Last year, I tested my first Icebreaker base layer with the Apex Zip. That one garment converted me to the wonders of merino wool, and now I am a serious snob when it comes to what kind of fabric touches my skin during aerobic winter activities. So it was with great relish and joy that I got one of the company’s most popular shirts, the Bodyfit 260 Long Sleeve Crew. It’s a mid-weight shirt that’s meant for layering in cold conditions, and I’ve been wearing it almost every day that I’m out backcountry and resort skiing here in Utah. But does it stack up with other Icebreaker shirts I’ve tested?
First, the details. The Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 Long Sleeve Crew features:
- 260 grams of pure merino wool
- Forward side seams
- Flatlock stitching
- Close-to-body fit
- Odor resistant
I immediately dug the shirt as soon as I put it on. The material is super soft against the skin and not itchy at all. I also liked the two-tone colors on the sleeves and body, which makes the shirt look like something one can wear for any occasion (and not just as underwear.) In fact, I’ve spent dozens of days at work wearing this shirt, and it has been totally functional, warm and stylish… well, as much style I can muster anyway. But being outdoors is why the Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 was born, so I literally used it every time I put skis to my feet.
To really test the shirt out and discover if the “odor free” claim holds true, I wore it for 10 days straight. From casual days at work, to absolute sweat-fests while ski touring under the sun in the La Sal Mountains, I soaked and stunk up the shirt as best I could. I even wore it while snoozing in a -5 degree sleeping bag in my buddy’s heated camper (another sweat fest.) On day 10, at the end of another long, sweaty tour, I took the shirt off, declared that it hadn’t been washed in weeks, and tossed it to my aforementioned buddy. He recoiled, but after I explained my merino wool test to him, he begrudgingly smelled deeply in the shirt’s arm pit… and was amazed. He didn’t smell a thing (and later went on to buy two Icebreaker shirts for himself.) Yes, it’s true, merino wool really can be worn for days on end and not absorb even a whiff of stinky B.O.
On top of all that, I really felt that the Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 shirt performs admirably well during high-impact activities. The material feels a little too thick for skinning on ski tours, but I found that it’s actually neither too hot nor too cold. The shirt acts like a natural thermostat, regulating body temperature while I’m boot-packing up a steep incline, or resting at the top of a summit.
I only have one complaint with the shirt, and it’s this: I only have one. Seriously, there are no negatives here. This Icebreaker shirt is so comfortable, that it’s become my favorite shirt and I wish I had one for every day of the week. I’d seriously wear it every day if I could. But they are pricey at $90 a pop, which I guess could be considered a negative.
The Good: Soft, warm, breathable, versatile, excellent temperature regulation, comfortable, and completely odor-free
The Bad: Costly
Final Word: The Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 Long Sleeve Crewe is the ultimate shirt. Merino wool is like some sort of wonder fabric that fell from heaven, and there probably isn’t any outdoor activity you couldn’t do while wearing it. Owning one of these is a no-brainer for anyone who lives and plays in cold climates.
For more from Icebreaker, check them out online at http://us.icebreaker.com