It took me a long time to realize that I don't actually hate winter — I hate being underprepared for the elements. Ill-fitting or itchy gear that provides either too much or not enough insulation against the weather can easily ruin a day out, no matter how fun the activity is. On the flip side, cozy, comfortable layers that offer a perfect Goldilocks level of warmth can give me the endurance to stay outside for hours. And as a snowboarder and cold-weather commuter on public transit, that's exactly what I need.

Having snowboarded at all kinds of ski resorts — from Tignes in the French Alps to Killington, Vermont to Whistler-Blackcomb, along with hills that are closer to home like Mt. St. Louis Moonstone and Blue Mountain near Collingwood — I'm no stranger to the varying conditions on the slopes. Having the right gear and dressing for the weather makes all the difference.

This winter has been especially frigid, and on a day that fluctuates from -5 C to -11 C, I layer a sweater, snowpants and my Burton [ak] Swash snowboarding jacket over top of the icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit and take it for a test drive.

icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit: What is it?

Made from 100 per cent merino fabric, the icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit is a super soft and comfortable base layer. It feels like I'm wearing pyjamas (or nothing at all, à la Ned Flanders), especially compared to my other base layers that are made from more structured material and have a more restrictive fit. The full body coverage also means I never have to worry about my shirt riding up or pants riding down and exposing my skin to the elements. 

While a lot of performance gear is made with synthetics and plastics, icebreaker is on a mission to use natural, sustainable materials like merino wool, which has the natural thermo-regulation properties that sheep use to survive New Zealand's harsh climate. Merino wool boasts resilience and stretchiness, odour resistance and moisture absorption. 

I'm more of a lazy rider than a sweaty one, but I do stay dry the whole day. I won't comment on how the suit smells when I finally take it off, but I will say that I lounged around in it all evening during the après without feeling too icky.

icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit: The features

I was skeptical about the erm... back flap. As a connoisseur of onesies and rompers, I've had more than a few with openings, and so far they've all seemed to be purely decorative — none of them actually line up to allow for toilet use. With zippers and a flap at the back, the rear of the Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit opens up wide enough that you can relieve yourself, whether in an actual bathroom or at the side of the highway when a handful of overturned cars cause traffic to come to a dead stop for an hour on the way to the hill. As a unisex suit, it's also got a little fly hole at the front, which I can only assume is convenient, and looks like the right size (to my very untrained eye). 

I love the detachable, built-in hood (with ponytail hole) and face mask — something none of my other base layers have. On a cold day, I still layer a balaclava on top, but it's nice to have the super soft merino fabric against my skin. There's a teeny tiny pocket that could hold a debit card or a car key fob, although I haven't found a use for it.

icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit: The verdict

Wearing the icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit, I'm cozy, warm and dry for the entire day. It's easy enough to use the bathroom, and it stays in place — no riding, itching or chaffing. My favourite part is just how unbelievably soft and comfortable the suit is, especially with the built-in face mask and hood. And of course, I love that it's made from ethically sourced, natural merino wool. It's my new go-to for hitting the slopes — and I may just detach the hood and start wearing it for my winter commute.

icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis+ Thermal Suit, $365, icebreaker.com