How Zerofit created the world’s warmest golf base layer

Zerofit say they make the world's warmest base layer.

Do you want the world’s warmest baselayer? Then you need Zerofit.

How many times have you heard or read the phrase ‘layer up’? Lots! But, for many golfers, the issue with plenty of additional layers is that it can lead to a lack of mobility when it comes to putting your normal swing on the shot.

One brand which is relatively new to the UK is doing its best to change the mindset and the narrative. Zerofit – The World’s Warmest Baselayer® – have created products that give you incredible warmth this autumn and winter, so much so the multiple additional layers are simply not required.

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The brainchild of Japanese entrepreneur Mr Koji Higashi, the Zerofit brand was founded in the Land of the Rising Sun back in 2005. Higashi, a keen golfer, would be less excited to get out on the course in the winter because of the detrimental effects the weather would have on his game. But like most of us who go a month or more between rounds, he found that he missed the sport too much. So he invested in creating a product that would be warmer than any other baselayer on the market, and negate the need for multiple additional layers. 

What came from that was the Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate baselayer (£60), five times warmer than a standard baselayer. Independently tested at the iconic Boken Institute in Osaka, the Ultimate was awarded a heat retention rating of 0.78; a standard baselayer would have a rating of 0.1-0.14, while a jumper would typically have a rating of around 0.3.

Technologically enhanced ‘Heat Threads’ inside the garment are activated through movement, gently brushing against the skin to generate heat instantly. Unlike every other baselayer, the Ultimate does not work on the basis of ‘compression for heat’ – so not only does it provide greater warmth for golfers, they also don’t feel restricted by an inability to move freely. 

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“I wanted to be comfortable all year long out on the golf course, and that was the driving factor behind creating the Ultimate,” said Higashi.

“I found there were some solid products on the market when it came to keeping you warm, but I had to wear three or four at any one time. And that meant a lack of comfort because I felt my swing was restricted at the expense of warmth. 

“We set out to change all of that, to give golfers the world’s warmest baselayer, which meant they didn’t need the multiple additional layers on top. We believe it’s a true game changer for golfers who want to play through autumn and winter.”

The Ultimate has been designed to work best in a temperature range of -10°C  through to 10°C and Zerofit also offer Heatrub Ultimate Leggings (£60) which perform in the same way as the top and are a popular addition for many golfers who want to keep warm from top to bottom.

In addition to the Ultimate, Zerofit are also delighted to introduce the Heatrub Move Baselayer (£40) which has been independently tested and proven to be twice as warm as its closest competitor. 

It features a 45% polypropylene construction on the inside of the baselayer as well as a hollow polyester shell – the two work in tandem to regulate body temperature, so as your round or range session goes on, you don’t overheat. 

The construction removes sweat from the skin and the hollow polyester design and ‘LABO’ fabric ensure it evaporates off the surface of the garment quickly, so the unpleasant experience of cold sweat on the body lingering after you’ve finished never materialises. As you would expect, it performs best in slightly milder conditions than the Ultimate, in a temperature range of -5°C to 12°C.

For more details on the entire Zerofit collection, visit www.zerofit.co.uk or for trade-related inquiries please email info@proquipgolf.com

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Zerofit Baselayers: Club golfer review

To find out if Zerofit really delivers on those chilly winter rounds, we handed the brand’s Heatrub Ultimate Baselayer to four members of Toft Golf Club in Lincolnshire and asked for their feedback.

Here’s what Darryn Llloyd (+5 hcp), Ryan Fincham (1 hcp), Oliver Brett (4 hcp) and Jo Bell (15 hcp), made of it.

What were your first impressions of the Zerofit baselayer?

DL: I really liked the baselayer. Initially I thought how thick the inner lining was and how warm this was going to keep me. But I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable it was; I hardly knew I was wearing it. It looks stylish, too.

RF: I really liked the feel and the warmth it gave me. It’s a really nice baselayer and feels different to the Galvin Green baselayers I currently have. 

OB: My first impressions were very positive; everything about the product appeared to be premium, from the packaging to the baselayer itself.

JB: The top is plain and neutral in style.

How did you find the fit and feel?

JB It has a soft fleece feel against your skin, so while it fits close to your body it does not cling, which allows free movement.

DL The fit was great. Some baselayers are quite tight and uncomfortable, but this one fitted perfectly and the neck design also gave you that extra comfort. It felt extremely warm, too.

RF The feel is different in comparison to the other baselayers on the market. It is also less constricting, which allows for flowing golf swing.

OB The fit was exactly what you’d want from a thermal baselayer; tight, but not restrictive. The feel was also very nice as it was a softer material than a lot of other baselayers I have worn in the past, making it not only very warm but also very comfortable. 

But did it keep you warm enough?

JB Yes it did. It has a thermal feel to it, so it keeps you warm and toasty even in windy conditions.

DL Absolutely. I have worn it on the golf course numerous times now and have been able to wear fewer layers when playing as it does supply that extra warmth. It helps that much that I am going to start wearing it when outside and I’m not playing golf.

RF It does as it says on the box, it really is a substitute for having to put another jumper on. In fact, once you have the warmth, it can actually keep you too warm, which is a good thing as you can always take layers off. I will look to wear this outside of golf, too. 

OB This is one of – if not the – warmest baselayers I have worn, even in quite severe conditions. The temperature during one of the rounds I played wearing it dropped to zero, and I was noticeably warmer with the Zerofit Heatrub than I have been with previous thermals I’ve worn.

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Was is easy to swing in, or did it restrict movement?

JB The Zerofit top does not restrict movement, allowing you to easily swing during winter golf. The fabric does not cling to your body, even the neck allows free movement. Other baselayers tend to grip the neck, which can make them uncomfortable.   

DL Not at all – I hardly knew I was wearing it. You sometimes find that baselayers restrict you slightly and the arms hang a little long which catch the club throughout the swing, but this one doesn’t. You hardly know you have
it on.

RF No, it’s very easy to swing in. 

OB Restricting movement is one of my most common complaints when it comes to thermal baselayers, but the Zerofit Heatrub was not restrictive at all and was very easy to swing in.

At £60, do you think the Zerofit baselayer offers good value?

JB It is at the top of the range price wise, but I feel this is a quality product and worth the extra cost.

DL It is on the pricey side, but definitely worth paying for. It saves you having to buy more jumpers as you don’t really have to wear extra layers. 

RF It is definitely worth the money and the quality feels like it will last a long time.

OB It is a fairly expensive baselayer, but considering the quality and effectiveness of the product, I would have to say that it is very good value for money.

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The Zerofit Baselayers

Zerofit Heatrub Move Baselayer

RRP £40 | BUY NOW

Twice as warm as a normal baselayer, it regulates body temperature and is perfect for golf. The construction removes sweat from the skin and the hollow polyester design and ‘LABO’ fabric ensure it evaporates off the surface quickly.

Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Baselayer 

RRP £60 | BUY NOW

Independently tested and proven to be five times warmer than leading competitors. Technologically enhanced ‘Heat Threads’ inside the garment are activated through movement, gently brushing against the skin to generate heat. 

Zerofit Heatrub Performance Move Hoodie

RRP £50 | BUY NOW

The Zerofit Heatrub Performance Move Hoodie is the ideal outer layer for golf on colder days. It’s manufactured using the same ‘LABO’ material as the baselayer.

Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Leggings

RRP £60 | BUY NOW

The Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate Leggings are made from the same material as the Ultimate baselayer, ensuring your bottom half is as warm as the top.

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