icebreaker Is Running Wild At The Speed Project
Some people run because they love it. Others do it for the glory of a medal. And then there are those who only run if they’re being chased. Even for a seasoned pro, running can be tough, sweaty, and sometimes it’s all you can do to keep putting one foot in front of the other. But what if running wasn’t about hitting personal bests or pushing through miles in gear that’s more plastic than performance?
Back in 1995, deep in the wild mountains of New Zealand, icebreaker was born from the idea that great outdoor gear isn’t made from a pile of plastic. While everyone else was busy cooking up synthetic fabrics in labs, icebreaker looked to nature. To create a new foundation for performance clothing, the brand created lightweight, breathable, temperature-regulating, and naturally odor-resistant materials from innovative merino wool blends, ensuring a signature athletic experience. From icy alpine trails to scorching deserts — icebreaker’s gear is built to work with our bodies and environment, not against them. This ethos of challenging the status quo is what brought them to one of the rawest, most unfiltered endurance events in the world: The Speed Project. And they didn’t show up alone.
Since 2013, The Speed Project has been one of the most sought-after (and totally crazy) ultra-running events in the world. There are no rules. No set course. Just 340 miles of unfiltered freedom from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. This year, icebreaker teamed up with Hamburg-based running team Sweat Club to take on the challenge with a natural layering system designed not just to keep up the pace, but to elevate performance. This is where merino-blended layers shine. Their Featherlight base layers are crafted from an ultra-light, breathable mesh of merino wool and TENCEL Lyocell that dries quickly and keeps you cool. Designed for movement, the Merino Blend Cool-Lite Speed Tee combines a lightweight feel with a close fit — perfect for running and high-intensity pursuits in warm conditions. Layered with breathable ZoneKnit mid-layers, this gear moves with you and adapts effortlessly to shifting temperatures.
With fabrics that cool when it’s hot, insulate when it’s cold, and breathe effortlessly, the gear feels like a second skin attuned to every shift in the environment. For the runners, that means experiencing the sun, the wind, and the road without ever feeling disconnected. No plastic barriers or synthetic distractions — just nature and pure, responsive comfort in motion.
Find out more about icebreaker at the Speed Project here.
