GEAR TEST
ICEBREAKER
ZONEKNIT TEE & SHORTS Natural comfort.
O
NE OF MY FAVOURITE trail running T-shirts has a
anecdote: My wife, being the long-suffering
problem. Yes, it’s comfortable on the trail. Yes, it fits
spouse of the editor of Wild, simply cares so
me well. Yes, it looks half-decent, too, with a colour that, if
little about—or is rather so tired of hearing
I don’t say so myself, actually suits me. But hoh boy! Does
about—gear, that I almost never bother
it ever stink! At least half the time that I pull it out of the
mentioning anything I’m reviewing for the
drawer, I put it straight back in simply because I can’t deal
mag to her. Not this time, though. After
with the potential stench. And that’s the problem with
taking the ZoneKnit Tee and Shorts out for
synthetic garments. They can reek. Not all of them, mind
its first trail-running outing, I came home saying to her, “I
you, but enough do that I’m always trigger shy when it
know how little you care about this, but I’ve just gotta say
comes to buying one.
it: This stuff is really, really comfortable.”
But that’s where Icebreaker’s ZoneKnit garments shine.
NEED TO KNOW
Seriously, I’ve been impressed by Icebreaker’s latest
I’m sure by now that you’re well aware of merino wool’s
ZoneKnit offerings. They feel soooo nice against your skin.
antimicrobial properties, and hence its lack of, well, stinki-
They don’t stink. They’re comfortable even when wet with
ness. But even Icebreaker previously used a synthetic com-
sweat. They’re super lightweight. And the shorts are even
ponent, albeit a small one, in their ZoneKnit gear. With
a little bit retro-styley, too—remember King Gee Scoops?!
its latest 2023 collection, however, Icebreaker’s ZoneKnit
Perhaps the only thing I’d change is to give the shorts
garments use only natural merino and plant-based fibres.
(which have built-in briefs, BTW) proper pockets over and
Now look, I could blab on with something lifted from a
above the small, zippered key pocket that sits in the back
PR blurb about how the body-mapped zones in the shorts
of the shorts. I know that for actual running, proper pock-
and tee regulate temperature, or how their articulated fits
ets are meaningless, but if these shorts had them, mainly
offer freedom of movement, but I won’t. It’s not that that
so I could chuck my phone in them, I’d wear them all day.
stuff isn’t important, but I’m instead going to share this
JAMES MCCORMACK
Intended use: Running; high-intensity activity Material: Merino-wool and plant-based fibres Weight, as tested (M): (Tee) 145g; (Shorts) 162g RRP: (Tee) $119.99; (Shorts) $149.99 More info: icebreaker.com
HUNTSMAN
FACE THE OUTDOORS WITH FUNCTIONALITY IN YOUR POCKET When it’s time to go offline, take your Huntsman with you. Offering 15 practical functions to cut, saw, screw and pick, it’s the ultimate all-rounder.
FROM THE MAKERS OF THE ORIGINAL SWISS ARMY KNIFE™ ESTABLISHED 1884
