The Icebreaker isn’t cheap though. RRP is often around £70 but you can often find icebreakers being sold in sales so look around before making the purchase. Saying that, for £70 you will get years and years of use so if you’re only making one baselayer purchase an Icebreaker is a good buy.

On test: Icebreaker Chakra Half-Zip baselayer for women

Size: S

Size range: XS to XL.

Colour: Isle

Other colours: Black, Hozizon, Blizzard, Cherub, Cognac

Weight: M: 200g

Fabric: 100% Merino

Price: £50 to £70

Further info: Icebreaker

Icebreaker women’s Chakra Half-Zip baselayer claims:

Bodyfit200 Perfect activewear for mountain biking, hiking, snow sports, and everyday use.

Bodyfit200 has 25% more merino than Bodyfit150, so it's warmer and resists odour for longer.

This long-sleeved top has a high neck and a versatile zip, along with flat seams for extra comfort.

The Chakra Zip is a classic style you'll wear at all times of day, and in all seasons.

Zip neck collar

Raglan sleeves – NB: According to the internet, a raglan sleeve is a type of sleeve whose distinguishing characteristic is to extend in one piece fully to the collar, leaving a diagonal seam from underarm to collarbone.

Gussets for ease of movement

Forward side seam

Fits close to the body

Flatlock stitching

What I like about women’s Icebreaker Chakra Half-Zip baselayer

The fit is perfect. I am a size 10 with long arms and the Icebreaker is not too tight or too loose. Just perfect. The arm cuffs nicely cover my wrists and just touch my hands. In fact, the baselayer looked so good that I worse it out to dinner with my partner (before I put it through it’s sporty test)!

The colour – a deep turquoisey-aqua-blue colour is unusual and fab. I had a few comments about how great the top looked.

When walking, cycling and running I found the baselayer offered excellent warmth. It created the ideal layer of warmth against my skin. It’s not the lightest weight baselayer that I have tested but it didn’t feel heavy or clingy.

The seams do not irritate my skin so the flatlock features clearly work.

Also, in the interests of this kit review, I have worn the baselayer many times without washing it. There is no whiff of BO. Absolutely none!

What I’m not so keen on

I always find new Merino a bit itchy. I have quite sensitive skin so it might be particular to my skin but I do find myself scratching my skin a bit in Merino baselayers. I find this goes after a few washes and the benefits of Merino wool far outweigh the itch.

When I stopped exercising the baselayer didn’t dry out as quickly as synthetic baselayers do. Merino wool is effective at allowing sweat to wick through the wool but it takes longer to dry out. My skin wasn’t soaking but if you're out for a long hike and need to stay warm when you stop.

Summary review of women’s Icebreaker Chakra Half-Zip baselayer

(Scored out of 10)

Female fit: 10

Warmth: 9

Moisture management: 7

Whiff: 10

Does what it says on the label: 7 (lost points for the itching and a bit of sweat dampness)

Price: 7 (these are pricey but long-lasting)

Where to buy?: Most outdoors shops and on-line stores sell Icebreaker baselayers.

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.