Icebreaker grades its fabric by weight in grams per square metre. Cool-Lite (125) and 150 Tech Lite are the lightest, best for warm days and high-output activity. Oasis 200 is the midweight most people choose for year-round layering. 260 Tech and ZoneKnit are warmer, for cold or low-intensity days, and MerinoFine 300 is the warmest. Match the weight to how cold and how active you'll be.

Yes. Merino wool naturally slows the bacteria that cause odour, so a baselayer or tee can be worn over several days between washes — one reason it suits multi-day trekking and travel. It stays fresher far longer than synthetic or cotton equivalents.

Machine wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle with normal detergent, and either lay flat or line dry. Avoid fabric softener and bleach, which coat or damage the fibres, and skip the tumble dryer unless the care label allows it - we sell a specific Merino Wash by Grangers which works excellently from our experience . Washing less often is fine — merino's odour resistance is doing the work.

Icebreaker uses super fine merino fibres, which are much softer than traditional wool and designed to sit comfortably next to the skin. Most people who find standard wool itchy have no issue with merino baselayers, though sensitivity varies from one person to another. From our own experience - our team would always say no it is not itchy.