joggers, I’d be glad to learn about it.

Merino wool French terry construction

The merino wool fabric is what really sets these apart. Ibex uses the “Hero French Terry” fabric made from 95% merino wool with 5% elastane for shape retention. It’s lightweight, but substantial enough to feel durable. (Remember to NEVER put merino wool in the dryer, from my experience!)

The French terry construction gives them that soft, plush feel while maintaining the performance benefits of merino wool. I love that they’re machine washable with cold water and woolmark approved detergent - no special care required, which is perfect for travel.

The fabric maintains its shape well between washes, and I’ve found that the merino wool naturally resists odors, so I can wear them multiple times before washing when traveling. In fact, I try to wash them as little as possible. Merino wool feels like it is judging me, so I try to keep all my merion wool products super clean and wash minimally.

Quick takeaways

• The soft, lightweight merino wool French terry fabric feels incredible against your skin and regulates temperature beautifully.
• The zippered back pocket is a thoughtful feature that provides secure storage and sets these joggers apart from the competition.
• The gusseted crotch design allows for full range of motion without worrying about fabric stress or splitting.
• The combination drawstring and elastic waistband offers real adjustability for different activities and body changes.
• The slim-fit design with collared ankles gives them a more polished look than typical joggers.
• Keep in mind that they run long and slim: petite women like me may find a challenge in finding the right size.

Detailed score breakdown

4.23 / 5

The Ibex Women's Nomad Jogger is a lightweight merino wool French terry jogger with excellent temperature regulation and moisture-wicking properties. It features a zippered back pocket, gusseted crotch for mobility and slim-fit design that looks polished, though it runs long and slim, making sizing challenging for petite women.

Comfort against skin

90%

The merino wool French terry fabric is incredibly soft and feels great against the skin. The combination drawstring and elastic waistband gives adjustability that is comfy. The gusseted crotch design means I can stay active without worrying about splitting my pants. They're comfortable for all-day wear, whether I'm on a flight or walking around a destination.

Fit, mobility & sizing accuracy

70%

I was in between sizes, and things got complicated because I am short and petite at 5'2". They run long and pretty slim. The XS was tight in the waist but better on ankle length, while the size S was better in the waist but exceedingly long on the ankles. This product will work best for women who are tall or long-legged. Petite women may find sizing challenging.

Materials, durability & easy care

88%

The 95% merino wool French terry is machine washable with cold water and woolmark approved detergent. I try to wash them as little as possible because merino wool feels like it is judging me. The fabric naturally resists odors, so I can wear them multiple times before washing when traveling. Remember to never put merino wool in the dryer.

Durability & abrasion resistance

84%

The merino wool fabric is lightweight but substantial enough to feel durable. The French terry construction gives them that soft, plush feel while maintaining performance benefits. The fabric maintains its shape well between washes. They've held up well during multiple trips, though I haven't had them long enough to test long-term durability.

Breathability & moisture management

86%

The moisture-wicking properties are excellent. I've worn them on active travel days and they never feel clammy or uncomfortable. Merino wool really is kind of magical when it comes to breathability. The fabric handles sweat well without feeling sticky or heavy.

Temperature regulation

90%

The merino wool really shines for temperature regulation. Whether I'm on a chilly flight or walking around a warm destination, they keep me comfortable without feeling too hot or too cold. The fabric adapts to temperature changes beautifully, which is perfect for travel.

Stretch, mobility & shape retention

84%

The 5% elastane provides shape retention. The fabric maintains its shape well between washes. I kept the size XS hoping for some stretch in the waistband, and they've accommodated that. The elastic recovery is good, though the waistband is snug initially. The fabric returns to form after wear.

Pocket function & travel security

86%

The zippered back pocket is a huge bonus for women's travel pants. Secure storage is often overlooked in women's travel pants, and having a zippered pocket for keeping valuables safe is excellent. The pocket placement and security work well for travel use.

Wrinkle resistance & packability

88%

Merino wool performs extremely well here. The fabric doesn't wrinkle easily and looks good straight out of luggage. They pack well and maintain their appearance after being stuffed into packing cubes. The wrinkle resistance is one of merino wool's best travel features.

Weight & packability

80%

They're lightweight - half the weight of equivalent cotton joggers - which helps with packability. The fabric compresses well in packing cubes. They don't take up excessive space in luggage. The weight efficiency is excellent for travel, though the length can be a factor for petite women.

Styling versatility

86%

The slim-fit design with collared ankles gives them a more polished look than typical sweatpants. They're definitely meant to be fitted rather than baggy. If styled correctly, I can wear them with a cropped shirt, throw on a jean jacket and maybe a scarf, and with cute shoes, I'm ready to hit restaurants in my destination. They work for travel days, active sightseeing and casual dining.

Overall value for price

84%

These joggers strike the perfect balance between comfort and style for travel. The merino wool construction, zippered pocket and gusseted crotch design make them worth the investment. While the sizing may not work for all body types, especially petite women, they're excellent for those who fit well. The performance benefits justify the price.

How we score gear

These joggers strike the perfect balance between comfort and style for travel, making them ideal for long flights, active sightseeing, and casual dining. I’d recommend them if you read the above and decide that your body type would be suitable for how they fit in reality!