Always on the hunt for clothing that keeps me warm, but without being too bulky, I agreed to give ZeroFit’s Heat Rub baselayers a try.
I don’t know about you, but ZeroFit sounds a bit intimidating, even for someone slim like me. And Heat Rub, well, it also sounded a bit odd, perhaps even rude. Or maybe that’s just my strange brain.
Anyway, all that aside, I received two versions of the baselayer: Heat Rub Move and Hear Rub Ultimate. I was told I would be impressed because there is “nothing else like it on the market”.
A bit about the brand
The ZeroFit brand is the brainchild of Koji Higashi, owner and founder of Eon Sports based in Kobe, Japan. Fitness fanatic Koji launched the Zerofit brand in 2005 after looking for a product to keep him warm while playing golf and other sports. Now ZeroFit has arrived in the UK.
The Heat Rub range of products is said to: “Offer ultimate warmth but allow the wearer freedom of movement to carry out their favourite outdoor activity.”
And: “Quite simply, there is no other baselayer in the world made in this way.”
The difference is this: “A traditional baselayer simply seals in body heat, however it does not generate heat. Heat Rub seals in all that important body heat and instantly warms, and, most importantly, it creates its own heat due to the unique fibres that are on the underside of the garment.”
If the baselayer gave us all a trim body like this we might well be queuing to buy it!
Heat Rub Ultimate
Heat Rub Ultimate baselayer is “for protection against extreme cold”
Benefits include:
- Body heat sealed in like a standard baselayer
- Baselayer instantly warms you up
- Unique fibres on the inside rub against your skin to create frictional heat.
Unique fibres:
The Heat Rub uses “double-loop’” barrel fabric to provide both heat insulation and “friction heating”. The extra-long bristles ensure a layer of warm air is retained around the neck and even a little movement of these bristles causes friction, which creates heat and actually warms you up.
The Heat Rub is twice as warm as a jumper and is comparable to a coat but with the ability of ease of movement for active sports and working.
The product is made of: Acrylic 63%, nylon 18%, cupra 12%, wool 5% and polyurethane 2%.
Price: £50
Heat Rub Move
This products is for “people who like to be active in cold climates”.
Benefits include:
- The “LABO” fabric ensures that sweat is quickly removed from next to the skin to the outer shell of the garment.
- Quick drying.
Product is made of: 45% polypropylene, which is apparently “significantly lighter than polyester, nylon and water”
Price: £50
My thoughts on ZeroFit Heat Rub baselayers
I am used to being sent baselayers made of Merino and yak wool so these seem rather man-made in comparison. I do wonder about the manufacture of the products and whether they are environmentally friendly. There is nothing about this on the website.
Saying that, I do wear a lot of polyester products because Merino wool makes me itch so I don’t suppose I can stand up too tall to eco scrutiny. Anyway, it would be good to know the green-friendliness of the products.
The fabric of the Heat Rub Ultimate is a little thicker than the Move. It also feels a little itchy around the neck. I have very sensitive skin so I need things to be super soft. The Ultimate is fine, but, for me, the Move is better.
Hubby G says the Heat Rub Ultimate is fine against his skin (that’s after he came along and stole it. See below.)
The fit is meant to be neat. The sizes are unisex and I have the small. It’s still quite roomy on me but not overly so.
The tops are supposed to be super fitting. I am not sure I’d be that happy to wear the baselayer without something over the top. There is no room for the imagination: You see your exact body shape in a ZeroFit baselayer.
But, still, in cold weather I would normally be wearing layers over the top of a baselayer so all is fine.
The arm length is excellent. I have long arms and the baselayer arms are plenty long enough for me. The high neck is not something I would normally choose but it makes sense if you want to stay warm.
I have found the baselayers do keep me toasty warm. It’s a sort of ambient warmth, which is rather nice.
Do I feel like the warmth is created by my movement? I am not entirely sure because when I move I feel warmer as a rule. I think the brush fabric inside does offer a good warming layer but I can’t be sure it is better than a fleeced lined top.
On the plus side, the tops are very lightweight and offer good warmth-to-weight ratio so that’s great.
The price is pretty good for a warming layer. It would be good to see female-fit and more colours (greys and blacks are a bit dull) but as a starter in the European market I think the tops could catch on.
I haven’t been wearing them long enough to tell you whether they are durable or long-lasting. They have been through the wash and seem fine. It could be that the benefit of the inner fibres is reduced as you wear/wash them more.
I am looking forward too much colder weather so I can make use of the baselayers.
Ps Hubby G has just come into my office and walked away with the Ultimate baselayer, saying: “Oh look, that could be great for winter climbing. I think I’ll have that one.” He is normally a medium size and the small fits him snugly. I don’t think I’ll see it again…
For more details and to buy the products see ZeroFit.