IBEX Outdoor Clothing was awarded the American Alpine Institute (AAI) Guide's Choice Award. The award presentation took place on August 12, 2004 at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“It's totally gratifying to find that when people test our gear it does what we say it does and that it outperforms synthetics,” said John Fernsell, Ibex's president and founder. “It further fortifies our belief that it works better. This type of core user feedback fuels product confidence and awareness, and acknowledges the innovation that Ibex brings to the outdoor market. We are very proud to be the recipients of this award.”
When asked to comment on the performance of Ibex woolies after guide testing, American Alpine Institute program coordinator Theirry Werderits remarked: “We were surprised that such lightweight fabric could adapt and remain so comfortable across an extremely broad range of temperatures and conditions. Product testing took place over the span of two years,”
The AAI Guide's Choice Award is given annually, making comparative and individual evaluations of equipment and clothing used in mountaineering, rock, and expedition climbing through field tests that the AAI conducts in a wide range of environments throughout the world. Testers are the professional guides of the Institute, and evaluations are made throughout the year in desert, cold weather, rain, snow, high wind, and high altitude environments. Other winners include Mammut ropes, Schoeller fabrics, and Valandre down sleeping bags.
The American Alpine Institute was founded in 1975 and in its 28 years it has been dedicated to helping climbers raise their skills, protect the environments in which they climb, develop good judgment, and safely gain access to the great mountains of the world. The Institute is especially well known for its advanced training and expeditions and its public service in the areas of environmental protection and public lands policy.
