ZeroFit Ultimate Heatrub Baselayer Review By Ken Engelman
Cold-weather riding has a way of separating good gear from great gear. During the holidays, I had the opportunity to put ZeroFit’s next-generation baselayer to a genuine real-world test – not just a quick run around town but a proper winter ride in 40-degree temperatures, layered beneath my trusted Klim ADV gear.
The destination was lunch with my good friend Gina De Pasquale, a trainer with RawHyde Adventures / Off-Road Academy, who was in from the West Coast visiting family. Gina had kindly stored my motorcycle in her garage before I flew out to L.A. in 2016 to ride it back to Connecticut. Gina knows a thing or two about staying warm, focused, and comfortable on motorcycles in all conditions. If you ever have the chance to train with her, take it. I’m a better rider today because of what I’ve learned from her and the RawHyde team.
The Connecticut highway ride was long enough and cold enough to expose weaknesses, making it ideal for evaluating whether this baselayer lived up to its claims. After speaking with ZeroFit owner Doug Zirbel beforehand, I had high expectations. Let’s be honest; being cold while riding just flat-out sucks.
From the moment I put on the ZeroFit baselayer, it felt different from a typical compression layer, fleece, or waffle-style thermal. The fabric was soft, stretchy, and immediately formed to my body – snug without being restrictive. There was no bulk, no stiffness, no bunching, and no sense that I’d be fighting it once my outer gear went on.
ZeroFit’s proprietary Heatrub technology is designed to generate warmth through movement, and that claim became apparent almost immediately. As I settled into the ride south on I-95, I could feel a consistent warmth building, not artificial heat but a natural, body-driven warmth that stayed steady. Even during long stretches with minimal movement, the warmth never faded.
Winter riding means dealing with wind exposure and long stretches of minimal body movement, mile after mile. This is where many baselayers fall short. They’re warm when you’re active but cold when you’re not. I’m happy to report the ZeroFit baselayer never did that. The only cold spots I noticed were the usual ones: between my neck and helmet and between my gloves and jacket, areas not covered by the baselayer.
At highway speeds, tucked behind my GS’s windscreen and wrapped in my gear, my core stayed warm without overheating. No clamminess or sweat buildup, just dry, consistent warmth that didn’t disappear when I stopped at lights or slowed through Fairfield, Connecticut, where Gina and I met for lunch.
A quick side story and one that became a legitimate part of this review. After stopping for gas about two miles from our meeting spot, my bike wouldn’t start. This one was on me. Months earlier, I’d forgotten to turn off my auxiliary lights, and despite trickle-charging afterward, the battery had finally given up. Gina contacted a nearby dealership that had just opened, MotoPlex Fairfield located about a mile away, and their team kindly agreed to let us borrow a battery jumper. The staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful. After Gina and I had lunch, we jumped the bike, I rode home, and a new battery quickly went on order. Gina returned the jumper to the dealer and continued on her holiday journey. Thanks to Gina and the MotoPlex Fairfield team for the assist!
Why this side story matters: Between troubleshooting, driving around, sitting through a long lunch, visiting the dealership, and restarting the bike, I never overheated, never broke a sweat, and never felt chilled. That impressed me.
ZeroFit claims this baselayer delivers up to five times the warmth of traditional baselayers without added bulk. Based on this experience, that doesn’t feel like marketing hype. I never once thought about adding another layer, and in 40-degree weather, that says a lot.
The fabric blend (acrylic, polyester, nylon, wool, and polyurethane) strikes an excellent balance between insulation, breathability, and stretch. It layered effortlessly beneath heavy-duty armored ADV gear, never bunching or creating pressure points even after extended time in the saddle where seams often become noticeable.
Most riders tend to focus on outer layers like jackets, pants, gloves, but I’ve learned that baselayers are where comfort really begins. The ZeroFit Ultimate Heatrub Baselayer isn’t just warm; it’s intelligently warm, using motion and material science rather than bulk to do its job. I’ve since donated my older, thicker baselayers to warming centers here in Connecticut. The ZeroFit has become my go-to set. It even proved its worth while standing still outdoors in 20-degree temperatures watching the Branford Holiday Parade just before Christmas.
For me, the ZeroFit baselayer proved itself as more than just another thermal option. It’s a purpose-built, rider-friendly solution that delivers warmth as intended. My only concern? The black color. When I took my jacket off at lunch, my white dog’s fur was everywhere. I’ll just bring a lint brush with me next time.
The ZeroFit Ultimate Heatrub Baselayer top and leggings sell for $90 each in sizes XS-3XL.
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