Icebreaker Base Layers Review

IceBreaker Base Layers

Base layers have become a huge part of the outdoor apparel world. From keeping you warm on the coldest of winter hikes, to keeping you cool on those summer adventures, today’s base layers have to be able to do it all. The technology keeps getting better and better! However, some of the basics are the same. Like using wool. IceBreaker base layers take their base from sustainable merino wool. We had a chance to test some out and here is our review of the IceBreaker Base Layers.

Disclaimer: As a disclaimer we would like to mention that we received this item so that we could write this review. All opinions on this page are our own and based on our own experiences with this item. We are not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the item may be different. This site uses affiliate marketing links. If you click a button or link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

About IceBreaker

Before we get into our review of the base layers, we wanted to introduce you a bit to the brand. IceBreaker was born in 1995 in New Zealand with a look towards nature inspired innovation and responsibility. They focus on high quality merino wool and sustainability. A really cool feature of IceBreaker is their Growers Club. Members of the Growers Club sign a 10 year supply contract to give them the security to produce the highest quality merino wool. Currently, there are 70 members in the Growers Club.

IceBreaker also focuses on Animal welfare and their “5 Freedoms of the Flock ” extend to the sheep and sheepdogs. The freedoms are:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst: Growers ensure their sheep have access to clean water and adequate nutrition.
• Where Sheep can be Sheep: Sheep are free to roam in open pastures so they can behave naturally.
• A Place to Call Home: Growers ensure their sheep have adequate shade and shelter
• Out of Harms Way: Growers are required to check their stock regularly to seek to prevent illness and disease and rapidly diagnose health issues
• Freedom from Unnecessary Pain or Distress: Growers Ensure their sheep have access to clean water and adequate nutrition.

About Brooke

To test the new base layers from IceBreaker, I asked my friend Brooke to lend a hand. Brooke recently hiked the Salkantay Trek in Peru. She took the IceBreaker base layers to test them in some extreme weather. She also got to test them around the mountains of Pennsylvania to get a full feel of how they held up. Brooke has done several reviews for us at FMLT including: Royal Robbins, Oboz and Mystery Ranch. Take it away, Brooke.

IceBreaker Baselayers Tested

IceBreaker was kind enough to gift me a few goodies to take along on my trip to Peru. They sent me the Zone Knit Merino Blend Seamless Tights with a matching Merino Blend Seamless Bra. As well as the Zoneknit Long Sleeve Crew. I was excited to try everything out as I heard really good things about this brand. I’ve worn these pieces several times besides the trip, both individually and together, but I wanted to really focus a majority of this review on my experience in Peru. I felt the extreme weather and everything I was up against there really put this brand to work.

260 ZoneKnit Merino Blend Seamless Tights

Cost: $150

Colors: Bittersweet and Graphite

Sizes: XS – XL

Fabric: 38% merino wool, 38% lyocell, 18% nylon,6% elastane

The Journey

I wanted to go more in depth on my experience with the seamless tights then the other two products. These got the true test of time on my first day on the Salkantay Trek and were completely exposed to the elements all day long.

The morning of the trek, we were up to catch our bus at 4:30am to Soraypampa to begin. I wasn’t sure what to expect weather wise, as Peru just came out of the rainy season. I did know that I wanted to be prepared for anything and everything. As all of us mountain people know: ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED! As I sat on our 3.5 hour bus ride, my first thought about these pants was how comfortable they were- the actual fabric and the softness, as well as the elasticity of the waist band. Besides the trail, I chose these pants primarily for that reason when I woke up that morning. I wanted functionality for the day, but also to feel cozy and not restricted sitting for so long.

I won’t bore you with all of the adversity we faced figuring out our campsite when we got there, but what I will say is that we were ready to hit the trail and head up to Humantay Lake ASAP! Even though it was a short distance up to the lake, the elevation gain and altitude would hit me hard, as well as the rain. We were immediately greeted with it as we started up toward all of the crowds coming down. I quickly took my rain pants out to layer over the tights to keep from getting soaked. I loved that the tights provided warmth without adding a ton of bulk underneath, but also remained breathable.

