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Are Technical Sweaters the Next Big Thing in Outerwear?

Ibex’s Fisherman sweater sneaks innovative materials into a classic silhouette. Could it represent a new category of apparel?

Two people wearing cable-knit sweaters, one navy blue and one cream, both with textured patterns.Ibex
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By Hayley Helms

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The fisherman sweater has been around for more than a century. The now-timeless style originated in late 19th-century coastal Ireland before gaining global popularity in the 1950s after being featured in Vogue.

For a garment with such a long history, it has evolved surprisingly little — until now.

Welcome to Moonshots: A series exploring the big ideas that could reshape the future of products. Discover more here.

Person wearing a cream cable-knit sweater, rust-colored pants, brown boots, and a black beanie leaning against a concrete pillar.
The Nautilus looks like a traditional fisherman sweater, but there’s much more innovation here than meets the eye.
Ibex

Premium outdoor brand Ibex, most known for its durable and versatile merino wool apparel, has reengineered the iconic knit sweater from the inside out.

It may look just like its traditional cozy counterparts, but the Nautilus Fisherman Sweater may mark the next step forward in technical sweaters.

High-tech fiber

Ibex’s latest release merges advanced material engineering with classic style, resulting in a hard-working layer that looks as good as it performs.

Close-up of a navy blue cable-knit sweater sleeve with a ribbed elbow patch.
The elbows feature a more durable knit for extra resilience.
Ibex

The standout feature of the new sweater is its use of Nuyarn technology, which wraps merino wool fibers around a high-performance nylon filament, allowing wool to perform at its peak and imbuing it with enhanced resilience.

Cream-colored cable knit sweater with elbow patches worn by a person leaning on a railing.
The new knit is capable of five times faster drying and 85 percent more elasticity than standard merino, without the use of spandex.
Ibex

The 70% merino wool/30% nylon blend offers better thermoregulation, faster drying times, 85% more elasticity than traditional merino and much higher durability and abrasion resistance than conventionally produced wool.

Old school style, new school tech

The Nautilus doesn’t just use innovative fibers to enhance a traditional style; it also employs very modern manufacturing methods.

The sweaters are made in Brooklyn, New York combining a classic 8-gauge, 2×2 rib knit aesthetic with the modern precision of bespoke 3D knitting.

Cream-colored cable knit sweater with intricate patterns worn by a person.
Underarm venting built into the design allows for better temperature regulation.
Ibex

This method isn’t just futuristic — it’s also more sustainable than old-school methods, because the final shape of the sweater is made right on the machine. That means no scraps, and little to no waste.

The 3D process also allows for some technical knitting design features. These include an open-knit structure in the underarms, boosting ventilation, and elbow pads with a more durable knit structure designed to increase longevity.

Black and white photo of a textile factory with rows of knitting machines and yarn cones scattered on the floor.
Each sweater is 3D knitted in Brooklyn, New York using a bespoke method that allows for customized knit patterns.
Ibex

The sweaters are made to order thanks to their bespoke construction method, but the turnaround is still fairly quick, Once ordered, the men’s and women’s sweaters have a 6- to 9-day turnaround.

A new era of coziness?

Ibex has proved with its new Nautilus Fisherman Sweater that just because a style has been around for over a century doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon with better materials and manufacturing.

Person wearing a brown knit beanie, navy cable-knit sweater, and olive pants standing near a body of water with docks in the background.
The Nautilus is more sustainable than traditional sweaters, thanks to the lack of waste during production and its long-lasting materials.
Ibex

Is this the start of a new era of innovative, technical lifestyle apparel that looks city ready, but can perform like your favorite outdoor gear? Only time will tell, but it sure looks like a promising start.

Availability and pricing

The Nautilus Fisherman Sweater is available to order now on Ibex’s website in men’s and women’s styles, retailing for $300. The garment comes in four classic colors: grey, green, navy and white.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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