Going for a run this morning? It looks pretty chilly out there. Maybe you should just bail. Want to hang around the house and think it over for a while? Throw on your Icebreaker Tracer pants, and you’ll be ready either way.
Icebreaker Tracer Pants Features:
- Icebreaker GT260 merino wool
- 97% merino wool, 3% Lycra fabric
- Elastic waist with interior drawcord
- Zippered front hand pockets
- Reflective zippers at back leg hem
- Flatlock seams
- MSRP $115
Icebreaker Tracer Pants Review
Icebreaker has become the standard bearer for merino wool performance apparel, with a wide inventory of products ideal for multi-sport use. Merino wool provides natural breatheability, effective insulation even in wet conditions, and outstanding odor resistance – and Icebreaker’s fabric construction produces garment that feel very comfortable against the skin.
This spring Icebreaker introduced their GT Run apparel, a premium line designed specifically for runners, with loose-fitting shirts and shorts that deviated from the company’s original form-fitting garment options. Earlier this fall they extended the GT line to include the Tracer pant, a sort-of form-fitting, sort-of loose pant that is equally suitable for hard workouts or lounging around the house after a long morning run.
The Tracer’s material construction consists of 97% merino wool and 3% Lycra to provide a small amount of stretchiness and full range of motion. Thickness is classified as GT260 – with Icebreaker, higher numbers are thicker – making the Tracer great for cool weather, but not severe cold; my comfort range with these is anywhere from 50 degrees to just below freezing. The material is thin enough to wear as a base layer, but the looser-than-normal fit (especially around the ankles) makes the Tracer more cumbersome than a pair of traditional base layer tights.
Because they’re quick-drying, very comfortable, and naturally odor resistant, it’s easy to wear the Tracer for a run and keep them on for the rest of the day. I give them equal duty as workout pants and “first thing I put on in the morning” sweatpants when rolling out of bed on my non-workout days.
Good Tracer
- Comfortable fabric
- Great breatheability
- Excellent odor resistance
- Dual-purpose fit for active or casual use
Bad Tracer
- Dual zippered pockets are slightly bulky for high-intensity running
- Not preferred for layering compared to tights
Bottom Line: Icebreaker Tracer Pants
With all-day comfort and good versatility for cool-to-cold use, Icebreaker’s Tracer pants are a great multi-purpose item for your autumn athletic wardrobe.
Buy Now: Icebreaker Pants at Backcountry.com
4 Comments
Very excited to find this review here. I’ve been looking to replace a pair of Patagonia R3 wool bottoms for about two years now. Until seeing these, I couldn’t find wool bottoms with zippered front pockets. I’ll have to grab a pair of these- thanks
Glad to help!
Thanks for the review Donald!
How do you find the pants fit length-wise? At 6’5″ I’m a little concerned they won’t be long enough for a small-waisted, long-legged guy like me.
@Philip: Sorry for the delayed reply … but yeah, you might have a problem depending on your waist size. I’m 6’2″ with a 32 waist and 34 inseam, and I wear size medium (based on waist size). The length is just about perfect, or maybe a tad bit short.