Icebreaker merino wear

Icebreaker is a global leader in natural performance apparel, specifically renowned for its pioneering use of merino wool. Founded in 1995 by Jeremy Moon in New Zealand, the brand was born from a vision to replace synthetic, petroleum-based outdoor clothing with sustainable, high-performance natural fibers. The company's core philosophy centers on sustainability, animal welfare, and transparency, famously introducing the 'Baacode' system to allow consumers to trace their garments back to the specific high-country sheep stations in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

While the brand maintains deep roots in New Zealand for its wool sourcing and design heritage, its manufacturing footprint is global. Production moved from New Zealand to China in the early 2000s to scale with international demand, while its specialized sock line continues to be manufactured in the United States. In 2018, Icebreaker was acquired by the American apparel giant VF Corporation, joining a portfolio of iconic outdoor brands such as The North Face and Smartwool, which has further accelerated its global expansion into over 50 countries.