Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Congratulations to our Graphic Design team in our Wellington Head Office.  It was announced today that 3 of our designs are finalists in the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards 2010.

Nice work guys!

Check out their stunning work here:
Icebreaker GT Technical Baselayer Packaging
Icebreaker Merino Socks Packaging
Icebreaker Office Interior Art

Feedback from another satisfied Icebreaker customer…:

“I cannot express enough my extreme satisfaction with your product during our 21-day trip to Mongolia.  We were horseback riding, camel riding, kayaking and camping.  The trip of a lifetime!

Since we needed to pack light - I was especially drawn to the low-stink factor of your shirts.  Everyone else on the trip was spending time doing laundry when we got into camp - but I just kept on having fun because my shirts didn’t stink!  (And I looked good and felt comfortable).

Thank you for your great product!”

- Debra Gagner, Minneapolis, MN

We were contacted not that long ago by some Icebreaker fans, Friedel & Andrew, who were on a mission to find the best bike touring socks in the world.  These guys are serious about their socks, they obsess about it and tell us “if my feet are happy, so is the rest of me”.

After some extensive wear testing research (man did they put the socks they tested to the extreme!), they now wouldn’t be without Icebreaker merino wool socks.  You can read why here:  http://travellingtwo.com/resources/merinowoolsocks-icebreaker

Friedel & Andrew think our socks are so great - now they want to let you experience the revolutionary product they discovered.  Check out their blog, leave a comment telling them what you wear on tour or why you deserve some Icebreaker socks, and they will enter you in the draw to win one of three Icebreaker sock prize packs!  Entries close Monday July 19th.

Last week, over three nights, Anne and Philip Todhunter from Lake Heron Station were very generous hosts to three separate groups from Icebreaker stores around NZ.  They introduced us to their amazing property that sits in a wide, once glaciated valley inland from South Canterbury, and gave a snapshot of their lives and a much deeper understanding of the start point of the Icebreaker we were all wearing.

We struck it lucky with the weather, clear, calm and COLD!!  The fringes of Lake Heron were frozen over, as was the smaller lake behind their beautiful house.  This cold weather served to somehow amplify the beauty of where we were, and clearly illustrated how valuable our Icebreaker layering system can be.

Each of the three groups was treated to a tour of their 100 year old woolshed, gaining insights about when and how the fleece leaves the Merino and enters the Icebreaker supply chain.  Lake Heron is one of a dwindling number of stations that still blade shears most of its flock.  The blade shears are essentially a large, hyper-sharp pair of scissors that the shearers work over the sheep by hand - hard work indeed!

After seeing the woolshed we walked up a back track to a point where the expanse of Lake Heron Station was easily seen.  Philip explained where the Summer and Winter country are - along the 40km of valley that is the backbone, and main “highway” for the property - and how the flock of 10,000 Merino are moved with the flow of the seasons to maintain quality feed and keep them off the higher country, away from the worst snows of Winter.  Speaking of snow, this place is home to some incredible heli-skiing - Philips “other” job being the lead Pilot for Methven Heli Ski…

Evenings were spent enjoying the families beautiful home, Anne’s amazing cooking, and on one night a 9pm football match “curtain raiser” to the All Whites first match at the World Cup, played at  brisk -5oC.  Of course there were some other very real shenanigans - but we won’t go into that here!

Every group left with a feeling of awe, and very real respect for the people and places that we draw both inspiration and the raw material for Icebreaker from.

If you want to know more about Lake Heron Station, and the Todhunters themselves, please visit www.lakeheron.co.nz and discover more about where we were.  A huge thanks again to yet another high country family for opening their home and lives to us.

Jem Culpitt - Sales Manager, Icebreaker New Zealand

One of the best things about Icebreaker is our relationships with our merino wool growers.  Last weekend I was lucky enough to get invited to spend  some time at Cluden Station with Anna (our New Zealand Corporate Account Manager) and her partner Sam.  We started off by having dinner with some farmers from a neighbouring station.  Incredible company, a  great roast meal and some wine made for a fun night.

Although it rained the entire time I was there, when we made it up to the high country (via a very bumpy and exciting ride in a ute), I saw one of the most incredible sights ever.  It was snowing all around me and when I looked down the mountain it was completely green.  For many people who live near or experience the mountains on a regular basis, this may not be a big deal, but for a “townie” like me it was pretty special.

