ProView – Men’s Icebreaker Kit Review

Over the summer I spent a full month in Glacier National Park, hiking every single day, while working on a guidebook with my family. We logged hundreds of miles on foot and I was usually carrying my 30lb toddler in a carrier on my back. I packed light for the trip focusing on bringing garments that contained natural fibers like those contained in the Icebreaker Kit. Laundry was pretty much a no-go so I needed clothes that I could wear multiple times without stinking up our small travel trailer and causing my wife and kid to jump ship. Wool provides natural insulation, aids in regulating body temperature, and ensures warmth even in damp conditions. Additionally, it possesses moisture-wicking properties, effectively drawing sweat away from the body. Glacier is known for its drastic temperature swings and I was happy to have the Icebreaker Kit along for the journey. 

The kit consisted of the: Men’s Tech Lite II Short Sleeve Tee, Men’s Anatomica Merino Boxers, Men’s ZoneKnit Shorts, and Men’s Hike Cool-Lite 3Q Crew Socks. Below are my thoughts on each.

Men’s Tech Lite II Short Sleeve Tee

The Icebreaker TechLite Tee is a great all-round shirt made of 100 percent merino wool. The soft merino fibers help regulate body temperature and keep odor under control. The TechLite is free from any type of graphic which I really like. The colors and style are such that this shirt really can go straight from the gym to a night on the town. In terms of wool clothing this shirt is designed to keep you cool. Not warm. This isn’t the type of wool that will leave you itching and scratching either. While not as smooth as some synthetic materials, I certainly haven’t experienced any discomfort with this layer.

Men’s Anatomica Merino Boxers

The Men’s Anatomica Boxer is made from a merino wool blend that incorporates nylon and elastane. The warm weather boxers are super lightweight, help wick moisture away from the body and keep you nice and cool where it counts. They are fairly slim fitting so you may want to size up depending on your body type. I normally wear a large boxer and found these to be on the small side but they still fit me.

Men’s ZoneKnit Short’s

The Men’s ZoneKnit Short’s are an item that I have to admit I didn’t think I would like. They only have a five and a half inch inseam, they don’t have pockets, and the colorways, for my taste, are a little uninspiring. However, and I’m not exaggerating here, it only took me two minutes after trying them on to fall in love with these shorts. They are incredibly lightweight and the excellent summertime short whether you’re hiking, jogging, or even climbing. They have a built-in brief, so if you so choose, you can forgo the Anatomica Boxers. They have a couple stash pockets but the shorts are so light you won’t want to put anything too heavy in the pockets. These are more in the style of running shorts but I love them for full day hikes.

Men’s Hike Cool-Lite 3Q Crew Socks

Who doesn’t love a great pair of socks? The Hike Cool-Lite 3Q socks are soft yet durable and are constructed of yet another merino wool blend. I have has these underfoot for more miles than I can keep track of and they’re still going strong. They have even held up to me constantly walking around in my rocky driveway without shoes on. The light cushion is just enough to protect the bottom of your foot when youre putting down serious miles but still light enough to help keep your feet cool. 

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