Icebreaker Merino Review and Company Profile

Last Updated on March 30, 2025

Based in New Zealand, Icebreaker crafts high-quality, premium Merino wool clothing for all sorts of activities. They heavily focus on sustainability, ethics, and animal welfare. Today, we’ll take look at the history, pros, cons, ethics, sizing charts, and more! Now that we’ve finally broken the ice, let’s get started with this comprehensive Icebreaker review!

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Brief History of Icebreaker

In 1994, New Zealand native Jeremy Moons was introduced to two sheep farmers who resided on the remote island of Poheunui by his then-girlfriend. The two wool growers – Brian and Fiona Brakenridge – had developed a new type of thermal regulation underwear from Merino wool gathered from their local flock. As an outdoor enthusiast, Moons saw value in this product. Subsequently, in 1995, Icebreaker was formed.

Since then, their products now stretch far beyond Merino wool underwear. They have become a prominent player in the outdoor clothing industry.

Driven by the belief that nature has the solutions, we provide natural performance alternatives to synthetic-based apparel to create a healthier more sustainable future for our species and the planet.

Icebreaker website

Merino Wool Clothing & Specialties

Icebreaker specializes in next-to-skin clothing like underwear, socks, base layers, and more. They also offer high-performance outdoor apparel and athletic wear for men, women, and children. As a result their clothing is great for bot cold-weather and hot-weather base layers. Also, for any on-the-go activities like hiking, backpacking, traveling, and so much more.

Still, their clothing transcends your traditional outdoor apparel. Icebreaker is constantly innovating, creating clothing that is not only comfortable, but functional. They often create one-of-a-kind Merino wool clothing that you won’t find from any other brand. Just check out some of these clothing innovations from Icebreaker below.

Although, Icebreaker’s true bread and butter lies in traditional outdoor clothing. More specifically, the Merino wool base layer game. Later on in the review, we’ll talk about more of our favorite Icebreaker gear.

Icebreaker Review: What We Like

Icebreaker is a leader in innovation in the outdoor clothing industry. Their products protect against all sorts of weather. They use core-spun nylon to improve durability in much of their fabrics, so your garments will last longer. Icebreaker has even developed a specific base layer system based on fabric density to normalize their product line across different collections.

In addition to their high-quality products, our favorite aspect of Icebreaker is their extreme commitment to the environment. They focus on sustainability, ethics, transparency, and more. We’ll touch more on that in a bit.

Icebreaker Review: Areas to Improve

It’s hard to find much we don’t like about Icebreaker, but we would have to say that their products are a bit on the expensive side if we had to choose. However, they often have deals and specials regularly. So make sure to regularly frequent their website.

Also, while we have not had durability issues, some users have reported holes or reduced quality after a few months. Much of the time, this lack of durability is directly associated with mishandling the fabric. Ensure that you are caring for your garments properly with our Merino wool buying guide.

*While we don’t feel this constitutes an area of improvement, it’s important to note that some of the Icebreaker products we have ordered in the past have had a 10+-day shipping time. As a result, please plan and purchase your clothing a few weeks before you need it.*

Sustainability Efforts

Icebreaker is one of the best Merino wool companies when it comes to the environment. Their philosophy is based 100% around using natural solutions, like Merino wool, to solve real-world problems. They emphasize their commitment to protecting land, animals, and people. If we could give them a grade for their environmental efforts, we’d give out an A++.

According to their website, they take a myriad of concrete steps to help protect the environment.

• Useful ‘Baacode’ provides customers complete traceability of their garments down to the exact wool harvesting farm.
• Concerned about microplastic contamination and vowed and is over 96% plastic-free.
• Funds research aimed to clean up our global waters.
• Develops natural dyes for garment manufacturing.
• Involves in regenerative farming practices to reduce overgrazing.
• Requires all Merino sheep growers to have a “land environmental plan.”
• Part of the ZQ-standard for Merino wool production.
• All facilities meet ISO 14001 standards for environmental protection.
• Fully engages in the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of their materials (ISO 14044).
• Effectively pushes customers toward natural living practices that reduce the consumption of resources.
• Utilizes sustainable product packaging.
• Use “social and environmental responsibility roadmap.”

We probably could go on and on about Icebreaker’s commitment to sustainability, but we think you get the point. If you’d like to learn more about Merino wool’s environmental impacts, we’ve crafted a detailed sustainability guide just for you!

Ethics & Wool Sourcing

Just as Icebreaker is committed to sustainability, they are also highly committed to ethics. They want the Merino sheep to be happy first, and their product comes second. They strictly follows the ‘Five Freedoms of the Flock’ outlined in the ZQ standard, ensuring 100%-mulesing free Merino wool and auditing their wool growers to ensure they are following the same guidelines. Moreover, Icebreaker sources most of their Merino wool from farmers in New Zealand, consisting of about 140 sourcing farms. These exclusive contracts, worth nearly $50-million, ensure that these farmers follow their strict and ethical practices. You can even check out the locations of their woolgrowers on their website.

