Icebreaker - Pure Merino

People told me it would be near impossible to travel by skateboard, carrying all my travel gear in my backpack. 1.5 years and 12,159km later, I had not only proved them wrong, I was also a Guinness World Record holder; for the longest journey by skateboard (as seen in the 2012 Guinness Book of World Records).

The journey started in 2006; to cycle 12,000km from Japan to England was the plan. Somewhere in the depths of Central Asia, however, I got the idea stuck in my head that travelling by skateboard would be not only more unique, but also potentially more convenient; my daily budget was around $5 a day, and wild camping with a bike was a hassle at times.

I made it to Switzerland on my bike, and there I switched to the longboard and never looked back. The remaining 1,500km from Switzerland to England was awesome; smooth separated cycleways along the scenic Rhine river. Keen for more adventure, I headed to the US (crossing the Atlantic as crew on a sailboat) to skate across that continent.

I broke the Guinness World Record half-way across the US, but still hungered for more. No one had ever skateboarded across China, so that, along with the knowledge that it was home to plenty of fresh new tarmac, made it the obvious choice. China did not disappoint; 5,000km of the most buttery, divine pavement on earth, wild deserts, high passes, and diversity of culture made it the highlight of the trip.

All up, I travelled a shade over 25,000km over 2.5 years before arriving back home in New Zealand. I bought my first set of Icebreaker garments for the original bike trip (GT320 zip top, 280 weight midlayer, and a few sets of 200 and 150 weight base layers), and they managed to last me those 2.5 years of abuse and sweat and heat and frigid cold. 21 days without washing was my record for anti-hygiene, and the Icebreaker merino-wool goodness lived up to the hype. Thanks Icebreaker for your commitment to great design and functionality.

- Rob Thomson (www.14degrees.org), Guinness World Record Holder and Icebreaker fan.

“I just completed an unsupported trekking traverse of the Himalayas this past week.  The hike was over 2,600 kilometers and a whole lot of elevation gain and loss, at least the equivalent of summiting Mt. Everest over 20 times. I hiked from the easternmost 8,000 meter peak to the westernmost 8,000 meter peak averaging about 40km per day and hiking for the past three months.

Thanks to Icebreaker merino I  was able to wear the same baselayers for the entire trip only washing them out in creeks and rivers, never even using soap!  Three months, 10-15 hour hiking days through hot and humid and cold and snowy, and using only 2 shirts and 1 pair of boxers!”

- Justin Lichter, Icebreaker Athlete

I recently returned from a humanitarian dental trip to Samoa. It was a great experience.  We treated nearly 1,000 native Samoans in the most remote villages we could reach.  Great people and culture, beautiful scenery, a wonderful experience… enhanced by an Icebreaker t-shirt.

As a participant on the trip (this is my third year with the group – I provide ground support, helping set up and maintain our portable dental equipment), my one checked bag gets used for medical supplies and toothbrushes.  That left me with a carry-on for my personal belongings (limited to 14 pounds), for a planned 11 day trip.  I brought one set of clothes, snorkel gear, a first aid kit, electrolytes, emergency food, passport and a headlamp all in that carry on.

I climb and have a couple of Icebreaker pieces that I love to take to the mountain.  But I had no idea that one of your t-shirts would do so well as a travel shirt in hot, humid equatorial South Pacific.

- Lyle Neville, Icebreaker fan.