Icebreaker - Pure Merino

I am writing to thank Icebreaker for making high quality clothing that also looks great.I graduated from the College of Charleston in South Carolina last summer and on July 4th made the decision to pack up my car and tour the USA. One month later I was standing on the side of the road in San Jose, CA staring at my totaled car wondering how I was going to continue my travels. How would I get there? What was I going to do with everything I had packed for the journey?

I decided to sell my things, buy a backpack, and keep going. I knew that if I was going to keep going with no clear plan, I should travel as light as possible. While researching travel clothing, I read a review on Icebreaker products and decided to take a chance on a Long Sleeve Bodyfit 200 shirt.

When I tried it on I was pleased to find that in addition to not being itchy or hot in the summer weather it also looked great on me. After wearing the it for only a week I had already received many compliments on how nice my shirt looked.

One month later, the shirt was keeping me warm when it was cold and comfortable when it was warm, whether I was standing at the top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii or walking down the street in Savannah, GA.  When I got drenched at Niagara Falls, I found that the warmth didn’t leach out of my body like it would have with a cotton shirt. An additional benefit was that it dried incredibly quickly.

One year later, I had traveled across 25 states, 4 Canadian provinces from September 2008 to September 2009 and worn my Icebreaker shirt every day. Despite the long and frequent wear and washings, the shirt still fits like a glove, looks good and is in great shape.

Never in my life have I been so completely satisfied with a clothing purchase. I am now living in Los Angeles and looking for permanent work, so I have to wear working attire but as soon I can get some income together I am going to purchase more icebreaker shirts so that I can be comfortable and look great in my off time.

Thank you so much for making such a great shirt. I don’t normally write to companies about their products, but this purchase experience was so good that I felt compelled to do so in this circumstance. I have never made a clothing purchase that has impacted my life is such a positive manner and I appreciate it.

I am including pictures of myself in the shirt in a variety of the locations that I traveled to. Some of the locations are more urban than your typical client might travel to but I think this speaks to the versatility of the shirt.

- Drew Buzzell, Icebreaker Fan, Los Angeles, CA

Dear Icebreaker,We are the band Longital and this is our story which we would like to share with you:

When we decided to focus on music full-time in 2001, we felt like we were going to explore an unknown territory, and therefore our first steps led us to outdoor shops where we bought the “non-music” gear.

Since then we have released 8 albums, started our own music label and toured 12 countries in Europe. We play about 90 live shows annually in different climatic conditions, traveling by trains or plane so we need to pack electronic equipment, CDs and clothes in small suitcases.

A live gig for the musician is something like an extreme sport, with sudden changes of temperature and humidity. One year ago we came across Icebreaker and since then we have got a new piece from the catalogue almost every month!

We played a tour of Czech republic in October completely in Icebreaker underwear and our singer/bass player has based her image completely on Icebreaker.

I secretly tested the durability of an Icebreaker Bodyfit shirt without washing it for the whole month and the shirt was still OK after 20 shows!

Icebreaker has become an indispensable friend at our travels and also during shows. Thank you for that.

Here is our song for you: http://www.longital.com/gloria/zrkadlo.mp3

- Dano Salontay, Longital, Icebreaker Fan

www.longital.com
www.myspace.com/longital
www.facebook.com/longital

The sky has just started to change from totally darkness towards twilight. The morning hours are upon us, and we’ve been climbing through the whole night. We continue up a steep corner covered with snow and loose rocks, before meeting a new area of compact snow and an other endless uphill. There is not much strength left, but after a short break we start again, putting one foot in front of the other. The speed is slow and we are totally exhausted. A few steps and you’re out of breath forced to take a new break.

But suddenly………behind the snow drift……….it emerges……..a massive pyramid of snow covered with beautiful prayer flags stretched out in all directions of the sky.

WE´VE MADE IT….!!!!!!!!! The summit……..just in front of us………a few more yards and we’re at the top of the world…. A feeling so indescribable that there is no words, which can express our emotions. In a great rush of extreme happiness mixed with laughter and tears, we’re fighting our way the last couple of yards towards the summit and hand in hand we’re climbing up standing on top of the world…..

The sun is once again rising in the horizon and fills our smiling faces with warmth and unveils probably the most beautiful view ever seen by humans.

“People need to climb the mountain not simply because it is there. But because the soulful divinity needs to be mated with the human spirit.”
- Dalai Lama

We are forever thankful for all the great Icebreaker products and support given to us and helping us fulfilling this amazing adventure….

Best wishes from Norway
- Petter Nyquist and Lars Oma Erichsrud, Icebreaker Fans

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the band new Icebreaker office in Germany and the also relatively new office in Czech Republic.

The main aim of the trip was to meet and train the finance managers…however it quickly became clear that the actual aims of the trip were to eat as much chocolate as possible as fast as possible, substitute water for beer and ride bikes.

