STEP ONE UNDERWEAR

BY KATE DZIENIS

FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE EVER-OCCURING CHAFE PROBLEM IS TRICKY.

As trail runners, we are forever trialling and testing the right products to see how far they will go without breaking skin, and sometimes – for many – we’ve already spent a decent amount of money before finding ‘the one’ item that is essentially perfect.

Step One is an Australian ethical underwear brand that has ‘fixed’ underwear’s chafing issues by creating what it calls ‘UltraGlyde’ technology, placed where the legs rub to stop irritation.

The idea was born from Sydney-based Greg Taylor, who was hiking in New Zealand and experienced a particularly uncomfortable chafing incident. But that’s not all that’s impressive, let me assure you.

After some research, it was discovered that 22% of men wear their underwear twice before washing them, so it was decided that certified organic viscose bamboo would be used because of its antibacterial, breathable and sweat wicking properties.

Step One is also known for its ethical standards, with Greg having checked over 30 factories to ensure fair labour, wages and conditions were adhered to. Now, because of the company’s 100% organically grown and FSC certified bamboo, the production of bamboo doesn’t contribute to natural habitat loss or destruction, and packaging is 100% certified home compostable.

Now that we know about Step One’s sustainability practices, just how comfortable and productive are the undies, really?

I’m going by the women’s range, obviously, and let me tell you that I felt like I was gliding. Yes, I said it. Gliding

The waistband is soft and provided me with maximum support around my lower tum-tum. There’s also about 15cm in fabric from crotch to the bottom seam, meaning they’re nothing like boyshorts, and in fact more like pantaloons or quite simply, shorts. I mean, you wouldn’t wear them as shorts, but you could certainly get away with one of the funky fabrics sitting underneath any running shorts.

The watch also features a screw-in case back with exhibition crystal on automatic models.

Victorinox watches are designed, developed, tested and manufactured by Victorinox in its own factory, making the brand unique and soon will pursuing the integration further with upcoming lines.

A 5-year warranty is further testimony to the highquality approach of the brand.

Vitals

RRP $1,995-$2,295 AUD VICTORINOX.COM.AU

Now there’s an idea for a new fashion trend. Anyway, comfort is the first thing you look for when it comes to underwear, and since it’s something you wear on the daily, I would safely say that Step One has designed some of the highest quality and most comfortable underwear I’ve ever worn. There’s no picking, no ride-ups, and no chafing.

Top it off with a whole selection of funky colours and patterns (or normal, whatever floats your boat), and you’ll be gliding along the trails knowing what you’ve got in your pants. I had pineapples and flamingos.

Vitals

RRP $33-34 AUD stepone.life