Smartwool

The Gorpcore trend owes its name to a hiker's primary source of energy: Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts. Trail mix, in other words. The past few years have seen a massive influx of technical clothing into the wardrobes of streetwear enthusiasts, but more recently, it's been outdoor brands that have broken into the high-fashion market. Among others, we've seen renowned designers partner with Arc'teryx, The North Face, Salomon, Snow Peak and other industry leaders. Like many other trends, this one has been embraced by big-name celebrities, to the point where the style has found a niche in our culture. And

Can you imagine wearing the same jersey on a summer hike as you would on a ski trip to the world's highest mountains? If that sounds far-fetched, Merino wool promises exactly that type of versatility. Softness, warmth, odour and moisture resistance and more, the wonder fibre is making a big splash in the outdoor world. It is one of the best performing fibres on the market. what is merino wool? A quick look at the science checks out. Merino wool is made up of proteins like amino acids and other natural compounds. The very biology of the wool gives it

Smartwool is synonymous with merino wool. From warm cozy socks to full-body base layers, their apparel is made to keep you warm, dry, and smelling fresh. Dedicated to making apparel for nature's biggest challenges, they're now taking on a challenge of their own. Sustainability is the name of the game. They're looking for ways to grow and produce apparel with the planet in mind. Here are some of Smartwool's plans for a more sustainable future. Materials Goals Smartwool is on a journey to making a better product that actually benefits the environment. Their goal is to replace all non-renewable synthetic fibers that

Smartwool is the first name you think of when you hear merino wool. For decades they've been making their socks and apparel using the softest and most versatile natural fabric available. No fabric available has the next-to-skin softness of merino wool, and very few can match it for performance. This natural fibre is renewable and capable of adapting to your needs. The moisture-wicking fabric transports sweat away from the body to the surface dries quickly. Merino benefits from layering, so a base and mid-layer will work well together to keep your body temperature regulated. It also works well to keep

Go Far. Feel Good. This is Smartwool’s motto and our own state of mind as we headed to Roger’s Pass, British Columbia at the end of March for a weekend of ski touring. On the drive into the mountains, avalanche warnings for Banff and Kootenay National Parks flashed red. The B.C. sun was unusually strong for that time of year, creating increasingly high snowpack risks on precisely the peaks we were heading to in search of powder. This is the legacy of climate change we’d battle all weekend.  Our ski touring weekend with Smartwool and David Erb of Protect Our

Fall is here and that means ski season is just around the corner. It’s time to start planning your first snowy adventure and to make sure you have all the gear you need to survive the cold. The last thing you want is to have a bad time because you don’t have the proper equipment.  But what do you really need? There are a lot of options out there and sometimes it can be difficult to choose which product is best, especially when it comes to choosing something with next-to-skin comfort. Luckily Smartwool has us covered. Let's Talk Fabrics You’ve

“Weather isn’t rocket science, it’s way harder than rocket science” - Robert (our ski guide) Let’s start at the end: Iceland changed my life. I was brought to the land of ice by Smartwool Canada to learn about their Fall-Winter product line. What better place than Iceland to discover and test Smartwool’s merino wool products? A country of extreme weather, extreme emotion, and extreme fun. These three subjects kept popping up on our journey to find the best spring ski lines in the north of the country. The Tröllaskagi Peninsula in mid-April offered an ideal setting to try out Smartwool

Iceland is known for many things. OK, just kidding. But what it should be known for is ski touring – holy moly does it have amazing ski touring. And where there’s touring, there’s cold weather with extreme and variable conditions. That’s where Smartwool’s Smartloft jackets and vests come into play. Shop Smartwool's Smartloft Collection  I flew out to Dalvik, a tiny fishing village in the Troll peninsula in the northwest of Iceland, to spend some time with Smartwool and truly test their products. As you may or may not know, they are renowned for their base layers and socks, but

Cooler weather calls for layers, insulated clothing and this season's Smartwool Smartloft insulation. The brand has embraced the beloved characteristics of wool and branched out to create the 'world's most comfortable insulation' - Smartloft. Made from 50% recycled materials, this light, lofty, warm and sustainable insulation is made up of 88% wool and 12% polyester. The 88% wool portion is comprised of 50% recycled Merino 250 scraps and 38% virgin wool so you get the warmth you love within an eco-friendly way. Shop Smartloft Collection Smartwool has been at the forefront of the base layer industry and a favourite among many. With a

Travelling for work is always tough; said no one ever who went ski touring in Iceland to test out Smartwool's 2018 winter collection. I haven't stopped thinking about this magnificent country since returning. So please, join me on this adventure through my photo journal of the images I took while having the time of my life. To get you as enthused about Smartwool's Fall-Winter collection of merino wool baselayers, ski socks, and insulated apparel, you can have a sneak peek of the trip, the goods, and our experiences. There will be more to come this coming fall when I'll review

It's no secret that merino wool has taken over the outdoor industry, because what's not to love from a soft-to-touch material that breathes as well as it fights odour-buildup? The sought-after properties of this wondrous fibre are praised throughout the winter months, but what if you could benefit from these features year-round? From base layers and socks to casual tees and dress shirts, merino wool isn't just for cold weather activities these days. Shop Smartwool Why Wear Merino Wool in Warm Weather? When it's warm outside, it can be hard to dress appropriately and remain comfortable. No matter how hard the