Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Icebreaker Nature Dye 200 Oasis LS > Owner Review by Kathleen Waters

ICEBREAKER NATURE DYE 200
OASIS LS BASE LAYER

BY KATHLEEN WATERS
February 13, 2021
OWNER REVIEW

TESTER INFORMATION

Living in Colorado and being self-employed, I have ample opportunities to backpack. There are over 700,000 acres/280,000 hectares of public land bordering my 71-acre/29-hectare "backyard" in addition to all the other gorgeous locations which abound in Colorado. Over the past 15 years, my husband John and I have also had the good fortune to hike/snowshoe glaciers, rain forests, mountains and deserts in exotic locations, including New Zealand, Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley. My hiking style is comfortable, aiming for lightweight. I use a tent (rainfly if needed). Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) excluding food and water.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Icebreaker Year of Manufacture: 2020 Manufacturer's Website: http://www.icebreaker.com MSRP: US $ 125.00 Listed Weight: N/A Measured Weight: 7 oz (198 g) Sizes Available: S - XL Women's (men's sizes also available Size Reviewed: Medium Colors Available: Husk and Ash Color Reviewed: Husk Other details: * 100% natural merino wool and dyed using only vegetable dyes * Flat seams throughout

Picture Courtesy Icebreaker

FIELD USE, CONDITIONS AND PERFORMANCE

For the last four months, the weather has been exceptionally mild. Rarely were daytime temperatures lower than 50 F (10 C) and there were more than a few days of 70+ F (21+ C).

In my neck of the woods/desert, humidity is generally very low and that was the case this fall/winter. This made for very pleasant day hikes. While we have had several snowfalls in January, the accumulation was always slight - barely enough to cover the toes of my boots.

I have worn the Icebreaker Nature Dye 200 Oasis Base Layer 31 times, on day hikes, overnight base camping and as casual wear in and around Canon City and Fremont and Pueblo counties, Colorado.

Mileage for hikes ranged from 3 to 7 miles (4.8km to 11km). Overnights were simply one night each.

Using the Oasis as base layer, I wore it with a variety of outer layers. Mostly with a lightweight vest and/or a fleece or down jacket depending on the temperatures and wind. I hike "hot" so usually when the sun is shining, I stick to a base layer and vest.

I have a tendency to layer all the time. Whether sitting at my desk working at home or engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping, etc. I joke a lot about having a broken thermostat and my body temperature fluctuates wildly with exercise!

That said, I mostly wear base layer tops with a vest over that and, if outdoors, a fleece/jacket, windshirt over both.

I prefer wool base layers for their warmth and conversely, their coolness; ability to absorb sweat and dry quickly and their (if they're well-made) longevity. The Icebreaker Oasis is a perfect example of those stellar qualities!

Even at the coldest temperatures (and I did have some below-freezing nighttime encounters), I found the Oasis to be a first line of defense between me and the chills.

When starting out on a hike, I know to start out "cold" and soon I'll be warm to sweating with exertion. The Oasis keeps the beginning comfortable and when I start to warm up, the Oasis wicks away any sweat so I don't feel wet and/or cold as the activity winds down. AND it doesn't stink like some synthetics do.

I've also worn the Oasis solo in warmer (over 50 F/10 C) and even with long-sleeves, I was comfortable and cool.

Rather than the princess fitted seams of a lot of women's base layers, the Oasis is a bit more of a loose style that is boxy. I love that since it doesn't cling to body parts that I'd rather not have it do. I can wear this anywhere. Hmm, maybe not to church!

Icebreaker recommends that the Oasis be washed in a cold machine-wash with like colors BEFORE WEARING and line dried in shade. I did do so.

Thereafter, when I really felt I ought to wash the layer, I used a cold machine wash (86 F/30°C) cycle with delicate setting using a mild detergent. No fabricsofteners and no bleach. I only dried the Oasis on a hanger in my laundry room; no machine dry. Despite the fact that Icebreaker says I can use a cool iron, I did not! And of course, per their instructions, I wouldn't ever dry clean.

After four washings, the Oasis still looks like new! No stretching or shrinking. No puckered seams or pulls. Ready to go whenever I am!

MINOR DISTRACTIONS

!. Pricey
2. Would love to have a mock-turtleneck version (pretty please!)

STARRING ATTRACTIONS

1. Warm and comfortable.
2. Attractive
3. Very durable

SUMMARY

I love this base layer top! It's one of the only ones that I truly can wear solo in casual settings without feeling self-conscious as well as its intended use as a base layer. The fit is so neat and the colors are perfect for my outdoor wardrobe. I think I've worn it more than any of my other base layers this fall/winter.

And it stays clean-looking and smelling even when after hours of wear.

I find myself reaching for the Oasis every time I'm headed for hiking, backpacking or just hanging around target practicing or with family and friends.

I highly recommend!

Kathleen (Kathy) Waters
Co-Owner and Contributing Writer
BackpackGearTest.org

Reviews > Clothing > Base Layers and Undies > Icebreaker Nature Dye 200 Oasis LS > Owner Review by Kathleen Waters