With the Sierra Nevada snowpack at a virtually non-existent level of 5% of historic average, running out of water in California isn’t something that’s too far-fetched. I came up with a few tips to help conserve water while we still have it:
icebreaker
I’m not quite sure why it’s taken me so long to write about Icebreaker’s Tech T Lite. This shirt is a staple in my closet. It goes everywhere. Not the same one though, at least not usually.
Made of 150gm merino wool like the Icebreaker Aero Tank, the Tech T Lite lives up to its name! This can be layered other clothes or worn on its own. The idea of wearing multiple t-shirts on top of each other has never appealed to me, so this one braves the world solo.
As with all merino wool apparel, it wicks moisture to keep you cool and keeps you warm even when wet. The anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties allow you to wear this over, and over, and over again without constant washing. Despite the thinner material, my older shirts that I’ve owned for a year and counting are still going strong. No holes, rips, tears or stains.
The shirts are incredibly versatile and not technical looking so they accompany me everywhere, even to work. I’ve also worn the shirts several days in a row to work without a stink; merino wool really is magical. Each season the Tech T Lite is released with a plethora of colors, so it is possible to own a “different” one for every day of the week.
One thing that I have to note is that the sizing is all over the place. I have a Small that fits like an extra small, two Smalls that fit like mediums, and a Small that fits like a combination of the two (small?).
The Tech T Lite at full price is a little expensive, but as summer comes to an end, these are beginning to be marked down at 30% off and more. The price is still a slightly steep for a shirt, but these have been worth their weight in gold time and time again.
The Icebreaker Aero Tank makes me want to shave my armpits. Wait, what? Let me back it up a bit. I’m a fan of keeping things simple, fast, and easy. I’m not a fan of shaving my pits; it’s just so much more time consuming in the shower! But this tank makes me want to, so I’m not terrifying you with underarm bush while we’re on the trail.
I stumbled across this gem while browsing at the Icebreaker store and it had to come home with me. It’s just so lightweight, breezy and comfortable! Oh, and the color is great.
The 120 Featherweight merino wool is designed to be your best friend during hot summer months. It wicks away sweat and moisture and keeps you cool and comfortable. It is so incredibly lightweight that I usually stow it in my pack for those days where I need to shed some extra cloth.
The fit is standard and fairly relaxed. I like my shirts on the looser side, and I’m really good at accidentally throwing shirts in the dryer. An XS fit me fairly snugly, while the S provided a little more breathing room.
The Icebreaker tank is easily one of my go-to tops on hot, summer days and an impulse purchase I don’t regret. Buy through Icebreaker for $49.99.
If you really, really, really hate shaving your pits, Icebreaker also makes an Aero Short-Sleeve Crew for $59.99.
PS – don’t forget to wear lots of sunblock.
The Icebreaker BodyFit 200 Oasis Crew is my body’s new best friend.
It’s an incredibly versatile baselayer that keeps you warm and dry on slopes and on top of peaks, and cool and dry-ish on weird, warm, 70 degree) California winter days. It’s been accompanying me on almost every adventure since it’s a little cold for my Tech T Lite shirt.
It’s made of blah blah merino wool which has magical properties of supreme odor control, which came in super handy on my recent backpacking trip. Oh and because I think I wore this shirt for three days straight before the trip and was too lazy to wash it. I didn’t smell that bad. Really. And of course, merino wool has antimicrobial and moisture wicking properties to keep you feeling fresh throughout your adventure.
One more thing that’s kind of cool about Icebreaker is you can trace the origins of your shirt back to the very sheep that spawned the wool. Feels nice to be connected to what you’re wearing and supporting, right?
They’re kinda pricey, even on sale, but it’s worth the splurge for a do-it-all shirt. You don’t even look that weird wearing it around every day. And they come in lots and lots of colors. I want them all.