Icebreaker: Gifts for Sporty Guys

Still not sure what to get for that sporty brother, father, or boyfriend?  We feel your pain!  Men can be such a challenge to shop for, so it’s best to stick to the basics.

For guys who are big into exercise, sports, and the great outdoors, the gift solution can be really simple!  Think about what they need:  gear and accessories.  Since actual sporting gear can be expensive – and something to stay away from unless you really know what your guy wants, I suggest sticking to those accessories!

Icebreaker is a company that specializes in outdoor and travel related items.

“Icebreaker, like many great things, started by accident.  In 1994, an American girlfriend introduced me to a merino wool farmer she had stayed with as she backpacked around New Zealand.  Brian Brakenridge lived on an isolated island in Marlborough with his family and 8,000 sheep. He had developed some prototype thermal underwear made from 100% pure New Zealand merino wool.  He threw me a piece of this extraordinary fabric across the lunch table. It felt soft and sensual, looked lustrous and was totally natural.  It was nothing like the wool I had grown up with, which was heavy and scratchy. And you could throw this stuff in the washing machine.   My first thought was that maybe I could sell this to the Americans, and pay for a ticket to the US to see my backpacking beau. Hey, I was 24.  But as I wore this fine wool t-shirt, it proved to me – and to the others we showed it to – how well merino wool performed in the outdoors, and how wonderful it felt. I was so enthusiastic about this discovery that I never saw my American girlfriend again – she was jilted by sheep.”

Socks are a great gift.  They’re going to get a lot of use, and every guy could use socks – even though they think the ten pairs with huge holes in them currently hanging out in their sock drawer are fine. Having the right socks for sporting activities is super important; I once went cross country skiing with thin socks on and wound up with blisters the size of half dollars.

Icebreaker has four main categories of socks:  Alpine, Outdoor, GT, and Everyday.

Icebreaker sent me a pair of socks for review and while I’m passing them on to a lucky guy this Christmas, I did spend some time checking them out.  The pattern is definitely one that will appeal to guys, as it’s streamlined in bold, basic colors.  The material is durable and will protect feet, while keeping them warm and comfortable.  They’re also breathable and lightweight so no worries about bulk or overheating.  And none of those blisters!

If your guy already has a big selection of quality socks, consider some other basic necessities – hats, scarves, and gloves!

I love the Icebreaker Powder Hat ($41.99), which is available in four colors.  I received the Ink/Reef/Thunder combo (pictured above) and think the colors are gorgeous!  This beauty’s going to my step brother, who’s big into snowboarding and other winter sports.  He’s always tricky to shop for, but I know he’ll be a big fan of this sleek, stylish hat.  The non-itchy material and added length for ear coverage are going to keep him warm and comfortable all year long!

Icebreaker doesn’t just cater to men; there’s a wide selection of clothing and accessories for woman as well.