One of the most important things you can wear when skiing, is a good base layer. This is especially true with backcountry skiing where you are working out, sweating, and stopping a lot. There’s a plethora of material choices out there, but merino wool is far away my favorite. New this year, Icebreaker introduced Zone base layers available in both tops and bottoms. I’ve been wearing Zone both in-bounds and out, and have some thoughts. First the details:
According to Icebreaker, their Zone base layers are the “ultimate active base layer. It features BodyfitZONE™ construction, which combines 200gm stretch merino wool with strategically placed merino mesh panels to help regulate temperature during stop-and-go days on the mountain. Plus, flatlock stitching eliminates chafing. The material is a mix of merino wool, LYCRA, and nylon for added stretch and moisture control.
Like all Icebreaker merino base layers, the Zone are soft and supple and feel very comfortable against the skin. I think the best test of a base layer, is that when you are recreating in it, you forget that it’s even there. Out on the skin track in the Wasatch, I got that feeling as I never was aware of the Zone tops or bottoms – there is no itch, no coldness, no overheating, and no chafing. I easily overheat when skinning up mountains, but the Zone certainly do work.
The feature that really sets the Zone base layers apart from the pack is the mesh underarm panels that do an excellent job of releasing heat. When I did get hot on a particularly warm day at Alta as temperatures rose to around 40 degrees, I was very comfortable just wearing the base layer by itself.
Elsewhere on the Zone top is a thicker material that keeps in more thermal retention where you want it, like around the chest. Despite the Zone’s ability to keep a body cool, it also keeps a body warm. I appreciated this when sitting on freezing chairlifts. One day in late November, it was a bone-chilling morning at Alta where I did several laps on the slow Wildcat double chair. Wind, blowing snow and the coldest air of the year so far couldn’t penetrate the base layer underneath a mid-weight puffy and storm shell.
Another time I tend to overheat is when skiing steep, rough terrain, just like what you can find under the Wildcat chair. But after staying warm on the cold lift, I then stayed cool on the ski down.
The bottoms (or leggings) are exactly the same at the shirts as far as stretch, material, insulation and breathability. What I like most is that they offer a boot-cut version where the legs only come down to mid-shin. This is perfect for skiers who wear long socks that come up to the upper calf, and it also means there is less material getting in the way around ski boot tops.
Icebreaker also offers a Zone One Sheep Suit – a full-body version with a hood, backflap, and ultimate coverage against cold air and snow.
The Good: Excellent thermal regulation, mesh underarms for breathability, boot-cut option on leggings, soft and comfortable merino wool.
The Bad: I could find nothing to complain about with the Icebreaker Zone base layers.
Final Word: Icebreaker Zone is an innovative base layer for aerobic, start-and-stop, winter recreation.