Hi, there! I want to tell you about the best performance wear I’ve ever used. It’s an incredible alternative to the “plastic”, i.e., polyester, petroleum based clothing that is usually sold in many sports stores. It’s very comfortable and naturally moisture wicking and doesn’t stink. You get it in a variety of styles and colours in a full range of workout clothing and accessories. I don’t know why EVERY top athlete in the world isn’t using the best performance wear!
I first heard about it when one of my students told me about it. She told me how she’d gone on a long trip to Iceland where she kayaked and hiked for a few weeks. She took that clothing with her and it was amazing how it stood up to weeks in the wilderness without needing to wash them!
I didn’t think much about it until I went to Sidney, Australia in October 2009 when my husband and his Mens’ Soccer Team participated at the World Masters Games. That’s when I found them in a sportswear store a few steps away from our hotel!
I suddenly remembered the name of the brand: Icebreaker of New Zealand.
Since it was October in Australia and Spring time, they were clearing out Winter stock. There wasn’t much left. But I found some long underwear in my size. I thought that’s all they made since that’s what my student told me 5 years earlier. And by the way, they’re made of Merino Wool from the New Zealand Alps.
Since fall was coming up in Calgary, the timing was actually just right. I’ve worn my set of long underwear for several years now. They still look great. They keep their shape pretty well and durability is great. And during a run, I never feel clammy or yucky.
The fact is: polyester workout clothes will eventually start to stink with sweat that won’t wash out! Yuck.
I didn’t do any research on the brand or the company and just kept wearing what I had – until the fall of 2013. What changed? My husband works in the Oil Patch here in Alberta. He needed new cotton long underwear because he was building a gas plant up north. As a safety regulation, workers are required to wear cotton next to their skin in case of fire! His old ones were beat up. He asked me to find new ones.
No one makes 100% cotton long underwear anymore!
I went everywhere I could think of. I just happened to be in a sportswear store and STUMBLED upon Icebreaker underwear. I had no idea that local stores sold them! And yes, pricey. But I realized that natural also meant merino wool. That’s when I noticed that Icebreaker makes a FASHION line. WOW.
The store had a booklet showcasing their products and suddenly I realized the potential for performance wear AND travel/leisure wear. I really do consider their product to be the best performance wear!
Since then, I’ve traveled to hot steamy Fortaleza when I was there for the World Cup of Soccer last summer and took my Icebreaker with me. I took them to Jamaica with me this winter. Your wardrobe needs are very few when you buy a few pieces of Icebreaker.
It’s true – you never feel suffocated when you’re working out, in hot or cold weather. They don’t stink even after days being away from a washing machine and when you get home, they wash up nicely in the washing machine and hang up to air dry quickly! I love my Icebreaker clothing! It’s the best performance wear ever. Silky and smooth. You wouldn’t know it was wool. But beware, merino wool comes from many sources all over the world, but it is the merino wool from New Zealand – that’s what you want!
Dr. Joanny Liu, TCMD, RAc, P.Eng. Dr Joanny Liu “Best Selling Author and founder of Extraordinary Sports Medicine, where we help athletes reverse injury, get back in the game they love and improve their quality of life.” Best selling book at: Heal Your Concussion: How to Quickly and Effectively Get Back in the Game Remember, we’ve got two books about healing concussions in Amazon: Knock OUT Concussions, Heal Your Concussion: 21 Days to Brain Health, and Dr. Joanny’s new book, Heal Your Concussion: How to Quickly and Effectively Get Back in the Game is NOW live on Amazon!
