Is the Icebreaker MerinoLoft™ vest actually worth the investment?

August 2025 | Hannah Whittaker

Written by an outdoor lover & long-time vest hunter who rarely opens her wardrobe to new favourites.
Hannah Whittaker | Notes to Home
@notes2home

Disclosure: I have worn Icebreaker products for over a decade. This year, I am partnering with them to showcase how merino can be worn all year round, and I feel exceptionally lucky to work with one of my favourite companies in the world. Although we work together, all of my reviews and opinions are my own. I pride myself on authenticity and transparency, and I would never recommend buying something I wouldn’t pay full price for myself.

If you know me, you’ll know I’m a chronic outfit repeater, and one look at my Instagram profile will show you that I wear the same five outfits over and over. I have a little “favourites” section in my wardrobe reserved for clothes guaranteed to make me feel good, no matter what kind of day I’m having, and if you were to ransack it right now, you’d find:

● Leggings I’ve had since high school
● A second-hand fleece that’s seen more campsites than cafes
● A pair of jeans that didn’t make me cry in the changing rooms
● My cosiest merino thermals that somehow haven’t disintegrated on me yet

While I spent most of my teens chasing trends and wearing what I thought I needed to in order to fit in, I try to be mindful of how much I’m consuming and try to keep my “brand new” purchases to a minimum. When something new joins the ranks, it’s a big deal and doesn’t just have to look nice - it’s got to feel amazing, fit like a dream and be durable enough to last for years to come.

I’ve been searching for the perfect vest for what feels like a lifetime (in reality, it’s probably 3 years). Something warm, but lighter than a full jacket. Good for layering, but not bulky. Cute enough to wear for coffee dates and into the office, but versatile enough to throw on for day hikes or staying cosy at our campsite.

So, I had high expectations when my eyes landed on the Women’s MerinoLoft™ Vest at Icebreakers store in Newmarket. I’ve been wearing Icebreaker gear for over 10 years. Their clothes are soft, warm, and I still have the merino baselayer my mum handed down to me when I was 14 (I wore it last weekend!).

Well, surprise, surprise. They have smashed it out of the park again, and after 30 days of (borderline obsessive) use, I can confidently say this is my dream vest, and it might just be yours, too!

Keep reading and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Icebreaker MerinoLoft™ Vest. But first, a quick disclaimer! I am a big believer that you don’t need to buy anything to spend more time outdoors. The world is expensive enough already without having to think about forking out hundreds of dollars every time you pick up a new hobby. If you do want to treat yourself, I personally think merino is one of the best investments you can make. But, you should never let cost be a barrier to you and your friends exploring somewhere new. The outdoors is for everyone, regardless of your fitness level, abilities, gender, race, size or income. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

What is merino wool?

If you love the outdoors, or have Googled “best clothes to take to New Zealand”, chances are you’ve come across merino wool once or twice (or 47 times). Merino is well-known for being sweat-wicking, odour-resistant and durable. It’s ultra-soft (a huge win in my books) as well as breathable and temperature-regulating, which means it’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and naturally UV resistant - ideal for New Zealand’s harsh sun!

My experience with the MerinoLoft™ vest

Okay, onto the vest. I’ve been living in it!!! While I probably wouldn’t take it through the backcountry, I’ve worn it with hiking gear while exploring the Karikari Peninsula, paired it with activewear on a Saturday morning walk and coffee date, and styled it with jeans and a knit jumper for work, as well as to our anniversary dinner. You could argue that I’m taking the versatility element a bit too far. But, it’s cute and makes me feel good!

Zoned MerinoLOFT™ insulation

This is easily my favourite feature. The vest uses zoned insulation, which means there’s heavier loft at the front (to keep your core warm) and lighter insulation at the back. I’m a pretty cold person, and find it adds the perfect amount of warmth without making you feel like you have to take 14 layers off the second you walk inside. I’ve worn it layered with one of my Icebreaker 260 merino baselayers in 8°C temperatures, but I’d probably layer a fleece or second thermal underneath if it got much colder than that. I usually wear a fleece or full puffer jacket when we go walking first thing in the morning. But I always find that 20 minutes in, the sun comes out and I end up being an awkward in-between temperature - too hot to wear a jacket but too cold to take it off. The vest completely solves that problem and keeps me just warm enough to stop my teeth from chattering. Then, when I get too toasty, I can unzip it and let the heat out.

Shell+™ water-repellent finish

Aotearoa seems to have the most temperamental weather in the world, so anything with a water-repellent finish is a win in my books. A huge bonus is that the Shell+™ finish is plastic-free, so you don’t have any of that crinkly, “I’m obviously wearing a shell” feeling. It’s worth keeping in mind that the vest isn’t designed for heavy rain so if the weather's doing more than a light drizzle, you’ll probably need to layer a waterproof shell on top. But it has been able to keep my clothes somewhat dry between my car and the office mid-downpour!

The fit and feel test

I’m not sure what kind of magic Icebreaker have stitched into this vest, but it’s super flattering. As the president of the “always overstimulated” club, I usually reach for big baggy t-shirts. But, the slim-fit isn’t tight or restrictive and layers beautifully over my Oasis 260 baselayers and 125 ZoneKnit Energy Wind Long Sleeves. If you love chunky jumpers or knits, I recommend sizing up for a bit more room. However, I’ve worn hoodies, knit jumpers, and my chunkiest fleece underneath and had no issues in my usual size.

My verdict

The Icebreaker MerinoLoft™ Vest has become a staple in my wardrobe, and if you’ve been hunting for that one perfect vest you’ll wear for every occasion, this is it. It’s a beautiful piece of gear that’s warm yet lightweight, designed in Aotearoa and made from natural, plastic-free materials. It doesn’t get much better than that, and I know I’ll be wearing it for years to come.

Rating: ★★★★★ 9.5/10

Best for: Hikers, commuters and everyday explorers

Would I repurchase it if all my outdoor gear disappeared overnight? Huge yes! While Icebreaker very kindly sent me this vest to wear, I would have paid full price for it and intended to do so while I was in their Newmarket store!