The Weather

Shortly after, the sun came out to play again as we arrived at the lake and I decided to take the rain pants back off. I sat there in admiration at just how stunning this lake was and that no photo or video did it any justice. Just as I started to get comfortable, the rain started again. We all scattered from our spot, as I looked for a place to stay dry. Then, out of nowhere, came the sleet! WTH?! At that point, I started heading down the mountain toward our campsite, as there was nowhere around Humantay that provided coverage from the weather. I was too focused (and quite honestly- a little too lazy) at that point to stop and put my rain pants back on. I just wanted to get down quick.

While I know that Merino Wool has natural moisture wicking abilities, they were no match for that much rain and I was drenched by the time I made it to camp. What I did like was how quick they dried back out. I wish I could show you pictures of what the pants went through, but unfortunately, I lost my phone the second day on trail along with everything on it. RIP ☠️ All of the photos from the trip were captured by my “tramily”. But the common thoughts that kept running through my mind about these pants- then and now- were that they were a quality base piece and how easy they were to layer. Doing so never added excessive bulk or weight, especially when the temperatures dramatically changed and I had to keep switching in and out of clothing.

260 ZoneKnit Merino Blend Seamless Bra

Cost: $100

Colors: Bittersweet, Graphite, Tang

Sizes: XS – XL

Fabric: 38% merino wool, 38% lyocell, 17% nylon, 7% elastane

I’m a huge fan of sports bras, especially as a woman who is a proud member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Yes- I said it. And I embrace it. Even though I do not have to worry about the extra weight that a well-endowed individual has to carry, I do still like to feel supported and comfortable on my outdoor endeavors and at-home lifting workouts/ stretching. This bra did the job just right.

Sports bras are another item of clothing I’m quite particular with. I like pieces that fit well and are flattering, but give me a bit of a shape without being overly done. Plus, I really loved how modest the built-in cups were and how it gave me just enough to even out my athletic frame. I would consider the support of the cups medium and loved the seamless construction/fit and how it laid under my clothing. It was extremely comfortable and felt like a second skin- never interfering with my activity or annoying me. Very well ventilated and breathable.

125 ZoneKnit Long Sleeve Crewe

Cost: $125

Colors: Flux Greene

Sizes: XS – XL

Fabric: 60% Lyocell, 40% Merino Wool, Exclusive of decoration

Having a reliable base layer is vital in the outdoors. Having a merino base layer that is lightweight and breathable is extremely vital. I try to avoid carrying any more weight on me then necessary while hiking, especially when lugging a 35lb backpack on trail and struggling immensely with altitude. Seriously- it was brutal the first two days for me! I’m grateful that I had this base piece and how easy it was to layer depending on my needs for the day.

I wore this on our crazy first day on the Salkantay (please refer to Seamless Pant review for description), as well as Rainbow Mountain, which was another unpredictable place- weather wise. Both days started out relatively warm, but temps would drop the higher up we got. I loved that regardless of the weather, this piece helped regulate my body temperature. It was extremely well ventilated and provided comfort and mobility. I’ve even worn this piece on some bicycling rides back home. It was surprisingly just as comfortable to wear at warmer temperatures! It kept me just as cool in the heat as it kept me warm in the cold!

Brooke’s Final Thoughts on IceBreaker Base Layers

I’ve worn this set several times together and I like it just as much as the first time I wore it. The brand is extremely comfortable and easy to layer. Pieces that I believe are made to perform in many outdoor settings. You may have noticed that I sound like a broken record as I continually repeat how much I loved the breathability, lightness, and fit of Icebreaker Base Layers. Those are definitely among my favorite things about these base layers and why they will be coming on many more adventures with me.

If I were to mention the downfalls, I would mention that, in my experience, they pill and snag easily. Another thing that was difficult for me as an hourglass shape was that the pants were a little loose around the waist. It wasn’t a huge problem I had to keep fixing, but I would have to adjust it here and there. I’d like to mention that if you are someone who doesn’t like anything form fitting, I’d probably avoid the pants. The fit is tailored to hug the body.

Ultimately, each piece was well designed and high performing. For me, the fits really felt like a second skin and never interfered with any of my activities, which I loved. They were lightweight, odor resistant, and extremely easy to wear and layer in any/ all weather conditions. I’d highly recommend these products to anyone who is seeking out moisture management and functional, quality products to last you a long time.

More Reviews from the Fatman

For a list of other products that we have reviewed you can check my Product Review page here. If you have any products you would like me to review or any comments you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!