Lucky for me my IcebreakerGT Base Layer 200 Crew paired with a Superfine LS Hood and topped off with Real Fleece kept me toasty warm in the snow at the top of the mountain.  Sam was kind enough to stop the ute a few times so I could take photos.  I was totally a tourist and very much appreciated the patience of my hosts.

In the high country, the merino sheep were a bit difficult to spot, but thanks to some very skilled and lovable dogs, I was able to see two merino running down the mountain.  It was awesome to see the source of the merino that was keeping me warm in all that snow.

Overall it was a great trip where I learned heaps about what life in the country is like here in New Zealand, and  I was lucky enough to experience some spectacular scenery and hospitality.

- Swave Szymczyk, Global In-Store Marketing Manager

The Icebreaker office was buzzing this week with a truly momentous occasion.

It was thought only to exist in myth and legend, talked about in reverent whispers at the photocopier or espresso machine. As with most mystical items in history, open conversation about it was generally avoided for fear that talking about such an illustrious artifact in the cold light of day may destroy that last glimmer of hope that it were real.

But now, all of those doubts can be put to rest as the Icebreaker Golden Fleece was finally revealed.

It’s origins* are still somewhat vague, some even say magical. However, we do know that it has only revealed itself to us when the time was right and the recipient deserving.

So this week, the Golden Fleece was bestowed upon Alice Foote, to recognize her five years of loyal and valued service to Icebreaker.

In line with protocol, Alice had the honour of wearing the Golden Fleece for the entire day to mark the occasion, before the Fleece mysteriously vanished once more, only to return when another deserving soul reveals themselves (or when they’ve been here 5 years…. It’s flexible..)

PS: it is rumoured that if you stare at the Golden Fleece for too long your head will melt… so try to look at these pictures quickly.

*The Golden Fleece was handknitted by Caroline Chin and features a combination of soft, loopy merino wool intertwined with a metallic gold thread for sparkle power!

Some people find traveling for work a bit of a chore.  Airports, customs and delays are all part and parcel of a long day at work.  But I feel a little bit different in that respect.  It’s exciting, motivating, challenging and full of so many memorable times.

Here at Icebreaker, a few of the team get to travel for their jobs, and I’ve been lucky enough to head to Portland in the US for 2 weeks.  Sure we work hard when we get here, why wouldn’t you make the most of the opportunity when you’ve got access to your global team members face-to-face?  But our culture is pretty special and the payoff is so uniquely unreal.

There always seems to be another Icebreaker-ite on the road at the same time and it’s like a family reunion when we all get together.  Sometimes we meet up on flights or at tradeshows, other times in various Icebreaker offices around the world.  Meals are often spent crowed around a table sharing food and stories and having a good old laugh about past Icebreaker events.  Catching up on the latest news and what we’ve all been up to since we last met is essential, and sometimes that means a late night out, accompanied by the obligatory bottle of tequila.

Just in the last week I was able to fly to Portland with my old boss Michelle.  It was like traveling with one of your buddies, but even more inspiring as you get valuable mentorship along the way.  When I arrived in the US I found not only the US team on arrival, but many of the Europe, Canadian and Australian team members too!  It was pretty cool, and as I said, you get that family reunion type of excitement in the pit of your stomach, it almost feels like Christmas.

We partied at one of my favorite ex-NZ team member’s Lisa’s house on Tuesday.  ‘Lis’ has just become our US Market Manager so an Icebreaker party to welcome her and her family to this side of the globe was a must.  My old NZ buddy Becky happened to be part of the Europe troupe (she works for our Swiss office now), and on Thursday her, Ibi (our Swiss account Manager) and I grabbed tickets to an NBA playoff and had a magic night watching the Basketball at the Rose Garden (lets’ go Blazers, let’s go!).  Friday my boss Steve and I had a brainstorm at one of our creative agencies, who then decided to take us out for a Portland night on the town.  We had a blast, I made many new friends and even took off on Saturday on a road trip to Seattle with four of them to watch the Mariners play baseball!  Can’t wait to repay the favour when they come to visit in New Zealand.

