Icebreaker

Natural Outdoor Clothing

The idea for the New Zealand brand Icebreaker was born in 1994 during a lunch. When the then 24-year-old Jeremy Moon met sheep farmer Brian Brackenridge, he showed him a merino wool T-shirt. Moon was so enthusiastic about this material that he quit his job and bought the concept behind the prototype. He was one of the first to recognize the great potential of this natural fiber.

One year later Icebreaker was born. The name stands for breaking the ice and developing new ideas. Starting with Merino Base Layers, which were sold in individual outdoor shops in New Zealand, the brand's highly functional clothing is now available in more than 40 countries worldwide. The product range extends from underwear, functional clothing, sweaters and jackets to socks, caps, scarves and gloves.

Merino wool from New Zealand

It is soft, not too warm and does not smell even after several days of wearing. This is why merino products are becoming more and more popular. The speciality of merino wool lies with the sheep. The merino sheep is one of the oldest and most resistant sheep breeds in the world. In contrast to flatland sheep, merino sheep are made to survive in the New Zealand Alps in both intense heat and icy cold.

The animals' special fur enables them to compensate for these extreme temperature differences. Light and breathable, it cools down in warm temperatures up to 30°C, while the winter coat protects against temperatures down to -10°C.

In contrast to ordinary wool, merino is much lighter, wears less and does not scratch the skin. The advantage over synthetic fibres lies in the odour-repellent properties of merino. Furthermore, this renewable resource can be recycled and is biodegradable.

Functional fibre made by nature

Icebreaker's fabrics consist of 85% natural fibres. For some functions, merino wool is combined with other materials. In Corespun products, for example, a nylon core is covered with the finest merino wool to make the fabric more robust.

With COOL-Lite technology, Icebreaker has developed a blend of merino and plant-based TENCEL made of eucalyptus. The fabric is therefore cooler than cotton, provides effective moisture management and is extremely breathable. As a "goose friendly" alternative to down, MerinoLOFT offers an insulating, highly breathable filling that provides maximum warmth despite its minimal weight.

For maximum performance, Icebreaker has developed the world's first natural layering system. Divided into Underwear, Base Layers, First Layers, Mid Layers and Outer Layers, the layers offer the right outfit in all weather conditions. The more layers, the warmer the clothing.

Sustainable sheep farming

The merino wool from Icebreaker comes from New Zealand sheep farmers. With long term contracts, the brand is building a close relationship with the farms. This gives the shepherds security and enables a sustainable way of farming. Icebreaker's sheep farmers are subject to strict animal welfare regulations, which are regularly monitored.

In 2008, the manufacturer became the first company in the industry to take action against mulesing. Since 2010, the so-called "Baacodes" have also been in place. With these codes the customer has the possibility to trace the supply chain behind his product back to the respective sheep farm.

(Photos: Icebreaker)