As for the ethics of their suppliers and manufacturing facilities, Icebreaker carefully watches over the entire process. VF Corporation, their parent company, performs annual and semiannual audits on all of their facilities. They break down their audits into six categories: transparency and compliance, child labor, labor practices, wages & benefits, health & safety, and environment.

Overall, Icebreaker takes ethics seriously, and again, we’d have to give them an A+ in this category. If you’re interested in Merino wool production’s full ethical considerations, check out our ethics write-up.

Our Favorite Icebreaker Merino Wool Gear

We’ve mentioned a couple of Icebreaker’s products already, but a few pieces stand apart from the rest of their collection. They not only showcase Icebreaker’s craftsmanship and dominance in the base layer industry but also their unwavering commitment to quality. So, let’s dive deeper into our favorite Icebreaker Merino wool gear!

Icebreaker 200 Oasis Thermal Top

100% Merino wool | Lightweight (200 gsm) | 18.9 microns | Athletic fit | 7 colors

This versatile base layer is made from 100% Merino wool. It’s lightweight and comfortable and can be worn as a base layer in cold conditions or even as a standalone piece in warmer weather. The fabric wicks away sweat and dries quickly, and the flatlock seams help prevent chafing. The Oasis is definitely the best out of all the men’s base layers and women’s base layers we’ve tested.

Icebreaker 260 Tech Thermal Leggings

100% Merin wool | Midweight (260 gsm) | 18.9 microns | Slim fit | 2 colors

If you need more warmth for your next outdoor adventure, look no further than the Icebreaker 260 Tech leggings. The midweight fabric is slightly heavier than the Oasis bottoms but offers excellent breathability to keep your legs from sweating during high-intensity activities. They come with awesome design features like a gusseted crotch, flatlock seam, and a contoured pouch (for the men). They are a solid pair of long underwear for skiing, cold-weather hiking, or even just a comfy pair of pajamas in the winter!

Icebreaker Men’s Anatomica Boxers With Fly

83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, & 5% Elastane | Ultralight (150 gsm) | 18.9 microns | Slim fit | 6 colors

These boxers are by far our favorite pair of Merino wool underwear. They have excellent stretch, support, breathability, and comfort. The ultralight fabric wicks sweat and resists odor, making them ideal for everyday wear or travel. Moreover, they feature a supportive pouch and a comfortable, high-quality waistband. They are the gold standard in the underwear game. I’m even wearing a pair as I’m writing this!

Icebreaker Women’s Sprite Racerback Bra

83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, & 5% Elastane | Ultralight (150 gsm) | 18.9 microns | Slim fit | 4 colors

The Sprite Racerback is a breathable and comfortable option for low-impact workouts, especially when the weather gets warm. It is one of my wife’s favorite Merino wool bras! The ultralight Merino wool-blend fabric is soft, and wicks sweat well, while the racerback design minimizes chafing. If you’re looking for a nearly weightless, comfortable sports bra for summer activities, the Sprite is a great choice.

Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew Socks

61% Merino, 37% Nylon, & 2% Spandex | Lightweight | 23.5 microns | 4 colors

A solid choice for day hikers and thru-hikers alike, the Icebreaker Hike+ Light Crew Socks prioritize function over comfort. They feature anatomical sculpting for fit, light cushioning for impact absorption, and breathable mesh zones. These socks are ideal for outdoor situations where durability is critical, as they are crafted with some of Icebreaker’s toughest materials. They rank a close second to Darn Tough in our best Merino wool socks.

How Do I Find Deals On Icebreaker Apparel?

As you may have noticed by now, Icebreaker gear can be expensive. And while we don’t fault them, as their clothing quality far outweighs the price tag, there are a few ways to find deals and discounts. The best way to do this is through the Icebreaker sale page on their site. They offer steep discounts on out-of-season clothing, non-popular colors, and exclusive web specials. You can check out their men’s and women’s sale pages below.

The second way to find deals is through Amazon. Icebreaker doesn’t post its entire collection on Amazon, but staples like underwear, base layers, and socks may be discounted based on stock and availability. Moreover, Icebreaker is often Amazon’s deal of the day, which offers amazing discounts (especially around the holidays and Prime Day). You can check out the link below if you want to shop Icebreaker deals on Amazon.

Finally, if you prefer to shop at brick-and-mortar stores, you’re in luck! Icebreaker products are offered to plenty of outfitters throughout the USA. If that store has a discount, you can shop there and save money on all your favorite Icebreaker gear. Head over to Icebreaker’s site for a list of approved retailers and outlets.

Icebreaker Fit Guide & Sizing Charts

From our experiences, most Icebreaker clothing fits relatively true-to-size. Still, some items can be a bit on the smaller side. While we’ve provided you with baseline charts, Icebreaker uses the service Fit Finder to gauge your proper size better. You enter your height, weight, and body type; then, it spits out your size. Search for the “find your size” section on any product page.

