For almost 100 years now, 66°North has been making high-performance, element-proof clothing designed to withstand the harsh conditions and extreme weather characteristic of its artic home. Founded with the purpose of making protective clothing for fishermen and workers braving the North Atlantic elements, the unwavering performance of the company’s premium-grade cold weather gear is reflective of a time when having the right clothing could be a matter of life and death. Still today 66°North’s customers expect garments that are durable and functional in addition to being comfortable. Which is one reason why, over the years, the Icelandic outerwear brand has integrated nearly every Polartec fabric into its collections. The other reason is that 66°North and Polartec share common values, including a steadfast emphasis on quality, resilience and sustainability. 

“We highly value Polartec’s efforts in evolving the industry standards. They have consistently delivered the industry’s best qualities, brought new innovative products to the market and have shown great initiative in solving environmental concerns in their products.”

Guðbjörg Jakobsdóttir, Apparel Designer, 66°North.

Ahead of the Curve 

66°North and Polartec have been innovating products and taking initiatives and leading the industry for more than three decades. Not only was 66°North one of the first brands to market Polartec® Alpha™ insulation, to test Polartec® NeoShell™ and deploy Polartec® Power Air™ fabrics, but the close collaboration has served to reinforce its overreaching commitment to sustainability. So much so that the 66°North design team turns to Polartec when designing cutting-edge products that meet the needs of our customers while addressing environmental concerns. No surprise here. Polartec fabrics have consistently met and exceeded expectations. And because Polartec products are consistently the strongest sellers, they have earned the trust of Icelanders as well as 66°North’s global customers. 

We Exist Because We Must 

On a small island nation where everyone knows everyone, 66°North’s customers are also their friends, family, and colleagues. Its DNA began here; making high-quality outerwear that was durable and repairable to protect its community from risking their lives at sea. Today, the livelihoods of many Icelanders are threatened by warming seas, and 66°North sees the impact of global warming first-hand in the glaciers that dominate the landscape. While the role of a manufacturer is to protect customers, 66°North’s responsibility as a business is to lessen its impact on the environment that it is so much a part of. Unlike many other brands, 66°North makes most of its garments in its very own factories, giving the company far greater control over its footprint.  

Past. Present. Future 

It wasn’t long ago when staying alive in Iceland was a struggle. To this day, resourcefulness (using what you have and making it last) is deeply ingrained within its culture. For the folks at 66°North, this their úlpa - a special Icelandic word to describe a single multipurpose jacket that makes you ready for anything. 66°North relies on their úlpa for everyday life. They remember it when choosing sustainable materials that don’t sacrificing performance. So, just as they have for over three decades, 66°North and Polartec will continue to set the standard for premium outdoor apparel that can stand the test of time; ensuring that adventurers like Chris Burkard have the best gear to support their passions and protect the planet.