There’s a special kind of grit in trail runners. The ones who don’t stop when the terrain gets tough. When the ascents get steep, the air gets thin, or the weather dives. The ones who chase the climb, who lean into the rough and face the summit legs aching, vest clipped, sweat heavy. The mountain goats.
That’s who we created the Aero Tee for. Our lightest layer yet, and our ultimate running performance tee. Thirty per cent lighter than our Icon Tee, designed specifically for runners. But more than a (sweet) number on a spec sheet, the Aero Tee is the result of chasing an idea: how far could we push Merino for high output running in the mountains?
Synthetics Vs Merino: Where it all began
In the mountains, your environment can change in an instant. One minute you’re sweating through the dry Central Otago heat - the next, you’re exposed on a ridge with a biting southerly at your back. Up there, you need kit that works as hard as you do.That’s when synthetics get shit, and Merino shines. Synthetics trap heat when it’s hot, get clammy when it’s not, and hang onto stink like a badge of honour. Merino, on the other hand, naturally regulates temperature. It keeps you cool on the climbs, warm when the wind rolls in, and holds the line when the weather packs. It moves moisture before it becomes a problem, and because it’s antimicrobial, it doesn’t stink. Even after hours of high output.
But we wanted even more. More airflow. More breathability. Less weight. A natural fibre alternative that outperforms synthetics in all running conditions. A tee that could be worn for the longest missions without clinging, chafing or stinking. And most of all, one that felt effortless in motion.
So, we engineered a new fabric. Our lightest, ever. And we designed the Aero Tee just for runners.
The Fabric: Ultralight that doesn't compromise
The Aero Tee is built with our new Air-Lite Merino 95, a tech fabric that lands at just 95gsm and roughly 75 grams. That’s lighter than any performance tee on the market with the same coverage, without taking the mesh route.
Coming in at a healthy 30 per cent lighter than our Icon Tee, the Aero Tee feels almost weightless. It dries faster and manages heat more efficiently, responding to your body and the environment around you in real time. When you push, Aero keeps you cool. When the breeze picks up or the temps drop, the Aero keeps you warm without overheating.
In terms of design, we know trail running is rarely smooth. Packs bounce. Straps shift. You twist, scramble, climb, and move. Every seam and panel must earn its place, which is why we designed the Aero Tee specifically for better movements.
We moved the shoulder seams forward to sit clear of pressure zones around the straps. No rubbing. No weird hotspots. Just freedom to move and comfort so light you barely notice it. Underarm gussets open up the fit for airflow where you need it, while side vents give you better freedom of movement to pick your route up the ridge. Every choice is intentional, ditching the dead weight and stripping back to the basics.
There’s only one way to test it
A Mons tee isn’t a Mons tee until it’s been put to the test. And there’s no better place to test the Aero than in our outdoor playground. Aka, the trail running mecca that is Wānaka, New Zealand. Beech forests, dry valleys, long switchbacks, exposed ridgelines and chilly wind-loaded passes make Central Otago the perfect place to put gear to the test.
The first thing we noticed was how little we noticed it. Aero feels cool from the start and quickly wicks moisture as effort ramps up. When the wind hits, the Merino smooths out the temperature shock that usually makes synthetics feel icy. Even after hours of movement, there was no chafe, no smell, no damp hotspots clinging to tired shoulders. The Aero stayed dry, fresh, and comfortable right the way through.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what the Aero is built for. The long runs, the changing climates, the highs and lows of mountain running and the thrills you can’t find on a treadmill. It’s for runners who want natural performance that actually performs – and the Aero has officially ticked all the boxes. We checked.