On the first day at the office we had challenged each other to beat the world record Ferrero Rocher’s consumed in a minute. We needed to consume 8 to beat the record. Priding ourselves on being massive chocolate fans we thought this challenge would be effortless. In fact it is not! However it proved to be a very entertaining exercise.

Martina, the German Marketing Manger, and I fronted up to the touristy tour of Munich in the spring rain. After a strenuous 5km 3hr tour of Munich we found ourselves downing Weißbier like it was water…and with the tour guide who had made a habit extending the tour for Icebreaker girls into a German pub crawl.

The following morning, feeling a little under the weather I needed to rid myself of the evil jagermeister toxins. So I rode around the very picturesque Lake Stanrberg. It was an honest 50kms on a bike with a basket and no suspension. At the end of the trip I joined the brave few taking the first dip of the summer in the lake. The toxins were nearly gone and I started to feel human again.

For the last weekend in Europe, David the Czech Marketing Manager convinced me to enter a “about 50km” bike ride in the Czech mountains. Not being able to say no to energetic and enthusiastic David, I agreed. How hard could it be?

Let’s just say the next time I take on 70km mountain biking adventure, I might do a spot of training beforehand!

However the pain was more than offset by the amazing experience. The scenery was spectacular, through lush green forests. The views were fantastic from the mountain tops, over the Czech country side and into neighbouring Poland.

The beverages were graciously received, particularly the classic Czech beer at the end. And last but not least the Icebreaker team, encouraging, supportive the whole way. We had a few laughs, nearly a few tears, ate lots more chocolate and all passed the finish line with grins from ear to ear.

- Heidi Anderson, EU Finance Manager

In 2008, my boyfriend and I attempted a climb of Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe at an elevation of 5,642 metres. We had layered up in synthetic “quick dries”, down and waterproof shells. BIG MISTAKE! Soon after starting out on Summit day I was overheating like crazy. A violent storm blew in and ruined any hope of summit success that day.A year later, August 2009, the mountain called us back! Lessons learned - we went shopping for better layers! We discovered Icebreaker wool in a local shop in Calgary. The initial draw was the “no stink” advertising that came with the products so we picked up a couple of t-shirts to try out. During a Snow & Ice Climbing weekend on a glacier in Jasper, Ab we soon realized the bonus of body temperature regulation and quick dry features.

To prep for our second trip to Russia to conquer Ms Elbrus, we stocked up on Icebreaker products ranging from short sleeved t’s, long sleeved super lites, long sleeved heavy weights, pants and even a cute little black dress for nights on the town!

Our summit day started with temps falling below -20 degrees celcius! We summited the mountain shortly before noon and the UV rays were hitting hard! Stripping off the Goretex - our Icebreaker layers were enough to keep our temps regulated and our skin protected from the scorching sun! It’s pretty crazy when you’re praying to just make it below the clouds for some shade!

The products were fabulous! Base camp isn’t exactly the Ritz Carlton so when you haven’t showered for a few days that “no stink” feature really adds the value!

I would highly recommend the Icebreaker line for all athletic and outdoor activities. The range of weight in the products really makes it easy to dress for the elements!

Thanks Icebreaker!

- Shauna Spencer, Icebreaker Fan, Calgary, Alberta

1 month of enough bureaucratic red-tape to stop Genghis Khan in his tracks;

 3 days to get from Hong Kong to foot of the Altai Mountains in Western Mongolia;

 8 days of no showers, no roads, and nomads;

 6 days overland in a Russian minibus;

 3 days on horseback to the foot of the “Holy Five” mountains;

 1 night of drinking homemade goat’s milk vodka to cut the Siberian wind as the temperature drops to -8C;

 11 days far, far away from cities, cars, crowds and “civilisation”.

 …priceless.

- Timo Pape, Icebreaker Fan

I decided this year I wanted to do something completely different than my usual tourist holiday, so after a little searching, a four week volunteer stint in Borneo at an Orangutan rescue centre it was!

My home for the four weeks was in an eco-lodge in an area called Samboja Lestari, a regenerating 2,000-hectare forest reserve located in Eastern Borneo (the forest had totally been destroyed by fire prior to 2001).  As well as being a major reforestation project, Samboja Lestari is home to 52 Sun Bears and 225 Orangutans all who have been rescued from either deforestation or trade.

Not knowing what the conditions were going to be - day/night temperatures, availability of washing machines and how strict the dress code would be for females, Icebreaker seemed like the perfect travel companion.

I was all set for my flight in my cosy Bodyfit 260 and Rio pants.  I also took with me a 150 cami (perfect to sleep in), a Rio Hoodie, an Airport top as well as a couple of pairs of Lite Crew socks.  Why I took more than one pair of socks with me I don’t know, they are fantastic!  I did a little test and even with hot sweaty feet tucked into work boots all day long after eight days straight they still didn’t smell.  I was so impressed with them I gave my other pair to another volunteer, who put them to good test in her Welly’s - she loved them too!

