ZoneKnit™ Explained: Merino Innovation for Fall Hiking and Outdoor Performance

When crisp mornings meet golden trails, your gear needs to adapt. That’s where ZoneKnit™ comes in, icebreaker’s merino innovation designed for comfort, breathability, and movement during high output outdoor activity.

Rooted in nature and engineered for real performance, ZoneKnit™ is not just another fabric. It is a body mapped system that helps you stay comfortable and focused, even as conditions change.

 

What Is ZoneKnit™

ZoneKnit™ is a construction innovation that strategically combines different knit structures to help manage temperature and airflow. Open mesh zones are placed in areas where the body tends to heat up, such as the back or underarms. These ventilation areas are designed to allow more airflow, helping prevent overheating during activity.

This design works naturally with merino wool’s ability to help regulate temperature, so your body stays more balanced when the intensity ramps up.

 

Why You Need It for Fall Adventures

Fall is a season of transition. You might start your hike in the cold, work up a sweat on the climb, then cool down in shaded forest or breezy ridgelines. ZoneKnit™ gives you a better layering foundation by actively responding to those shifts.

Here’s what makes it ideal for cool season hikes and runs:

•             Targeted ventilation where you need it most

•             Merino based thermoregulation for natural comfort

•             Lightweight feel and freedom of movement

•             Reduced need to constantly change layers

From setting out for a trail run or hiking into higher elevation, ZoneKnit™ helps you stay dry, stay focused, and keep moving.

 

 

Why ZoneKnit™ Works for High Output Adventures

ZoneKnit™ is built for movement. From trail runs to fast hikes, it delivers comfort and control when you are pushing through shifting conditions.

 

Feature	What It Does
Body mapped ventilation	Promotes airflow in key heat zones to reduce overheating during activity
Merino rich fabric	Naturally regulates temperature and resists odor
Lightweight construction	Reduces bulk and enhances freedom of movement
Thoughtful blending	Adds stretch and durability where needed, using minimal synthetic content
Designed for movement	Ideal for hiking, running, and training in variable conditions
Natural fiber first	Supports icebreaker’s mission to reduce reliance on plastic based materials

 

Each detail is purpose built to help you move smarter and stay comfortable outdoors, especially when effort and temperature fluctuate throughout the day.

 

Naturally Better

Unlike synthetic gear that can trap heat or hold onto odor, ZoneKnit™ is powered by merino wool. It is a natural, renewable fiber sourced with care, helping reduce your impact without compromising performance.

While not made from one hundred percent merino, ZoneKnit™ uses merino rich blends that place natural fibers where they matter most. Mesh zones and movement panels may include small amounts of synthetic material to help improve breathability, stretch, or durability in high exertion areas. This approach keeps the focus on comfort, performance, and reducing plastic use wherever possible.

So when you are planning your next hike, run, or fall weekend away, choose gear that supports your movement and respects the planet.

 

Move Smarter This Season

ZoneKnit™ reflects icebreaker’s commitment to performance driven by nature. No shortcuts. No unnecessary plastic. Just real innovation that helps you do more outside.

Explore the latest ZoneKnit™ collection and get ready for your next season of movement.