When you think of wool, you don’t usually think ‘outdoor clothing’.
However, Icebreaker does just that– they create many ranges of outdoor clothing for hiking, cycling, running and working out made of the softest merino wool.
This wool combines the best qualities of traditional wool (without the scratchiness) and synthetic fibre.
Icebreaker clothing works for outdoor use because it is soft, breathable and odour resistant.
Easy to wash and quick drying, this is perfect for taking on hikes or cycling trips.
The outdoor pieces are stylishly made, with many of them also working as casual wear.
The brand came out of a chance meeting that founder Jeremy Moon had with a merino sheep farmer back in 1994. He was astonished by the quality of the wool that was, “nothing like the wool I had grown up with, which was heavy and scratchy. And you could throw this stuff in the washing machine..”
When Jeremy wanted to develop the world’s first merino layering system for the outdoors, it was a time when synthetics ruled the roost. The then Kiwi yachting hero Sir Peter Blake, however, wore a prototype Icebreaker top and leggings for 40 days and nights while setting a world circumnavigation record—it was free and enthusiastic endorsement.
From this initial prototype, Icebreaker has grown and today includes underwear, mid layers, outer layers and accessories for men, women and children.
The merino wool clothing can be used in summer and winter—the wool works like it does in nature—allowing the sheep’s coat to breathe in summer and stay insulated in winter.
You can choose clothes for different activities: yoga, hiking, snow sports, running and fitness from the women’s, men’s and kids’ ranges. The weight of the garment – from featherweight to midweight lets you choose how much warmth you’ll need from the outfit.
You wouldn’t think underwear when you’re talking of wool clothes, but Icebreaker has ‘soft, silky’ underwear with Lycra for ‘the perfect fit’.
Sustainability is one of the core values of the company that ‘balances ecology with economy’. Using Baacode, costumers can trace their Icebreaker garment to the sheep station where the merino was grown. There they can see the living conditions of the sheep, meet the farmers who run the sheep stations and follow every step of the production process.
Icebreaker is available for purchase from more than 3,000 stores in 43 countries.
For great deals on Icebreaker gear visit http://www.paddypallin.com.au
