ISPO Award Winner 2024: The Featherlight Baselayer from Icebreaker

When it comes to base layers, it's hard to avoid the classic petroleum-based functional fibres these days: Wherever you look, almost all underwear manufacturers use polyester or elastane in their baselayer collections, and usually both. New Zealand merino wool specialist Icebreaker has been proving for many years that it is possible to do without plastic. Merino wool naturally has excellent temperature-regulating properties - you don't need petroleum for that. People in New Zealand and Australia have known this for a long time and wear merino wool as a matter of course, even in summer. But Europeans are slowly getting used to this great idea.

With the new Featherlight baselayer, Icebreaker is doing a good job of reinforcing this process. The shirt consists of 20 percent ethically sourced merino wool and 80 percent TENCEL™ cellulose fiber. TENCEL™ is made from sustainably grown wood and supports the wool fibers in transporting moisture. TENCEL™ is particularly skin-friendly and has a cooling effect. 
The shirt is the lightest baselayer Icebreaker has ever developed and one of the lightest in the market. Breathability is its strongest benefit, but it is also quick-drying, naturally odor-resistant and extremely soft against the skin, which increases comfort. "We know how well merino works in summer, especially when we blend it with Tencel," says Icebreaker of the new development. "We wanted to create our lightest baselayer yet that can be worn under other garments when it's cool but not cold, or when the intensity increases."

The baselayer was designed for all nature adventurers who want to go running or hiking in it. The shirt is cut close to the body for an active, high-performance fit and therefore fits perfectly under any midlayer or light jacket.

The baselayer is available for men and women as a short-sleeved shirt, a long-sleeved shirt and a tank top in various colors.

• incredibly light functional shirt
• great feel with a soft touch
• completely plastic-free