If you want wool this is the shirt. Great mid layer but could also be worn as a base layer. Weave is tight and is good quality. This is a good fitting garment too.. The only negative for me was the top of the zipper was a bit irritating on the neck.

The Shak is warm and nicely finished. Along with the Icebreaker Sport Zip Engine, it's become my favorite both as a midlayer and as an outer layer to wear on the street or to the office. The wool is a bit itchy -- the only instance when I've enountered itchy Merino. The crew neck fits loosely. The washing directions say to lay flat to dry. I hung mine on a broad wet-suit hanger and ended up with temporarily puffed-out shoulders.

I own about 12 peices of IBEX clothing and have about 12 or more of Patagonia and other misc. synthetic shirts and bottoms sitting in a drawer. Wool is simply the best material - warm when wet, better thermo regulation, and it does not hold odor. The Ibex shak is great - I have 2,one from 2006 and one from 2005. The quality and thickness of the wool seems better on the 2005 but overall it's a great shirt. It's a little itchy compared to the zip T's but overall, it's great. I can wear it out to a bar or to the summit of Mt. Washington.

I used this top for a week straight down in Patagonia, and it kept me warm and dry. This was warm enough in the morning but not too hot for hiking all day. It even looks great.

Love the snug but comfortable fit and tightly-knit wool on this piece from Ibex. It's functional as a midlayer for a range of activities including as a dress casual top for "loitering" in the city. It's machine washable and I use the dryer on low heat setting for 3 min. and than set it on air tumble for like 30 min. and than flat dry it the rest of the way (no shrinkage). I wish Ibex also made this in gray or gunmetal...black will have to do for now.

I have worn my Shak in a variety of cold weather conditions, from wet to dry. The Shank breathes well as you warm up, but also is surprisingly wind resistant. It has become my favorite mid weight top.