Big Innovation, Compact Package: Evolution Outdoors Ibex Hinge Release Review (2024)

Archery hunting with a hinge-style release aid isn’t anything new, but the popularity of doing so is definitely on the rise. Hinges don’t fail and provide nice, clean shots time and time again.

With that said, hinge releases have been at a bit of a standstill in terms of innovation and often fall short in terms of practicality for hunting where an index or thumb button always fits the bill. Evolution Outdoors has broken that age-old mold and created a hinge release designed for bowhunting and then some. The Ibex hinge release combines a heap of the best features from several styles of release and then adds a whole lot of innovation on top.

Adjustability, new hinge location innovations, and absolute silence are the hallmarks of the Ibex. So, is it worth the price tag?

In short: The Evolution Outdoors Ibex is for the bowhunter who prefers using a hinge-style release aid over all else. No more switching to an index or thumb button just for hunting. The Ibex can do it all if you’re willing to fork up the dough for it, of course.

For a look at how the Ibex compares to other top-notch release aids, check out GearJunkie’s guide to the best archery release aids.

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Evolution Outdoors Ibex Hinge Release Review

Overview

Evolution Outdoors is most well-known for making broadheads but recently jumped into the release aid game. The Ibex is a hinge-style release aid that comes in both an aluminum cerakote option (Arizona Archery Green or Sniper Grey) and a brass option. With each, you can choose between sizes small/medium or medium/large. All releases come with an attachable thumb tab and peg, lanyard tab, and EVA case.

As far as adjustability goes, the third finger position is removable and has three pre-set points to manipulate the angle. You also have a speed sear that controls how fast or slow the release will fire and a click sear that controls when and where you feel the click. Both are adjusted with screws. Lastly, I want to point out that this is 100% made in the USA.

Features

Pivots in Handle

What’s unique about the Ibex is that instead of pivoting at the head, like other hinges, it pivots in the handle. This feature eliminates the head of the release coming out of the anchor when rotated, which is how most people engage a hinge.

This means that whether you shoot the Ibex by rotating or by pulling, the point of impact will not change. It’s one of a kind and stands alone as the only hinge that does this. The Ibex wants you to be more accurate.

Inaudible Click

Another standout feature of the Ibex for bowhunters is the inaudible click. A click on a standard hinge isn’t the greatest for being in close on animals, and with some folks, the click can set in motion a small amount of panic. The click on the Ibex is more of a vibration. You feel it instead of hearing it, so it’s great for being in the red zone.

With that, if you decide that you want to let down or reset your shot sequence, you can do so by rotating back over the click. This is something that no other hinge release does. By simply rotating the release back toward zero (ring finger toward the target), you’ll reset the click and can either let down safely or start working through your shot again.

Set It and Forget It

Again, another big win for bowhunters. The Ibex is the only hinge release that can be clipped onto the D-loop and left to hang, just like a thumb button. For spot and stalk bowhunting, this is an incredible feature.

Traditionally, with a hinge, you’d have to hold your release attached to the D-loop in a spot-and-stalk scenario. Now, with the Ibex, you don’t have to. Set it, forget it, and send it when needed.

My Experience With the Evolution Outdoors Ibex

I’ve always considered shooting a hinge release to be fun. And while I have hunted with a hinge before, I quickly realized that hunting with a hinge didn’t make sense to me. It just didn’t seem practical with standard hinges. The Ibex has changed my mind here.

Upon first getting the Ibex in my hands, I gotta say — this thing is a looker. The Aluminum Cerakote version is the one I snagged. I know that doesn’t have anything to do with functionality, but you know what? We spend a great deal of our hard-earned money on hunting gear. We’d better like how this stuff looks. And the Ibex is a heater.

In the beginning, I practiced with the Ibex on a shot trainer. I wanted to do this to get used to how the Ibex worked. And what I mean by that is how to attach the release to the D-loop and lock it in place. From there, I also wanted to familiarize myself with the feel of the click.

I had to pay attention at first. Now, I notice it every time. And right out of the packaging, I didn’t have to make too many adjustments. The only thing I did was move the ring finger adjustment one slot tighter.

I’m not kidding when I say this, but this very well may be the cleanest-feeling release I’ve ever used. It feels great in my hand. For reference, I’m an average-sized adult male at 5′11″, and I shoot the medium/large size Ibex. Along with that, though, when the shot breaks, it’s butter. I didn’t feel anything sloppy, and the accuracy was on point downrange.

What’s Wrong

The only downside I can think of with the Ibex is the price point. This is surely going to hold some folks back from taking the leap and making the purchase. At $300 for the aluminum and $350 for the brass, trust me, I get it. I will say that what you are getting is a functional work of art. That, paired with the fact that the Ibex is made in the USA, drives the price up a bit. It comes with the territory when a product is of this quality.

Final Thoughts

I had an opinion of hinge-style releases in bowhunting before ever trying the Ibex. In my eyes, they were not practical because they didn’t possess the features a bowhunter needs on their side. The Evolution Outdoors Ibex solves all of that, and now I can confidently say that I would personally hunt with the Ibex without blinking an eye.

As a bowhunter, this is a much-appreciated innovation to the game we play, and I truly believe it is a game-changer in terms of hinge-style release aids for bowhunting. You need to try one of these. No ifs, and, or buts about it.