This morning leads into my last few days of this trip and the excitement doesn’t stop. I met up with Viv (our TQE Manager) for breakfast as she’d just flown in overnight, and we arrived at the office to squeals of laughter and excitement as Kerryn and Kurt from our product team had just gotten engaged over the weekend!  They met at Icebreaker, so an Icebreaker marriage is now on the cards!  Wonder if they’ll be wearing merino as their wedding outfits….?  Kent from Canada has just arrived, and we’re all awaiting Nick from NZ.  He’s the latest employee to be given a wonderful job opportunity through Icebreaker - he’s moving with his wife to New York to look after our accounts over there.  Lucky thing.

It’ll be sad to go on Thursday, but hopefully I’ll be back again soon and I can’t wait to see my New Zealand Icebreaker family when I get home.

Brooke Riley, Global Web Project Manager

Our South-East Australian Account Manager Aleisha recently ran a competition for her sales reps to win a unique Icebreaker Bag.  They had to show proof of their ‘Icebreaker love’ in a creative way.  Check out this winning poem from Alicia, we totally think she deserves to win a bag!

Icebreaker makes the best merino wool garments ever,
Cool in summer, warm in winter, thermo-regulating you in any weather.
Environmental and social ethics are key to the Icebreaker brand,
Born in the Southern Alps in New Zealand but worn in every land.
Run, hike, climb, kayak, cave, ski; no activity is too great for Icebreaker.
Easy to wear, easy to look at; Icebreaker really is a trend-maker.
Accessories such as gloves, beanies, scarves and socks,
Keep your fingers and toes as warm as your core and jocks.
Estatic I am, to be itch and stink-free,
Really it’s true, Icebreaker is perfect for you and me!!!

As an RCMP officer attached to the ski security team for the 2010 Olympics, we were skiing on Whistler mountain for over 20 days.  Whistler being in the coastal mountain range can experience extreme weather changes and I felt that Icebreaker clothing was a good match.  We would go from rain, to sleet, to snow, then blowing cold and Icebreaker kept me warm throughout the whole day.

What I liked best about the Icebreaker base layers was that it was great at wicking away any moisture that would cool me down.  We had to wear our full duty uniform which included a Kevlar vest, needless to say the Kevlar doesn’t breathe much at all.  One of the days I was wearing an Under Armour base layer and found that going from being cold on the ski lifts to warming up on the hard runs that I actually overheated to the point of feeling nauseous.  After that point I just wore the little amount of Icebreaker that I had.

Which brings me to the other feature that I love about Icebreaker.  Since I didn’t have that many base layer items, I ended up wearing the same one for several days in a row.  I had heard the reviews that Icebreaker didn’t smell, even after prolonged use I still didn’t quite believe it.  So I put it to the test, and even after several days there was no odour whatsoever!  The base layer items were very light and provided a great warmth to weight ratio.

Icebreaker was great to keep my temperature regulated in all variations of the weather that I will be only wearing Icebreaker base layers whenever doing any activity in the outdoors!

Thank you so much for such a great product!!

- Jared

During my time at Snowgum (an Icebreaker dealer in Australia) I’ve succumbed to an addiction so many people share. I can’t stop buying Icebreaker.

As an elite athlete the equipment you use becomes as habitual as the training routines you follow. This usually means that when I buy something to train with I use it until it truly dies. Thankfully I’ve managed to save quite a bit of money by using the seemingly invincible Icebreaker shirts, socks and jocks. Except now I am spending more money than ever before because my Icebreaker clothing is being “borrowed” by the people I train with.

It usually happens when I get to an event and it is pouring with rain and my “friends” haven’t brought proper clothing, or when there is a minimum requirement for safety gear and it hasn’t been met.

“Callum would you mind if I borrowed that shirt again? I forgot my warm gear”.

“Oh yeah cheers for lending that top Callum I’ll give it back after I wash it”…

“Lucky you had that jumper spare Callum. They wouldn’t let me run without it”.

These are just a few of the quotes I can remember from occasions when I have permanently lent my Icebreaker gear. The kind of thing I compensate for now by bringing along extra clothing wherever I go.

So now I have very little Icebreaker and a severely depleted bank account from constantly trying to replace gear that “must of gotten lost in the wash”. I’m going to have to give up endurance sports or win the lottery soon just to satisfy my addiction and the one my running mates now share.