Icebreaker Base Layers for Women
It’s October, and I am setting up the tent at a camp site within Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a nice day, as October days go in the Rockies: sunny, breezy, cool. If I was sitting around doing nothing, I would get cold. As it is, I am helping the kids stake down the tent and loading it up with sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets. I am comfortably warm. Partly because I am moving, but mostly because I am layered for the range of temperatures and activity levels that go along with camping, hiking, and relaxing in the mountains.
The Merino Bodyfit ZONE base layer by Icebreaker is what I have on under my pants and hoodie. And thank goodness I am wearing this combination of lightweight (200-Zone) leggings and long sleeve crew. This is the perfect weight for the variety of activities and temperatures I will encounter on this three-day weekend trip with my family.
I’ve chosen the Merino Zoned Temperature Control + Mobility Base Layer in the lightweight zone because I am looking for the warmth of an extra layer and the breathability of natural materials. Icebreaker, like many clothing companies, understands the benefits of Merino wool: it breaths, adds warmth, naturally resists odor, and is machine washable.
Icebreaker has designed their BodyfitZONE, their most advanced temperature-regulating natural technology, designed to trap heat where it’s needed and release it when working at high intensities. That is exactly what I need on most of my outdoor adventures. I might work up a good sweat while hiking some of the trails, but I know there will be plenty of downtime. And I never want to sit around in cool temperatures after working up a sweat. Icebreaker designs their layers with “heat dumping zones” that increase breathability, thereby minimizing sweat. At the same time, there are zones of the layers that have added insulation for warmth where I need them.
Icebreakers base layers come in three weights – 260 (midweight) 200 (lightweight) 150 (ultralight) – and in five sizes ranging from XS to XL. The packaging includes size charts to help customers determine what size works best. I found the sizing to be quite accurate. I also love that the crew top body is long enough to tuck in and stay tucked in even when extending my arms up.
In addition to the BodyfitZONE base layer, Icebreaker women’s line also includes: Cool-lite which combines premium merino wood and TENCEL® for hot and humid conditions, MerinoLOFT which is a low-bulk, machine washable evolution of the down jacket, RealFLEECE which delivers the soft, natural warmth, comfort and durability of our superfine merino, and TABI which is designed more for daily lifestyle.
My base layer outfit is pricey as $115 a piece for the top and for the bottom. Am I glad I have this set? Absolutely. It performed exactly as it should, and provided me with the warmth and comfort I hoping for. Icebreaker has offered sales and substantial discounts on past season’s styles.
Icebreaker’s BodyfitZONE base layers and more can be found at https://www.icebreaker.com.
