Zerofit launch cooling IceSkin baselayer developed in partnership with BSB front-runner Glenn Irwin

Baselayer specialists, Zerofit have announced a new IceSkin design ahead of this summer’s riding season, which has been developed in conjunction with 27-time British Superbike race winner, Glenn Irwin.

Although the brand has been selling directly to UK motorcyclists since early 2022, the new design is the first Zerofit product designed specifically for bikers. It comes as a result of direct feedback from Irwin during short circuit and road racing events, with Northern Irishman being the most successful superbike rider to ever compete at the North West 200.

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“When I’m racing, I find sweat management to be the biggest issue, and this is where the IceSkin really comes into its own,” Irwin told MCN. “The technology in that baselayer is incredible, the mesh design means that sweat doesn’t build-up anywhere, and it’s the most breathable baselayer I’ve ever worn.

“By working with the designers, I was able to let them know where sweat would traditionally accumulate, and why it was so important to make your back dry and moisture free.”

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Unlike some traditional baselayers you might have worn under your leathers for a trackday, the new IceSkin features short sleeves to reduce the impact of arm pump and keep the forearm free from any restrictions – something that can sometimes jeopardise control of the motorcycle.

“In bike racing forearm pump is such a thing so having that openness there is something we all like,” Irwin continued. “I passed that on to Zerofit when I first became an ambassador and it’s great to see that’s been realised in the IceSkin.”

Also moving away from traditional layers is the construction. Up front and on the sleeves is a blend of 86% nylon and 14% polyurethane – incorporating something called ‘Cool Stamp Tech’ that absorbs sweat and controls the temperature of the fabric for cooling.

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At the back, you’ll also find what Zerofit are calling a ‘Rhombus Mesh Design’ which is made of 86% polyester, and 14% polyurethane – used to allow air in to cool the rider, as well as absorb and disperse sweat. This is particularly prevalent in this area of a leather suit, thanks to factors including constant contact with a back protector.

“Cool Stamp Tech is a printing processing method with a new cooling effect that has been developed by Zerofit’s parent company,” Design Lead, Kenichi Mori explained. “It is mainly made up of two cooling processing methods (menthol-based and xylitol-based).

“There are nine types of ‘temperature sensors’ called TRPs on human skin, and people sense temperature when each sensor is activated. The menthol-based processing agent in Cool Stamp Tech contains an ingredient that activates temperature sensors and sends a signal to the brain that it feels cold, so that the temperature feels lower than it actually is.”

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According to the designer, the product has been in development for around 12 months, with Glenn testing a number of prototypes before wearing the finished garment to victory at Donington Park last September.

Despite the racing background, the firm say it has been produced with a mass-market appeal in mind, working best between 20-40° Celsius.

Those that want to purchase a layer for themselves can do so at this weekend’s Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show, which runs from February 14-16. Sizes are available in XS to XXXL at £59.95, with general sale kicking off from February 19 on their website.

Impressive testing performance

To test its ability, the new layer was put through a Q-max test at the Boken Quality Evaluation Institute, in Japan. Put simply, the higher the Q-max value, the cooler the fabric.

According to Zerofit, if the Q-max value of a product is 0.1 W/cm2 or more, it is said to have ‘cool contact performance’. The IceSkin, however, recorded a value of 0.358W/cm2.

UK embrace Zerofit brand

Ahead of the IceSkin’s launch, MCN spoke with Zerofit UK’s Marketing and PR Director, Jonathan Greathead to discuss the popularity of their products amongst bikers.

“Every industry we go into, we send product to be tested by people who are very much passionate about that sport or activity,” Greathead explained. “That’s what we did with motorcycling, and of all the markets we’re in motorcycling was the one where the feedback was the strongest.

“Motorcycling is our fastest growing sport, it’s our number one sport as well. We knew the product was incredibly right for motorcycling and whatever you’re doing.

“In motorcycling, it’s a much easier sell. People are interested, and much more accepting of new brands I would say – which is to the great credit of the industry. In some other industries, it’s a much harder sell.”

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