Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Quite simply, because nature is better than plastic.

We know you care about where the things you buy come from, want to know about the ethical commitment of the companies you buy from, and what impact your purchases will have on the planet. That’s why we’re committed to a sustainable business model that doesn’t put profits ahead of the environment.

Each year, sheep in New Zealand’s Southern Alps grow thick merino wool, and each spring the coat is shorn. From this fibre, Icebreaker creates beautiful merino clothing. Our merino clothing combines the best qualities of traditional wool, synthetics and cotton. It’s soft and non-itch, it’s warm in the cold and cool in the heat, it breathes to prevent clamminess, and it has a miraculous ability to warn off stinkiness – you can run a marathon and still smell as sweet as if you’ve spent the day on the sofa.

And because it was made in the mountains, rather than a lab, merino wool is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. Plus, your unique Baacode will let you trace the merino fibre from your Icebreaker garment back to its source. You can see the living conditions of the high country sheep that produced the wool, meet the farmers who are custodians of this astonishing landscape, and follow every step of the supply chain.

So along with The Nature Conservancy we’re celebrating the second year of Green Gift Monday! And encouraging you to give green this holiday season with responsible, meaningful holiday gifts.

Green Gift Monday coincides with Cyber Monday, November 28, the biggest online shopping day of the year.

Hi, I’m Craig Manson, and I’ve been working at Icebreaker for almost 18 months as the Upper North Island (NZ) Account Manager.

Last year I completed my first marathon – the Auckland Marathon. My time was an agonizing 4:00:28. That’s correct – 28  seconds quicker and I would have broken the illustrious sub 4 hour mark. However I didn’t! So, about 6 months ago, I signed up for my second Auckland marathon… this time determined to go under the 4 hour mark. I started serious training after our magnificent Fall Winter 11 product launch. My training consisted of 4 runs per week – averaging 50km a week. This lasted for 4 weeks until I decided to up the anti to 80km a week. This was a major increase in kilometres, but I had to achieve my goal. Some of my mates thought I was on the verge of insanity!

As D-day approached, I seriously started to self doubt my targeted finish time. I’d been very busy with work and my training intensity wasn’t great. Two weeks before the marathon I decided to spoil myself, in the hope of increasing my speed and also a reward for doing a 35km run the week before, I bought myself a brand new Icebreaker Run wardrobe. I purchased an Ace Short Sleeve Tee in Field, a pair of Beast Anatomica boxers and a pair of Run Ultralite Micro Socks – the BEST run socks in the world!

D-day, the 31^st of October, 5:30am, preparation complete – it was just me and the course! Nerves running wild, I was going to run under 4 hours no matter what. The first 5kms were pretty difficult but I was feeling good. As I approached the 10km mark my speed increased and at the half way mark, my time was 1:43hrs. I knew the last 10 kms were going to be the hardest. I was very mindful of this and kept pushing on as hard as I could…well the last 10kms were pretty difficult and slow, however…… at the 40km mark I knew I was going to achieve my goal. With my goal almost  in the bag, I started to enjoy my time out there, although it was still really difficult. About 100m from the finish line, I acquired a special friend, Ramotaur!! I crossed the finish line in a time of 3:45:41! I was pretty stoked and as always my Icebreaker performed perfectly. No stink, only a very sore body!

If you’re ever looking for a running buddy up in Auckland, feel free to drop me a line. Next year’s marathon time…………… who knows?

- Craig Manson, Icebreaker NZ Upper North Account Manager

Our CEO and Founder Jeremy Moon loves wearing chick’s clothing – check him out working hard last week, developing our new range with the team in Portland.  He loved wear-testing the girls hats and scarves.