One of the main objectives of our volunteer team was to provide daily enrichment to the orangutans.  The enrichment helps provide mental stimulation as they have to do something to get food and are then rewarded for their effort.  These included a variety of new food options, sometimes frozen into big ice blocks, making food parcels from hessian sacks or stuffing bamboo sticks.  They were fun to make and it was really rewarding to watch the Orangutans enjoy finding their treats.

This was an amazing experience for me and a big thanks to Icebreaker for providing some kiwi comfort.

- Jo Healey, Icebreaker Fan

The Compostela Pilgrimage is known to clear the mind, deliver blisters and to give a whole new perspective on life so they say. Stories from strangers fill up the notebook while your steps carry you towards the next village on the way.Travel is an addiction, impossible to cure no mater your prescription. The rush of a one way ticket, the culture, the symphonies, the art, the new faces and the adventures out of science fiction… I needed to go. Everything I had I sold; Condo, furniture, clothes and I stored my whole life in an old chest in a garage somewhere in Canada. With no spare clothing, 2 books and a one way ticket I knew I could trust Icebreaker for my everyday needs no matter the weather. This constant need of change brought me to Spain where Missa and I met for the first time between worn out soles and dusty roads…

Coming straight from Denmark and to her surprise Missa was chosen to be part of an important American documentary on the Camino Pilgrimage on her very first day. On a journey of 800 kilometers we met on the 5th day, we were both solitary individuals but something deep inside told us we could learn a lot from one another. It is never easy to juggle between work, family, friends and your love life when travel is in the picture. This is not a story about dangerous expeditions or survival situations, it is about actually learning who you are through a complete stranger on one little road in Spain.

In this environment we droped the rule book that we used to rely on back home and we seemed to be more receptive from everything around us. Here, everybody is looking for an answer some find it, some don’t. To share this experience with a stranger without losing who you are as an individual and not to step on your own needs was something we both needed to work on. We were being provoked in so many areas of our lives but learned that not always being in a comfortable environment actually makes us evolve in the end. Being outside the comfort zone was a way to feel more alive and to learn in the fast lane for many of us, and so we did.

Leaving everything behind gives you the possibility to travel with practically nothing. To leave the comforts of home, to see what you are really made of and to appreciate again what you took for granted in the past. A choice like this always involves important consequences; the clothes and shoes you are leaving with are of capital importance. When it rained, Icebreaker kept me warm even with the wind against me. With light rain, your own body heat actually keeps it completely dry… I have never seen this. During the heat of the day…the clothing breathed very well…no smell and very fast cleaning process. During the night I zipped up my IB jacket, put on the hood and slept like a baby. Since I wore the same clothes for 800 kilometers this made my journey very comfortable.

Read about the American documentary, or see pictures of the crazy film team. 

- Pierre-William Takacs, Montréal, Canada.
Intrepid traveller - no bags, no extra clothing, no guide books, no guides and no remorse.

Pierre-William describes himself as “a treasure hunter, looking for antiques, artifacts and pieces of the old world. As you may know, this kind of job requires you to go out off the beaten track more than once in very remote areas where life conditions, terrain, and climates are always testing the best of your abilities.”

Most of my friends dream of having a job that involves travel - and I’m not talking about a conference in Auckland or the annual teambuilding trip in the Wairarapa. In my two years with ‘Team EU’, I’ve been to Europe five times.  Most of the trips have centered around trade shows, which are an avenue to showcase our new ranges to current and potential buyers. The summer trade shows are my favourite - probably because I get to escape the torturous Welly winter.

I’ve been working at Icebreaker for just over three years now, starting out in the NZ customer service team. After less than a year in that role, an opportunity came up to move into a small team that looked after our European distributors.  I’m still there, but our EU markets have grown massively so my role is forever changing.

My last couple of Euro stints have been geared to helping with the set-up of our European-based teams and offices. It was hard-nuts at times, working some big hours to get things done, but in August when the first German sales go through our system it will all be worth it!  It’s a unique thing to be involved in - a Kiwi company making it worldwide!  In five years’ time, when our German office is booming, I can say I was there when their furniture was being delivered. That’s pretty cool.

While the weeks abroad can be full-on with work, the weekends…well, let’s say I’ve been a Kiwi girl making the most of being in Europe.

So far in 2009, I’ve been skiing in Austria and Switzerland, hung out in Gaudi’s Barcelona, had coffee in Amsterdam and saw more breasts than I’ve seen in my life at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. I’ve visited friends and family in London, twice, and I’ve lost my bags on trains in Munich, twice!

At 24, I really have had the best of both worlds. I get to see the world, and I get to live in the best country in the world. However,  I’m a firm believer in freaking yourself out every once in a while, and that’s exactly what I’m about to do - I’m moving to Switzerland to work with our crew there for a year. And because I can’t speak much French, I’ll probably be freaking myself out every day. Great! Can’t wait!

So big thanks to Icebreaker for all the doors you’ve given me to open. It has been a challenge, and a privilege. Looking forward the year ahead! EU is going to crank.

- Rebecca Ryan, Export Coordinator