They offer three main fits of their clothing as well:

Men’s Sizing Charts

Tops

Bottoms

Socks

Icebreaker Men’s Tops Sizing Chart:

Size	Neck (in.)	Chest (in.)	Arm Length (in.)
S	13 – 14	33 – 36	34
M	14 – 15	36 – 39	34 – 34.5
L	15 – 16	39 – 42	34.5
XL	16 – 17	42 – 45	35
XXL	17 – 18	45 – 48	35.5
XXXL	18 – 19	48 – 52	36

Icebreaker Men’s Bottoms Sizing Chart

Size	Waist (in.)	Hip (in.)
S	27 – 30	34.5 – 37
M	30 – 33	37 – 39.5
L	33 – 36	39.5 – 42
XL	36 – 39	42 – 44.5
XXL	39 – 42	44.5 – 47
XXXL	42 – 46	47 – 50.5

Icebreaker Men’s Socks Sizing Chart

Sock Size	US Shoe Size	EU Shoe Size	UK Shoe Size
S	7 – 8.5	39 – 41.5	6 – 7.5
M	9 – 10.5	42 – 44	8 – 9.5
L	11 – 12.5	44.5 – 46.5	10 – 11.5
XL	13 – 14.5	47 – 49	12 – 13.5
One Size	9 -13	42 – 47	8 – 12

Sock Height Guide

Women’s Sizing Charts

Tops

Bottoms

Socks

Icebreaker Women’s Tops Sizing Chart

Size	Bust (in.)	Arm Length (in.)	Waist (in.)	Hips (in.)
XS	30 – 32	30.25 – 30.5	24 – 26	34 – 36
S	32 – 34	30.5 – 30.75	26 – 28	36 – 38
M	34 – 37	30.75 – 31	28 – 30	38 – 40
L	37 – 40	31 – 31.25	30 – 32	40 – 42
XL	40 – 42	31.25 – 31.5	32 – 35	42 – 44

Icebreaker Women’s Bottoms Sizing Chart

Size	Waist (in.)	Hips (in.)
XS	24 – 26	34 – 36
S	26 – 28	36 – 38
M	28 -30	38 – 40
L	30 – 32	40 – 42
XL	32 – 35	42 – 44

Icebreaker Women’s Socks Sizing Chart

Sock Size	US Shoe Size	EU Shoe Size	UK Shoe Size
S	5.5 – 7	35 – 37	3 – 4.5
M	7.5 – 9	38 – 40	5 – 6.5
L	9.5 – 11	41 – 43	7 – 8.5
One Size	6 – 10.5	36 – 42	3.5 – 8

Sock Height Guide

Unisex/Kids Sizing Charts

Hats

Gloves

Unisex Socks

Icebreaker Hats Sizing Chart

Size	Full Head Circumference (in.)
S	22.5 – 23
M	23 – 23.5
L	24+

Icebreaker Gloves Sizing Chart

Size	Hand Length (in.) – end of middle finger to base of palm	Palm Girth (in.) – circumference of the widest part of your palm
XS	6.5	7.5
S	7	7.5 – 8
M	7.5	8 – 8.5
L	8	8.5 – 9
XL	8.5	9 – 9.5

Icebreaker Unisex Socks Sizing Chart

Unisex Sock Size	US Men’s	US Women’s	EU Men’s	EU Women’s	UK Men’s	UK Women’s
S/M	6 – 9	5.5 – 11	36 – 42	36 – 42	5.5 – 8.5	3.5 – 9
L/XL	9.5 – 16	11.5 – 12	42.5 – 49	42.5 – 49	9 – 15.5	9.5 – 10

Sock Height Guide

Warranties & Return Policy

According to Icebreaker’s website, they will replace any clothes within one year that has been “damaged by faulty fabric, stitching or manufacturing.” They will assess the damage on a case-by-case basis to determine if your warranty is eligible. In addition, Icebreaker has a lifetime warranty on all of its socks. You’ll have to fill out any warranty claims on their website to be considered.

You can return items purchased directly from icebreaker.com within 90 days from the ship date as long as they are unworn, unwashed, and in the original packaging.*

*Excludes items listed as FINAL SALE. Final Sale items cannot be returned or exchanged. All pro orders are Final Sale and not eligible for returns and exchanges.

Final Note on Icebreaker

So, there you have it, folks: everything you need to know about Icebreaker, from their industry-leading fabric technology to their supply chain transparency and some of the best Merino wool gear we’ve ever worn. From your itch-free head to your blister-free toes, Icebreaker has you covered. While their clothes might not give you superpowers, they’ll definitely make you feel invincible for whatever adventures life throws your way.

If you want to learn more about how Icebreaker clothing compares to other Merino wool gear, poke around our site. They consistently top our reviews and round-ups, as they are seriously our favorite Merino wool brand.

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