What's It For?
New for spring 2009, Icebreaker's GT150 fabric is one of the lightest merino materials out there and the lightest fabric in the GT range which is aimed at runners, mountain bikers and other fast movers. It's intended for warm weather use either as a stand-alone single layer or as a layer with with shell and mid-layer garments.
The Techy Bits
Merino wool is nothing new, it scores over synthetics for next to skin comfort and odour resistance, but functions differently. Where fabrics like polyester work by wicking moisture across the structure of the material, merino works by holding moisture away from the skin and can absorb more wetness than synthetics without becoming uncomfortable.
The interesting thing about GT150 is that not only is it very fine, it also incorporates 4% Lycra content for a closer, more fitted, sporty look. Icebreaker says the Lycra fibres are surrounded by merino, so there's always wool against the skin. There are also 'eyeletted' panels - above - for better venting and seams a flat-locked to reduce any uncomfortable rubbing, particularly under packs.
How It Performed
We're big fans of merino wool, it's incredibly comfortable against the skin thanks to ultra-fine fibres, deals well with normal amounts of moisture and as a bonus, natural anti-pong properties mean you can wear it for days on the trot without stinking out the bunkhouse.
The SS Velocity top ticks all those boxes, but the combination of lightness and a little stretch thanks to the 4% Lycra content, makes for really streamlined fit as well. The only negative is that on us, anyway, it was cut a little long.
In hot conditions it feels beautifully cool against the skin as well, with none of the 'hot plastic' sensation of some synthetics and the sleek fit helps it to absorb excess sweat. The fine fabric makes for a cooler top in insulation terms and we suspect the eyeletted panels help there too.
One thing to be aware of is that because the fabric is fine, it absorbs less moisture than heavier weight merino before becoming saturated and wetting out. That means folk who run really hot and sweaty may be better off with a high-wicking synthetic alternative for faster moisture transfer and drying.
In a 90-minute, warm-weather run in the Lakes the OM test bod got the Velocity somewhat damp, but a cooler runner in a similar merino top, had no such issues.
The icing on the cake is the neat detailing. We like the flat-locked seams -none on the point of the shoulders - appreciated having some venting thanks to the zip-neck design and sun protection from the small but handy collar. Reflective piping along the zip is neat and handy, though ideally we'd also have like a rear-facing eqivalent. The neat hip-pocket is handy for light items, but there's no closure, so we'd be wary of carrying keys in it.
Verdict
All the plus points of merino wool performance in a hot weather-friendly, lightweight, sleek-fitting and, it has to be said, really good looking top. We've used it for running, biking and walking and it works extremely well for all three.
At around £55 it's not cheap, but in our experience, Icebreaker kit lasts, washes well and, in this case, you're getting a very well thought-out garment for your money.
Buy if... you want a hot weather friendly, merino wool top with great styling and performance and you aren't too much of a sweat monster.
